The large loops on the guidelines are designed for tying around other anchors and not just tent pegs, and they are very useful for use with snow anchors, skis, ice axes, etc.
Hilleberg's response!!! Their tolerances must be MASSIVE!!!! Thank you for your email. After looking at the video I think that the vent and zipper end look as they should. The seam allowance is well within our margins but unfortunately, we can't make the seams closer or on the metal zipper stoppers. We wanted the Soulo design to be compact, have multiple pole crossings, and be as light as possible at that strength and snow load ability. The only good placement of a vent with this design is up high and that is where we placed it. We have tried to make the vent as weatherproof as possible and we have put a lot of time and effort into the vent design. For us vents and openings are essential for a tent's function. They help optimize ventilation and minimize condensation but unfortunately, they can in some very unfavorable conditions let some small drops of water inside the vestibule. The vent cover will protect the entire vent in most weather but in extreme situations i.e., strong winds, heavy rain, and a lot of wetness, wind-driven rain can be pushed underneath the vent cover and against the vent. There can unfortunately always be some discomforts when staying in a tent in truly bad weather. We also always say that a tent and its vestibule will never be 100% free from moisture because of condensation. Usually whenever we hear from user that experience problems with water entering via the Soulo vent it’s when the wind is facing the door. In this severe weather, I would say there are very few tents that can stand strong and offer security and shelter. Soulo BL is one of them. Even if the domes can handle winds from every direction quite well, they do have a recommended pitching method and pitching orientation against the wind. If you use and pitch the tent according to our recommendations with the foot end against the wind, the vent will be less exposed, and wind driven rain will be less of a problem. Also, there is an extra guy line attachment webbing on the vent cover where one can add a guyline to hold the vent cover down so the vent cover can protect the vent even better.
Did the hack on the zips, took the soulo out on Friday night, it was pretty windy up in The Cheviots, guess what, no jangling zips, cheers for sharing 🙂👍
The zipper cord is a good idea. It provides a shorter cord extending through the zipper pull. Maybe a small prussic knot in the pull would be another approach? Also , when you were pulling that zipper back and forth, it sounded rough and coarse. On a garment zipper that is difficult to pull, a few, small dabs of vaseline can smooth them out. But a tent zipper lives right next to the dirt. Vaseline there would collect dirt and make the zipper sticky and more difficult to use. Instead, try rubbing a bar of soap along the teeth of an open zipper, then running the pull pack and forth a few times to work it in? If an area of the zipper still grates or is still hard to pill, rub on more soap there. Courtesy of Half Vast Flying
+Jack Voss Hi Jack Voss and many thanks for taking the time to drop by my channel, watch and comment, it's really appreciated. I'm glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for the positive feedback and additional context, cheers! Don't forget to subscribe if you haven't already, I'd really appreciate it, cheers! 👍
@@TheBushcraftPadawan G’day. Padawan. Since the dictionary lexicographers are unfamiliarbwith your handle of Padawan, I return to you for enlightenment. Where does the word come from? And, what is/are its meaning/s? It’s an interesting word. Thanks in advance. Courtesy of Half Vast Flying
@@davidyendoll5903 G’day, David. You’re correct that wax works too. I tend to favor the soap as it can be rinsed off. When wax collects grit, it jams a zipper, but doesn’t wash off easily. My best to you. Courtesy of Half Vast Flying
The cord on zip pulls is also a great idea for using a zip when you’re wearing gloves…I’ve been doing it on all my rucksack zips for years now. And using glow-in-the dark cordage on tent zips is a great idea. I have some so I’ll be adding them to my new tent… The seam sealer tip is a great idea…I’m just about to seam seal my new Nordisk Telemark 2.2 so this was very timely. I also like the line lock idea on your earlier video. Have a coffee on me!
@@TheBushcraftPadawan thanks! So far I’ve only put it up once in the garden just to check all the bits are there. Getting it back in the stuff sack is like getting a mine detector back in the box, so I’ll be keeping it in a bigger stuff sack and rely on the straps on the top of my rucksack to keep it compressed.
I have the Hilleberg Nallo 2GT and I can honestly say that I have never heard any zips jangling in wind. The silnylon fly fabric drumming in strong wind is a FAR greater noise. At first I thought your 'noise' comment was about the sound of the zips when opening/closing them.
Thanks for sharing your own experience of the Nallo. The sound of the zips opening and closing doesn't bother me as I'm usually awake when I'm opening and closing them 😉
Hi Craig, hope you are well! Some nice little mods there. And some classic Snowdonia weather! I've never wildcamped up there but love that particular area, will try to give it a go this year. All the best for 2022, Andy
@@TheBushcraftPadawan All good here mate. Will hopefully out and about a bit more on mountains again this year - might bump into you on the Glyderau. Atb Andy
As I mentioned in this video I almost took the same route, until I discovered that it places an unnatural strain on the zipper itself and of course, invalidates any warranty.
Love your channel and style. I was wild camping in Wales last week and employed some of your tips eg wear watch on sleeve on rain jacket 👌 I understand you're ex army which explains your clear, common sense style). Being in my late 50s, I'm nearing the end of my army reserves career. Do you have a comprehensive kit list? What light weight, breathable but robust rain jacket do you recommend? I got soaked!! Keep up the good work, sir.
Hi Imran and thanks once again for dropping by my channel. It's great to hear that you were up this neck of the woods recently and that you were able to try out some of my tips. I'm in the process of planning a kit loadout video as well as taking a closer look at my jackets of choice, so stay tuned! 😀👍
Thanks. I'm preparing for my mountain leader exam (have you done that?), so I'm looking for a robust jacket for the tops ( map pocket?, high pockets to accommodate rucksack belt, pit zips?? Are they to be recommended or do they let water in? Etc) but also light enough for long distance trekking which is my real passion.
@@trytheoutdoors to be honest finding the perfect jacket and staying completely dry is mission impossible for several reasons; any jacket has holes in it where your head and arms go so water will always find a way in. Water wicks up your clothing so when your sleeves or neck get wet it will seep up your arms or down your shirt. Also you will sweat and the water vapour given off will condense inside your jacket and make your clothes wet no matter how “breathable” the material is and will be affected by the material wetting out, temperature differentials outside vs inside your jacket etc. For me it was a change of mindset; I gave up on the idea of being bone dry as it’s impossible in torrential rain, carrying a pack, high winds and working hard going up hill for example. Instead I accept being wet but work on being warm and wet rather than cold and wet as it’s the cold that’s the killer. For my ML (and my default winter gear) I wore a Paramo Aspira smock and Paramo Cascada trousers and only wore a HH base layer underneath. I got damp but never soaking or cold and the weather was pretty bad all week, so much so we didn’t do any night nav on the second night as it had been so bad all day (rain and cloud down to 200m limiting visibility to +/- 30-50m at times for most of the day, I think it was October when I did it). I had a synthetic filled gilet for when we stopped which was big enough to go over my outer clothes it was quick and easy to put on and take off to minimise faffing, it didn’t matter if it got wet it was an insulation layer not a water proof one I just stuffed it in a dry sack to keep dry if it wasn’t needed or to stop it getting other things wet if it did. I had dry kit - baselayer leggings and a fleece top - which I only wore once I’m in my tent and then put my wet kit back on in the morning so my dry kit always stays dry. Top tip, turn a dry bag inside out (keeps wet and dirt on outside of bag when turned back the right way) ring your wet kit as best you can and put it inside, seal it up and shove it at bottom of your sleeping bag. In the morning when you put it back on it will still be wet but it’ll be warm and wet and trust me, there’s a world of difference between putting on warm, wet kit and freezing cold wet kit! Good luck on your assessment!
@@slippery999 "you will sweat and the water vapour given off will condense inside your jacket and make your clothes wet no matter how “breathable” the material is and will be affected by the material wetting out, temperature differentials outside vs inside your jacket etc" You seem to be misunderstanding the role and function of breathable jackets, as many do. There is always going to be condensation from sweat inside a jacket when you are actively working. What breathable fabrics do is to allow that moisture to dry out when you stop for lunch, in the rain, rather than to stay wet and cold and risk hypothermia. Even in a cotton shirt you will sweat if it is warm and you are working hard. Goretex and similar fabrics work via a process of vapour pressure, a higher vapour pressure inside the warm jacket than outside in the comparatively drier colder air. Something that is more common in colder climes. They do not function so well in warm/hot humid conditions, but then.... you are much less at risk of getting cold when wet. You really do not need the rain jacket.
I only suffer with condensation in my Soulo in very cold weather. In those circumstances, I dont think there is an answer, apart from venting to the max and using the mesh door…….( doesn’t help with keeping warm though).
I must admit that to date I haven't had any real problems with condensation above and beyond what you'd normally expect depending upon the local humidity.
It is pronounced the same as the word ‘SOLO’, even though it means ‘island’. Theres a pronunciation button on the Hilleberg website. It seems everyone pronounces it differently on youtube though…….
I've never rated Hilleberg, especially the Soulo, poor venting, famous for condensation issues, small vestibules, heavy, overpriced, and in my case not enough head room.
You talk to much pal
I'm always looking for ways to improve my videos so I headed over to your channel to see how it should be done.
You can imagine my disappointment...
The large loops on the guidelines are designed for tying around other anchors and not just tent pegs, and they are very useful for use with snow anchors, skis, ice axes, etc.
Good shout 👍 I checked that I'd still be able to get my snow stakes attached to the reduced loop size.
Hilleberg's response!!!
Their tolerances must be MASSIVE!!!!
Thank you for your email.
After looking at the video I think that the vent and zipper end look as they should. The seam allowance is well within our margins but unfortunately, we can't make the seams closer or on the metal zipper stoppers.
We wanted the Soulo design to be compact, have multiple pole crossings, and be as light as possible at that strength and snow load ability. The only good placement of a vent with this design is up high and that is where we placed it. We have tried to make the vent as weatherproof as possible and we have put a lot of time and effort into the vent design.
For us vents and openings are essential for a tent's function. They help optimize ventilation and minimize condensation but unfortunately, they can in some very unfavorable conditions let some small drops of water inside the vestibule.
The vent cover will protect the entire vent in most weather but in extreme situations i.e., strong winds, heavy rain, and a lot of wetness, wind-driven rain can be pushed underneath the vent cover and against the vent. There can unfortunately always be some discomforts when staying in a tent in truly bad weather. We also always say that a tent and its vestibule will never be 100% free from moisture because of condensation.
Usually whenever we hear from user that experience problems with water entering via the Soulo vent it’s when the wind is facing the door. In this severe weather, I would say there are very few tents that can stand strong and offer security and shelter. Soulo BL is one of them.
Even if the domes can handle winds from every direction quite well, they do have a recommended pitching method and pitching orientation against the wind. If you use and pitch the tent according to our recommendations with the foot end against the wind, the vent will be less exposed, and wind driven rain will be less of a problem. Also, there is an extra guy line attachment webbing on the vent cover where one can add a guyline to hold the vent cover down so the vent cover can protect the vent even better.
Did the hack on the zips, took the soulo out on Friday night, it was pretty windy up in The Cheviots, guess what, no jangling zips, cheers for sharing 🙂👍
Glad it worked for you Paul. Thanks for dropping back into the channel and letting me know how you got on, much appreciated.
The zipper cord is a good idea. It provides a shorter cord extending through the zipper pull. Maybe a small prussic knot in the pull would be another approach?
Also , when you were pulling that zipper back and forth, it sounded rough and coarse. On a garment zipper that is difficult to pull, a few, small dabs of vaseline can smooth them out. But a tent zipper lives right next to the dirt. Vaseline there would collect dirt and make the zipper sticky and more difficult to use.
Instead, try rubbing a bar of soap along the teeth of an open zipper, then running the pull pack and forth a few times to work it in? If an area of the zipper still grates or is still hard to pill, rub on more soap there.
Courtesy of Half Vast Flying
+Jack Voss Hi Jack Voss and many thanks for taking the time to drop by my channel, watch and comment, it's really appreciated.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for the positive feedback and additional context, cheers!
Don't forget to subscribe if you haven't already, I'd really appreciate it, cheers! 👍
@@TheBushcraftPadawan G’day. Padawan. Since the dictionary lexicographers are unfamiliarbwith your handle of Padawan, I return to you for enlightenment. Where does the word come from? And, what is/are its meaning/s? It’s an interesting word. Thanks in advance.
Courtesy of Half Vast Flying
Wax not soap !
@@davidyendoll5903 G’day, David. You’re correct that wax works too. I tend to favor the soap as it can be rinsed off. When wax collects grit, it jams a zipper, but doesn’t wash off easily.
My best to you.
Courtesy of Half Vast Flying
I use the Double Diamond Knot for zipper pulls on my jackets. Snake knots for zipper pulls on my tent, 4-5 loops. Looks civilized.
Thanks for sharing your own practices in this area.
Don't forget to subscribe if you'd like to see more from my channel in the future.
“As much as I love this tent.” 😂
Subbed.
Cheers Dougie, a man after my own sense of humour 😉!
Thanks for the sub, much appreciated 👍
Good tips. Years since I camped at Llyn Bochlwyd your video brought back good memories. Thanks Craig.
Hi Les, thanks as always for dropping by. I'm glad my video stirred up a few old memories for you 😀👍
The cord on zip pulls is also a great idea for using a zip when you’re wearing gloves…I’ve been doing it on all my rucksack zips for years now. And using glow-in-the dark cordage on tent zips is a great idea. I have some so I’ll be adding them to my new tent…
The seam sealer tip is a great idea…I’m just about to seam seal my new Nordisk Telemark 2.2 so this was very timely.
I also like the line lock idea on your earlier video. Have a coffee on me!
I'm glad to hear that you've pulled the trigger on the 2.2. Let me know how you get on with using it.👍
@@TheBushcraftPadawan thanks! So far I’ve only put it up once in the garden just to check all the bits are there.
Getting it back in the stuff sack is like getting a mine detector back in the box, so I’ll be keeping it in a bigger stuff sack and rely on the straps on the top of my rucksack to keep it compressed.
Hi. Just watched norwegian explorer in arctic . His soulo black vent zip leaked . Have you hade problems in rain after seam sealing your own zip ?
I just finished watching the same video.
@@azclaimjumper thank you for sharing some other good hilleberg videos . For repairs
I must admit I haven't had any water ingress problems after conducting the sealung that was shown in the video.
Great tips - thanks. I suspect the guy line loops are so big so they can be easily larksfooted onto snow pegs.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video Ian. You are quite correct in your assumption around using snow stakes.
Your jacket looks warm
Hi Craig ! Happy new year! All the best for and your family in 2022! André
Thank you Andre and a very Happy New Year to you and your family too 🎉🥂
I have the Hilleberg Nallo 2GT and I can honestly say that I have never heard any zips jangling in wind. The silnylon fly fabric drumming in strong wind is a FAR greater noise. At first I thought your 'noise' comment was about the sound of the zips when opening/closing them.
Thanks for sharing your own experience of the Nallo. The sound of the zips opening and closing doesn't bother me as I'm usually awake when I'm opening and closing them 😉
@@TheBushcraftPadawan agreed, but my wife often wakes early and her zip-operations wake me from my peaceful slumber :(
So glad by I just watched this one Craig as B I was just about to just off my zips. I loathe the hilleberg windchimes.
I'm glad I managed to catch you in time! Let me know how you get on with this modification.
Hi Craig, hope you are well! Some nice little mods there. And some classic Snowdonia weather! I've never wildcamped up there but love that particular area, will try to give it a go this year. All the best for 2022, Andy
Hey Andy, it's good to hear from you. I hope you're keeping safe and well? ATB for 2022 my friend 👍
@@TheBushcraftPadawan All good here mate. Will hopefully out and about a bit more on mountains again this year - might bump into you on the Glyderau. Atb Andy
That'd be cool!
I saw the other vid when it came out and did the same and it was very handy and so I’m going to copy your other mods, so thanks for that ✌️😎
Great to hear that you found the previous video useful, thanks for letting me know 👍
You reeling off the names of the Penny Fan range took me back 34 years to DofE Silver and Gold, March 1987 and then March 1988.
+Keith Orbell I'm glad to hear that it brought back some memories for you buddy.
I saw a guy on RUclips who removed those metal zip pullers completely. Just use cord, lighter, no bloody jingle jangle
As I mentioned in this video I almost took the same route, until I discovered that it places an unnatural strain on the zipper itself and of course, invalidates any warranty.
Mathew Walker is a knot worth learning for zip pulls. Ties tight and with a good symmetry.
Thanks for sharing 👍
Love your channel and style. I was wild camping in Wales last week and employed some of your tips eg wear watch on sleeve on rain jacket 👌
I understand you're ex army which explains your clear, common sense style). Being in my late 50s, I'm nearing the end of my army reserves career.
Do you have a comprehensive kit list? What light weight, breathable but robust rain jacket do you recommend? I got soaked!!
Keep up the good work, sir.
Hi Imran and thanks once again for dropping by my channel. It's great to hear that you were up this neck of the woods recently and that you were able to try out some of my tips.
I'm in the process of planning a kit loadout video as well as taking a closer look at my jackets of choice, so stay tuned! 😀👍
Thanks. I'm preparing for my mountain leader exam (have you done that?), so I'm looking for a robust jacket for the tops ( map pocket?, high pockets to accommodate rucksack belt, pit zips?? Are they to be recommended or do they let water in? Etc) but also light enough for long distance trekking which is my real passion.
@@trytheoutdoors to be honest finding the perfect jacket and staying completely dry is mission impossible for several reasons; any jacket has holes in it where your head and arms go so water will always find a way in. Water wicks up your clothing so when your sleeves or neck get wet it will seep up your arms or down your shirt. Also you will sweat and the water vapour given off will condense inside your jacket and make your clothes wet no matter how “breathable” the material is and will be affected by the material wetting out, temperature differentials outside vs inside your jacket etc. For me it was a change of mindset; I gave up on the idea of being bone dry as it’s impossible in torrential rain, carrying a pack, high winds and working hard going up hill for example. Instead I accept being wet but work on being warm and wet rather than cold and wet as it’s the cold that’s the killer. For my ML (and my default winter gear) I wore a Paramo Aspira smock and Paramo Cascada trousers and only wore a HH base layer underneath. I got damp but never soaking or cold and the weather was pretty bad all week, so much so we didn’t do any night nav on the second night as it had been so bad all day (rain and cloud down to 200m limiting visibility to +/- 30-50m at times for most of the day, I think it was October when I did it). I had a synthetic filled gilet for when we stopped which was big enough to go over my outer clothes it was quick and easy to put on and take off to minimise faffing, it didn’t matter if it got wet it was an insulation layer not a water proof one I just stuffed it in a dry sack to keep dry if it wasn’t needed or to stop it getting other things wet if it did. I had dry kit - baselayer leggings and a fleece top - which I only wore once I’m in my tent and then put my wet kit back on in the morning so my dry kit always stays dry. Top tip, turn a dry bag inside out (keeps wet and dirt on outside of bag when turned back the right way) ring your wet kit as best you can and put it inside, seal it up and shove it at bottom of your sleeping bag. In the morning when you put it back on it will still be wet but it’ll be warm and wet and trust me, there’s a world of difference between putting on warm, wet kit and freezing cold wet kit! Good luck on your assessment!
@@slippery999 "you will sweat and the water vapour given off will condense inside your jacket and make your clothes wet no matter how “breathable” the material is and will be affected by the material wetting out, temperature differentials outside vs inside your jacket etc"
You seem to be misunderstanding the role and function of breathable jackets, as many do. There is always going to be condensation from sweat inside a jacket when you are actively working. What breathable fabrics do is to allow that moisture to dry out when you stop for lunch, in the rain, rather than to stay wet and cold and risk hypothermia. Even in a cotton shirt you will sweat if it is warm and you are working hard. Goretex and similar fabrics work via a process of vapour pressure, a higher vapour pressure inside the warm jacket than outside in the comparatively drier colder air. Something that is more common in colder climes. They do not function so well in warm/hot humid conditions, but then.... you are much less at risk of getting cold when wet. You really do not need the rain jacket.
Thanks for sharing your location 😊
Thank YOU for watching and commenting, please consider subscribing if you'd like to see more from my channel 👍
What's your answer to the condensation problem with hillibergh
It's almost the most expensive paddling pool I've ever seen
🤣😉
I only suffer with condensation in my Soulo in very cold weather. In those circumstances, I dont think there is an answer, apart from venting to the max and using the mesh door…….( doesn’t help with keeping warm though).
I must admit that to date I haven't had any real problems with condensation above and beyond what you'd normally expect depending upon the local humidity.
random one.... wouldn't it be pronounced soul-o..... as in solo ? as its a solo tent.
Very possibly, I've heard it pronounced several different ways so aren't 100% myself tbh.
It is pronounced the same as the word ‘SOLO’, even though it means ‘island’. Theres a pronunciation button on the Hilleberg website. It seems everyone pronounces it differently on youtube though…….
I've never rated Hilleberg, especially the Soulo, poor venting, famous for condensation issues, small vestibules, heavy, overpriced, and in my case not enough head room.
Yeah, I remember you sharing your thoughts on Hillberg tents previously on my channel.