I used an alpkit Soloist for the West Highland Way in early October 2021, it rained most days and I always pitched it outer first. This is actually easy to do if you have the additional floor print, just hook the frame into the eyelits on the floor print tabs, then lay the fly over the frame. If doing this in rain, once the fly is on you can crawl inside and wipe the floor print with a sponge to remove any rain water, then just hook up the inner from inside. It's a good priced tent but a little small and impossible to cook in the vestibule unless in dry weather.
Two years on I know but just wanted to put in a word for this little tent. When the rain is hammering down it is such a cozy tent to be curled up in if you zip the door down to half way and secure there leaving an 18 inch gap to watch the rain falling knowing you are warm and dry. Pitched properly it always looks neat and taut and it is such a grand little package to carry on my bike. I think your points are valid but - I don’t know - in spite of all of that, this little tent stands up to some harsh weather and keeps me cozy and dry. Glad you found yours a new home and hope it is out there having adventures still 👍🏻
I haven’t read every comment but you couldn’t find an elegant way out because you had your head at the feet end. Every tent I’ve been aware of that narrows is designed that way to save weight and create a wind cheating wedge shape; head and shoulders at the wider door end. When not raining, fall asleep looking up at the stars.
I've been using the Soloist for a couple of years including for most of the Pennine Way. Very packable, easy to pitch and good amount of sleeping room. If you peg it out properly there is plenty of space for you and your rucksack (I'm 5ft 10). But I completely agree about the door, the catching zips (try closing those from the inside at night Alpkit), and the vestibule. Great in dry weather but in the wet you need to have the door rolled halfway down all the time with the ends propped up on twigs or poles. Overall I do rate it, but I'm surprised Alpkit haven't redesigned that door yet - give it some 'overhang' for rain shelter and just enough space to brew a morning cuppa and you'd have a real winner!
I'm thinking the Cloud Up 2 would have been a better vote now. That said, I've bought many bits of kit over the years from Alpkit and they have all been excellent. The Hunka bivvy bag always gets a big thumbs up from me.
The door is easy to keep up (and stay up!) - just fold the left and right sides in and then roll a couple of times and put the tassle through the hole. It's quicker than the tradional 5,000 rolls 😂 I took this tent wild camping and it's incredibly light and had enough room for 6 ft 2 me plus 28kg dog, but barely room for my backpack in the vestibule and no chance of cooking in bad weather. Easiest tent I've ever had to pack away. That said, the light weight and low price point mean it definitely feels like it might break in future - not poorly made, just fragile feeling floor and things like that. Can always use a ground sheet to mitigate, plus 3 year warranty from alpkit, so no problem if it does take a little damage 👍 I would definitely recommend for gram counters on a budget
So glad this was reviewed. As someone new to camping and still yet to own a tent of my own this one passed my radar and I love Alpkit stuff and the shop in the peak district is a good one. Thanks for spending ya time and money doing this review it’s been very helpful!
My mate has one of these. He has had it out up Windy Ghyle in a gale force and he reckons it was spot on. He does spray it with fabsil, (which I use on everything as well) He did get a bit of condensation. On the other hand another fellow walker was telling me his £140 Chinese tent was so badly stitched it dismantled itself overnight on a rainy night. I was lucky, my wife overstitched everything on my little cheap tent, and seam sealed it all she also added extra reinforced tieouts to my little coffin tent. She did say it was a one off. I'm waiting for my next tent a Trekkertent Stealth 1. If I enjoy it as much as my 49quid coffin then I'll be the happiest sausage eater in the UK.
The main issue is the door in rain- you will get wet crawling in and out, the zips constantly jam on the flaps and the vestibule is too small to cook. The ground sheet is a must and also allows it to be used as a tarp-tent with no inner. it’s light, cheap and robust in wind.
I used this tent on the Cumbria Way and will use it later this year on the Tour de Mont Blanc. The XL version is a better option and there's stacks of room to put your gear behind your head. Getting in and out can be tricky. But all in all this is a great tent for budget and low weight, plus significantly cheaper than some others
#GOINGSOLO Hi Ben, thanks for the review, I think it would have been good to see it all pegged out fully, Alpkit gear is normally pretty good and they're also a very ethical and eco friendly company. Overall, I think the tent would be good for a lightweight 1-2 night trip.
Cheers Alex 👍 After seeing the door design I didn’t feel I needed to peg it all out to know it’s not for me (and I knew I was giving it away). Good luck 👍
I’m thinking of this or the helm 1, I imagine the helm 1 is stronger but the price has shot up and it’s a fair bit heavier also hard to justify paying an extra £100 over an OEX phoxx 2 for a little extra head room and vestibule area. The older Robens arch 2 is cheap and solid though a little heavy, not sure what to get sub £200 good in wind mainly summer tent lighter the better? What would you recommend?
Another crackin honest review fae Ben...this is why a watch his channel keep it goin Ben...wont be gettin Alpkit... but will be getting cloud 2... already have naturehike opalus 2man amazing good for bikepacking trips..👍👍👍👍🏴
If you like these budget gear reviews and first looks, I’ve got plenty more (including more tents) here 👉 ruclips.net/p/PLwsvXEqNunT_KmyW-bMp1rBivY-IjKAnQ Check them out! Ben 🤓
Oex Phoxx 1v2 is still the way to go for a budget 1 person tent. Side door, storage vestibule and cheap. One man tents aren't for everyone, but if you just want somewhere dry to sleep, they do the job.
#GOINGSOLO Great video Ben, I’ve got this tent and love it, I can get me and my rucksack down the side next to me, I do what you said and use my trekking poles and make a porch shelter with the door, give it another go in your garden and pitch it out properly, think it might change your mind 👍👍👍
Had this tent about 5 years and it is well made and is a good tent generally; however, the tent door is a pain when it rains or heavy dew has settled on the tent. I still use it. but mainly use the Vango Blade or Phoxx 1.
Thanks for the review. Torn on this one. Planning 1- or 2-night solo bike camping, existing cheap Vango Alpha 200 weighs 2.9kg, and you feel all that weight when cycling. Light weight and small pack size obviously important for a replacement, but not clear if the very small internal dimensions or the Soloist would just be too restrictive. But I’d love to give it a shot #GOINGSOLO
I have one, you can fold up the door a lot better and pegged out properly they pitch well. I bought mine for bikepacking as alternative to a coffin style tent which offer very little room especially sitting up but also pack up small which helps a lot on the bike where space is a premium. I wouldn't use mine for hiking as I have a bigger Coleman Cobra which is my next point, I tend to buy kit to suit the type of activities I am doing or conditions, so this tent is ideal for bikepacking or lightweight hiking. They do stand up well in bad weather however I wouldn't pitch it on top of a mountain there are stronger, heavier and a lot more expensive tents out there for that. Generally I like mine, a XL with a foot print, I am 6'3 and getting on a bit so agility is not great especially after a long ride or hike, I like the high roof and find I have enough room to store my bikepacking bags along side me though a rucksack would need to stay out side. I also have had a Alpkit Hunka for about 6 years and it's been brilliant and I recently bought their Elan hooped bivvy, as well as other bits n bobs from them. I'd say take the tent out on a lightweight exped, be sensible don't stick it on top of a mountain in a storm but put it in context for its intended use, I have it's great.
I have this tent and have used it a couple of times. I can live with the door, it's not too bad and pegging it out with sticks or poles is quite handy for cooking under etc. If it's to be heavy rain though I'll take something else as the inner getting wet just doesn't appeal. I can't see a big lump like me being able to put the inner up inside the outer without getting soaked on my back end hanging out teh front door.
The trick with entering this tent IMHO is to sit in the inner facing out, bring your knees up under your chin and rotate 180 degrees. Then stretch your legs to the back of the tent. That way your head is at the door. Just a thought.
Bought it , used it , sold it ! I did like this tent but the down side for me was front entry and water dripping on me when you got out in the morning 😂 I went for a side entry tent ,so now use the msr Hubba nx which I much prefer with its larger porch etc . Saying that it’s a great starter tent for a newbie ⛺️👍
That door rolled up! That would get on my nerves. Only 3000 HH? Hmmm. It may be handy for a one nighter, lightweight camp but I think there's better out there for the money (flytop?) Ha, I know I keep going on about that tent but it really is a great little tent for the money. Thanks for the review.
HH is one of the most overrated things about tents. It's just another way to charge people more. It's waterproof and that's what matters. Won't make any difference to most people if it's 3000 or 20,000
#GOINGSOLO Good review Ben. I’m considering this tent, primarily as a one-nighter tent. Looking to keep my weight down and just going to see, to begin with, how little kit I can take to be comfortable!
Can't remember last time I was in a tent, I always use my hammock. I may look at a hooped bivi if these storms keep up tho, there'll be no trees left 😂
Contemplating the idea of getting a different tent later this year - love the Macpac but it's getting on a bit ....would rather get summat in sooner . Would look at something with a bit more space... Not sure whether this is big enough.
here in Indonesia, we have only Alpkit Hunka bivy on the market and not a single tent. But for that kind of tent shape, we've got Naturehike or Great Outdoor tent. Nice accent btw 😁
I agree not 1st time go with cloud up2, great channel, no bull and got into wild camping watching advice from you. Followed from day 1 great work sound advice keep on keeping on. #GOINGSOLO
Will be doing some car camping this summer and looking for a tent that I can actually stand up in...getting tougher on this old back and knees of mine getting in and out of my current tent. Great honest review! Bruce and Otis
Fantastic review/look at this one Ben. This looks like a fantastic little tent for a night or 2 in-between walks in the summer. Especially for those hikers who are smaller in stature. #GOINGSOLO
Would have been a fairer and better review if you had pegged it out fully, shown off the awning feature with your trekking poles, and put in your sleeping system etc. Having said that this is an infinitely better review than any I have ever done so many thanks for your observations. #GOINGSOLO
@@deeric7115 I’ve explained above and in the video description (as well as in the video itself). Plus why get the pegs dirty when I knew I was giving it away 😆
Hi Ben, its funny, I've really gone off this style of tent, the ''crawl in a hole head first'', I much prefer the Phoxx 1 and 2 style/ shape now days, two porches and two doors, i've got rid off all my tents of this style now.
Nice review Ben might be a nice little tent for my bikepacking overnighters where pack size and weight are key but in all honesty I didn't like the look of it, it wouldn't be a tent for me either so I'll pass on entering to give those who would use it a better chance 👍👍
I have a few bits of Alpkit stuff. Always found their equipment very good. That door would do my nut, it should have rolled to the side. Thanks for the review. #GOINGSOLO
#GOINGSOLO Thanks Ben. I’m just getting into camping and fancy trying a bit of wild camp in 2022. Do you know the weights for the Naturehike tents? Cheers .
Really enjoy your tent reviews. I’m still trying to decide on my tent purchase. I think I’m leaning towards the cloud up 2 for weight/budget ratio. Have been borrowing a lightweight vaude but time to get my own I think. #GOINGSOLO
Great Channel & Great Review Video! Keep up the good work. I’m looking to get out and try some good hikes this year. Hopefully building up to some wild camp nights out. Will be gradually building up my kit. All the best Ben & fellow followers. #GOINGSOLO
#GOINGSOLO I've been thinking about this one for a while as I prefer this concept over a trekking pole tent like the one DD has. Being able to sit up in it is good, thanks for the review.
I appreciate the idea of a budget tent purchase but I've been through a few and it's the middle ground pricing where I got my real rewards.. best by far tent I've purchased is the Robens "Starlight2" not light but wow it can handle all 4 seasons.. I've just bought a Big Angus "Blacltail 2" which I can't wait to try.. anyway all the best with you channel.. cheers.. P.S .. I hope one day you'll do a review on the Starlight..
the best budget tent has to be the bessport p1 not as light but very good use of space I've had mine for over a year and use it a few times a month and has not let me down
I think you need your head at the door end, you'd get more room if you could be bothered to guy the sides out. That door is a faff. I don't like the shape either. My first camp was sh*t. But I came back to it. Good luck to the winner.
Hey, love the videos! I have been watching since the start. I have noticed recently that there have been less videos involving actual wild camping, it would be great to see this more regularly! Please take this comment as constructive and not negative:))
I have a Soloist, I think its small for the weight, not a bad price tho. The vestibule is non existant and the entrance is hard to wriggle in and out of. I prefer Naturehike or Decathlon tents for Budget hiking tbh. I also had a problem with the stiching coming apart, replaced no quibble from Alpkit tho.
#GOINGSOLO Honest reviews are always of value so thanks for the info on this one. I'm still looking for my first small tent for an overnighter (I don't really fancy lugging the family tent out lol).......very much appreciate your mentioning the other options at the end too. Cheers 👍
STITCHING - I think this must be pretty common at this end of the price spectrum. Recently got an OEX Phoxx 1 v2 - whilst the build quality is pretty good, particularly in light of costing £62, I have noted some loose tails of thread here and there. It isn't structural, just looks a bit untidy. Water-proofing, I can say, is excellent. My main gripe with the OEX products > the Millets/Blacks/group use Hermes, now re-branded as Evri ... customer service still totally absent. If you ask Millets/other to check up on where your parcel is, whilst they do sound like they want to be helpful, reading between the lines it does sound like they have a hard time finding anything out too ..... So ... decent product, decidedly 'mediocre' courier (being diplomatic!) > for this reason, I would say, buy in store if you can!
After being reminded of why I avoid retailers that use Hermes like the proverbial plague, I checked with Alpkit what courier they use - commonly Royal Mail, or, in the case of my gas and wind break (stove) this week ... DPD. < with live tracking. A total joy, compared with the infuriating Evri!
#GOINGSOLO Nice review! I'm just starting to get into wildcamping, and have bought a Geertop Blazer 1-man tent, which is pretty good, and was able to get it for only £62 on their website. I like the side opening as opposed to the end opening in the Alpkit, but would still like to win it!
Great video. This reminds me of my first wildcamping tent, a Lichfield Apache. Then I went for the Banshee which although I don't use it as much nowadays I still have a soft spot for it. This would be great for my daughter who's starting her camping adventures. #GOINGSOLO
#GOINGSOLO I have been waiting for the Helm 1 compact to come back into stock as I build up my wild camping gear to start having some adventures at the age of 60. A tent is the last piece of my jigsaw (for the time being at least).
#GOINGSOLO. I prefer a two man tent for solo camping. I'll be honest I'd not heard of this tent untill today. I'm off to look at a few reviews of it! That might come in useful for my lad if I were to win it!
#GOINGSOLO I think for what the tent is it looks like a very affordable 1 person summer tent. It’s weight is good but it really is just a sleeping pod, maybe a sat around on a warm summers night then into the tent with a thin sleeping bag deal. One thing to bare in mind alpkits warranty is brilliant they have no issues replacing anything with a dodgy stitch and for that reason I think it’s a bargain. I bought a alpkit viso 2, slight nick to the fly and they sent me a new tent the next day. Love the videos
#GOINGSOLO thanks for the review Ben! I was looking at this tent just last week in the alpkit store near me. Thinking about getting it for during the summer months. Would be a great birthday present for me seeing as it’s my birthday on the 11th February 🤪
#GOINGSOLO Thank you Ben, for making all these great videos and motivating the likes of me to get back outdoors after such a crappy couple of years. I'm slowly trying to acquire the bare essentials to get on to my first wild camp and your budget reviews are super helpful! Love and peace!
It was just a first look rather than a full review. I don’t do a full review until I’ve camped in a tent usually but I knew this one wasn’t for me. All explained in the video description 👍
I really like your honest reviews and have purchased kit recommended by you before. This review seems a bit half hearted from the beginning. I would highly recommend that you set it up fully, you can’t do a review of a tent and not pitch it up properly 😆 I love my Elan, squishes down to nothing, weight is excellent , space for a one man lightweight tent is as good as many others. Cheers.
#GOINGSOLO Thanks for the review Ben, haven't used s freestanding tent, but would love to try one! Alpkit seem to have some really good items, but others seem to mid the mark.
The weight of this tent sounds brilliant, I recently bought just over 2.5 kg two person tent and the size of it is more than I would like to have to carry (both weight and measurements wise). This one looks tiny! Which is good :) #GOINGSOLO
#GOINGSOLO Good review. Really enyojing this channel. I'm looking at getting a much lighter tent for my 1 night camps. Currently taking a Eurohike Tamer. Plenty of room but 3kg. I think the Alpkit might be a lot better when it's fully tentioned. Keep up the good work. 👍
#goingsolo Great review of the tent. In my opinion it looked OK to be fair, maybe a little compact for wet weather but would be a great summer tent I think. Keep safe, cheers.
I used an alpkit Soloist for the West Highland Way in early October 2021, it rained most days and I always pitched it outer first. This is actually easy to do if you have the additional floor print, just hook the frame into the eyelits on the floor print tabs, then lay the fly over the frame. If doing this in rain, once the fly is on you can crawl inside and wipe the floor print with a sponge to remove any rain water, then just hook up the inner from inside. It's a good priced tent but a little small and impossible to cook in the vestibule unless in dry weather.
Two years on I know but just wanted to put in a word for this little tent. When the rain is hammering down it is such a cozy tent to be curled up in if you zip the door down to half way and secure there leaving an 18 inch gap to watch the rain falling knowing you are warm and dry. Pitched properly it always looks neat and taut and it is such a grand little package to carry on my bike. I think your points are valid but - I don’t know - in spite of all of that, this little tent stands up to some harsh weather and keeps me cozy and dry.
Glad you found yours a new home and hope it is out there having adventures still 👍🏻
I haven’t read every comment but you couldn’t find an elegant way out because you had your head at the feet end. Every tent I’ve been aware of that narrows is designed that way to save weight and create a wind cheating wedge shape; head and shoulders at the wider door end. When not raining, fall asleep looking up at the stars.
I've been using the Soloist for a couple of years including for most of the Pennine Way. Very packable, easy to pitch and good amount of sleeping room. If you peg it out properly there is plenty of space for you and your rucksack (I'm 5ft 10). But I completely agree about the door, the catching zips (try closing those from the inside at night Alpkit), and the vestibule. Great in dry weather but in the wet you need to have the door rolled halfway down all the time with the ends propped up on twigs or poles. Overall I do rate it, but I'm surprised Alpkit haven't redesigned that door yet - give it some 'overhang' for rain shelter and just enough space to brew a morning cuppa and you'd have a real winner!
I'm thinking the Cloud Up 2 would have been a better vote now.
That said, I've bought many bits of kit over the years from Alpkit and they have all been excellent. The Hunka bivvy bag always gets a big thumbs up from me.
Yeah the Hunka is ace 👍
The door is easy to keep up (and stay up!) - just fold the left and right sides in and then roll a couple of times and put the tassle through the hole. It's quicker than the tradional 5,000 rolls 😂 I took this tent wild camping and it's incredibly light and had enough room for 6 ft 2 me plus 28kg dog, but barely room for my backpack in the vestibule and no chance of cooking in bad weather. Easiest tent I've ever had to pack away. That said, the light weight and low price point mean it definitely feels like it might break in future - not poorly made, just fragile feeling floor and things like that. Can always use a ground sheet to mitigate, plus 3 year warranty from alpkit, so no problem if it does take a little damage 👍 I would definitely recommend for gram counters on a budget
So glad this was reviewed. As someone new to camping and still yet to own a tent of my own this one passed my radar and I love Alpkit stuff and the shop in the peak district is a good one. Thanks for spending ya time and money doing this review it’s been very helpful!
My mate has one of these. He has had it out up Windy Ghyle in a gale force and he reckons it was spot on. He does spray it with fabsil, (which I use on everything as well) He did get a bit of condensation.
On the other hand another fellow walker was telling me his £140 Chinese tent was so badly stitched it dismantled itself overnight on a rainy night. I was lucky, my wife overstitched everything on my little cheap tent, and seam sealed it all she also added extra reinforced tieouts to my little coffin tent. She did say it was a one off.
I'm waiting for my next tent a Trekkertent Stealth 1. If I enjoy it as much as my 49quid coffin then I'll be the happiest sausage eater in the UK.
Great review mate. You're spot on about this tent. Good work. Love from the Antipodes.🇦🇺
Great job chap👍. Good on ye for sticking to your original remit👍. 👍
The main issue is the door in rain- you will get wet crawling in and out, the zips constantly jam on the flaps and the vestibule is too small to cook. The ground sheet is a must and also allows it to be used as a tarp-tent with no inner. it’s light, cheap and robust in wind.
I used this tent on the Cumbria Way and will use it later this year on the Tour de Mont Blanc. The XL version is a better option and there's stacks of room to put your gear behind your head. Getting in and out can be tricky. But all in all this is a great tent for budget and low weight, plus significantly cheaper than some others
Vango Nevis every time at this price. Very strong and very waterproof. Good vid as always mate 👍
Something to also consider is Alpkit are now PFC free
#GOINGSOLO Hi Ben, thanks for the review, I think it would have been good to see it all pegged out fully, Alpkit gear is normally pretty good and they're also a very ethical and eco friendly company. Overall, I think the tent would be good for a lightweight 1-2 night trip.
Cheers Alex 👍 After seeing the door design I didn’t feel I needed to peg it all out to know it’s not for me (and I knew I was giving it away). Good luck 👍
I’m thinking of this or the helm 1, I imagine the helm 1 is stronger but the price has shot up and it’s a fair bit heavier also hard to justify paying an extra £100 over an OEX phoxx 2 for a little extra head room and vestibule area. The older Robens arch 2 is cheap and solid though a little heavy, not sure what to get sub £200 good in wind mainly summer tent lighter the better? What would you recommend?
Another crackin honest review fae Ben...this is why a watch his channel keep it goin Ben...wont be gettin Alpkit... but will be getting cloud 2... already have naturehike opalus 2man amazing good for bikepacking trips..👍👍👍👍🏴
Cheers Baz - Thanks for watching mate 👍
That’s a good ratio of mesh to solid on that inner! 👍🏻
If you like these budget gear reviews and first looks, I’ve got plenty more (including more tents) here 👉 ruclips.net/p/PLwsvXEqNunT_KmyW-bMp1rBivY-IjKAnQ
Check them out! Ben 🤓
Oex Phoxx 1v2 is still the way to go for a budget 1 person tent. Side door, storage vestibule and cheap. One man tents aren't for everyone, but if you just want somewhere dry to sleep, they do the job.
It’s a great tent for the money and entry level
#GOINGSOLO Great video Ben, I’ve got this tent and love it, I can get me and my rucksack down the side next to me, I do what you said and use my trekking poles and make a porch shelter with the door, give it another go in your garden and pitch it out properly, think it might change your mind 👍👍👍
Cheers mate - it’s all packed up ready for the winner now 🤓👍
@@daleyoutdoors if by some miracle I win it, I will be giving it to my brother-in-law 👍👍
It's amazing how much the area you are in looks like the areas in Kansas I tend to camp in.
Jesus christ, was that tent piched by stevie wonder off cam?
😂
Had this tent about 5 years and it is well made and is a good tent generally; however, the tent door is a pain when it rains or heavy dew has settled on the tent. I still use it. but mainly use the Vango Blade or Phoxx 1.
Thanks for the review. Torn on this one. Planning 1- or 2-night solo bike camping, existing cheap Vango Alpha 200 weighs 2.9kg, and you feel all that weight when cycling. Light weight and small pack size obviously important for a replacement, but not clear if the very small internal dimensions or the Soloist would just be too restrictive. But I’d love to give it a shot #GOINGSOLO
Worth a try mate. It would bd good for good/fair weather trips 👍
Great review. Thanks for the door and rain input!
I have one, you can fold up the door a lot better and pegged out properly they pitch well. I bought mine for bikepacking as alternative to a coffin style tent which offer very little room especially sitting up but also pack up small which helps a lot on the bike where space is a premium. I wouldn't use mine for hiking as I have a bigger Coleman Cobra which is my next point, I tend to buy kit to suit the type of activities I am doing or conditions, so this tent is ideal for bikepacking or lightweight hiking. They do stand up well in bad weather however I wouldn't pitch it on top of a mountain there are stronger, heavier and a lot more expensive tents out there for that. Generally I like mine, a XL with a foot print, I am 6'3 and getting on a bit so agility is not great especially after a long ride or hike, I like the high roof and find I have enough room to store my bikepacking bags along side me though a rucksack would need to stay out side. I also have had a Alpkit Hunka for about 6 years and it's been brilliant and I recently bought their Elan hooped bivvy, as well as other bits n bobs from them. I'd say take the tent out on a lightweight exped, be sensible don't stick it on top of a mountain in a storm but put it in context for its intended use, I have it's great.
I have this tent and have used it a couple of times. I can live with the door, it's not too bad and pegging it out with sticks or poles is quite handy for cooking under etc. If it's to be heavy rain though I'll take something else as the inner getting wet just doesn't appeal. I can't see a big lump like me being able to put the inner up inside the outer without getting soaked on my back end hanging out teh front door.
I was literally just pondering this very quuestion
The trick with entering this tent IMHO is to sit in the inner facing out, bring your knees up under your chin and rotate 180 degrees. Then stretch your legs to the back of the tent. That way your head is at the door. Just a thought.
Yeah I used to get into the Cloud Up 2 that way. On this occasion I couldn’t be arsed to take my boots off 😂
@@daleyoutdoors
It does seem to be a tent that you wear rather than live in.
Bought it , used it , sold it !
I did like this tent but the down side for me was front entry and water dripping on me when you got out in the morning 😂 I went for a side entry tent ,so now use the msr Hubba nx which I much prefer with its larger porch etc . Saying that it’s a great starter tent for a newbie ⛺️👍
You do these demos brilliantly* & it's kind of you to give these tents away as give-aways* Sending best & well wishes from Scotland* :-)
That door rolled up! That would get on my nerves. Only 3000 HH? Hmmm. It may be handy for a one nighter, lightweight camp but I think there's better out there for the money (flytop?) Ha, I know I keep going on about that tent but it really is a great little tent for the money. Thanks for the review.
HH is one of the most overrated things about tents. It's just another way to charge people more. It's waterproof and that's what matters. Won't make any difference to most people if it's 3000 or 20,000
#GOINGSOLO
Good review Ben. I’m considering this tent, primarily as a one-nighter tent. Looking to keep my weight down and just going to see, to begin with, how little kit I can take to be comfortable!
You should have a look at Snugpak tents, Ben. Really good quality for the money. Downside is they can be weighty. 👍
I’ll add them to the list - cheers Mark 👍
I've nearly bought this tent so many times, thank you for the review.
#GOINGSOLO
Thanks Ben. I prefer a side entry tent.
Me too 🤓👍
Can't remember last time I was in a tent, I always use my hammock. I may look at a hooped bivi if these storms keep up tho, there'll be no trees left 😂
I’ve got one, it’s not bad’ prefer my OEX PHOXX 2 but ALPkit gear in general is v good
Contemplating the idea of getting a different tent later this year - love the Macpac but it's getting on a bit ....would rather get summat in sooner . Would look at something with a bit more space... Not sure whether this is big enough.
here in Indonesia, we have only Alpkit Hunka bivy on the market and not a single tent. But for that kind of tent shape, we've got Naturehike or Great Outdoor tent. Nice accent btw 😁
I agree not 1st time go with cloud up2, great channel, no bull and got into wild camping watching advice from you. Followed from day 1 great work sound advice keep on keeping on. #GOINGSOLO
Cheers Hugh, good luck mate 👍
Will be doing some car camping this summer and looking for a tent that I can actually stand up in...getting tougher on this old back and knees of mine getting in and out of my current tent. Great honest review! Bruce and Otis
Fantastic review/look at this one Ben. This looks like a fantastic little tent for a night or 2 in-between walks in the summer. Especially for those hikers who are smaller in stature.
#GOINGSOLO
Good review , thanks for showing us this tent . atb
Great video Ben, and an honest review. 👍
#GOINGSOLO (thanks for the opportunity 🙂)
Would have been a fairer and better review if you had pegged it out fully, shown off the awning feature with your trekking poles, and put in your sleeping system etc. Having said that this is an infinitely better review than any I have ever done so many thanks for your observations. #GOINGSOLO
It would, but the door design put me off enough to know it wasn’t for me 👍
@@deeric7115 I’ve explained above and in the video description (as well as in the video itself). Plus why get the pegs dirty when I knew I was giving it away 😆
@@deeric7115 that’s why it’s a first look, not a review.
#goingsolo thanks for the review, looking to start wild camping when the weather warms up! Love your vids.
Thanks! Good luck 👍
#GOINGSOLO
Good first look at the tent. Andrew Beavers has one and rates it. He looks like a big guy as well.
Thanks for sharing Ben
ATB-Phill
Hi Ben, its funny, I've really gone off this style of tent, the ''crawl in a hole head first'', I much prefer the Phoxx 1 and 2 style/ shape now days, two porches and two doors, i've got rid off all my tents of this style now.
Nice review Ben might be a nice little tent for my bikepacking overnighters where pack size and weight are key but in all honesty I didn't like the look of it, it wouldn't be a tent for me either so I'll pass on entering to give those who would use it a better chance 👍👍
Cheers mate - Thanks for watching as always 👍
Thanks for the review Ben, I'm toying the idea to do an over-nighter on my new eMTB when it finally arrives, looks like a good option. #GOINGSOLO
Good luck Martin!
I have a few bits of Alpkit stuff. Always found their equipment very good. That door would do my nut, it should have rolled to the side. Thanks for the review. #GOINGSOLO
#GOINGSOLO Thanks Ben. I’m just getting into camping and fancy trying a bit of wild camp in 2022. Do you know the weights for the Naturehike tents? Cheers .
I think they’re 1.5 and 1.8kg. Links are in the video description with specs 👍
Really enjoy your tent reviews. I’m still trying to decide on my tent purchase. I think I’m leaning towards the cloud up 2 for weight/budget ratio. Have been borrowing a lightweight vaude but time to get my own I think. #GOINGSOLO
Great Channel & Great Review Video! Keep up the good work. I’m looking to get out and try some good hikes this year. Hopefully building up to some wild camp nights out. Will be gradually building up my kit. All the best Ben & fellow followers. #GOINGSOLO
Cheers Grez, good luck! 👍
Naturehike Cloud Up 1 every time over this for me 👍🏼
I hear the disappointment in your voice. Sorry it didn't work out. Any thoughts what you might try next? I have a Lanshan 2 standard and love it. xx
I’ve got a few I want to try - OEX Phoxx II, Snugpak, Decathlon, and a couple from AliExpress. I’ve had a Lanshan 2 - great tents 👍
Got this last year , so light and there's enough room for mat etc and rucksack at the side ....
#GOINGSOLO I've been thinking about this one for a while as I prefer this concept over a trekking pole tent like the one DD has. Being able to sit up in it is good, thanks for the review.
I appreciate the idea of a budget tent purchase but I've been through a few and it's the middle ground pricing where I got my real rewards.. best by far tent I've purchased is the Robens "Starlight2" not light but wow it can handle all 4 seasons.. I've just bought a Big Angus "Blacltail 2" which I can't wait to try.. anyway all the best with you channel.. cheers.. P.S .. I hope one day you'll do a review on the Starlight..
the best budget tent has to be the bessport p1 not as light but very good use of space
I've had mine for over a year and use it a few times a month and has not let me down
I always go for a 2 man tent, so i can get my equipment in, a bit to small for me Ben
This was my first tent, used it once, found it to be too claustrophobic so now got a Scarp 1 😀 #GOINGSOLO
#GOINGSOLO Another honest and genuine review from you. Looking forward to many more this year.
Good video as usual Ben. I agree with you, I don' think this tent is worth my money. I think there are better alternatives out there.
Cheers mate! Thanks for watching as always 👍
I think you need your head at the door end, you'd get more room if you could be bothered to guy the sides out. That door is a faff. I don't like the shape either. My first camp was sh*t. But I came back to it. Good luck to the winner.
#GOINGSOLO concise and interesting video fella.
Hey, love the videos! I have been watching since the start. I have noticed recently that there have been less videos involving actual wild camping, it would be great to see this more regularly! Please take this comment as constructive and not negative:))
Next camp in a couple of weeks 👍
#GOINGSOLO Another honest reveiw mate cheers
I have a Soloist, I think its small for the weight, not a bad price tho. The vestibule is non existant and the entrance is hard to wriggle in and out of. I prefer Naturehike or Decathlon tents for Budget hiking tbh.
I also had a problem with the stiching coming apart, replaced no quibble from Alpkit tho.
#GOINGSOLO Honest reviews are always of value so thanks for the info on this one. I'm still looking for my first small tent for an overnighter (I don't really fancy lugging the family tent out lol).......very much appreciate your mentioning the other options at the end too. Cheers 👍
Thanks for the honest review. I like the idea of doing a bike ride and camping like I did in my distant youth. #GOINGSOLO
Looks a bit claustrophobic in there Ben. My tent is an inner first tent. Great when it’s not windy but a pain in the arse in the wind on Kinder 🙈
It’s weird how it’s a similar size to the Helm 1 but feels like a coffin 😆
STITCHING - I think this must be pretty common at this end of the price spectrum.
Recently got an OEX Phoxx 1 v2 - whilst the build quality is pretty good, particularly in light of
costing £62, I have noted some loose tails of thread here and there. It isn't structural, just looks
a bit untidy. Water-proofing, I can say, is excellent.
My main gripe with the OEX products > the Millets/Blacks/group use Hermes, now
re-branded as Evri ... customer service still totally absent. If you ask Millets/other to check up
on where your parcel is, whilst they do sound like they want to be helpful, reading between the lines
it does sound like they have a hard time finding anything out too ..... So ... decent product,
decidedly 'mediocre' courier (being diplomatic!) > for this reason, I would say, buy in store if you can!
After being reminded of why I avoid retailers that use Hermes like the proverbial plague,
I checked with Alpkit what courier they use - commonly Royal Mail, or, in the case of my
gas and wind break (stove) this week ... DPD. < with live tracking. A total joy,
compared with the infuriating Evri!
I've also had quick deliveries from Cotswold, and LOMO (Glasgow) recently - also non-Evri/Hermes.
The stitching on this was worse than any other tent I’ve reviewed. Not horrendous just something worth pointing out.
Great video again 👏
#GOINGSOLO
Nice review! I'm just starting to get into wildcamping, and have bought a Geertop Blazer 1-man tent, which is pretty good, and was able to get it for only £62 on their website. I like the side opening as opposed to the end opening in the Alpkit, but would still like to win it!
#GOINGSOLO I'd give this a try as I'm only a short arse & it would be OK for a couple of nights. Love your budget reviews keep up the good work Ben.
Great video.
This reminds me of my first wildcamping tent, a Lichfield Apache. Then I went for the Banshee which although I don't use it as much nowadays I still have a soft spot for it. This would be great for my daughter who's starting her camping adventures.
#GOINGSOLO
#GOINGSOLO Great video, always good to get an honest review. Keep 'em coming 👍
Will do! Good luck 👍
#GOINGSOLO another good video, keep them coming.
#GOINGSOLO great vid , keep them coming.
#GOINGSOLO I have been waiting for the Helm 1 compact to come back into stock as I build up my wild camping gear to start having some adventures at the age of 60. A tent is the last piece of my jigsaw (for the time being at least).
The Helm 1 is a great tent 👍
#GOINGSOLO Looks like quite a nice little tent. To be fair, I have only ever used one tent, so not much to compare it to. Thanks for the vid!
#GOINGSOLO. I prefer a two man tent for solo camping.
I'll be honest I'd not heard of this tent untill today. I'm off to look at a few reviews of it!
That might come in useful for my lad if I were to win it!
#GOINGSOLO I think for what the tent is it looks like a very affordable 1 person summer tent. It’s weight is good but it really is just a sleeping pod, maybe a sat around on a warm summers night then into the tent with a thin sleeping bag deal. One thing to bare in mind alpkits warranty is brilliant they have no issues replacing anything with a dodgy stitch and for that reason I think it’s a bargain. I bought a alpkit viso 2, slight nick to the fly and they sent me a new tent the next day. Love the videos
#GOINGSOLO thanks for the review Ben! I was looking at this tent just last week in the alpkit store near me. Thinking about getting it for during the summer months. Would be a great birthday present for me seeing as it’s my birthday on the 11th February 🤪
#GOINGSOLO Thank you Ben, for making all these great videos and motivating the likes of me to get back outdoors after such a crappy couple of years. I'm slowly trying to acquire the bare essentials to get on to my first wild camp and your budget reviews are super helpful! Love and peace!
I'm really confused as to why you wouldn't put it up properly to review it? It feels like you had already made your mind up before pitching it.
It was just a first look rather than a full review. I don’t do a full review until I’ve camped in a tent usually but I knew this one wasn’t for me. All explained in the video description 👍
#GOINGSOLO Thank you for your review Ben. Regardless of the fact you saw some issues with the tent, the review was honest and informative. Thank you.
I really like your honest reviews and have purchased kit recommended by you before. This review seems a bit half hearted from the beginning. I would highly recommend that you set it up fully, you can’t do a review of a tent and not pitch it up properly 😆 I love my Elan, squishes down to nothing, weight is excellent , space for a one man lightweight tent is as good as many others. Cheers.
It’s just a first look, the door design is enough to put me off and it’s already packed up for the winner 👍
@@daleyoutdoors keep up the great reviews
love your videos Ben, good honest reviews with no agenda, thanks for the content and the give away! #GOINGSOLO
# GOINGSOLO ⛺️ looks like a good set up late, leave early tent
#GOINGSOLO Got various Alpkit products and really do rate majority of their equipment. Would be a good addition to some of my camping gear 👍
#GOINGSOLO Thanks for the review Ben, haven't used s freestanding tent, but would love to try one! Alpkit seem to have some really good items, but others seem to mid the mark.
The weight of this tent sounds brilliant, I recently bought just over 2.5 kg two person tent and the size of it is more than I would like to have to carry (both weight and measurements wise). This one looks tiny! Which is good :)
#GOINGSOLO
#GOINGSOLO Good review. Really enyojing this channel. I'm looking at getting a much lighter tent for my 1 night camps. Currently taking a Eurohike Tamer. Plenty of room but 3kg. I think the Alpkit might be a lot better when it's fully tentioned. Keep up the good work. 👍
#GOINGSOLO looks like it could be a handy lightweight tent for out and about in sunny Scotland.
#goingsolo
Great review of the tent. In my opinion it looked OK to be fair, maybe a little compact for wet weather but would be a great summer tent I think.
Keep safe, cheers.
Cheers Andrew, yes it would be find for spring/summer camps with no/little rain 👍
I’m lost as to why or how you can do a review without pitching the tent fully.
It’s not meant to be a full review. All explained in the description.