[Closed] What tent?

I've got a Terra Nova Voyager Superlite and it's great. Just big enough for two (or massive for one) and it's around 1.7kg with proper pegs (1.5kg with the cocktail sticks it comes with).  Handles wind pretty well (it wobbles but hasn't yet broken, despite a Lakeland gale on its first outing), condensation isn't an issue, and it only leaked once, slightly, in the heaviest rain I've ever seen (and it wouldn't have leaked then if I'd sealed the seams myself, as recommended by TN - which I've since done). For winter I have a Hilleberg, tho to be honest I'm not convinced I'll keep it.  For anything other than winter or very exposed spots, the Voyager is great. Not cheap tho. Look for online deals. You don't need a footprint if you're careful.

Hilleberg are not Inner First - at least they weren't, and the pictures on the website suggest they've not changed much (you can see pole sleeves on the outside of the fly).  They are designed to pitch as one (ie with the inner pre-attached to the fly), but can equally be pitched outer first, outer only or (and I think this requires additional parts) inner only.

Condensation is a common issue with tents.  Hilleberg (I suspect Nordisk also) are designed for the cold north, where keeping the wind out and temperature up are important, so the flysheet reaches the ground.  You can improve the ventilation on a Hilly by adjusting the pitch, but they'll nearly always be wet inside; I put up with that because I get very cold at night,  If condensation is an issue, you should look for better ventilation - or natural fibres, but then you have a weight penalty, particularly when wet.

I can't suggest any current models, though, as I've not looked at tents for a while (our last buy was a TN Laser Space 2 - quite light, and tall enough to stand up, but now discontinued).

Hilleberg are not Inner First

Apologies, got confused with another brand I was looking at (Big Agnes). Yeah, the Hilleberg Niak looks perfect, super fast pitch, actually it was just the price that was putting me off!

For anything other than winter or very exposed spots, the Voyager is great. Not cheap tho. Look for online deals.

Seems like they no longer make the Superlite version. They do an Ultra now but that's £1800!! Found the 2017 version of the Superlite at a couple of retailers though so will take a look.

so the flysheet reaches the ground.

interesting. I did note when looking at the Vango/F10 offerings that the fly comes [I]almost[/I] to the ground but not quite, and was wondering whether that was a good or bad thing. I guess in less than extreme environments probably something to look for then as it'll help with ventilation?

I've got a helium 2 and access to banshees via the scout group.  Both good tents imho.  Helium is light but not stupidly flimsy, pitches as one. My scales say 1.4 kg packed ready to go (including my homemade footprint), vs about twice that for the banshee.  They are different designs though - did you mean the zenith?

Vango/F10 are the same folk - F10 stuff seems to be lighter/more mountainy, rather than family/occasional use.

I get a little condensation in the helium, and the skins are closer together when pitched than the banshees, so you need to be a little more careful not to roll about.  Nothing that's a problem though.  Banshee was dry in v heavy rain, no worries at all, and a well ventilated tent.  Easy, bombproof, scout/DofE use.

The helium 2 is comfortable for me and a bag or for me and minifishspecial (bags outside).  One downside is that it seems to be quite sensitive to finding a flat site (admittedly a small one) to get it pitched just so.

One issue is I don’t actually know enough (anything really) about tents/camping to say the condensation issue this is a problem with the tent or down to operator error.

It's a mix of stuff - how well designed the tent is. whether the inner has a significant amount of mesh or not, whether there are effective venting arrangements, how humid and hot/cold the conditions are, how many people are in the tent etc. Cold and humid UK conditions aren't great.

You're generally looking at a balance between getting a through-flow of air, which is draughty can be uncomfortable and being protected from the elements. Knowing how to use vents and being savvy enough, to say, unzip part of the outer door to get more air in is a factor, but if the tent's not designed to allow that in the first place, it's a moot point.

High mesh inners - a lot of US designs love them - are good for venting and condensation reduction, but colder in cool weather. Single-skin tents tend to be very bad for condensation btw.

So it's a yes, user error can contribute, but if the design / fabrics are flawed in first place and / or conditions are condensation producing, then it's often an issue. Personally I'd be looking for a tent which has the vents which can be opened or closed and are positioned to promote a through flow of air if you're pitched end-on to the wind. And I'd want mesh areas on the inner tent to match up with those vents. If you can open and close the vents without leaving the tent, that's ideal.

Not sure how much sense that makes. There's an ancient WH Murray mountaineering book where he discusses elimination condensation from the inside of a canvas ridge tent by opening two big vents to effectively there was a jet-stream running through the tent above his head - cold and dry. You don't want to go to those extremes, but the principle is somewhere about right.

nordisk stores the poles to their tent in the fly - little sleeves just inside the outer zip.

great idea - till you bounce it about on a bike

we turned up at ford of avon to find my mates poles had worn through the fly.

packed as designed and they blamed user error - now if someone who works in a shop with a high turn over of nordisk products cant A. get that right and B , cant get it warrentied ..... i wont be buying one.

its a light bit of kit mind.

Not sure how much sense that makes.

yeah makes perfect sense thanks! Will bear that in mind.

nordisk stores the poles to their tent in the fly – little sleeves just inside the outer zip.

great idea – till you bounce it about on a bike

we turned up at ford of avon to find my mates poles had worn through the fly.

ta, good bit of insider info that. Will cross them off the list for bikepacking!!

I’ve got a helium 2 and access to banshees via the scout group.  Both good tents imho.  Helium is light but not stupidly flimsy, pitches as one. My scales say 1.4 kg packed ready to go (including my homemade footprint), vs about twice that for the banshee.  They are different designs though – did you mean the zenith?

It was the Helium 2 I was looking at, although I take the point that although vaguely similar, looking closer I see they're totally different designs! I will probably have another good look at the Helium 2 and may well go for that then, especially if I can get GO to do me a price-match deal!

Interested in this so tagged to follow

Personally I’d pick from the terra nova catalogue!

our voyager xl has been brilliant for two up bike touring and backpacking. Spares etc are easy, inner first easy pitching and completely weatherproof

see also Terra Nova / Wild Country on climbing sites for poor pole durability and equally poor service.

My Quasar is too big and heavy to lug around, but if it was lighter in same form it'd still be my go-to tent.

Won't buy anything from that mob.

We had the same 2 /3 tents for 10 years and several long adventures.

Second time out with our new hoolie 2 etc pole snapped while taking it down and tore the fly.

Every single joint on the Ali poles had cracked eminating from the crimped spigots.

They did an at cost repair.

I took it to Canada where on the 4th pitch it had started to crack again in the same places. I reinforced with duct tape it lasted the next 4 weeks

I phoned them and had a discussion about replacement and they washed their hands of the whole thing pointing me at SMG for purchasing of replacement poles

Came home and the wife used it for one night doe and it split while taking it down.

It's in the bin now.

I bought it on the strength of terra nova and wild countries legendary customer service. Seems they no longer have that.

Based on the wife's experiences with Vango on doe with both price,durability and their customer service I'll buy one of them next time or I'll buy the real deal hilleberg.

Although for solo work I'm a bivvy /tarp user.

I've just got hold of one of the 'Big Agnes' HL UV1 ultralight thingies that were on offer. Very light - sub 1kg, with a very thin fly and tiny guy lines. Surprisingly roomy for the weight as a result, with a decent mostly mesh inner that will make it a warmish nights-only jobby.

Poles are a slightly inconvenient length for packing compared to my last one, but should strap to the top-tube OK.

Kcal and Trail Rat +1

TN really need to get their sh*t in one sock before i'm prepared to drop the best part of a monkey on any of their tents. There customer service is like dealing with toddlers too.

It is a massive shame, there designs are great and 20 years ago I had a similar experience to Trail Rats with fractured poles at all the spigots on a well used tent - they replaced them FOC and I went on to buy 3 more of their tents as a result. Now a brand new tent falls apart at the seams and they tell you you slept in it wrong.

Not sure what I'll be getting next, MSR seem to get good reviews in terms of back up etc, and the Banshee I have used in crazy conditions has stood up as good as anything more gucci if you are happy with the weight.

We've got a Helium 2 - the missus took it to New Zealand for a month and stole it from me - it's a decently light, reasonably well designed and put together tent. A tad small for two people, which is par for the course really, and as with quite a few tents of this type, the inner is a tad close to your face when you're lying down and it's not particularly spacious. I can't remember much more about it - been a while since I used the thing - but there was nothing glaringly bad about it.

I've also spent a night in a Fjallraven one-person, which is basically very similar to a Hilleberg Akto - a mate has one of those, loves it, but thinks it's overpriced. Compared to the Helium, it's a bit weightier, but Hilleberg knows what it's doing with fabrics and it feels overall sturdier and more reliable than the Helium.

Nemo Hornet 1P or 2P lightweight tent. I use the 1P and condensation is never an issue due to the cutaway flysheet. Very very lightweight and takes five minutes to put up. It's delicate mind you so it needs a footprint. I used to use an old cut up Orange plastic bivy bag but bought a dedicated footprint.  Only good from late Spring through to early autumn though..  Highly recommended for bikepacking.

Regular readers of tent threads will now get déjà vu...

Check out Trekkertent. I've got a Stealth 1.5 and it's a superb bit of kit. Pitches with walking poles but you can get separate poles too. Light, robust, roomy, good value and no condensation issues. It's light-years ahead of the TN Laser it replaced. The only downside is delivery time.

All these super light tents have their limitations- they are small and light as the fabric is gossamer thin in most of them. Have used the Telemark 1 ULW and I have a MsR Carbon Reflex. Telemark is better stability wise, msr is a good size , it can be pitched outer first but you have to be Houdini to do it , saying that even in the pouring rain from start to finish it’s only a few minutes.

I have a Helium 2.its a decent weight/size and seems durable. It’s a decent sized 1 man though. Equited itself favourably in a variety of conditions. It’s goes up and comes down all in one (no inner pitch first). I got mine in an end of season sale. I’d easily recommend it.

i have also just bought a MSR Hubba Hubba NX  (in euro green) which is bigger (ie a proper 2 man, albeit snug!). Haven’t used it yet but 2 mates have older versions and they gave good reports (comes with free footprint now). Inner pitch first though. A lot more space internally. And bigger pack size/ weight.

i also have a SMD Lunar Solo LE single skin, lightweight, can give nice view wi5h the flap rolled up (but can let water in if you don’t zip it down properly when it starts to rain. (As I found out Saturday night). Prone to condensation if it’s the ‘wrong’ weather....