One of the best group tent reviews I've ever seen. It must have taken you ages! Much appreciated 👍

Another great review, thanks. Some collection of tents. Great to see them all pitched and compared side by side. Having used most of the NF tents here I would agree they are really well made and impressively strong for their weight/volume. Love the mountain 35 and VE 25 for 2/3 people and Westwind is my new go to tent for 1/2 person summit camps. Looks like I might have to try a hilleberg next!

Another great video. Love your journey through time explaining why you bought each tent. I have had most of those tents, Soulo BL on order now.

Excellent Tom, I really enjoyed seeing the VE25. It’s a tent I’ve admired from afar but never had the chance to see on up close. Really interesting to see all six tents lined up side by side. The amount of prep you’ve gone to for this film is incredible. Thank you, Phil.

Awesome video. All incredible tents. There is a tent for every scenario for sure. Great job.

Great video Tom and great to see all those tents again! Still my absolute favorite tent and tbe one we spent the most time in is the VE25.... it is the perfect livable 4 season tent!!

Another fabulous review of six tents, Tom, production is excellent and presentation is 1st Class. The journey you described is the journey of modern camping with the transition from the base camp tent to cuben fibre lightweights. I was a member of the Cromlech Club and two of the founders, Don Whillans and Joe Brown only used tents as a base camp at the base of the wall they were climbing in the Llanberis Pass or on the Isle of Skye. If the weather was particularly wet, they’d transfer to a road mender’s hut. They met Chris Bonnington in one. . It’s clear that future development is with the like of your two red tents and I’m hoping that you’ll be exploring variations on those, from my selfish point of view. Your years of experience comes across with great authority and your description of features is second to none. My long time experience is in the three-man variety and I’m very keen to hear what information you can pass over about tents for one-man occupancy. ATB, Tom.

Very enjoyable and thourough! Thanks! I just ordered my first Hilleberg tent - A Soulo BL!!

Six in a row, how cool is that?! I loved your personal motivation in the end, were you tell when and why you bought each tent. This is candy for adults. A nice trekking tent is a symbol for freedom and adventure.

Fantastic, Tom - Great delivery and superb audio. The tents are all great, but I do have a sweet spot for the Akto, 😊👍🐶

This is such a wonderfully put together review. I love that this review comes from being an owner and user of each tent. Most reviews on KZfaq seem to be an initial reaction, but I'd love that you have actually used these in the conditions they were made for.

Another excellent and detailed comparo! Thank you!

Outstanding review from actual years of use . Brilliantly presented 👌👌🇮🇪

Loved this review! I used to have the Moss Little Dipper, it was unbelievably strong, the problem was the fabric took on a mildew smell that could not be removed, someone once mentioned the red fabric from that period was known for taking on this smell.

This is the best tent comparison video I've ever seen and the only one showing premium 4-season tents side by side. Well done. Back in 1978 I bought a tent made by "Black Ram" from Kresge's department store that was virtually identical in size, shape, and design to the VE25. The specs are so much the same that the rain flies are interchangeable. After 45 years and hundreds of nights use, the fabric and stitching on my Black Ram started showing its age and wear so I decided it needed to be retired and started the long search to find another like it. I was relieved when I found the VE25. The VE25 was definitely an improved version with enhanced ventilation, a second door, an enclosed vestibule, lots of pockets, and more tie down points, but it was the same tent. I gave $60 for my first one. I was shell shocked at the price of the VE25, but eventually got a really good deal on one that there was a sign that said everything on that shelf was 50% off. I jumped on it. When I went to check out it rang up at full price. I mentioned it was on the shelf marked 50% off and when the cashier went back to check there were several other VE25's on the shelf. She called the manager. I'm not one to take advantage of someone else's honest mistake so I didn't press the issue, but the manager did. She insisted that if I was going to buy the tent at the discounted price that she wanted me to buy it at that price. We almost got into an argument. I told her that I'd feel like a crook to buy the tent due to an employee mistake. She replied with this: "If we don't honor the price that led you to want the tent, every time the subject of tents comes up in the future you'll have the story to tell of how they made a mistake and didn't honor the price marked. However, if we sell the tent to you at that price you'll have the story of how we are a stand-up company that wants its customers to be happy and stands behind its pricing, if a mistake was made. Which story would you want told about your company? The story you will tell of how we did the right thing will create way more sales for us in the future than the single time loss we'll have by selling you the tent and lose $350. So, since you were going to buy the tent, I ask that you proceed but to please remember how you got it." I bought the tent and have spent the last 12 years telling this story. So, I want to give a shout out to Rock/Creek at Hamilton Place Mall in Chattanooga, TN. These guys are the best. As for the tent, the VE25 continues to be my go-to tent and has served me well. It's a premium quality tent that I HIGHLY recommend. I like it for all the reasons you pointed out, plus if you're car camping it will hold a queen size air mattress and still have room for clothing and gear inside for two people. The only cons to the tent are that it takes longer to setup because mine has full length pole sleeves and can be challenging to setup with one person, and it can be difficult to get the rain fly properly oriented and over the tent when setting up alone. As a tip, I've found it's much easier to enter and exit the tent through the back vestibule than the front. Happy camping!

Great video Tom and having had most of these I have to agree with you across the board. Fantastic fleet, I would be reluctant to sell any of them ( but the VE25 is the Icon for me ) ATB A

my first tent trango 2. then westwind then msr then staika then nallo then Allak then superlite quasar then soulo and finally , the niak has been my most used tent for over 5 yrs light waterproof and great for one person. great videos by the way i wish there had been as much info about tents as i was going through my tent evolution!

Great video Tom, cracking set of tents. Seeing them side by side gives real perspective of their size. The West Wind is a cracking tent but as you say, it's a pity its inner first. My next piece of kit will either be a new sleeping bag or sleeping mat so if you are planning on doing a video in the near future on either of those 2 items, that would be superb 👍😂 Again Tom, great video and thanks for sharing. Adam

Excellent job of explaining the pros and cons. Thank You. Big AL

Great Work as always 🤩🥇doble poles works great on tunnel tents an give them good , good strenght. Are extremly easy to pitch in one go , but can be a bit weaker When the wind hits 3m2 of materials hard from the side😉

Brilliant setup!

You seem such a tent nerd ... And I love it 🤓 keep the good content up, appreciate your efforts.

Awesome review! Thanks a lot!

Brilliant as always Tom. Got my Soulo BL ordered yesterday. Although it won’t be here until end of June/ start of July. Could have held on and tried to get one when the go on sale but didn’t want to chance it so it’s just pre ordered. have heard of so many shops already sold out of their first batch!

Interesting collection I had the NF west wind when it first came out a long long time ago great tent, I replaced it with an Akto when that first appeared then replaced it with another Akto years later, I still have it tho I bought a Tarp Tent Scarp 1 about six years ago when in the USA. I have to say it's a lot more livable and just as strong as the Akto just a bit awkward to pack tho I understand the end poles are now removable.

Top notch video ! me being a gearhead I would say that it was very informative and entertaining. I had so far Salewa Sierra Nevada ,Vaude Space 1,Vango Hurricane beta, CARAVAN (Hilleberg) Keb. , THE NORTFACE Westwind , Mountain Hardwear hoopla , Weekend Sapa , Nemo Galaxi , Helsport Fonnfjell pro2 next stop probably Hilleberg probably Jannu in my opinion outer tend pitch first (combined ) is key in bad weather.

Amazing review 👏 thank you 😊

Thanks Tom for a comprehensive review. I am a Hilleberg Akto user. I am a relatively skinny guy and the inner tent is good enough to me to have enough width space and head room. I can use the vestibule to cook at night during winter. And put my backpack and boots there and have a tidy inner tent. Agreed with you that it will be much better to have one or two more pockets in inner tent.

Don't take the thumbs down to heart. There is absolutely nothing to dislike about this video. In another video (can't recall whose or which one it was - not this one though) I inadvertently hit the dislike and couldn't figure out how to undo it. So, there's always that... Very nice comprehensive video again, Tom. You have a very thorough and professional presentation technique!

Great review. I have the West Wind and it is an incredible tent in big windy raining storm. I wonder how the Soulo behaves in such conditions.

Hello Tom my name is Nick That was a great presentation I am from Southern California And I do have the new VE25 North face Thank you for the information about the rear of the tent That is vulnerable in high winds.i do have anew kuiu storm star extremely strong tent. Some day soon I would love to purchase a soulo black label tent.

Can you please do an in depth interview on the akto. Great vid btw.

Fantastic video... looking for an Akto but Hilleberg is almost impossible to find in Canada due to our crazy fire proofing laws. I ran across the Keron 4 and bought it at a good price. Hilleberg sure knows how to make a tent!

You really are "mr. 4. season tents" - what a row of tents! And you really love pockets in tents My tents: Hilleberg Enan (too klaustrophobic for me) Hilleberg Niak (favorite 3 season tent) Hilleberg Soulo (Favorite tent i tough condisions) Hilleberg Staika (I was a little sad it got beaten by the other two tents in your other review:-)) BR Jens

Excellent array of tents Tom. I can see you’re a very ‘intense’ guy! 🤣 Good to see your evolution over the years and how your needs and priorities have changed. A few of my friends have the Akto and really like it, although I’d add in an extra pole (or stick) to support the end in high winds as it can get crushed quite a bit. Also, how did you double pole the Westwind mid section when usually they only have a single eyelet? Also, is there such a thing as a perfect tent? Does the Akto come close for you? Keep up the good work Tom.

Great tent collection. I love tnf summit series and tents. Shame they dnt sell all their smaller tadpole tents any more they were nice and light weight.

I love my old North Face convertible. It sets up inside out or outside in. Inside out uses the velcro loops from the fly to the poles. Outside in uses clips from the tent to loops sewn into the pole sleeves on the fly. I want this tent in a square, 4p config badly.

Thanks for the information 🙂

Another good comparison from you Tom. One question.. are you experiencing inner moisture buildup in the Akto?

For extreme winds you have to try the Hilleberg Tarra, especially if you are camping like me in Patagonia.

I decided to buy the Hilleberg Soulo after 2 tents bit the dust in the last few weeks - both single wall. A Mountain Hardwear Direkt 2 (PU floor became very sticky) and a Sierra Designs Convert 2 (waterproof coating is flaking off everywhere). I decided to spend a bit more but get a tent that I know will be good for 10+ years. Those single wall winter tents are almost as expensive and deteriorate while simply being stored. Not making that mistake again. BTW - the Mountain Hardwear warranty was fantastic. I sent the tent in to them and they gave me full credit for the value of the tent even though it was about 5 years old.

Hi Tom, Excellent review, extremely helpful. I am leaning toward the Akto rather than the Sulo but was just wondering what it’s like to thread the pole in the continuous sleeve if the fly and pole are wet? By the way, New Subscriber Cheers Alan.....

Well done! Thank you, Tom! I have a first generation VE25, an Expedition25 and a Mountain 25 and I love them all. I recently had some issues with a leaking rainfly for the Expedition25. After many issues with the warranty department, they have offered to compensate me with a gift card. I am considering the new Bastion4. Do you have any experience with that tent? The North Face tells me that they will be receiving a new shipment, possibly in September. I would appreciate your opinion on where I should go from here. As I said, I love the Expedition25, but with my options running out on acquiring a new rainfly for it, I have little recourse with extending the life of it. Thank you for your help and your time!

I would love every one of them. I was glued to the screen for this video. I love my soulo but the inner definitely flaps about a bit in strong winds. Think the V25 wins the "looks cool" category for me. You mentioned Slingfin in a previous video and in this one too so was looking at them online .The crossbow 2 look very interesting as does the Tarptent Scarp 1.I need to cut up the credit card before things get out of hand. Great video as always Tom thanks.

Hello Tom- all the way from South Africa. Great comparison review. I also have and absolutely love my Hille Soulo, except that it's a South Paw friendly entrance. It would appear they haven't changed this with the new Soulo BL! Really looking forward to your upcoming review on headlamps- I'm in the market and am absolutely stumped for choice. Silva (exceed 4xr?), Led Lenser, Petzl, Black Diamond?? Would sincerely appreciate you opinion. Recently subscribed. Regards, David.

Hello Tom. Thank you for this fantastic video. Six great tents. I am particularly interested in The north face mountain 25 tent. But I also find the Hilleberg Tarra or Saivo very interesting. The biggest difference is mainly in the price of the much more expensive Hilleberg tents. And the Tarra has pretty bad ventilation, which many people complain about. What is your preference? Or tips what I should consider.

Super comparison, thanks !! I'm hesitating between the VE25 and Nemo Chogori, the latter being substantially lighter (more fragile??) For winter/snow touring with skis and Pulka. Although the pulka helps carrying heavy stuff, I'm always trying not to load it too much. The Chogori seems very interesting but is quite more expensive, and does not have pole sleeves like the VE25, which could help spreading the wind or snow load on the fabric, thus making the North Face stronger (at least on the paper). But the Nemo has snow skirts all around... What would be your thoughts on these points? And have you tried the Chogori by any chance? (I've tried the Samaya Base Camp too... Great for 2-3 pers very roomy but way too expensive and big to carry 😅) Cheers and keep up with the good work 👍

Watched most of your videos, how many tents do you own 😱🤣 tent envy lol

Good review

North face look like incredible tents

Great Video Tom. What are your thoughts on the overall strength of something like the Soulo compared with a traditional inner pitch first geodesic? When I was growing up I always wanted a North Face geodesic and my early tents were all inner pitch first. These types of tent seem to have fallen out of favour in recent years, especially since the Soulo and the likes became so popular. Obviously the all in one pitching of the Hilleberg’s make them much more convenient, but part of me still assumes an inner first fully geodesic would be stronger, especially considering the fly sheet over the poles adds to the stability? Plus less flapping. I currently use a Nammatj 2 for winter which I love to bits but it’s so noisy in the wind.

Great review but have you ever considered a tipi style tent and if so what brand would you recommend

The interesting thing about the Moss tents was how the poles were sprung in opposition, each side had a pole which hooped back to the same side rather than crossing over the tent to an opposing corner, creating four intersections rather than one. With the way the pole sleeves were designed, the tent was sprung in opposition, like a big spring, it may have had ten or twelve intersecting points. The color scheme was very nice when inside, big spacious red and tan panels, almost like being in a big flower. I was sad the smell had developed, I always pitched dried it after use. I believe it was marketed as a three person tent, but four could easily fit, it was pretty heavy, at twelve plus pounds.

Thanks.

Great video.

Gratis video. I thought i Was the only obsesive about tents, but I'm not alone. I owned a M25 M35 and VE25 as welled . I would add that M35 has lack of proper ventilation. The New generation of M25 is my go to option. It has the same pole configuration than the M35 with great liveability. Personaly i don'tlike the crystal Windows are a wick point a it trends to stick out. Are not well bonded to the fabric

With your comprehensive experience of tents, what would you consider the best tent for extremely high winds, looking for an outer/all in one pitch, min of 2 people, double wall for the strongest winds. Not had much luck with tents coping in the past.

I have the Nf mnt 25 . I love it but, the window in the front vestibule came off. On a day that was 70 degrees and no wind. The glue failed.

Thanks for review. Rrgards

Love The North Face's summit gold color; wish they had not changed it. My Mountain 25 and 35 have PU waterproofing which sucks; love time it breaks down and becomes sticky. Does your VE-25 have silicone waterproofing? You want to sell your Mountain 25?

Another great comparison Tom. I would like to ask about the internal space for myself on the Hillebergs. I have a North Face Big Fat Frog but am looking to buy a Hilleberg next year but can't decide between Soulo, Allak, Staika or Akto. I like the idea of the Staika but probably a bit too heavy. I am concerned about the liveability in the Akto and whether it would just be too small for my height (6ft 4in) and flexibility (poor) for getting changed and cooking. What do you think? It's mainly going to be for cycle touring and a bit of backpacking. Thanks

Just a quick one here. Tents that I have not shown, but previously owned are: Terra Nova Quasar, Hyperspace, Ultra Quasar and Laser Competition, Two Mountain Hardwear Trango's, Mountain Hardwear Tangent 2, Hilleberg Nammatj 2, an older North Face Mountain 25, Mountain 24, and an older VE25, a Crux X2 Storm and a few Vango's. ATB Tom

Hi there ! I watched your video a while back thinking of getting a ve 25 or mountain 25 now I'm riding a motorcycle around the world for 8 years now and always had lightweight tents but now I'm in chile 🇨🇱 heading south and the weather is bad and windy ! Now I'm sure this tent can handle this but will it handle the warm weather ? Is it possible just to sleep on the inner and not pitch the outer tent ? I have done this many times with my msr fly 2 ! We are talking no rain just really a moskito shelter ! Thanx for your help really liked the video ! I am frank by the way

I really like that mountain 25 do you still have it more import do you still use it or is it stuck in a cupboard

Hi Tom, just wondering if you hot tent? Thanks so much

Which (2 person tent ) would you recommend for highest mountain peak, i mean for extreme ….. cold weather?

Thanks for review! Have a question. According to your experience, how do you think, is it possible to accommodate 65sm(width) sleeping mat in Akto?

Whats your tent collection? Here are some of mine over the years. I hope that you enjoy my thoughts on some of my favourite tents. ATB Tom

Crux storm 2 is bomb proof.

Did the Ve25 got discontinued?

hypothetically lets say i dint own 2 hillebers already and was on the market for tents i would buy hilleberg

Ayo where's my mountain hardwear trango 2 tent

Just noticed a thumbs down... There is always one...Tom

Soulo noisy in high winds. Kinda defeats the purpose.