Nortent Vern 2 first look | Two person four season tent review | 2024
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 มิ.ย. 2024
- Taking a first look at the 2024 Nortent Vern 2, including price, weight, pitching, features, seam sealing and more.
Please find links to the items I mention in this video down below, and please do get in touch in the Comments section if you have any questions or comments about my kit or about the video in general.
Thanks for watching,
James.
My Instagram: / joinmeoutdoors
Link to my Buy Me A Coffee page:
www.buymeacoffee.com/joinmeou...
Get the Nortent Vern 2 from Valley and Peak if in the UK:
valleyandpeak.co.uk/products/...
Link to the Vern 2 on Nortent's own website:
nortent.com/products/nortent-...
Flextailgear Tiny Pump 2X: shrsl.com/49x0c
Discount code: JOINMEOUTDOORS15 for 15% off your order!
Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:00 Price
1:55 Weight
9:13 Pitching
24:46 Interior
29:11 Interior dimensions
33:51 Guylines and pegs
38:24 Features
41:41 Seam sealing
43:08 Final thoughts
DISCLAIMER: My video description text contains affiliate links, which will earn me a small commission (at no cost to you) if you use them.
#camping #wildcamping #backpacking
James, you and Fellman Dave have convinced me to buy this tent, thank you for the great and very thorough setup and walkthrough. Now to wait for the arrival in a few weeks!! Nortent did a smart thing putting this tent in your hands. Thank you again, watching your other videos to catch up with your adventures.
Thank you for taking the time to comment, Peter. I'm glad my video helped you to get a feel for what this tent is about! I hope the next few weeks pass quickly so you can get out there and enjoy it. All the best 😊 James.
Fab first look James. Looking forward to seeing your first use of it.
Thanks Stuart! I want to plonk it somewhere wild and let mother nature do her bit!
Already ordered one, I was so impressed by the Vern1 reviews, the weight doesn't bother me as it will be my 4wd Overlanding tent, I also went with the stove option as that is something I want to try, I have been wanting a Hilleberg, still will get one one day, just to have one. But with so many options in their (Hillebergs) tent range it was hard almost too hard to choose and now this came at the right time, it made choices easy and it has the right accessories and clearly lower cost and easier to order, I'm impressed and I haven't even got it yet, ease of choice ad ease of access to purchase is something that is a major benefit I think some brands miss understand, or don't care about. So I cant wait. Top impressions review and look forward to your field test. from NZ.🤟
Ah that makes total sense actually, now that you've put that image in my head. Go out smashing out some kilometres in your truck, bust out a rugged and roomy tent, enjoy your surroundings, and then pack up the next morning and continue the adventure! I liked that the Nortent website allows you to select options with drop-down boxes (including different pegs/stakes too), so I can see that that would appeal to a buyer too. I hope it reaches you soon so you can get out there and use it. Thanks for the comment and congrats on the purchase! James.
@24:00 i get Darth Vader vibes. The force is strong in this one. Can't wait to see it pass wind tests. My Jack Wolfskin Starlight Express tore after i had it for almost 20 years. It needs a replacement with a similar sized inner footprint. This looks spot on. Hot tent option? Not gonna say no to that.
Ah come onnn, a 47 minute video where I'm wearing a mic next to my mouth and you pick up in a 1 second segment where you can hear me breathe 😂 I have now used this tent in fairly heavy rain and moderate winds (20-25 mph, see the video here th-cam.com/video/sa8WCUkTqYg/w-d-xo.html) and it showed promising potential for taking higher winds really well. James.
Thorough review James, its worth mentioning to you that after a 24 hour rain test the elastic tie backs will weep water so ive seam sealed about an inch of stitching externally for each. Also the vents will dribble water when you open the door onto the footprint or you when getting out/in. Ive suggested to Nortent a wee rain channel mod to the hoods ala MSR to fix this in the future. Loving mine though ! Andrew
Thanks for sharing that info Andrew. Your foul weather testing is really useful, thanks to those ever-generous test facilties you're equipped with up there in Scotland! 😅 That's a good suggestion you've submitted there. I've yet to get mine out for any use yet but I'll keep an eye out for any similar improvements. I'm really impressed by the quality overall so far from what I've seen. James.
thanks, I now have another tent I want to get. haha. great review.
Haha the list is endless! 😅 Cheers!
@@joinmeoutdoors I own the Vern 1 and it’s going on Dartmoor next weekend..
@@Camped_on_Dartmoor Oh lucky man! I bet it's colour will blend in nicely on Dartmoor. Hopefully it's not TOO camouflaged for the ponies to spot you in the night! 😄
Great review of a great looking tent.
Thanks Ben! 🙏🏻
Yes but if you need to double up on the poles to give you security in high winds it is then increasing the weight somewhat. So does that mean you can leave the footprint connected from now on?
Cracking 1st look video, I have the Vern 1 (2024) & it's a beaut too.
Thanks Steve. You're a lucky man having the new Vern 1! They look top notch too 👌😎 James.
Finally, the first decent Northent youtube video 😀 well-balanced, great info, and very in-depth. I personally don't think this is a heavy tent in terms of expedition use. I do think this tent is better suited to expedition/basecamp use rather than wild camping. At first, I was sceptical on the size of the vestibule, but it does actually look like a decent, livable size.
Thanks Dan! I think you're bang on with what you say there about this being an expedition tent - and a lightweight one at that. It frustrates me when lightweight expedition tents are seen as heavy "normal" tents, and I think I've been guilty of considering the Vern 2 in the wrong category here. Yes, it's heavy by the standard of most of the tents we'd consider for UK wild camping, but tents like this aren't your average backpacking tent. Cheers for giving it a watch 👍 James.
Really good & thorough initial overview video James... It's a best of a tent, I watched someone else review this a couple of days ago, but I didn't realise that it's got a Hot-Tent Stove Jack on it, that was kinda a cool surprise...!😄👍
Thanks Kev. The stove jack surprised us both then! 😅 Great in Norwegian winter, I'm sure 🥶
@@joinmeoutdoors As one that obtained a titanium stove last year, that would B an awesome tent to use it in 4 a couple of months...👍 But I probably wouldn't want to drag it up to a summit...!🤣
I really like the look and sound of this tent. I also agree, a well made tent that can perform admirably in adverse weather conditions, will have some weight to it. However at nearly 5Kg, phew, I’m out of breath already! 😂
I know what you mean! We can't have solid tents that weigh 500 grams, but at the same time...there is a lot of weight to carry here. 5 poles form a really strong structure, but really tip those scales!
Great video and the Nortent Vern 2 does look great but i'm not convinced there as robust as say the black label Hillebergs for me are still the benchmark
Thanks Brian. I think I'd be inclined to agree there. The Black Label Hillebergs are extremely tough and well proven. I wish I owned a wind tunnel and every tent on the market so that I could give them all a wind speed score!
I kinda like the colour and how it's a bit translucent. I'd say it looks cool at night when lit inside, probably gives a subtle glow. Great vid! 👌🏻
You might be right there! I've just got back from using it for the first time, but I didn't test what it looks like from outside with a light on the inside! Maybe next time 😅 Thanks! 🙏🏻
you should tie guyline around the crossing of two poles then secure it to ground. by tieing around crossing it gets even more ridgid.
Yep you'll see that a bit later 👌
Great first person look, but it's definitely a 2-person tent for 2 people and not a one person who wants a bit more space
Couldn't agree more. A lot of "2 person" tents are really for one person with a bit of extra kit, or a bit of extra room. This one is a genuine 2 person tent, and it really needs two people to be able to split the weight in my opinion. Thanks!
Not necessarily. For hiking yes, but winter camping something completely different.
You can put this in your sled when skiing or using snowshoes, and the weight isn't really that much.
Given the possibility of adding a stove jack, this is where I would see this as a good 1 person castle...
For hiking, I do agree that a lighter option is very much needed.
This is where I think the needs of UK campers are quite different to the needs of campers who experience more severe winters and lots of snowfall. It starts to make a lot more sense if you're using a sled, rather than going on a solo hike up a mountain.
You could do the same thin on the higher crossing points also, just tie guyrope around, dont worry that there is no guyout attatchment point. make sure to use a proper knot.
Having two guylines on each of the three "tunnel" poles should make it a nice setup out of the box, and the uppermost guylines are positioned nice and high to stabilise the upper half of the tent. If the end of the world rears up though, your idea of even more guylines would no doubt have you planted through the apocalypse!
and as well the building - is just all set up just put the poles into holes..than some separate flys
Yes I love the simplicity of tents like this, without compromising strength. The clips on this tent (to connect the flysheet to the poles) are the easiest I've seen in a tent so far, and I own five tents that use a similar system. Congrats on your new purchase! James.
Nice first impressions review, the actual 'battering rain and wind' review/hike will likely show strong performance, I mean, I don't see where it might fail.
The actual durability over many years of use, remains to be shown of course but the materials used seem splendid.
But for any pair/duo not minding the weight, which IS considerable, there isn't a sturdier, roomier 4-season tent around that price point afaik.
It's spacious, you can both move around a bit, both sit up straight, both plunder your backpack for any necessity, make a brew or cook food, without hindering/bothering each other.
The ventilation seems well thought through.
Really looking forward to the mountain conditions review.
I think the understanding of the relationship between strength and weight is key here, like you say. Yes, it is heavier than a lot of us are used to, but that's not down to lazy design or the needless addition of weight. It's because it should be a thoroughly dependable shelter. I look forward to seeing what it can handle! Thanks for the comment 🙏🏻 James.
A very good first impressions video James. Very interesting to watch. It does indeed look like it will stand up to virtually all weathers and is very spacious for two people and at a good price. The downsides for me are that hefty 5kg and the large footprint required making finding a suitable spot more difficult. I guess with two people splitting the load it's ok but for someone who just wants a bigger tent for themselves it's not an option. I've recently bought the Hilleberg Nallo 2 and took it out for the first time last weekend in the lake district. Wanted a two man tent for more space for me and my dog. The Nallo 2 is less than half the weight and still provides ample room for my purposes. If I had a Burmese mountain dog that could carry half of it guess that would be different? 😂 Looking forward to you testing it though, and there's you trying to cut down on your pack weight? 😂
Thank you Sean. Yep, that 5 kg does nudge this outside the "roomy tent for 1 person" category I think, so it would have to be split between two people going off on a camp together I think. Haha I love the idea of upgrading your dog to carry your camping gear!! Congrats on the new tent though, I bet that'll make a really big difference to you, having the extra room. Don't talk to me about the timing of my previous weight-focused video and receiving this tent!! Haha it'll be a good workout getting this out for a test, that's for sure! Thanks. James.
My next purchase
Gotta love a new tent purchase!
Very well done first look video James. It does look extremely well made and robust. You’d need one of those trekking carts to lug it up a mountain. The stove vent is an interesting idea. It could also be used by people who own extremely tall gas stoves such as the Windburner (other stoves are available). 😉 🤣🤣🤣
Thanks Pete! I'm kicking myself for not predicting this comment from you!! 😂😂😂 I reckon I can just about squeeze the Windburner in underneath that heatproof panel 🤣 Joker!! A trekking cart could be just what I need. Can you get them with motors?? 🤔 Good to hear from you 👍 James.
@@joinmeoutdoors You walked right into that one mate 🥊 🤣. Seriously though, that was an excellent appraisal of a seriously good tent. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I wonder just how high the winds would have to be to knock that tank over. Atb.
@@unclepeteswildadventures Thank you, Pete. I know a place that sees some pretty mighty winds. I expect this tent is more than capable of standing up to them...🤔
Please post updates after you have been out in it a few times. I'm wondering if it gets too hot in the summer months. In Western Australia we don't get high winds and snow together so our 4th season is really a 3+ except perhaps mid winter in the "high" Stirling Ranges. I'm also keen to know if it's truly a 2P tent with gear and sleeping kits. Which Terra Nova do you consider a fair competitor? Thank for this first look review.
Hi Brad. My most recent video showed me using the Vern 2 in heavy rain and mild winds. So far that is the only camp I've been on in this tent. As far being hot in summer - I would say that this tent gives lots of ventilation options for a 4 season tent, but the flysheet does come all the way down to the ground, which of course blocks out any cooling draughts. If you didn't need to worry about wind, then you have four outer doors to open up, and mesh inner doors to allow air movement through the tent. I'd have to leave you to make that judgement call though! As for whether or not it's a genuine 2 person tent - the answer is "yes", and I showed my two wide sleep mats side by side in this video you've commented on. I won't be using the tent with a second person, so the sleep mat demonstration is all I can really offer you.
In terms of a Terra Nova rival, I guess I'd say the Quasar would be my first thought.
@@joinmeoutdoors Ok great thank you for the additional information.
Great review/introduction. Very informative. Can’t wait to use mine too. Thanks J
Thanks Jason! Will you be using yours for two person trips or solo? I'd be really interested to hear what sort of use it will be getting.
@@joinmeoutdoors Hi James, I shall be using the Vern 2 for mostly solo campsite use. I intend to tour Europe and fly and tour so need a relatively light set up. I just packed everything I need and its comes under 22Kg so should be great to check in to the hold of a plane. Im hoping to fly to Dubrovnik and the Italian Lakes, possibly Yosemite too next year. The massive vestibule on the V2 will be great for storing my luggage. Hope to try it out tomorrow in the Peaks. Thanks J
@@jason4555 Oh okay that makes sense. Having a spacious and solid shelter to pop up wherever you go is probably quite an important thing to be able to do on a trip like that. I hope your first outing goes well tomorrow!
nice video. I have choose this one as well for my moto trips and same issue: weight and size BUT strength and overall build quality, two people, two vestibules and oven jack etc. is always compromise.
You're the second person to tell me they want to use a Vern 2 for moto camping. All that space would be really useful for bike gear. Someone needs to invent a tent with a metal door and a padlock so bikers can leave their gear inside 😅
@@joinmeoutdoors yeah man, not easy to choose. Was thinking hubba hubba nx2 which is some 600euros but very light, was not sure, i put my money into this than
What a very thorough and well thought through first impressions video. Top class James! Thank you.
Strange one. Too beautiful and functional to sit on a campsite and too heavy to lug up a mountain. That said, ive used an alpkit kangri with footprint at 4.3kg before now so its not impossible.
Its a brilliant design and a fumctional tent but i just dint know where it fits in.
Take care,
Adge.
Cheers Adge! 🎶Solid as a rock!🎶 🤣 Most comments here (and my own initial thoughts) are focusing on the weight, which I think is to be expected. In the UK wild camping market we're used to tents that rarely stray much beyond 4 kg for 2 person tents. I think the Vern 2 is disproportionately stronger than its additional weight suggests, so it is that bit heavier than other, lighter tents...but I think it delivers a hell of a lot of extra strength for that weight. So I guess it's angled towards people who want extreme strength at the expense of a bit more weight. Lighter stakes would cut 200 grams off straight away, and I suppose you could remove six guylines and replace the remaining guylines with lighter duty items if weight was crucial? It would be difficult to remove much more weight though I think.
@@joinmeoutdoors she's an absolute monster and if you want absolute safety between two people then it's going to deliver. Just like the Vern 1 though it's just a BIT too heavy. The Vern 1 at, for example 2.2kg and the 2 at 3.7/8 kg instead of the actual weights that they are would swing them even further until peoples thoughts I think.
Class tents, high quality but they're BUT tents. But this, but that to sidetrack from the weight.
I love the look and the design though tbf.
Love a debate though so it's all good 😂
Adge
Yep I hear you. I wonder if Scandinavian conditions demand tougher tents than we need in the UK? Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of locations and conditions in the UK that could tear 90% of the world's tents to shreds, so I wouldn't want anything weak in those conditions, but you have to wonder if a BIT of weight could be pulled back without reducing the strength beyond what's needed. I've had winds over 100 mph in Wales and I remember Bushman and Blue wrecking a Fjallraven in winds over 100 mph. I'm torn because I'd love a tent that could take that abuse, but carrying a heavy tent is like an insurance policy. You'll be so glad you went for it if that 100 mph wind hits, but if you're gifted a night of 5 mph you'll be kicking yourself for not taking your 1 kg Lidl special! 😅 We are a hard bunch to satisfy 😄
Very thorough, good job. A bit long though! Just, you, me and one other regarding this tent. Avalanche soon to come!
Yes this video did end up being much longer than I wanted. The tent arrived by surprise one day last week, after midday. I happened to have the day off, so I put all my batteries on charge and headed out to film this vid and make the most of my day off. Lack of preparation probably let to a video that could have been more concise, but I won't beat myself up about that too much 😁 Let's await that avalanche!!
What size rucksack would i need to carry this tent and everything else for a weekend, it looks quite a big pack size?
I was using my Osprey Atmos 65 on this camp (65 litres). Bear in mind that I was also carrying some filming gear as well, so you'd be able to get away with something a little bit smaller I'm sure.
@@joinmeoutdoors thank you for the reply just subbed 👍
No problemo, and welcome! 🤗 James.
I think they should rename it the Spacedome, it's huge.. as well as heavy...lol. I look forward to you lugging it up a Welsh Mountain.. that will test your knee ailments.
I like that name! If I ever end up in the position where I can design and make my own tent, I'm calling it that! Fortunately my knee issue is a hamstring tendon issue, so it can still bear weight just fine. Carting this tent up Picws Du would earn me a pudding or two I reckon! Thanks for tuning in, Al :) James.
Very good review...thankyou.
Have my eye on this tent....but too heavy for 2 people.
And ...if the 3 central poles were geodesic and crossed over ...then in theory the 2 full poles could be removed...cut weight considerably.
Also ...at that price there should be more info regards..
Poles...what type and brand.
How is the waterproof applied...how many layers and to which sides of the fabric.
What tear strenght is the flysheet..etc etc...
So .. i like it...but will see if it is changed.
At that weight and price youve got the a whole choice of tried and tested tents....
At the mo i do not see this as a contender ..
I think it's considerably heavier than many of us are used to when we're shopping around for 2 person backpacking tents, but that's because it's not like the majority of 2 person backpacking tents when it comes to strength and durability. It comes across as being really strong and rugged, to stand up to harsh conditions and lots of use (e.g. heavy stakes that will withstand being bashed into the ground with rocks), and those factors have added a fair amount of weight. I've had a bit of a chat with Nortent about the weight and they agree that reducing weight would be easy (e.g. by removing poles), but they wanted to create a really strong tent here, so removing poles was a no-no for this model. I mentioned the tear strength of the flysheet in my video (the text flashes up to say that it has a 16 kg tear strength, compared to 12 kg for Hilleberg Red Label Kerlon 1200 tents), but you can find out lots of additional info about Nortent materials and processes by reading the articles stored at this link: nortent.com/blog . Thanks for your comment, and I'm glad you enjoyed the vid! James.
If the 3 central poles were geodesic you would just have a normal dome tent and you'd lose the two big vestibules and the stove jack.
Good and fair comments...this tent definetly has promise...very good video..
I think we are all getting nortent overload atm lol.imo at over 4kg it's a bit 2 heavy yes with 2 people you can split the load.for me it's more suitable as a basecamp tent. I think there's better options for 2p 4 season tents at a lighter weight like the allak or storm star.
I know what you mean! I filmed this one Monday but it takes a while to edit a video like this when you have a day job 😬 I think I agree with you. This is a heavy tent, and unless you're expecting some monumental weather systems, there are lighter tents that can accommodate two people adequately and stand up to unpleasant conditions.
Neither of those tents have nearly as much internal space as this tent. The Storm Star in particular. I have one. This one has loads more space, and the Allak isn't a light tent either, not by any metric.
@@sneakybow1 I also have the storm star and I agree there's a lot more space in there.i use a footprint with mine from quintcraft so that puts the weight to 3kg tho and I only use it in winter so that means for me it's normally just over night camps so 3kg for the much greater space is worth it for me.
37th🎉🎉🎉
Hahaha still appreciated buddy boy! 🥰
Informative review 👍
Can you confirm the tent is in fact made in China? As I couldn't find any mention on the Nortent website.
Maybe some customers are appalled by China's human rights record and need to know such things either by paid promotions or on the Nortent website before buying.
Atb Taff 🤠👊
Thanks Taff. These tents are designed and tested/developed in Norway, and then they are indeed made in Nortent's own factory in China (see Nortent's blog where they explain their manufacturing process here: nortent.com/blog/the-process ). Although it's not unusual for many of the items in our homes to be manufactured in China, I know that for some, this may put them off a particular product or manufacturer. It is there in writing on Nortent's website though if you want to take a look. James.
@@joinmeoutdoors Clear explanation James 👍 I did look on the website but it didn't jump out at me especially on the webpages Nortent is advertising the products for sale.
It's a little disappointing they appear to be hiding the fact that low paid Chinese factory workers on an average wage of £6300 per year are knocking out these tents for peanuts and making I suspect a huge profit margin.
Keep up the good work atb Taff 🤠👊
Hilleberg tents are put together in Estonia, but I bet the components are manufactured in China.
I honestly can't comment on the salaries of the staff used by Nortent or any other tent manufacturer, simply because I don't know what any of them are paid. From what I've seen, Nortent are pretty hot on quality, which isn't an attribute I'd associate with cutting corners, and their facilties look smart in the photos. It would be great if China didn't have such a stronghold on cost-effective global manufacturing - particularly when our own tiny little country used to be such a powerhouse - but I'm afraid that's where we are at this point in time.
All the best to you too 😊
James.
@@joinmeoutdoors I emailed Hilleberg and asked them where they get their materials from, “The majority of our materials are made in South Korea but some smaller fittings come from China and Taiwan as well as Sweden, Germany, Japan and Turkey.”
You say the footprint is included but Nortent says it is a separate purchase.
Hi Carmen. At 1:04 in the video I explain that the tent costs £722 when bought from Valley and Peak in the UK, and that this price includes the footprint and shipping. Prices and conditions of the purchase will be different if you buy the tent from a different source, so if you buy from Nortent, the price, options and shipping costs will be different. Hopefully you can save a bit of money if you didn't want the footprint 🙂
I laugh at people who could probably stand to lose a few kilos themselves talking about this tent being too heavy. People buy Hillebergs every day and none of their 4 season tents are light. I guess they must get a free pass from the critics.
I barely go a day without reading people's rants about how heavy Hillebergs are 😂 I think the key here is that this category of tent is still extremely light for the strength they provide, but that's not to say that this category is necessary for the majority of UK camping conditions.
Sorry, I just saw you do it at about 22 minutes in.
Haha no worries. This video ended up being really long so I'm not surprised it took you a while to see that bit! 😁
Great review, great tent, but too heavy..
Thanks! First impressions are mighty impressive, but the weight does seem to be the biggest compromise at the moment.
They just copy pasted Fjallraven ABISKO View 🤣🤣🤣🤌🤌🤌🤌🤌
I can see some similarities, but they're minimal. Two big differences are that the Vern 2 has a whopping 3 additional poles and 2 additional doors for starters!
Copied from my Underpants
😂👍