Just rewatching again a thoughtful and well organised review. On the flysheet being only 3000mm HH and not 5000mm or above as seen in the more 4 season tents, I recall a general observation of the well regarded Scottish reviewer Andrew Park. He said his experience was that of hundreds tents he has had the ones that had leaking flysheet were not because of the lighter say 3000mm HH but rather because they leaked along seams, zips, and under seam taping. His viewpoint based on long experience but I guess there will always exist an an exception. Regards and thx for sharing. JMO.
Yes, I think 3000mm can be perfectly waterproof if sealed correctly. I know Vango and other brands have 5000mm on their better tents... I guess it all depends how many hours rain you have, how heavy it is and how the rain is driving it at the tent. I'll try and test it in the rain at some point.
They are really great tents are these Svalbard’s! Although personally speaking - I wouldn’t swap out my PU for the Si version, as like you say the groundsheet is so thick that you just don’t need a footprint with that one.. I also much prefer the colour of the PU version, it just totally disappears into the landscape, it really is the epitome of “stealth”… Mine weighed in at 2,170g with the standard pegs which I binned shortly after owning it, never known pegs made of such soft (yet heavy) bendy alloy!! 😳 I use my own mix of lightweight (but strong) pegs with this and all my other shelters. I’ve also ditched the long silly sausage bag in favour of a lightweight 8L dry bag, any tent with pole sections that are that long need separating IMO. I’m now at around 1,900g, minus the pegs of course! Out of the five tents I now own, this one is my favourite of them all.. 👍🏻
Nice, always good to hear from a fellow Svalbard owner. Most tents pack down a lot smaller into dry bags - and it makes packing away easier. I agree about the colour of the PU version, it really blends into the landscape here in South Wales. I'm currently selling a lot of my tents, but this one is definitely a keeper.
I thought the PU was more UV resistant as that's generally the case with polyester Vs nylon, but I know they apply more coatings these days to give protection. Thanks for the kind words, really appreciate it.
I think a nordisk tent for 125 is a bargain. Alas best price now is 150. I noticed you detailed character differences of polyester v nylon flysheet which I feel reviewers could emphasise more. Because in my view it is not silnylon better rather a choice - each with relative strengths and limitations. You then make your choice and choose not to complain about its weak features. Thx for posting.
Absolutely. Nordisk are keen to say that neither material is superior, both have strengths and weaknesses. I like the thin feel of the silnylon and how well it packs down, but I'm not keen on seam sealing and it sagging in the rain!
Hi Kev, have you seen or tried the new PU version with exo skeleton? I was thinking of getting one but with your experience I wondered what you thought ? Andrew
I've seen it online, very tempted to get one but I don't have the money... Unless I sell a few tents! It looks interesting. Outer pitching, tweaks to door design...
Great review. I have many tents (Lightwave t10/t20 various models) Laser, MSR, Quasar, Nanok, a nuber of F10s.......and the cheap PU Svalbard. I was looking to upgrade it to SI but I detest seam sealing. My SI Lightwaves have a flatlock stich fold and Ive had them out in Hooligan stuff up here in Scotland and not one leak. The laser has a stupid pole hood. Just wondered if you ever had to seal your SI........as sometimes its not needed. Well done on the shout outto the upsides of PU as well. Most YT guys are right down the throat of PU flys......but its not that simple.
Thanks for the kind words. I've not seam sealed it yet, I've tested it in rain and no ingress so far. The seams being folded they are supposed to resist ingress pretty well. I'll try and take it out in heavy rain this winter and see what happens!
Cheers Kev. Appreciate the quick response. Tents are like an addiction .......never enough tents, and not one is perfect. Lightwave is the closest for me. Hilleberg are brilliant, but the £££££ and the kerlon - condensation means I just can't pull the trigger. Thanks again. ATB.
@@mountain_del1863 I also agree with you on the PU, holds its shape a lot better in damp weather and rain, the silnylon sags as soon as evening draws in. I'm selling tents at the moment but finding so many that I can't seem to part with! I'm very much at the budget end of tents, so no Hillebergs for me. I've heard good things about Lightwave tents.
My question is a bit late coming but just wondering if the PU fly sheet would work on the sil/nylon inner and dac poles, if so am guessing there would be a slight increase in weight in exchange for a more stealthy colour and no wet sagging fly sheet?
@@davidhale1568 I can't see why not. The dimensions are identical so you should be able to switch flysheets without issue and get the best of both worlds.
Hi I've just watched your nordisk Svalbard si review .did seam seal the flysheet seams .did you test the tent in the rain was it ok great review thanks
Hi buddy,ive just bought the svalbard si and was wondering if you got round to seam sealing yours or did it do well in the rain without being done,loved the comparison vid,helped me make my mind up. Cheers again mate. Jim.
Hi Jim. Haven't sealed mine. I pitched in a garden for a couple of days in the rain and no water ingress so figured I wouldn't worry about it. I was planning a video on it, I've got footage from it being in the rain!
@@jimmyduff3030 next time some heavy rain is forecast I'll pitch both of my Nordisk SI tents, neither seam sealed, bad do a quick video on whether water ingress happens.
@@jimmyduff3030 did you see the Svalbard 1 PU has a 2.0 version? Outer pitch first and a few other tweaks and improvements? No sign of them doing an SI 2.0 though...
Great explanation, thanks a lot for the video! I'm considering to get the Nordisk Svalbard 1 PU for the Laugavegur trekking in Iceland in August. Temperatures could drop about 0 degrees at night. Do you think the tent is suitable for these low temperatures? Is it a 3 seasons tent?
I dont think there is a nice resolution of this for me that leads to me buying them. I have gone through strong intentions to buy both the pu and si versions. But in the end pulled back at last moment. Firstly because felmandave in his review of the si version reported lifting tape off the floor seams and he returned it, and a few of his subscribers complained of the same. And secondly at the long pole, the tent is so totally flexible side to side and crushable, without its guylines being anchored. This arises I think because the inner pole sleeve has two discontinuities and so the pole can easily distort without friction. And lastly it does not have end guylines extending/attaching from the very pole ridge at both ends and which is so important for applying strain to the fly of tunnel tents. So as enthusiastic as I have been for the design and dimensions of this tent I have never been able to buy it. And yet I keep reconsidering... JMO.
Yes, I saw that issue on RUclips with the floor seams. I think I'd have been wary paying full price for one, I've seen a few nearly new for big discounts. I think the search for the perfect tent is never-ending. I'll probably use this tent in bad weather to see if it is comfortable to use, as opposed to just surviving.
@@TheWalkingKev understood and yes we make informed choices and part of our journey is to then test the tent in severe weather. Last week I purchased on ebay a 2004 to 2006 model lightwave trek zr0 tent. Despite sitting unused for 17yrs its in terrific condition and I think the design meets all of my concerns better than the svalbard 1. Perhaps someday we will see you buying and testing a lightwave tent. Thx for your thoughts. JMO.
According to others the SI is quieter in the wind, less flappy. I've already sold it! I'll be selling a lot more tents shortly. Including a real budget version of this tent!
One other observation. I have viewed few times utube channels where one of the two is being fully reviewed and then the reviewer states and repeats emphatically that the tents are identical except for 2.0 vs 1.7 kg. I really don't know what comment I can leave on those channels that is both helpful and would not offend so I have not been able to leave a thank you which I like to do. Regards. JMO.
I've not seam-sealed it yet. The PU version comes seam sealed, the SI doesn't. I might test the SI in the rain and see how it does and weather I want to seal it or not.
Cheers for sharing that. I'll definitely give it a test in some rain and see how it does. If I could avoid seam sealing it that would make life easier.
I'm 5ft 11 and I fit fine with room to spare, but I couldn't say whether you would fit / find it comfortable. If you check dimensions and shape on the Nordisk website that should show you maximum length and realistic internal space.
Which one would you have?
I love my SI 😊
@@danskprepper272 yep, it's a great tent!
Just rewatching again a thoughtful and well organised review. On the flysheet being only 3000mm HH and not 5000mm or above as seen in the more 4 season tents, I recall a general observation of the well regarded Scottish reviewer Andrew Park. He said his experience was that of hundreds tents he has had the ones that had leaking flysheet were not because of the lighter say 3000mm HH but rather because they leaked along seams, zips, and under seam taping. His viewpoint based on long experience but I guess there will always exist an an exception. Regards and thx for sharing. JMO.
Yes, I think 3000mm can be perfectly waterproof if sealed correctly. I know Vango and other brands have 5000mm on their better tents...
I guess it all depends how many hours rain you have, how heavy it is and how the rain is driving it at the tent. I'll try and test it in the rain at some point.
They are really great tents are these Svalbard’s!
Although personally speaking - I wouldn’t swap out my PU for the Si version, as like you say the groundsheet is so thick that you just don’t need a footprint with that one.. I also much prefer the colour of the PU version, it just totally disappears into the landscape, it really is the epitome of “stealth”…
Mine weighed in at 2,170g with the standard pegs which I binned shortly after owning it, never known pegs made of such soft (yet heavy) bendy alloy!! 😳
I use my own mix of lightweight (but strong) pegs with this and all my other shelters.
I’ve also ditched the long silly sausage bag in favour of a lightweight 8L dry bag, any tent with pole sections that are that long need separating IMO.
I’m now at around 1,900g, minus the pegs of course!
Out of the five tents I now own, this one is my favourite of them all.. 👍🏻
Nice, always good to hear from a fellow Svalbard owner. Most tents pack down a lot smaller into dry bags - and it makes packing away easier.
I agree about the colour of the PU version, it really blends into the landscape here in South Wales. I'm currently selling a lot of my tents, but this one is definitely a keeper.
Thanks for the great comparison!
@@MaTT-oo8de you're welcome. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
The SI version is more UV- resident.
Great video 👍
I thought the PU was more UV resistant as that's generally the case with polyester Vs nylon, but I know they apply more coatings these days to give protection. Thanks for the kind words, really appreciate it.
Love your videos! Cheers for the comparison of them x
Thanks for stopping by and the kind words. Much appreciated.
I think a nordisk tent for 125 is a bargain. Alas best price now is 150. I noticed you detailed character differences of polyester v nylon flysheet which I feel reviewers could emphasise more. Because in my view it is not silnylon better rather a choice - each with relative strengths and limitations. You then make your choice and choose not to complain about its weak features. Thx for posting.
Absolutely. Nordisk are keen to say that neither material is superior, both have strengths and weaknesses. I like the thin feel of the silnylon and how well it packs down, but I'm not keen on seam sealing and it sagging in the rain!
Great review 👍
Thanks for stopping by and the kind words, much appreciated.
Hi Kev, have you seen or tried the new PU version with exo skeleton? I was thinking of getting one but with your experience I wondered what you thought ? Andrew
I've seen it online, very tempted to get one but I don't have the money... Unless I sell a few tents! It looks interesting. Outer pitching, tweaks to door design...
Great review. I have many tents (Lightwave t10/t20 various models) Laser, MSR, Quasar, Nanok, a nuber of F10s.......and the cheap PU Svalbard. I was looking to upgrade it to SI but I detest seam sealing. My SI Lightwaves have a flatlock stich fold and Ive had them out in Hooligan stuff up here in Scotland and not one leak. The laser has a stupid pole hood. Just wondered if you ever had to seal your SI........as sometimes its not needed. Well done on the shout outto the upsides of PU as well. Most YT guys are right down the throat of PU flys......but its not that simple.
Thanks for the kind words. I've not seam sealed it yet, I've tested it in rain and no ingress so far. The seams being folded they are supposed to resist ingress pretty well. I'll try and take it out in heavy rain this winter and see what happens!
Cheers Kev. Appreciate the quick response. Tents are like an addiction .......never enough tents, and not one is perfect. Lightwave is the closest for me. Hilleberg are brilliant, but the £££££ and the kerlon - condensation means I just can't pull the trigger. Thanks again. ATB.
@@mountain_del1863 I also agree with you on the PU, holds its shape a lot better in damp weather and rain, the silnylon sags as soon as evening draws in.
I'm selling tents at the moment but finding so many that I can't seem to part with! I'm very much at the budget end of tents, so no Hillebergs for me. I've heard good things about Lightwave tents.
My question is a bit late coming but just wondering if the PU fly sheet would work on the sil/nylon inner and dac poles, if so am guessing there would be a slight increase in weight in exchange for a more stealthy colour and no wet sagging fly sheet?
@@davidhale1568 I can't see why not. The dimensions are identical so you should be able to switch flysheets without issue and get the best of both worlds.
Hi I've just watched your nordisk Svalbard si review .did seam seal the flysheet seams .did you test the tent in the rain was it ok great review thanks
I haven't sealed it yet, nor have I managed to test it in the rain.
Hi buddy,ive just bought the svalbard si and was wondering if you got round to seam sealing yours or did it do well in the rain without being done,loved the comparison vid,helped me make my mind up.
Cheers again mate.
Jim.
Hi Jim. Haven't sealed mine. I pitched in a garden for a couple of days in the rain and no water ingress so figured I wouldn't worry about it. I was planning a video on it, I've got footage from it being in the rain!
@@TheWalkingKev thanks for the quick reply buddy, I'll leave it for now then.
Cheers again buddy.
Jim.
@@jimmyduff3030 next time some heavy rain is forecast I'll pitch both of my Nordisk SI tents, neither seam sealed, bad do a quick video on whether water ingress happens.
@@jimmyduff3030 did you see the Svalbard 1 PU has a 2.0 version? Outer pitch first and a few other tweaks and improvements? No sign of them doing an SI 2.0 though...
@@TheWalkingKev no I haven't seen that,but I'll be checking it out,outer pitch first sounds interesting,you've got me thinking now mate cheers.
Jim.
Great explanation, thanks a lot for the video! I'm considering to get the Nordisk Svalbard 1 PU for the Laugavegur trekking in Iceland in August. Temperatures could drop about 0 degrees at night. Do you think the tent is suitable for these low temperatures? Is it a 3 seasons tent?
The tent has a very solid inner so is quite warm. I've used it at around 0c on a camp and it was fine.
@@TheWalkingKev Many thanks for the quick reply! ;) That's very helpful. Very likely I'll go for it
@@belensanch7200 it's a great tent, strong and enough space inside to sit up and get your pack next to you.
does the tent with the smaller packsize really only weighs 1.7kg packed?? or is it 1.9kg?
1.7kg according to Nordisk. I can weigh it on my kitchen scales and let you know though.
Thanks for the review.. Can ya close the vents at the head end and foot end on the PU version..
I'm sorry, I can't recall and I've no sold the PU version. Maybe Nordisk website will say?
@@TheWalkingKev no bother, Beir bua
@@cuboirne8874 yeah, sorry. I had been asked before and I just never got around to checking it.
I dont think there is a nice resolution of this for me that leads to me buying them. I have gone through strong intentions to buy both the pu and si versions. But in the end pulled back at last moment. Firstly because felmandave in his review of the si version reported lifting tape off the floor seams and he returned it, and a few of his subscribers complained of the same. And secondly at the long pole, the tent is so totally flexible side to side and crushable, without its guylines being anchored. This arises I think because the inner pole sleeve has two discontinuities and so the pole can easily distort without friction. And lastly it does not have end guylines extending/attaching from the very pole ridge at both ends and which is so important for applying strain to the fly of tunnel tents. So as enthusiastic as I have been for the design and dimensions of this tent I have never been able to buy it. And yet I keep reconsidering... JMO.
Yes, I saw that issue on RUclips with the floor seams. I think I'd have been wary paying full price for one, I've seen a few nearly new for big discounts. I think the search for the perfect tent is never-ending. I'll probably use this tent in bad weather to see if it is comfortable to use, as opposed to just surviving.
@@TheWalkingKev understood and yes we make informed choices and part of our journey is to then test the tent in severe weather. Last week I purchased on ebay a 2004 to 2006 model lightwave trek zr0 tent. Despite sitting unused for 17yrs its in terrific condition and I think the design meets all of my concerns better than the svalbard 1. Perhaps someday we will see you buying and testing a lightwave tent. Thx for your thoughts. JMO.
@@justmyopiniontoday7548 I've seen a few for sale and been tempted, they seem like superb tents.
Great comparison, I wonder which performs better in terms of wind noise. Have you sold the PU version yet? I’m interested if not 👍👌
According to others the SI is quieter in the wind, less flappy. I've already sold it! I'll be selling a lot more tents shortly. Including a real budget version of this tent!
Oh never, that's a shame 😕. Keep up the great videos 👌👍
@@Shefflad cheers. I'll probably be selling a Lanshan 2 Pro at some point if that's any good to you!
Yes definitely interested 👍
@@Shefflad if you're on Instagram DM me or contact me via my website.
One other observation. I have viewed few times utube channels where one of the two is being fully reviewed and then the reviewer states and repeats emphatically that the tents are identical except for 2.0 vs 1.7 kg. I really don't know what comment I can leave on those channels that is both helpful and would not offend so I have not been able to leave a thank you which I like to do. Regards. JMO.
Thanks. There are definitely quite a few differences which becomes really apparent when you have them side-by-side - which I was lucky enough to have.
@@TheWalkingKev I believe in utube politeness so important. Yes especially side by side. JMO.
Did you need to seam seal it?
I've not seam-sealed it yet. The PU version comes seam sealed, the SI doesn't. I might test the SI in the rain and see how it does and weather I want to seal it or not.
If the folded seams are the same as fjallraven idea then they will be completely waterproof without nthe need for seam seal
Cheers for sharing that. I'll definitely give it a test in some rain and see how it does. If I could avoid seam sealing it that would make life easier.
how tall are you? I am 6 foot 3 so do you think it is large enough
I'm 5ft 11 and I fit fine with room to spare, but I couldn't say whether you would fit / find it comfortable. If you check dimensions and shape on the Nordisk website that should show you maximum length and realistic internal space.
Si is generally longer lasting and stronger too.
@@hedleythorne I don't think it copes with sunlight as well as PU, but it has a high tear strength.
@@TheWalkingKev ah yes
doesnt even show us inside?
I've done separate videos on each tent showing interior space. Given interior space is identical on each tent I didn't cover that in this video.