Should you buy an ALPKIT SOLOIST? First look at this budget ultralight backpacking tent ⛺️👀
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- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
- GIVEAWAY DRAWN on 7th February 2022: • Video
Looking for a compact, lightweight tent for backpacking and wild camping? The Alpkit Soloist is a popular choice for those wanting to enjoy the outdoors on a budget.
Come along as I take a brand new Soloist tent out, get it unpacked and pitched, and give you my own impartial and unbiased first impression of it…
Let me know what you think to it down in the comments 👇
#SORRYBOSSIWILLTRYHARDERHONEST
1) For those upset that I didn't peg the tent out properly - Let me be clear (again. As I said in the video) I didn't feel the need to peg it out fully as I knew by looking at the door design that this tent wasn't for me (hence giving it away...). So I'm sorry that this first look video I made (in my own time, with my own money) wasn't up to your standards. I'll try MUCH harder next time. Honest guv. I probably will.
2) Again, let me be clear... this is a first look at the Alpkit Soloist TENT (as it says in the title and all the way through the video). It's NOT a review of Alpkit the COMPANY. Yes Alpkit do make some great kit (Hunka, Brukit etc.), and I really like their stance on sustainability. So... Alpkit company 👍, Alpkit soloist tent 👎(IMHO, IDST, 4EVA).
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The Soloist is a lightweight, compact and stable backpacking tent with plenty of head room for multi-day wilderness adventures or extended bike tours.
- Low weight and compact pack-size for backpacking, bikepacking and wild camping
- Tall enough to sit up in and comfortable over multiple days
- Stable and free-standing single pole structure that’s quick to pitch
The Soloist uses lightweight fabrics and short pole sections to create a compact package weighing just 1.2kg and packing down to the size of a bottle of wine. This allows you to keep your overall pack-size down, makes it easier to stow on your bike, and keeps your luggage weight low and your enjoyment levels high on multi-day trips.
Pitching inner-first with a single hubbed pole, the Soloist is quick and easy to pitch for one person. The self-supporting semi-geodesic structure is stable in bad weather and allows the tent to pitched pretty much anywhere with just 6 pegs.
○ Alpkit Soloist (£119.99): alpkit.com/pro...
○ Cloud Up 1 (Amazon £89): amzn.to/3rw0FvI
○ Cloud Up 2 (Amazon £109): amzn.to/3tynYrH
○ Cloud Up 2 - Dark Green (Amazon £165): amzn.to/3nzxGWI
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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.
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!
Jesus christ, was that tent piched by stevie wonder off cam?
😂
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.
#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?
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.
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
Something to also consider is Alpkit are now PFC free
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 👍
Great review mate. You're spot on about this tent. Good work. Love from the Antipodes.🇦🇺
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 ⛺️👍
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.
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 👍
Great job chap👍. Good on ye for sticking to your original remit👍. 👍
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.
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 👍
It's amazing how much the area you are in looks like the areas in Kansas I tend to camp in.
Great review. Thanks for the door and rain input!
#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 😂
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.
Naturehike Cloud Up 1 every time over this for me 👍🏼
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 👍
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.
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 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 👍
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 👍
#goingsolo thanks for the review, looking to start wild camping when the weather warms up! Love your vids.
Thanks! Good luck 👍
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
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
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.
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!
#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 cycling Lands End to John o'groats this May. Camping and wild camping along the route. This tent is half the weight of my current tent (although half the size too).
# GOINGSOLO ⛺️ looks like a good set up late, leave early tent
I like it and Alpkit do good kit. I think it’s a good summer only tent. More of a bivvy tent than a normal tent get a big dry bag and put you rucksack in it and leave it outside for th night. No big deal. #goingsolo
Went to North wales few months ago got 1 man tent only cheap to try out was ok but wasn't that waterproof so this tent be ideal to try out on my next #GOINGSOLO adventure.
#GOINGSOLO looks like it could be a handy lightweight tent for out and about in sunny Scotland.
Decent review of the tent. Its very lightweight #GOINGSOLO
#GOINGSOLO thanks for the review, like the tent besides that door 😩
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
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!
I’m sorry to say this Ben on videos before you've said “wont show you me cooking and eating you've seen me do that before” last video mate??
This video mate I get it the tent isn't very good and I agree, but at least do the tent some kind of justice by putting it up properly, to show us a peg points and not use it and show us guy ropes and not use them when it obviously needs them to make it taught.
Sorry Ben I hope you take this as constructive criticism
Cheers Tony 👍After seeing the door design I really didn’t feel I needed a full setup to know it wasn’t for me.
#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 .. Looks like a lovely wee tent.. thanks for the review .
#GOINGSOLO Another honest and genuine review from you. Looking forward to many more this year.
#GOINGSOLO Great first look! Was wanting a light weight 1 man tent and this looked like a decent option for better weather days. Would be good to see a video with things set up inside to get a better feel of it.
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
#GOINGSOLO Another honest reveiw mate cheers
#GOINGSOLO I'm considering options for a new backpacker tent so, you're insight on the budget options is very welcome.
#GOINGSOLO keep up the good work
#GOINGSOLO Thanks for an interesting video. I think if you had set it up properly guying out the sides so that the inner was pulled out more it would have been a better demonstration for us viewers to make a more informed decision. Also if you had put your mat, sleeping bag etc it would have shown how much realistic space was available for a rucksack and other kit. I like the green colour, not too bright and it looked quite cosy inside. The biggest concern for me would be the potential wet in the porch area but as you say pegging it out with poles might resolve that problem depending on the angle of the rain. Thank you anyway. Always good to see another tent.
#GOINGSOLO this is a great tent for my son for his solo camping trips
#GOINGSOLO I so desperately need a new tent. I'm still using my Millets special from 30yrs ago..
#GOINGSOLO good luck everyone , thanks for the review interesting points made about entrance to tent
I actually didn't mind the look of the tent ,I always carry a couple of walking poles so the door would work for me,,, no room for me dog but great for a solo,,, atb mike #GOINGSOLO
#GOINGSOLO another great review. Being 6.5 I don't think this would work for me,I have the cloud up 2 and definitely looks a better tent. I'm after something for my daughter as I want to get her in to camping and this would be perfect.
#GOINGSOLO another good video, keep them coming.
#GOINGSOLO. 🤞
Thanks for the honest review. I like the idea of doing a bike ride and camping like I did in my distant youth. #GOINGSOLO
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
thanks for the videos
#GOINGSOLO Hi Ben, thanks for the review and chance to win a tent with a small footprint to get in those tight pitches.
#GOINGSOLO Ben good honest review, for an over night trip I'd would do the job but only if you bring minimal gear. Never been wild camping so I'm just assuming
love your videos Ben, good honest reviews with no agenda, thanks for the content and the give away! #GOINGSOLO
#GOING SOLO Great video ben been looking at a 1 man tents im using a tagar 2 for hiking and biking
Brilliant review, feeling sorry for the tent, it got roasted. I think it's needs a loving new home. My wild camping tent is getting on, lichfield treklite 200. Brilliant little tent but like most my gear getting on abit. #GOINGSOLO
Cheers Calvin - good luck 👍
#GOINGSOLO great review.. but could still be handy on a 2 -3 day through hike. Cheers
I was looking at this as a smaller option than the Phoxx 2. But less of a footprint and would expand your pitch options. #GOINGSOLO
My mate had one of these but I thought it was like sleeping in a coffin. Way too small for me. I always go for a 2 man
Love your honesty Ben thank you #goingsolo
Cheers Sam 👍
#GOINGSOLO Good video picked up a lot of usefull info. Thanks mate.
Each to their own and all that but compared to a snugpak ionosphere at £150, that looks like a terrible purchase in my opinion.
Slightly heavier and not as much room, tho it’d work for me. Wild country zephros 1 would be a good shout for £145 and 1.4kg. Got a bit of both going for it.
@@northernimagesphotography aye compared to this one I'd agree that's a better suggestion as the headroom seems more worthwhile which obviously must be one of the reasons for choosing a tent like this........I'm definitely a low profile solo guy so it was between the Dutch army hooped bivvy and the ionosphere for what I wanted! 👍
#GOINGSOLO Thanks for the review would love the chance to win this tent
#GOINGSOLO a fair review I would say, great for an overnight trip in fair weather and a good addition to the kit but not for wet weather and multi day trips. Thanks for the opportunity to win it and for the time you put into the videos.
#goingsolo
Literally just been looking to buy this tent, hopefully I'll save a few quid
don't mean to be rude
but a sloppy pitch makes for a sloppy review
You did not show the pitched to its's best, so you do not show the real inner volume
It’s a first look not a full review. The door design was enough to put me off. It’s gone to a good home anyway and is getting some use 👍
@@daleyoutdoors
cheers
Don't think this would be the tent for me, that door would frustrate me but I'd like my son to get out more. #GOINGSOLO
#GOINGSOLO.
Another well presented video and nice to hear an honest review. I was surprised, as Alpkit usually do some great products.
Yes, i have to agree, NatureHike are hard to beart, especially if you buy ndirectly from China.
Regards !
Cheers Brian 👍 Yes there other stuff looks awesome, and the soloist will be too for some. Just not me 😆 good luck!
Hi Ben, nice review cheers looks a good little tent thanks.
#GOINGSOLO
#goingsolo Great honest review. This tent is on my shortlist, and to be honest, I would still consider it based on my past experience of Alpkit stuff. Weight is pretty good as well!
#GOINGSOLO
#GOINGSOLO Great Review looks like a good little tent would be perfect for my 10year old to get some practice with for wild camping
#GOINGSOLO
Looks like a nice tent to take a nap in 😴
Mine weighed 1400g
#GOINGSOLO think it could be a good hiking summer tent but not for winter
Yeah it’ll be fine for summer use 👍
#GOINGSOLO
hey mate not for me but my mates lad wants to join us on a camp. Here’s hoping. Keep up the great work.
Only a UK address. That seems fair.
#GOINGSOLO great review and pretty detailed. Looking to get a decent budget tent for my first year wild camping so this would make a great starter. Really enjoying your channel, keep the videos coming 👌🙂
Honest review Ben. I'd be happy at my age to use this shelter as an upgrade from what I already have. Please count me in at #goingsolo
👍
#GOINGSOLO this would be perfect as a secondary tent to allow our autistic child some space should they need it camping :)
#GOINGSOLO Great honest review👍🏻
Cheers Richard 👍
#GOINGSOLO thank you 🙏
Hi Ben.
I have an alpkit sleeping bag and its seems good quality. That tent has been on my bucket list as a small light weight tent.
Atb Graham
#GOINGSOLO
#goingsolo
Interesting #goingsolo
Afternoonio
🥇
#GOINGSOLO
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 👍