Hilleberg Tarra 2 Person, 4 Season Tent Review and Setup

[@MADHIKER777]

One heck of a shelter!

[@kundetjenesten]

I had several Hilleberg tents. Sold all of them except the Tarra. It is heavy to lug around, but the reliability and comfort of living is absolutely unbeatable by anything less than a permanent structure! As I mostly do my tenting in high mountain areas in Norway while fishing the same place for days, the price of struggling a day of hiking each way is worth it.

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Great to hear Elvis. The Tarra is so strong and such a great design. The thumbnail is a friend of mine that lugs his up Mt. Rainier all winter. Just have to be a little stronger is what I say.

[@mikemorgan562]

ES What were the other Hilles you've owned?

[@kundetjenesten]

@@mikemorgan562 Akto, Soulo and Nammatj 2. I really really liked the Soulo as well.

[@florindagonzalez5700]

I like the design of the tarra. It looks like it's the most stable out of the bigger tents (aside from soulo). And, it's so pretty in red.

[@samhill3496]

great review. Got the footprint, waiting for the tent

[@Dean_Cooling]

I've this tent Doug but in dark green. I swear by it. Have set it up in blizzards in total dark and hustling 90mph winds too, with ease. The half sleeves were what made a lot of that possible. I've had almost ALL of their tents and can say with ease! The Tarra is their strongest. Love it!!!! My last video on my channel is me having some winter fun in it! ATB Dean Wales, UK

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Awesome to hear Dean. I had been wanting to play with this tent for a while. On just pure paper this tent looked like the ultimate. Will love to see videos on it. I am on my way to your channel now.

[@tfre3927]

I haven’t used mine to the full potential it could endure, but I love it. Probably the worst conditions was raining non-stop for 2 days, often torrential and it shrugged the water off like it was nothing. In truth, I probably should have got the Jannu but I got the larger tent to compliment my Enan where bad weather is expected and also because 4.3kg shared between two is fine. Having a portable bomb shelter can be very reassuring if you’re going into rough country, especially the wife.

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

It is bombproof. The thumbnail picture is of a friends Tarra that they take up on Mt. Rainier and have wonderful times safe and sound. I am trying to get a Jannu to get out this winter.

[@tfre3927]

@@naturecallsoutdoors The other one that I could.. well.. impulse purchase would be the Anjan 2 . Super lightweight (3 season) and has some really interesting configuration options.

[@koko-lores]

You probably don't want to be anywhere where it would be used to its full potential.

[@siamwatchaddict9072]

All about practice. Once you know how she rolls its a breeze... She is The best high altitude tent I have used...A total bomb shelter...

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

She is a beauty. I have some friends, actually the thumbnail photo, that take theirs up Rainier al the time. Yes it is a bomb shelter for sure

[@icejunki]

Great stuff man. You took the time to show people everything that makes a Hilleberg stand out. Mountain Hardwear and North Face diehards would gasp is they did a hands on side by side of their favorite expedition tent with a Hilleberg. Thanks for doing their company so much justice.

[@TheChadWork2001]

Great demonstration of this tent. Thank you!

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Thanks Chad. I appreciate the comment. The Tarra is such a strong tent.

[@BosisofSweden]

Great review as usual. Can't wait to see you review the new black Soulo!

[@isaaclevy7469]

Very nice review, just what i needed to be 100% sure, thanks a lot for your nice contribution

[@Dean_Cooling]

Just as a pointer, when I'm staiking out, I use a peg flat in my palm to catch the ground peg on and drive it in via pal, using the peg flat in my palm protecting it. So the ground peg comes at with the one in my plan making the top of a 'T' so to speak. Hope this helps. Kindest regards Dean Wales, UK.

[@dougieranger]

Dean Cooling Good idea.

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Great tip. I hope to compile all these great tips on staking and guylines for a video soon.

[@dougieranger]

Nature Calls Backpacking That'd be good.

[@cros13]

Dammit.... I thought I was the only one who figured that out :P There is a downside to the pegs... I stepped on one in my socks last week that had been sharpened somewhat by four years of being sharpened by using the other pegs like that or banging in with stones.... I'm looking forward to an interesting Y shaped scar in my left arch once it heals.

[@cycle61]

Nick Davis here, thanks for the mention @7:15 Bruce! You're definitely on point for most of the high wind setup advice, a couple of thoughts. When unrolling the tent in adverse conditions, I will generally grab whichever corner comes out of the bag first and stake it to the ground/snow/etc with an ice axe or similar. Then you can locate the vestibule without worrying about the whole thing running away. Once the vestibule end is staked out upwind, you can stake the entire perimeter of the tent before putting in any poles. The guy lines get wrapped around the poles at the crossing points once all four are in the sleeves, otherwise it just tries to slide back down. After that, just work the clips upwards as shown, and you're bombproof. We've camped in ours on Mt. Rainier and Adams above 10,000 feet in 50+ mph winds without any concerns whatsoever about the tent's stability.

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Awesome Nick. I don't have those experiences yet so I was hoping you would chime in. Hopefully we can get a big Hilleberg get together this year at someplace like Artist Point and would love to have on video some of your experience.

[@LarsLondian]

That is a serious tent. Really really enjoy you sharing all of the Hilleberg tents. Once you own one your standards for tents increases a ton. I look at tents a lot, but they always fall short of the Hillebergs. Probably going to invest in a smaller Red Label this spring. Take Care Bruce!

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

I love that you have the equipment you do. Not to many in the states that you get to see. The mountaineers seem to have the Hille and Arcterex stuff but not a ton of videos. Will be great to see what you decide on.

[@LarsLondian]

Nature Calls Backpacking Mainly Looking at the Nallo 2 (the Non GT this time) run into issues here & there in our heavy woods where the GT models take a lot of extra work to set up or find a spot long enough. Last thing you want in a down pour. I have even been looking at little at the Anjan 2 dropping into yellow label territory. Take Care.

[@koko-lores]

@@LarsLondian They are Scandinavian tents - when we head into the hills, we usually end up above the tree line. No shortage of space to set up giant tunnel tents there :)

[@icejunki]

100% agree. I have been using my Nallo 2 GT for a few years to replace my beloved Sierra Designs stretch dome, the tent that one of the Mtn Hardwear founders designed in the 90s before designing the Trango series. What people don't know is that the quality of the Mtn Hardwear diminished once Columbia bought them out. My brother gave me a Trango 4 he no longer wanted and I was surprised to see the type of plastic hardware they chose to use where poles and vestibule clip together. JUST GARBAGE. Anyone doing a serious comparison of Hilleberg vs other reputable companies will get their hands on a Hilleberg to see why it weighs and costs what it does. You put this Tarra on the ground next to a NF Mountain 25 or Trango 2 and you'd change what your standard is for an expedition tent. With Hilleberg it's in the detail that you can't always see on a webpage or a video. This video does highlight some of those details. Great video.

[@LarsLondian]

@@icejunki Hilleberg makes a great product, down to their aluminum tent stakes and the darn hit a rock and you pull it out to see, its not bent and in need of replacement sure its got a nick but it file out with a couple scrapes from the leather and you move on. I'd still recommend a Hilleberg to anyone at this time. They continue to make an exceptional product.

[@camouflage962]

hey - thx for this great and most passionate review.... very valuable insights....

[@BRACLLC]

Awesome gear, one day... The mountain in the background stole the show for me though. Nice one Bruce!-j

[@bob-a-job]

Clearly a dependable, tough, premium quality tent. The Tarra and the 2/3-man Saivo are my favourite models in the Hilleberg range. High-up on my shopping wish-list for planned Winter expeditions. Be interested to know, if you were double-poling their tents for added strength in high winds, whether you'd double-pole all of them or would double-poling a couple of them be sufficient? If so. Which of the 4(?) tent-poles would you say i ought to double-pole first? Really useful review. Many thanks. Bobby

[@millieblue5014]

Thanks for sharing this great video!👌

[@spartan88100]

Having now seen how much it takes to put it up in good conditions , I hate to think what it would be like to put up in adverse conditions I don't think I would consider it as a practical 4 season tent ! .Thanks for the video a great help .

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Thanks for watching Andy. I agree that a solo setup would be too much in bad conditions. I do have some friends that own one and regularly are in the storms on Mt. Rainier and truly love it. So two people that are well versed in the setup appears to be a good system. And they feel very safe. I have been hearing a lot of positives about the Nammatj this season.

[@1acroyear1]

Oh, please. It's worth putting up with such a minor shortcoming for a mere thousand bucks.

[@blkcpdconure]

if you have done it a few times it sets up very fast. Stake out both vestibules first, insert poles and clip, tighten up the vestibules and stake it down. Smooth is fast!

[@lifeofxyco7633]

Wow. It's indeed a great tent! I always prefer the 4 seasons tents.

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Thanks Xyco. Time to see some outings from you

[@lifeofxyco7633]

Nature Calls Backpacking, you're a mind reader. ;-) Give it a few days and I won't disappoint.

[@EatCarbs]

That is a pretty damn nice tent Bruce. Thanks for the video

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Thanks Mark. This appears to the be the toughest of the bunch in a lot of ways. I am not too sure I would ever be in those conditions if I can help it though. But I guess that is the point.

[@mikeswildoutdoors7279]

I have it also but in the dark green, love it

[@nwroadrat]

Sounds like a really tuff tent. Nice.

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

It is probably the toughest that would ever grace one of my backpacks. Fortunately where we live you can normally find cover. Hope to get to Saint Helens this next year and may have to bring this caliber for a summit stay.

[@guns4funcajanajustin]

Nice testing on this tent and review!

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Thanks. I appreciate you taking a look.

[@rogerlamb536]

Awesome tent Bruce!!

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Thanks Roger. For what it is it is fairly light. Won't see one on the AT though. Looking forward to your future trips.

[@dougieranger]

Very slick review Bruce.

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Thanks Dougie. Took a while to get to borrow this one. I would easily sit out a pretty big storm in this tent. Super solid.

[@SlickCat]

A little more difficult to set up than the Nammatj but that headroom is nice inside.

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

True. Once set up it is so solid. The thumbnail is a friend who takes it up Mt. Rainier many times every year.

[@themiwoodsman7222]

Great review Bruce , top of the line tent indeed ? ATB john

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Thanks John. This one is about the most solid tent I have played with so far.

[@gumby442]

sadly this is no longer available from amazon....this was what i was looking for,need one for 4-season :-\

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

If you are in the US just go straight to Hilleberg.com. Great service

[@gumby442]

@@naturecallsoutdoors ok, I thought they may have gone out of business.thank you

[@MatanuskaHIGH]

this is a perfect tent for Sherpas to carry...lol I wouldn't want to. bombproof but heavy.

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Yes I agree. Made a pulk recently so I can tote some of these heavier ones out. I have a tendency to stay in the protected zone as I am a little bit of a puss at times. Hoping to do some more extreme outings this year though and would bring something similar.

[@koko-lores]

It's a great tent for winter tours, carrying your gear in a sled/pulka. Then weight and packing size doesn't matter. In summer? No way :)

[@EventyrsorenDenmark]

Thank you for a very nice video.When I get the money I bye that tent !!!!

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Thank you for watching Eventysoren. My friends that the thumbnail picture is from are always the best protected in the storms in my opinion. Just a super solid design.

[@ChristineBEACHCRICKETLowery]

Good review!

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Thank you Christine. I have been waiting a long time to get to play with this tent. Love the double dome configuration, it makes it so roomy. Last weekend up in the snow in an Allak confirmed I need more space personally. Have fun out there.

[@RoySKim-ox7zd]

Nice. Thanks for good information!!

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Thanks Roy. Solid can't even begin to describe this tent. I love the design of the double double poles. I makes the interior so usable.

[@_Akicita_]

Would you pick the Staika over the Tarra for a 2 person all around high country 4 season?

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Great question. The Staika would be the fastest to set up, but I know Tarra owners that are really fast. The Staika, especially in the snow is great as you can dig out the vestibules then both people have a nice place to prepare, but the vestibule on the Tarra with a dug out vesti is better for doing things like cooking. The Tarra overall has a more spacious feel overall, but then the Staika is a pure dome, which in my opinion is the strongest. That point can be debated for hours I have found. For where live in the Pacific Northwest, and what I do in the high country I would pick the Staika.

[@millieblue5014]

​@@naturecallsoutdoors Staika is actually not as strong with snowloads though or with strong winds. Tarra is much stronger with both there.

[@blkcpdconure]

This tent is too heavy for solo backpacking in the summer if the rest of your gear is heavy. My summer base weight with this tent is around 20 lbs. IMHO that is pretty light...

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

It is one of the heavier tents. Most of the people I know that have them split them up. And mostly use them up in the snow on the mountain. Good weight on yours. I carry that much in camera gear.

[@tfre3927]

@@naturecallsoutdoors That's definitely the best assessment - if it's split between 2 people and bad weather is expected and / or the plan is stay in one location for more than 1 day this place is a palace.. there is a youtube vid somewhere showing a dust storm in the desert and the wind is tearing lesser tents from their lines and ripping material and some just blowing away.. then there is a hilleberg just dealing with it, no issues. Hilleberg take their storm R&D very seriously and this tent is basically all their best work using the best materials and thicker poles (their 'black' line) + providing a really generous internal space. Weight is the trade off.

[@onnonugteren2935]

topnotch! :-) allways. :-)

[@florindagonzalez5700]

How is it in rain?

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

All the Hillebergs and built for the rain, especially the red and black label tents. Some of the Yellow label have features though that would help in a real cats and dogs downpour. The fabric is bulletproof for water and ripping, and the the seams are really well done to keep out water. What is nice about the tunnels and tents like the Terra is they have real nice vestibules to keep the inner sleep area dryer. So you can get out of the rain into a changing zone and close the door and get your wet stuff off nicely. Hillebergs are the winner for rain in my opinion. There are some other tents lately that are taking that into account as well but not as good.

[@rthompson884]

In my opinion still has a large flaw. Poles are exposed to ice and freezing rain making it very difficult to take down in a hurry if necessary.

[@AndyWardle]

Another great review of a great tent Bruce. I'm now tent hunting. Check out my latest video on bowscale tarn. Was a tent wrecker. (Nallo bought the farm) Any advice is welcome. I'm looking at the nammatj or staika next. We're all crazy lol. Take care my friend Atb

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

You are my favorite tester. Interesting about the Nallo will go watch it now. What do you think would have saved it? Been doing some reading on guy lines and staking a lot lately. Like all things it will fester in the head and then it will spill out.

[@coryboyd7958]

Man that's a noise tent!

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

It is. Very solid. Not light, but you will survive

[@artfisher1235]

For the weight, might as well bring a Winnebago.

[@jamesallen9054]

Great video. In one scene your wearing pants with black patches on the knees. What kind of pants are they.

[@finnblu3002]

. .50: Quality inspector .

[@tinslatee]

Hi, do you own all these tents you review?

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Hi Tim. No I don't own them. My boys, who are both Marines, work for Hilleberg in the headquarters in Redmond, Washington. They have been super supportive of them and give them either work when they need it, or time when they are being Marines. I get the benefit of being able to play with the tents and talk to the great crew there.

[@Boodieman72]

I wish they went to full pole sleeves instead of using the clip system.

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Interesting view. I think they may have tried that in the past. Will need to do a little research.

[@eysteinaskevold7880]

I actually find the clips to be easyer, i have tryed the Saivo and the Tarra, the Tarra is IMO the easyest to set up.

[@koko-lores]

The clips can be annoying, but it makes setting up the tent a lot easier and safer in heavy weather such as winter storms

[@AntoonSmulders-oh7dc]

You are a rich man?

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

No, pretty poor really. Sons work for HIlleberg so I get access.