Tent Pitching In High Winds - Hilleberg Akto - My Thoughts
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ส.ค. 2024
- In this video I set up the Hilleberg Akto in 40mph winds - I discuss how this went and go on to review the tent regarding its high wind performance... I hope that you enjoy. Tom
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Underrated channel. Always high quality no bull content.
Hey, thank you for your comments and watching the video... I like to show real world experiences and field test reviews are my favourite... ATB Tom
Hi Tom, a tip when youre pitching your tent in high wind. Always keep one of the guidelines available when you open your tent bag and tie/anchor it to your backpack before you pull it out. I've learned it the hardway, had to run after my tent for 15 minutes :).
Hi, thank you... I know that I need to start doing this and had better start before I lose a tent... thank you for giving me the push to start... ATB and thank you for watching and taking the time to give me this top tip.... Tom
With that wind Tom and the tent would go flying 😂
Some excellent tips in this which I'll add to my portfolio. One for you is to wrap your waterproof jacket around the tow box of your sleeping bag in such conditions to keep it dry.
Thank you for this.. I used to do it many years ago but got out of practice and forgot about it. Thank you for the reminder.. ATB Tom
Had an Akto ripped out of the ground in 90mph winds, hitting the tent on both axis. A corner had gone down so got out, fixed it. As I was getting back into the tent a gust shot in the door and ripped the tent out of the ground which acted as a parachute dragging me along till the gust died. The only damage being a bent pole that hilleberg replaced free of charge.
In 90mph winds you can't sit up as you get belted hard on the head with each gust by the pole.
Hey that is amazing and so great to hear that the tent took no damage... they really are strong with excellent construction... Thank you so much for sharing your experience.. best wishes Tom
Enjoyed the video! I absolutely love the design of the Akto/Enan. Although, I really do prefer the larger center pole at the ends of my Enan as opposed to the two smaller poles at the ends of the Akto. I think it really helps keep the wind from pushing down the outer/inner against your head or feet. But the Akto has that great top vent that the Enan is lacking. I really wish Hilleberg would bring these features together and create another tent with the best features of both! These tents punch way above their weight class in strong winds!
Hey thank you for you thoughts on both the Akto and Evan... Yes the large pole would definitely help the pushing down of the tent at the ends.. It would be great to see Hilleberg release more tents especially 4 season ones from.... ATB Tom
Great video, Tom. Always like how calm you are when erecting your tent under really harsh conditions. You are very methodical with a plan and execute it. That tent design looks so sleek when put to the test under windy conditions. Thanks for all you do showing us your adventures. I know you must have been born on a windy day.
Hi Denis, hey I really appreciate your positive comments.. I love setting tents up in high wind but not if its raining... Had to do this in my next video coming up and I wasn't so relaxed ha ha.. Sometimes you need to change your plan if it's not working. I know this but when under pressure you tent to keep trying the same thing even if it's not working.... ATB Tom
At last someone giving proper reviews. Cheers matey for this 👍
Hey Bernard thank you for this positive feedback. I try to make real videos testing the tents properly under some sort of challenging conditions.... All the very best wishes Tom
I really enjoy your videos of tents in real-world high-stress situations. I remember reading somewhere that in very high winds, the Akto should be pitched "sideways" with the pole parallel to the wind, and the vestibule on the lee side. Has anyone else heard this?
Here's a short video of what that looks like th-cam.com/video/K1MN6tYSOCQ/w-d-xo.html. Much less flappy and one end isn't pushed down.
Hi Scott, I had a look at the video and I will try it next time with the Akto. Might even ask Hilleberg as they usually are great at getting back to questions like this... Really appreciate the link as sometimes hard to find specific videos.... ATB Tom
@@swlaschinyeah I've also thought about this. Given HB's recent advice on pitching some tents vestibule to the wind to allow the wind to pass through the "storm vent" at the top, resulting in less deformation, it seems reasonable the same would apply to the akto. Although I wouldn't line it up completely sideways to the wind, but more just slightly more angled so that the wind is flowing in the direction of the storm vent
Great video, Tom. It doesn't look like a very comfortable night of sleep!
Hi Joshua, great to hear fro you as I know you have a lot of experience in the Akto.. I was very comfortable as I know nothing serious is going to go wrong tent wise..... All the very best wishes Tom
The Akto is so much better than any 'bivvy tent' I've tried at the same weight. Also a simple breathable bivvy bag, even half of one, over the foot of the sleeping bag helps with control of condensation, along with a small microfibre towel (as the condensation is 'your own water' you can wash your face with it)..
Hi Roger, I always have a trekking towel with me but not needed here regarding condensation... The slight condensation had dried over night in the wind. The bivy bag thing works and I used to do it in the past but too much extra weight now for my choice and type of camping... Great to hear you thoughts on the Akto Vs a bivy tents as the same as mine ha.... ATB Tom
Great film Tom, really loving your recent work. Very interesting. Luke’s mountain never fails to test a tent to its limits.
Hi Phil, thank you once again for watching and supporting me with your comments. It really is appreciated... Luke's is still one of my favourites. I tried Cairn the other night but cant wait to get back to my happy place on Lukes..... ATB Tom
I've just purchased this tent.. I like the orange screw stakes alot if the ground permits.. this is great footage much appreciated!
Hey thank you for the feedback.. Great to hear you got one.. A great tent so I wish you many happy camps... Best wishes Tom
Thanks Tom on your thoughts 🏴
Hey Phillip you are welcome and thank you for watching and leaving a comment... best wishes Tom
Hi Tom. Setting up a tent in windy (and cold) conditions is definitely the most challenging and potentially damaging part of any camp. I know from experience it’s easy to let the conditions get the better of you and panic can set in. The key is to know exactly how to methodically set up your tent to protect it structurally until it’s fully erected and guyed out - having guy lines tied up is an absolute must or else you get a tangled mess! The deformation in the unsupported akto panel is inevitable. But imo, it’s a much more robust design than the tarptent scarp 1 as it has a guy out point attached to the fly fabric. This creates a huge stress point on the fly. I’d much prefer the fly being deformed than the fly being ripped! Thanks for letting us be part of another of your camps. Always great viewing 👍
Hi Gary really great to hear from you and your comments... You handed it to me the other night setting up the Jannu so fair play.. Totally agree re the deformation thing. A guy line is not the solution.. Guys are better at supporting poles than fabric due to the stress for sure.. Next video up soon.. Tom
Alot of videos out there of youtubers panicking in storms, packing their tents up and running for it.
Hi Tom , great review 👍 I am now 61 years old and I watch many backpacking you tubers and their new tents but I can’t help but think how we haven’t progressed that well with tents , I will give you some of the tents I have owned going back 40 yrs or so , ultimate phazor dome , phoenix phreeranger , saunders space packer plus , phoenix phreespirit , wild country quasar and north face mountain 25 to name a few , I would ( if I could) happily use any of these today , apart from the weight are the designs these days that great having moved on all these years. One thing is apparent is that modern tents are generally lighter but in my opinion appear to fail more regularly being made of lighter materials, out of all those tents I owned I can only remember one pole splintering and that was more age related in my opinion , I can’t believe how many you tubers I have seen over this winter having to abandon camp because of tent failures , any way just my thoughts Tom and keep up the good work you do a grand job at tent reviews 👍
Ha I had a phoenix phreeranger back in the day I spent months in it in New Zealand great tent. Henry Shires of Tarp Tent has replicated the design and in my opinion improved on it. I still use the ground sheet from it when I bivvy and also as a bike cover good value or what 😄
@@davidhale1568 There’s a company called Trekkertent who make various versions of the Phreeranger , I had many great adventures with mine , all the best to you 👍
Hi yes there has been such a move towards lighter weight and this usually means a reduction in durability. To be fair though so many people are wild camping now for the sake of wild camping.. That's good but we then see more failures due to the volume of campers and of course the access to video on phones etc to record it... I used Quasars, Mountain 25s etc but now as I am older they are too heavy to carry on my own.. Great to hear your te
nt history and experience.. ATB Tom
Hi yes there has been such a move towards lighter weight and this usually means a reduction in durability. To be fair though so many people are wild camping now for the sake of wild camping.. That's good but we then see more failures due to the volume of campers and of course the access to video on phones etc to record it... I used Quasars, Mountain 25s etc but now as I am older they are too heavy to carry on my own.. Great to hear your tent history and experience.. ATB Tom
Check the super high specs on the akto - the outer material especially, (thats basically why its expensive) - I bought one at 67 years young after 50 years wild camping, and its way better than anything I have used in the past. I wouldn`t trust anything less to Scotlands high ground!
What a great video. I’ll have to watch the whole thing when I have more time and when I can actually listen to you. It seems like the tent did really well. I have it on my wishlist on my Buy Me A Coffee account :D
Hi Andrea, great to hear from you.. I hope I have just answered your questions in your other comment.. best wishes Tom
Great video Tom. I'd love to see a similar test in The Fjallraven Abisko Lite 1.
Hi really sorry for the late reply but on holiday and just got a bit behind....Not much difference pitching the two tents as a very similar design... After problems with my Abisko Lite 2 regarding the tent and customer service I am afraid I won't be reviewing any of their tents.. Just a personal decision.. best wishes Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 Fair points, if you've paid Hilleberg prices for a tent then you expect Hilleberg quality and customer service. Having taken the plunge with the Abisko 1 myself my confidence has dropped somewhat now! Useful information though, keep up the fantastic videos.
Some nonesense from Switzerland: I noticed you like Kramer from Seinfeld - love your videos.
Hey thank you for your positive feedback. l really appreciate it.... ATB Tom
Great video and recommendations! Cheers
Hey thank you for the positive comments. best wishes Tom
Enjoyable Tom, good tip on pegging the main guys first, though I have never added extra guylines, just bigger pegs. I love my akto, the outer material is so strong. I always pack `delta pegs`, vee shaped and work like a boat anchor. great in high winds, especially in softer ground conditions.
Hi Steve, thank you for your comments and positive feedback... The extra guy lines work well if the wind is changing direction. It's something that Hilleberg recommend. Always good too to have a back up as these tents depend so much on the guy lines. If one fails or you have a problem then if you have no spare then you risk tent damage. Tom
Great viewing as always 👍& the pump sack tip was awesome ,
Hi Michael, Great that you enjoyed the pump sack tip... It brought a smile to my face when the wind filled it with air.... ATB Tom
LOL @ that pump sack fill
It was a lazy one ..m😁😁
I usually lark foot a prusik look onto the 4 corners of the tent then attach pegs via a clove hitch (locks around the narrowing of hilleberg v/y pegs) this allows me to completely burry the pegs for a secure pitch.
Hey thank you for your thoughts 💭. Some good ideas here.. I recently have been looking at knots for further options with securing my tents so this is very helpful.. Always learning.. All the very best Tom
The Akto survives to tell another tale! As you know, having lost a sleeping bag recently to the Mournes I feel I need to get clearer/smarter on my Akto orientation. I was pitched on the lee side of the mountain but I seemed to fall victim to swirling gusts after a time. The direction of the gusts kept changing but ultimately they raised the fly from the ground to suck my sleeping bag out from the open inner. Pegs didn't pop but maybe double pegging might have kept the fly down more in those conditions or possibly my guyline tensioning was a bit off. Obviously if I was in the tent that too would have added stability to the base from gusts 🤔 Unfortunately I haven't figured out yet what exactly I did wrong to truly learn from my experience...it has to be pegging, guylines and/or orientation though...I'll get more chances to learn anyway!! 😇
Hi Miriam thank you for sharing your Akto experience.. I had the same issue in my Soulo.. Something to watch on the side entrance tents.. Sometimes freak conditions can happen that are hard to predict.. I have camped 100 s of times and got caught out.. Any weakness in your set up can in occasion catch you out.. Swirling gusts are one of the most challenging conditions you will encounter as you are getting hit from all angles.. Hope to see you out again soon and really appreciate you sharing your experience.. Tom
Miriam, have you thought about tying some paracord from the zip puller ring on the sleeping bag onto one or more of the inner ceiling points in the Akto? Might make catching the flying bag easier next time?
@@platypushatstand That’s definitely risk mitigation of the highest order 😎 Surely I couldn’t have such a freak occurrence like that again….(famous last words)…your suggestion would certainly work, closing the inner will be my first action anyway 😇)
Thanks Tom, good review. I like the overall design of the tent. Simple. At the time it doesn't fit my realm of use. It takes a little space to stretch it out and there aretimes I just don't have that. Conditions, crowds, etc. But overall I like it and can see me with one at some point in life. You take care. That was a fast easy fill on the Big Agnes
Hi Sam thanks for your comments and watching.. Akto is very simple and in harsh conditions this is good.. The design has been around for ages but still works.. Filling up the pump sack with the wind was a laugh. ATB Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 many times simple is best. Take care.
The right conclusion, Tom. I'll never, ever, own another Nammatj. The Jannu, possibly. ATB.
Hey Gary really great to hear from you.. I think the Nammatj could be heading for eBay....,,😬😂😂
@@TOMHEANEY100 Not surprised, Tom, as you've mentioned every one of its failings. I came to the conclusion that mine was a poor sample as others could live with it. Replaced mine with a Keron 4 which was a much better living space, but was too big for this one person. Be really interested what you replace it with, if you do. ATB.
@@Super.Quasar Hi Gary it's simple.. A Jannu....
I’ve got this tent not yet used it can’t wait I’ve got a week hike planned next month can’t wait to try the akto
Hi congratulations on a great tent.. Very happy with mine.. Hope you have a great camp in yours.. best wishes Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 thanks have heard allot of great things about the akto main thing I like is the vestibule seems big
Great vid as usual Tom. Glad you survived! All the best. Clive.
Hi Clive, great to hear that you enjoyed the video. Survived no worries at all and just cant wait to get back up to that little spot again... ATB Tom
Hi Tom, nice test , this tent is one I could fancy, just a bit dear, loath to buy tents that I have not sat/ lay down in,
Keep em coming
Cheers
Hey Mountain Hopper, thank you once again for watching and commenting... I am getting used to the smaller space in this tent again and once you adapt to this then its awesome... Good living space with the inner door open and a footprint in the porch... ATB Tom
Great job there,Tom.Thanks👍👍
Hi Ian, thank you for your support and positive feedback.... ATB Tom
What a beast :)
Yes thank you a great little tent . Best wishes Tom
Hi Tom, I find zipping my shell jacket over the footbox of my bag helps keep the bag dry and my feet toasty.
Hi that's a good tip I have done it in the past but actually forgot about it as bag never really wet enough. I will keep it in the hat though for the future and thank you for reminding me.... ATB and thank you for watching and commenting on my video.... Tom
Great informative video I really want to invest in a four season tent and Iove this tent. New subscriber too.
Hey thank you for watching and giving me feedback on the video.. I love this tent too and it has served me very well particularly form its strength and durability.. A little small on the inside but great vestibule and living space.. best wishes Tom
Great setup. Petra always tells you to tie the tent to your rucksack before pitching
But well done on the setup
Hey thank you yeah I know I should... All the very best wishes Tom
I love the lazyness involved with the wind powered pump bag :-)
Hi Paul, not often you get a chance to be lazy so I took it and was amused and entertained.. Hell I even let the air back out of my sleeping mat and did it a couple of times...... Thank you for watching and great that you enjoyed that little bit.... ATB Tom
You can put the guy lines on the windward side in before you put the pole in, just so you know, ive not had any issues doing that. Great video!
Hi Martin, yes there are a number of ways to try with the Akto and I haven't used it enough yet to be fair to try them all...really appreciate the tip from your experience... ATB Tom
Dear Tom, thank you very much for the great content ! I am a new akto owner, and i am enjoying that tent a lot. On the video I see you double pitch your pegs. Do you do it everywhere or just at the corners of the tent ? Is it worth buy an extra set or i was thinking maybe to get the Y pegs... Also I was wondering if its worth it to buy a second 9mm pole set to double the pole or the 10mm would be enough? I live in the basque country south of france and we get some nice winds in the Pyrenees too ! Also I want to be able to go as much as possible anywhere with that tent, i love it. Thank you again for all your reviews they are great ! Very helpful !! Be safe. Joana
Hi Joana, thank you very much for the positive feedback.... I just double peg on the windward end.. Both base of the tent and guy line attachments... If its to be windy at all then I will do this... I prefer nail stakes form a company called Big Sky International over both Hilleberg Y and V pegs.. the y pegs can be sharp and actually damage guy lines... the v pegs just dont have enough holding power... You can get the big Skys in 6 or 7.5 inch and I have sets of both... Pegs are not a deal breaker but just make sure you always have enough.... Personally I would buy a 10mm extra pole. You can use this on most occasions as it just gives the tent a little more stability for so little extra weight.. then if its really windy you can use both the 10mm and 9mm but honestly there will be very little need to double pole.. If you are camping in conditions where you frequently need to do that then you should consider a stronger tent... I hope this helps. best wishes and I hope you are getting out camping... I am on Instagram if you want to share content... been to the Pyrenees (Andorra) a few times.... awesome... Tom
Cheers Tom, another informative video fully agree with everything you've said as I'm an Akto user from the 90s and the first models of the Akto. In a condition like you experience I would put my foot end of the sleeping bag into my zipped up rain jacket to stop any moisture from getting into the down. Highlight was the pump bag, that gave me titter. 🤭
Hi Marty how are you? Great to hear your thoughts as a fellow Akto user and owner... Thank you for the tip re condensation. Yeah the pump sac inflation gave me a great laugh.. Never experienced that before....ATB Tom
Just bought an akto tom,i thought about the fjalleraven abisko light 2 but the inner door does my head in,i had the abisko light 2 years ago,great tent but the way the inner tent door is, wasnt for me.keep them coming m8, cheers
Hey, great to hear your thoughts after having both tents... I really liked the Abisko Lite 2 but the lack of durability wasn't for me... I hope you get on well with the Akto as mine has survived many of my tents sales on eBay.... ATB Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 i had a hilleberg anaris and that even got condensation,so the whole akto condensation problem didnt put me off,it all depends on the weather, cheers
I finally had the time to watch the whole video and listen to your explanations and thoughts about the tent. It's well done and very informative. The Akto is very high on my list of tents to get next because my Hilleberg Nammatj 2GT is super heavy if I carry it in a backpack. I want to go a bit further this winter and thought that the Akto might be perfect for it. It does very well in the wind, even if it's a bit harder to set up. Have you used it in winter with snow already? I'm curious how well it would do. Also, does it have a mesh door or just a fabric door? You might have more videos of it on your channel, but it's incredibly busy for me at the moment, so I will have to wait a bit until I'm settled into my new home. We are moving today :D
Hi Andrea, sorry to take so long to respond to your comment.... Hey I hope that your move went well and you can settle in fast so congratulations on your new home... I will answer your questions re the Akto first but then throw something else into the mix... I totally get it regarding the Nammatj being so heavy but you have great space to organise and cook etc... The Akto is a great little tent and it has a full fabric door with mesh at the top bit that can still be covered by fabric. I haven't used mine in snow but it will struggle if the snow is wet due to the flat unsupported roof and the inner and outer will definitely touch... Interior volume may also be reduced under conditions like this and you already dont have much... It will be a massive change for you... If you consider the Akto as a bivy type tent then that will lower your expectations space wise.. In winds above 35mph you will also have separation issues between outer and inner which is then harder to manage in a small tent... It is however strong and durable.
Here is an alternative - You know I am a big Hilleberg fan but I have bought a Tarp tent Scarp 1 Ultra and love it compared to the Akto. I am reviewing it on my channel but that could be a few weeks away... Firstly it actually has real space inside for one.. way bigger than the Akto and significantly higher at each end due to longer rods.. To strengthen the rods you have 5 at either end instead of just two... It also has a rod in the middle of the ends which stops the tent deforming like the Akto... You have doors and small vestibules on both sides but the inner slides in and out so you can make the vestibules larger or smaller. I am not 100 percent sure on the Ultra version with the new material but there is always the sil nylon version. You can also add crossing poles for high winds and wet snow. Weight can be as low as 1.3kg or 1.7 with the crossing poles. Negatives are the 20d floor which is super thin but can be fixed with a footprint, 10 fabric inner instead of 40 on your Nammatj, a magnetic door fastener which is far too weak, tight pole slieves, and tiny fabric pole holders for the arch pole... BUT all in all I way prefer it due to the space, weight, versatility and actual strength. Its an Akto with the single pole or the Soulo with the crossing poles and still more space than both... I hope this helps and doesn't confuse.. Hard to cover everything here but if you have any more thoughts just give me a shout... best wishes Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 Hi Tom, sorry for the super late reply! The move was madness, followed by a few days of quiet in Florida for Thanksgiving. I finally have my computer up and running again :)
Thanks for your detailed report on the Akto. Maybe it's not quite the tent that would work for me in winter conditions after all. It makes sense that one pole can't hold a lot of weight. I looked at the Scarp 1 Ultra, and it looks pretty neat, with lots of space. I'll wait for your review for sure. The Soulo looks nice and super stable, but it is also heavier and more expensive. I haven't made up my mind yet :)
I can't wait to get out again to film. It's been so busy with the house search and move that I haven't done anything or posted videos.
Another great one Tom but can you imagine doing this in the same wind with rocky ground where the pegs would not go in??😀
Hi Kevin, one of the reasons why I go here so often. On another occasion I had a pitch from hell here in this exact spot... I will not tolerate under any circumstance my pegs not being buried , I mean every one and I had to move the tent two times.... It doubles the time of the pitch... Was up on Cairn a few nights ago and I had to take a big rock to my Hilleberg pegs to get them in... Not impressed.... ATB Tom
Another excellent video, Tom. It’s in tough conditions that even the best of brand name tents can show their vulnerabilities. For me, the ends and the large unsupported fabric on parts of the outer leave the Akto more exposed and prone to sag in and really restrict your height and length space. As you say though, the room in it is really large for a 1pp. It’s good that you hasn’t totally abandoned your Hille reviews in favour of the “other” brand lol.
I see you have really ramped up the videos you do, well done. Have you got a new goal or a new passion for making videos? I’m having a rest for a bit. 😀
Hi Barry, great to hear from you.... Definitely not leaving Hilleberg. Great to have your thoughts here too so thank you... TH-cam is killing me. I am trying so hard to make it work but you know the score. MASSIVE WORK FOR A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE... I have had one video work well and only one.. So much competition everyone doing it... Close to binning it again to be honest... Tom
Hilleberg are the only brand for me as tried and tested, bombproof. Not willing to risk buying another brand just to save money.
Thanks Tom. I’d really like to see an expert pitch the Unna in high winds, but I know you don’t own one!
Hi Peter, great to hear form you and see you out camping in the Unna. Great that you enjoyed this video. The Unna IMO would be a trickier pitch as trying to get a dome tent to stand against wind is not the easiest from my past experience. Tunnels are easier as you can arc the pole horizontally and then pull the tent out. Combinations of pole sleeves and clips like the Soulo for example can be built from the ground up. There might be a way, but to try this with someone else's tent and risk damage I am not so sure.. ATB and thanks for the thoughts... Tom
Tom I had a very interesting conversation with Petra Hilleberg the other day about the Soulo pole setup. I personally Prefer putting the red pole in first then white and blue. Petra and Thomas put the Soulo up with the wind machine 45 and 90 dgs to the wind machine to see just how different it was to erect. They said it was marginal for the safety of the poles when variable to gusts. Petra said they would test in real world situations soon to check out my theory. I said people think the tent is indestructible as like the Titanic was unsinkable.. I would be interested in your thoughts on this.
I see you used a 10 mm pole with the Akto. I think it would make a big difference in the strong winds.
Excellent video as always. Cheers
The red pole does seem to be the first thing to break on a Soulo so would make sense if it’s got two poles going over it to give it more support it would be less likely to break?
Hey Alan, really decent of you to share this... I get it re the pole order and set up but I found it seemed to put more stress on the clipping points so I didn't like the feel of it. As Hilleberg showed it over the top then good enough for me. The Soulo is a very technical tent but its reputation attracts many campers who have not used or researched properly this type of tent. In a recent video showing one destroyed on Facebook... Not even one single peg, never mind 12 was properly anchored... Even others who would call themselves experienced have videos of Soulos breaking poles due to failure of guy lines. Personally I have had both my Solous out in measured 60mph winds and set them up and took them down with no worries at all...
Yes the 10mm pole for me works really well. I know and respect that Hilleberg decide on 9mm poles with red label tents as for most occasions that is fine. Also Hilleberg at the end of the day have to sell tents and because their tents are made for durability then they are already heavier than some other competitors so 10mm poles are not going to help.... When the Akto is guyed out the pole is very stable from the side. But when you push down on it from the top it just has the pole strength on its own as the guy lines do not support it at the top. When the wind hits the tent end on it also pushes the pole down at the top and the 10mm has much better resistance to this. It also is not as rigid as two 9mms so puts less strain on the fabric. Once again Alan thank you... Tom
Hey I agree but as I said above I personally didn't like the extra uneven tension it put on the clips and fabric. There is still nothing really solid from Hilleberg to say that this is the way to do it. From what I have seen on TH-cam it's more a guy line not being properly secured that is the issue.... ATB Tom
Great review. Can you do a vid on some of the best routes you know in the Mournes and even beyond the Mournes? That'd be interesting, for me at least, so if the demand for such content is low, it's understandable you'll not bother.
Hey Frosty, I think the demand could be high and a very easy video to do as I can use alll my past camera shots... But I am a little reluctant to make all my special places more public...Nothing worse than me heading up to a spot where there is only one bit of flat grass then fin find someone else on it. Even worse the trace of rubbish that so many leave... If you want to know any then I have no worries sharing to those who are on my channel for a while and directly ask.... ATB Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 ah mate, just seen this. Good man. I know what you mean!
Hi Tom, greetings from Kilkenny! Thanks for the video, i got my Akto today, upgrading from Msr hubba, whats the pocedure for taking down in wind and rain, is it inner first, then middle pole then guys? Do you roll up the fly and footprint together? Had some amazing nights in the Mournes.
Ok, Always just keep everything together unless you need to specifically dry a particular part.. Take out the lee ward stakes on the guy lines and the bottom of the tent. The tent will still be standing but supported at the windward end... Now loosen the pole guy lines and move the pole bottoms towards the wind ward end and allow the pole to flatten so it's still arced but flat on the ground. Now remove the pole from the cup and go to the other side and push it out of the pole sleeve... From the lee end fold the tent over the rods by kind of placing one rod on top of the other and then roll or fold further depending on how you are storing... I hope this helps and best wishes... tom
Nice.
Come on Memphis you can do better than that .... Great to hear from you and that you are still entertained by my content... ATB Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 I got to behave, TH-cam gets angry when i call it how it is. Always entertain and informed by your gear videos .
@@memphisreines4058 hey great to hear.. 😁😁
@@TOMHEANEY100 truth is i will always call it what it is. TH-cam can kiss my ass.
@@memphisreines4058 hey no worries with that...
Hi Tom, great videos mate 👌 have you ever used MSR cyclone pegs ( if so what do you think ?)
Hi Mark, no I have never used them but MSR get a good reputation for tent pegs.. best wishes Tom
The best way of setting up a tent in high winds is to find a more sheltered pitch - nearly always possible in the British Isles. Few sailors deliberately seek stormy seas.
I fear that the current increase in "Look How My Tent Withstood The Hurricane" videos is becoming the latest iteration of hiking willy-waving. Unfortunately it only takes one tragedy to send the killjoy 'elf'n'safety regulators scurrying to beef up the rulebook.
Hi David, when the video title clearly states the type of content, if this is not your thing then why watch it, never mind comment negatively... It's not as if the title is misleading it's very clear. This tent is designed for harsh conditions and all I have done is demonstrate how to pitch it in such conditions. 30 to 40 mph winds is hardly a storm or a serious risk to life. This is quite focused content and not content that will ever bring many views, but there are a number of people who enjoy seing this type of content as you can read in all of the other comments. I have spoken to the Mountain Rescue Teams and provided people are doing actives that is within their experience and equipment capabilities then they are very happy for them to enjoy this type of outdoor experience. Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 Just my view Tom - I know there are those who disagree, and I do enjoy most of your content, which is why I watched this.
@@davids9549 Hi David thank you for your response.. No worries at all and it's good to hear that you have watched some other of my content and thank you for sharing your initial thoughts. I suppose I enjoy a challenge and also the wilderness experience. There are less people camping in these types of conditions and locations, and with so many people now camping I prefer to be alone. I work hard at my channel and try to bring different content.. You don't see many people pitching tents in high winds and that's just the norm here in Northern Ireland (high winds). You are right in that there are many TH-cam videos showing camping in mad conditions and definitely not good practice. I always try to demonstrate what I feel is best practice. But anyway all the best and I hope you get opportunity to camp if that's what you enjoy..Tom
On the rare occasion one has no choice but to weather the storm Tom has added some tips to my list which I'll keep in my portfolio for if / when they should be required, the primary one being to get the pole/s ready in advance. I'd not have thought of this but it's an excellent idea.
@@thewestonfront Hey great that you picked up some tips. I am still learning and I watched a video the other night that I learned a great deal from... ATB and thanks for the feedback.. Tom
I like the design of the Atko but at 6'6" tall I'm really pushing the size limit of it. If it had taller ends it might be worth considering. At the moment I'll just have to stick with my Nallo2.
Hi Stuart, the Nallo 2 is a great tent and has fab space and strength for its weight. Only way really is to borrow an Akto or try someone else's if that's possible... Tom
Love your videos 👍🏼 Have you ever tried the Enan in these types of conditions?
Hi thank you for the comment. Great to hear.. No Enan. Sourcing tents is not easy...I am also trying to review some other brands now as I have given Hilleberg seriously good promotion... Hey thank you once again and best wishes Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 Hilleberg do seem to get a lot of air-time on TH-cam. I would be very interested to see you test a Kuiu Storm Star on Luke’s mountain. The brand doesn’t seem to be very well known in the UK, and there aren’t many reviews.
@@markbirkett3505 Hi Mark I have the possibility of doing this but just some other reviews planned first... Thank you for your thoughts... best wishes Tom
Hi Tom what do you think about the enan compared to the Akto as it has the same poles and still made of tough materials... would you ever do a review of the Enan?
Hi Matt, my reviews depend on sourcing tents and what I can get my hands on... Yes I would love to review an Enan as it is a very popular tent... It would be awesome to compare side by side and get a real feel for both of them... Perhaps someone will offer me one to borrow then I would be on it for sure... Thank you for your comment and sharing your thoughts... All The Very Best Tom
Hi Tom, reference 4 min 50 seconds, deformation resulting in transfer to inner, can you please confirm if that wetting was from condensation and not fly wetting out?. Another enjoyable and helpful video. 👍🙏
Hi, thank you for your comments.The condensation on the inner fly transfers to the inner and inner direct contact and pressure transfers this wetness through the inner. Not much but a little... I hope this helps and answers your question... ATB Tom
Great video again mate was just wondering where did you get that pump sack?.
Hi Nathan, than you for watching and great to hear that you enjoyed the video. I actually got it from UltraLight Outdoor Gear. Here is the link - ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/pumphouse-ultra-stuff-sack-pump/. I hope this helps... Tom
It's definitely a great place to test your tents.i had a similar style tent and the tension I had to put on the little end poles was massive to get it holding it shape.i find the most critical point is when you 1st get the poles in and getting it stable with guys speaking of poles I've had a cpl of trips with my niak and I keep wondering if it's worth getting swapping the 9mm poles for 10mm would the stability be worth the the cost of the 10mm poles
Hi Craig, thank you fro your comments, you are right about the most difficult part and that tension ha ha... I am a big fan of the 10MM poles but more on red label tents... Stress will find its way to the weakest part and if you pair 10mm poles with a Yellow label tent then there is a big pole to fabric imbalance. IMO. I obviously dont know 100 percent but Hilleberg have the label system for a reason where they match up pole and fabric specification. Putting 10mm poles on a red label is going a little off this but 10mm poles on a yellow label is a step further. Possible for occasional use but then not really worth the cost.... these are just my thoughts... ATB Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 thanks I'll stick with the 9mm poles then👍
Have you ever tried the abisko lite 1? Really interested in how it stacks up to the Akto.
Hi David, no not yet .. Someone may lend me one at some point then it would be a great comparison.. ATB Tom
Hi Tom. Another great video thanks. Do you think that the 10mm pole was one of the key ingredients here? On the basis of the performance of the Akto here and in other camps - is this a keeper? Thanks again 👍
Hi Rob, yea the Akto is a keeper and has survived many of my tent sales..... the 10mm pole makes a serious difference as when the wind is end on on the tent then the pressure pushed down on the pole at the roof. This point can obviously not be supported by guy lines so the static strength of the 10mm is awesome.... All the very best Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 Thanks for the reply Tom. Good to hear your conclusions re the 10mm pole. I think as you have shown in many of your videos there are so many + and - for pretty much every tent. There will be always trade offs, in some shape way or form. However, I think it is good to settle on something, and if each time you take that tent out you are reassured of its abilities in the given environment then you can sleep easy! Maybe a tarp 5 paired with the Akto, in less demanding conditions, might give food for thought in another instalment for your viewers. Excellent content as always. Thanks again.
Great advice Tom, thought you were selling the abisko, verdict still out then?
Hi Dave, decision made a good while ago.... 20D fabrics not for for my 4 season use... Tent sold and Fjallraven emailed to two of their contacts 6 days ago but still no response.... ATB Tom
Nice one Tom. Have you ever used a bivy on your sleeping bag when in the tent in case the sides touch it in the wind or to protect against condensation?
Hi Conor, no as never really had much condensation on the bag. I only do one nighters so even if the bag gets damp then I am drying it at home... Also I need to keep my pack weight down and a bivy is too heavy for me personally.... I appreciate your thoughts though and I actually did many years ago... ATB Tom
Hello Tom. Nice video. What brand/model of trousers are they? Regards, Wadirunner.
www.millet.com/fr_fr/miv8500-0247-pantalon-trilogy-adv-cordura-pant-m-homme-noir.html... Try these.. love them.. Thanks for watching... Tom
Did Fjallraven get in touch with you about the fault on the Abisko Lite 2 tent ?
Yes but not a great response. I sent an email to two separate contacts in Fjallraven. No reply for 6 days... I then emailed them again and a day later got a reply. No apology for the tent problem, no apology for the time to get back to me either. They gave me the contact details of a 3rd party repair company or offered to send me a repair kit.... I emailed to say that this was not the outcome that I was hoping for, ie no mention of warranty etc and that as far as I was concerned the matter was now closed and I would just sell the tent. Again no response to that out of courtesy even.... So there you go... What are your thoughts???? Tom
Just an idea, have you tried opening the end vent when setting it up into the wind? The vent facing the wind that is.
Hey thank you I will. Does it make much of a difference? ATB Tom
Very, very cold day. How much wind to work.
Hey that you for your comments.. I am however not sure of your question... If it was about wind speed I think it was about 35MPH.... All the very best wishes. Tom
Which fjallraven were you comparing to? I assume Abisko Lite 1p? I'm kind of debating this tent vs. Enan (lighter) vs. Abisko 1p or just going with a mid like MLD duomid.
Yes the Abisko lite 1.. I would buy a Scarp 1 before any of these... Build quality is good enough but lighter, more features, better ventilated and stronger with the crossing poles.. Much more liveable space too... best wishes Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 Thanks. One thing I hate about the tarptents are the strut systems. Just finnicky and hard to pack the tent up small.
@@neilquinn yes I get that 100 percent but worth it to me for the strength and space increase.. best wishes with your choice . Tom
How do you deal with condensation in the acto? As we hear they are prone ? Thankyou.
Honestly 4 season tents need to seal out the weather and that means All 4 season tents are more prone to condensation than 3 season tents.. Small tents like the Akto will potentially have more condensation than larger tents too.. It is not any form of fault with the Akto more so the nature of a small 4 season tents.. If condensation concerns is your first question then consider a 3 season tent. If you are using an Akto in the type of conditions it's designed for then condensation won't be a problem.. I have had two Aktos, used them 20 or 30 times with no condensation... A compromise may be a Tarp Tent Scarp 1. It's bigger and has a thinner inner tent and probably slightly better ventilation options.. Not easy to give you a straight answer but condensation issues are complicated.. best wishes Tom
Have you tried abisko lite 1? Any thoughts on it?
Hi not tried it.. Its a very well thought out tent with many more features and thought than the Akto... I just had a fabric failure with my Lite 2 and Fjallraven didn't want to know so no more Fjallraven products for me...
Far better tent this is compared to the tarp tent scarp, better quality all round.
Hey thank you for your comments and thoughts on the Akto. While I have never owned a Scarp there is nothing about it that personally attracts me over the Akto.... Even if Fell Man Dave on TH-cam thinks it's great..... ATB Tom
Why all these single hoop tents can’t manage to get a 100-110cm inner height is beyond me. I could understand it If they were for the asian market only, but these are scandinavian tent "makers".
If Tarptent can do it, so can Hilleberg, Fjellreven, Helsport, Robens, Vaude, Terra Nova…
@@ThePreparedNorseman I see the Tarptent Scarp is 6cm taller but is also 18cm wider. I imagine in the case of the Akto it’s a question of how much stress you put on the pole by forcing it into a high narrow arc 🤔
@@petergilbert72 the Moment is the same, 6 extra cm for 18cm width. A trade off I am sure everyone who can’t sit up in the Akto would be willing to make.
Great video. Really good to see how the Akto coped with the wind. I have found the space in mine excellent specially with the footprint but haven’t used it in winds as high as that yet. As you were saying it would be interesting to see how it would cope side into to wind. It would be very interesting to try 2 Aktos in the different orientations and be able to compare the difference for the same wind conditions.
Well John, you will have to come out with me and try as that would be great and also make a super video.. Thank you for watching... Tom
Want a Challenge. Put up a saitaris 👍
I have reviewed one, but didn't try the set it up in high winds especially on my own.... I am sure it's tricky enough with the pole sleeves.... Seemed seriously strong when pitched though.... ATB and thank you for watching and commenting... Tom