Hilleberg - Akto

My Hilerberg Akto has withstood storms as bad as any I would want to be out in. Not designed for deep heavy snow but unless your planning on taking up ski touring or snowshoeing somewhere that shouldn't be a consideration because if it snows too heavy for an Akto you won't be walking out in just boots, it has a solid inner which helps to retain body heat which is pretty much the only source of heat you'll have most of the time. At approx 1.5kg weight it's suitable for backpacking . Though not designed for it a modified Akto was used succesfully on a solo expedition to the North Pole, not bad for a backpacking tent. If you really want the option of camping during heavy snowfall then the Scarp 1 with the crossing poles seems on paper to be the most versatile option as you can use it in summer without the extra poles though I have never used one. I've used a Hilleberg Soulo extensively in heavy snow and it performs just great but then If I just had walking boots in that kind of snow getting out would have been a survival situation so I do think it's more of a specialist tent.

For alpine, windy or snowy conditions, nothing beats a Hilleberg. Pricey though. Akto is my favorite one man shelter of all time (tunnel style). Soulo for a freestanding one man, but with a significant weight penalty. The Rogen is a sweet freestanding two man design. Has more airflow than some of their other models, but will handle wind like a champ. Excellent weight/space/weather compromise.

Best is very subjective, and there's also different tents that are best for different situations. For instance, my favourite tent for camping solo in extreme weather conditions is my Hilleberg Akto. For camping at lower altitudes in the middle of summer I would choose something with much better ventilation and be less concerned about the tent withstanding heavy winds. Budget is needed as you'll be recommended tents anywhere from £60\~ to £1,000+. If your budget is on the lower end then I rate Robens tents quite highly.

True 4-season tents are typically heavy, think 5kg geodesic tents. Hilleberg tents are not heavy, they are in fact light. You're getting geodesic strength tents at 1/2-3/4 the weight. The compromise is often larger material to pole areas resulting in more flapping/more noise in the wind. For 4-season summit camping, I chose Hilleberg, an Akto for solo camping and a Nammatj 2 for when there's two of us. Msr do not make a true 4-season tent.

For one person, I think the Hilleberg Akto is the best tent ever made. I would say the Soulo, but I think the Akto is 90% as good but 30% lighter. Just my own opinion, of course, they are all excellent tents. I also have a Nammatj which I love for 2 persons.

Hilleberg Akto, 1.7kg, 4-season, reasonably good ventilation, will withstand any wind you would always to camp in, out of budget even second hand. For around £100 you could get a Robens Arch 2. Good in wind although not summit camp in 60mph wind good, very spacious, but it weighs 2.4kg. I don't think there's anything that's much of an upgrade over the Robens Arch 2 up to £200. My recommendation would be to get a lightweight tent for your long hike and then save up for a 4-season tent. You'll find a second hand Akto for £4-500 or maybe a new Fjalraven Abisko Lite 2 or Nortent Vern etc.

Honestly for heavy weather in the winter i would just say fuck UL tents and go with my trusty Hilleberg Akto. It may not be Ultralight but i can sleep calmly knowing that it can handle any Blizzard the outdoors will throw at me.

The Hilleberg Akto was my trusty companion through a lot of my Scandinavian tours. https://preview.redd.it/pt2bof0o8brf1.jpeg?width=3275&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2d21dccfb9c329835655351367527dbf05c28ef2

I've used both. I find Hilleberg 1-person tents to be pretty nice size-wise, but there's no denying a 2-person tent feels luxurious. Right now my only tent is a 1-person tent.

I've had nice nights in Norway, Sweden and the northernmost part of Finland in Hilleberg tents (Soulo, Akto and Nammatji GT) and a Fjällräven tent (discontinued Skule R / S 2). It makes sense those tents were developed by people who hike in these very areas. I don't have any doubt thre are many tents that do the job well at half the price or less, but when a storm strikes, you'll feel safe in a quality tent.

The ones I have experience from are somewhat old models, I don't have experience on the ones made later on. My current tent is the Akto, and going together with a buddy of mine, we use his Nammatj GT. In general, I might recommend deciding on whether you want a tent that's also suitable for winter use or is 3-season use enough: the "red label" ones are winter tents, "yellow label" ones are three season ones. For the rest, I think it's a matter of opinion: some are ready to compromise in space and vestibule size to save weight, others consider space so valuable that the extra weight is justified.

For 1p tents, there’s a wide range. I started with an elixir one which is on the smaller end but now have an akto which is huge along with my x mid. All of these tents I’ve spent a week plus straight in them and not had an issue. I’ve got an hubba 2 and only use it with my partner.

Hilleberg is solid but damn those prices hurt. If you're not doing serious mountaineering the MSR Hubba series is way more reasonable and still built like a tank

People shit on hilleberg prices till they use a hilleberg in less than ideal weather. I’ll tolerate the price for the long life and ability to handle some nasty weather. Most places in the states below tree line don’t need one though.

Hilleberg, TarpTent, SlingFin, Samaya. Real expeditions are more likely to choose Hilleberg. Their strongest tents are not super light, but they are made to withstand serious weather.