Hilleberg Niak tent Demonstration

In this video I setup and discuss the Hilleberg NIak. Show the ends and outs as well my intended use for the Niak.
you can buy the Hilleberg Niak in europe at: backpackinglight.dk/tents/one...

[@TheTrailDancer]

I would never take the guy lines off; so much engineering goes into these tents and designed perfectly. IMHO, will Hillies, weight should never be a factor; you buy these tents for what they are made for. I would never change anything on my Hillies because I use all they are made for. In winter, I would use a pulk anyways, so weight doesn't matter. Just my opinion...

[@bardsvenheim8403]

This is a great tent, but not for four seasons. If you remove the guylines it will collapse in your face in strong wind, rendering it unusable above the treeline or along the coast. In case of snowfall, all ventilation will be blocked. If you open the top zipper on the door it will rain/snow directly into the inner tent, which also only has a mesh door.. Go with the Unna for a four season tent in this size.

[@johngame2119]

This guy is for me the most enjoyable tent reviewer on youtube. Its so unlikely to have a tent reviewer thats so cool. But I’m never too sure whether he’s putting us all on. But what the hell. I think I’ll get a Niak. A lot of money. And a pain in the ass. But a nice tent. But no way am I chopping bits off it or using it in snow. I mean. Crazy. But a lot more entertaining then the usual. Seriously though. Love the videos. Really make me laugh. And I really WANT a Niak.

[@Bereit18]

Strange review in my opinion. The Niak is not a 4 season tent and why would you remove the guy lines from such a well made tent. Each to their own!

[@aafgahfah]

Love the incoming snowball. You should have pelted him and kept it in the video!

[@nordmende73]

Great video. Thank you!

[@robstanley7381]

Brilliant video, well done. For readers interested in the Hilleberg brand, I own a Hilleberg Akto and a Hilleberg Soulo. They both suffer from condensation problems because they have so little ventilation. I think the reason for this is that they are not really designed for the warm wet climate we have in the UK. I have used the Soulo several times in the Andes too. The condensation problem there is that the moisture freezes and when you touch the sides of the inner tent you are covered in a shower of frozen water droplets. I also have had a problem with the groundsheet on the Soulo. It was delivered to me with a 20mm diameter hole in it. Hilleberg patched it up. They wouldn't replace it believe it or not. I couldn't return it to them unused as the first time I used it and found the hole I was 3000 metres up a mountain in Argentina.Tip: always check every inch of your new Hilleberg tent before you take it out into the hills. This check should include testing the waterproof ability of the groundsheet as my Soulo leaks, which makes it more or less useless in the UK. All that said, the tents do feel quality and structurally they are very strong. They are far too expensive though. As a result the new tent that I have just ordered will be from Mountain Laurel Designs in the US instead.

[@MrBluoct]

Walk and Cycle Which ML tent ?

[@TheTrailDancer]

Every tent has condensation, even full mesh tents! :(all about ventilation and weather conditions).

[@diegofianza3525]

You’re amazing in “The IT Crowd”, and you hike!

[@Backpackinglightse]

Thanks.. I made a shit load of money on that series.. it's been good to me

[@ruairidhalexander7631]

In windy conditions surely you would need the guy lines and pegs? Without the guy lines pegged out, the wind will flatten the tent easily and probably bend the poles.

[@kobold90]

To whom it may concern. When you sew plastic, the needle runs hot and melts the plastic. By that, the holes get bigger and need to get seam sealed. Hilleberg cools down the needle to keep the holes as small as possible. Combined with a thread which expands when getting wet, the seam is waterproof.

[@kobold90]

@@whosspyingonme I've never seen anyone complaining about that. And neighter my Anjan nor my Enan have ever had problems with the seams.

[@onnonugteren2935]

Cutting off the guyline holders is a shame, reduces the value also greatly and I find this insane to be honest. A good review it could of been, but really you look like a strong healthy men who can carry these as well. My point is you bring people to a wrong idea and let them do actions they later on do regret. therefor only I find this a good review with a bad advise. Friendly greetings. :-)

[@igorkorneichuk1139]

Great video! Please tell me how the tent is kept in the wind, because it has decent cutouts in the center at the bottom for good ventilation. And what about the draft, is it not very cold in it? Confused by the grid at the entrance at the very bottom

[@michalburian2480]

Why did you choose three season tent for winter camping? Is it not colder, than four season which have inner tent without mesh door?

[@bluewtr]

Brother, this tent is not made for that as it is a warm weather tent. It’s yellow label. And of course it requires stakes and guide lines. Not sure you have ever been in the real wild and imagine your car is by the road there with all the traffic we hear. Not good advice but I do own this tent for warm weather and the Stiaka Black label for cold weather

[@onthefly4711]

Thank you so uch for the review! How was it in bad weather like storm, heavy rain, snow? I can´t imagine, that a hilleberg isn´t able to withstand all weather conditions but it´s officially a 3 season camp. What do you think? And how tall are you, tent looks short?

[@TomKirkman1]

I'm waffling back and forth between the Niak and the Soulo.

[@Backpackinglightse]

What kind of trips are you wanting to do? The soulo is a special tent for me. It’s certainly high quality and can put up with probably anything nature can through at it. I love the vestibule and the fact that it is a proper free standing all year round tent. Problem I have is that it’s a bit small for winter camping. Winter camping demands more equipment, more condensation and more of everything - the Soulo while it works, does get cramped after a while. If your pulling a pulk in the winter, bring something like a Allak instead (if looking for winter freestanding Hilleberg). I use the Soulo for proper mountain hiking, but I prefer bigger. If you are mainly doing three season hiking and occasional winter, the Niak is a good choice - big and comfortable.

[@onthefly4711]

@@Backpackinglightse I had the same question your comment really helps, thank you for that

[@rodrigogferreira]

Thanks for the video! Why didn't you pick the Unna?

[@sgurr_a]

Is the Niak not designed as a 3 season tents? Not quite drafty for winter, or is it ok?

[@jariperho]

My only problem with Hilleberg tents is their short usable length. I'm only 183 cm tall, but in a puffy sleeping bag and on a thick pad laying on my back, I'm practically pushing my head or legs all the way to the outer tent. The sloped end walls on all of their tents make the sleeping area pretty short. It's also very hard to justify the price of the Niak since it's still just a three season tent. The build quality is of course excellent.

[@mz-iy7jv]

For what it is worth, I slept in my Niak for a couple of nights this week. Snowed 5 inches, temps around 20F. Tent was bulletproof. Price is only an issue when there is little perceived value. Lots of value here. I love this tent as it can be used in early spring through late fall. I have yet to find its equal for this extended seasonal use. I am an old guy and have been backpacking and mountaineering for 40 years. I have seen and owned the first generation Jansport packs and tents as well as the latest ultralight gear. I tend to error on the side of durability when it comes to shelter as a failure can easily lead to a horrible life threatening situation or death. I like this tent so much I am taking my Soulo out for a few days of ski trekking. I know there will be snow so the right tool for the job. Frankly, my life and stress level are worth a few ounces of carry weight. I also am 183 CM and somehow the tents work, however, I agree I am at the maximum length.

[@loudovich987]

Hi, I'm 188cm. In your opinion, this tent will be really too short for me ?

[@jariperho]

I've even tried the 230 cm long Hilleberg Unna and it was way too short for me due to the sloped end walls. However, the best way to find out is to actually set the tent up in a shop, throw in a sleeping pad and lay in it yourself.

[@loudovich987]

Jari Perho I wish I can do that... No shop sells this tent in my area. There is also the msr hubba hubba in my short list ans I have the same interrogations...

[@loudovich987]

The niak seems to have much vertical walls than others hilleberg tents. No ?

[@cedarcanoe]

You are obviously obsessed with the weight if your Niak. Being from Sweden it’s important to inform you that Hilleberg focuses on quality, long lifetime and strength of their tents.

[@raensaeck]

Bra namn på grabben

[@user-jq9lr9vc4f]

Nice video. Niak or Unna for winter ? BR

[@fa18fsuperhornet]

What is this backpack you have ? Looks great and light (and waterproof) ! :)

[@jasonwilliams9237]

Backpack is a hyperlite mountain gear windrider 3400/4400

[@GottaGetInTheWoods]

Hiya, it is 8 KG or 22 LBs tear strength.

[@huntingsolutions6005]

8kg

[@retobaumann5604]

Would you use the Niak in Winter when fresh snow is expected?

[@Backpackinglightse]

Hi, it probably wouldn’t be my first choice, but absolutely, I pitched the tent one time with a few other tents during a major snowstorm here in northern Sweden that dropped almost a meter of snow in 24hours.. All the tents held up, the Niak held up just fine. Problem with Niak is how the ventilation is built and the vestibule. The vestibule as soon as you open it rain and snow come piling into the inner tent. Major miss from Hilleberg there. Also, because of the bottom only ventilation can get really stuffy and no air when there is a lot of snow around the bottom..

[@retobaumann5604]

@@Backpackinglightse thanks a lot. What would be your first and second choice for a winter tent? I love my Zpacks Duplex in summer but need something more sturdy for winter camping in the Alps. Ideally something below 2kg… Hilleberg Unna is a current favorite even if heavier. What do you think?

[@crockett616]

Im trying to figure out how this would work for 192 cm tall person (6'4", I think?). So I'd like to ask you how tall are you? There seems to be some extra room for you when you lie down. The Unna has 10 cm more room on the floor but its 4 seasons and I worry about ventilation. Also, its a lot heavier.

[@Backpackinglightse]

crockett616 it should work for you. I am 190cm and there is plenty of room over

[@crockett616]

@@Backpackinglightse Ok, thanks for your reply and for the review! I think it's a choice between this and the Unna then. The Unna would likely have to be with an extra all-mesh inner for summer hikes, adding to price. Although most of my hiking will be in northern Finland in the autumn so it's relatively cold and theres often at least some wind which may mean that ventilation might not be an issue with the Unna either. I will have to consider my options. It's one or the other. Once again, thanks a lot!

[@peterpohan3850]

Using a 3 season tent in winter?

[@kobold90]

Works fine. The only problem is the snow load. As long as it doesn't snow a meter per night, a Hilleberg can easily deal with it. I just went out with my Enan. It wasn't snowing but warm enough inside the tent do deal with a -11°C winter night.

[@Drew-cr6qf]

How tall are you ?

[@TonyHobbs]

Wont it blow away if no pegs

[@Backpackinglightse]

Not if i'm in it :)

[@larsjrgensen6753]

Remove guy lines, cut off the loops.. and then figure out another way to mount it? You have many other good videos with a lot of good information, but this old video is just old :)

[@penman8985]

Great tents but the trouble is they are so expensive! Are they really that much better than say a terra nova or MSR?

[@justinkurth7922]

Pen Man As someone who prsctices extreme sports and gets himself into life threatening situations as a hobby i like to put it like this, the money you pay is for a produkt that will not fail when you need it tge most, such products will go beyond and above what others would have achieved in a similar situation and/or will out live the competitors depending on how well/much you use it. Is it worth its money? Peopel who use it for small trips will get a tent that lasts for ages and wonr fail at thw start, someone who climbs a mountain will have invested approximatley 800$ in their outer layer jacket, and wont care to spend a bir more on a tent that will operate at the peak of performance for the time they need. This is my opinion, i wsnt to buy a Staike from Hilleberg for a norway epedition so i really heard good things about the brand but most complaints come from missuse od the equipment and lack of care. Ps sorry for the long post but perhaps i gave you an insight to the mentality of people thay want this.

[@justinkurth7922]

Ps msr durring rain is not fun to set up because the shell and inner tent are sepperate to set up. And forget about winter use

[@CP-wv2qs]

It seems like hiking/camping on your own is all about continuallllllly refining your kit?!?!?

[@bernardscott1783]

Very odd review and complicating something that doesn’t need doing