Nortent Vern1, Hilleberg Soulo comparison.

[@MCMOutdoors]

Great to see an objective first look mate

[@HairyHiker2022]

Thanks mate. Appreciate that. 👍

[@GoingSoloOutdoors]

This was a very nice coherent first look and comparison video of these two tents. Thank you 👍

[@HairyHiker2022]

Thank you for the feedback. Appreciate it. I'm just a regular bloke saying regular bloke things haha. Always honest. Thanks again and for subscribing. 😊

[@richardwright9563]

​@HairyHiker2022 I think the v where poles cross would be a snow trap and just keep building up from there on top of tent But still looks a great tent 👍

[@HairyHiker2022]

You could well be right there. Hadn't considered that part.

[@Fellmandave1]

Really good to see this Scott and some great information. Especially regarding the material strength test. Hope you get a good camp and thanks for the shout out.

[@lucyquinton276]

The new Vern 1 is like the love child of a Scarp 1 and a Soulo… change my mind! This is a really useful and in depth side by side, and so much less waffle than other KZbin vids! Thank you for the review on my groundsheets too; they have so many more adventures than I do!!😂

[@HairyHiker2022]

You're welcome Lucy as always. And thank you 😊

[@BhavaSindh]

They seemed to have a three-some as they also integrated stuff I loved from Fjaellraeven. Being able to fasten the door to create a little secure hole for keeping the burner out has been a FR feature.

[@Martycycleman]

I've just ordered one from yourself 😊

[@Prince_Buster]

That was a brilliant video, thank you for such an honest and really easy to watch review

[@HairyHiker2022]

Thanks for the feedback. Really appreciate it. 👍

[@bonpecheur4565]

Paul Messner just went out with the Vern 1 and got caught in severe winds, the tent did great ! Thanks for the comparaison ! Subbing right now !

[@HairyHiker2022]

Thank you. And you're welcome. Yeah Fellman Dave and Andrew Park were also out in salty conditions last week in theirs and had no issues as far as I'm aware.

[@bonpecheur4565]

@@HairyHiker2022 the only issue I have here in Canada is the snow , so I will need snow pegs , bigger and heavier

[@davidsykes5635]

You are the only UK KZbinr who paid for the tent themselves.

[@HairyHiker2022]

That's if all the other youtubers are honest or if some are trying to make themselves sound important. Some would never admit to that though.

[@davidsykes5635]

I will trust your review rather than the bought-off KZbinrs.

[@MrCMHUDDY]

​@@davidsykes5635Or maybe, its just a really good tent and people are being honest, broadly speaking? I really don't care if someone gets it for free. I don't begrudge it when they're offering content I enjoy. Then, I can make my own mind up. The pettiness on here is amusing sometimes. Just saying :)

[@etztz123]

There giving them away now 😂

[@MrCMHUDDY]

Thanks for the upload Scott. Much appreciated.

[@HairyHiker2022]

My pleasure!

[@alanianfintan]

Good review and comparison. Thanks, going to watch the sleeve issue video you have up next. Appreciate the work you put in for us 👍

[@HairyHiker2022]

Thanks. Hope its useful for you.

[@AndrewParkOutdoors]

Well done Scott in getting a side by side look together. I was keen to see one as my memory of my Soulo is a few years old now. Thanks for the mention and link too. As you rightly say it'll be the field test videos that will be vital. The Vern looks a much more slippery shape than the Soulo. The Hilly takes the brunt of the winds fairly full on with its steep sides but the extra curvature of the poles is obviously a very strong frame. The lower profile curve at the vent crossing points of the Nortent makes we wonder if it will fold in, or hopefully be so low that wind slides over it without caving it in...time will tell! Looking forward to everybody's videos and my own testing. Thanks for sharing that. Atb A

[@HairyHiker2022]

You're very welcome. Credit where its due. I see what you mean about the vent crossing. I'm optimistic about the strength there as last year I tried out an OEX Rakoon 2 which has the same end to end pole configuration and it stood up really well in strong wind. Time will tell for sure.

[@MCMOutdoors]

Going to need proper field testing in conditions where the Soulo has held its own. Will be interesting for sure. I will be testing in direct comparison to my BL Soulo.

[@HairyHiker2022]

I think as long as you consider the poles are 9mm whereas the BL are 10mm and the BL kerlon has a 2kg higher tear resistance. It's probably a fair comparison. 👍

[@Martycycleman]

Cheers Scott for the ref, to the ground sheet maker. On order for the old Vern 1😊 Good review as a comparison. Is it better than the Soulo? Its got a long way to go.

[@adge_ventures4915]

Straight tslking, no BS. Fabtastic effort mate. Thank you! Soulo just cannot be justified now that there are tents as good, if not better that offer way more for way less money. Provided this Nortent handles weather ( which i suspect it will) it, along with the kuiu storm star renders the red label dated and featureless in comparison. Take care, Adge

[@HairyHiker2022]

Thanks mate. Take a look at @fellmandave1 channel. He just posted a video of his out in 30+mph wind and rain last night. I agree. The Soulo could become a bit redundant given the emergence of other similarly strong and robust tents especially at much lower prices.

[@tomatron64]

Nice comparison without being extremely biased toward the new product as I've seen some other previewers be these days :) Awaiting my own Vern 1 to arrive. Will be interesting

[@tomatron64]

Also, Zip creep seems to only be a problem on Hilleberg tents, probably due to the huge zips they use. I've never experienced any sort of zipper creep on any of Fjällräven tents, even in really harsh winter conditions.

[@HairyHiker2022]

Thank you. I'll always be as impartial as possible. I think any review that isn't, becomes a sales pitch of sorts. Re: zip creep. I've had it on a Nordisk tent which I've modified to prevent this.

[@HikingWithMartin]

im interested to see when someone does a full on high winds comparison. The soulo made its name, at least on youtube, in those videos where it was handling 85mph winds. I think its going to have to survive that when well pitched before it can take the soulo's crown. Then there is the snow loading as well. I think all the Soulo contender videos were a bit silly, those are some big boots to fill and no one I've seen has got close to that yet anyway. Nice fair and balanced initial comparison here though, well done for being completely even handed.

[@HairyHiker2022]

I've seen one video for snow loading which for me showed it to be very capable in snow. I agree the high winds are a different proposition entirely. As you say it needs to be well pitched. I've seen soulos die in moderate winds and really it's because it was badly pitched. I've always maintained, it's 50% tent and 50% how well you pitch it. Thanks for the comment 👍

[@1024Pete]

One difference in cost is that the Nortent production is done at their factory in Changzhou, China. Hilleberg tents are manufactured at their facility in Rapla, Estonia. Thanks for the great review. Wishing you good fortune and happy trails!

[@HairyHiker2022]

Yeah that's very true. The build quality seems good to me but the question remains about its strength in poor conditions. It definitely has weaknesses for sure.

[@GrizzlyGaz]

Great informative video. Just waiting for mine to arrive. Ordered on 6th feb and was told it will be the end of the month before i get it 😭

[@HairyHiker2022]

I think I was lucky to get mine in the first wave. Look forward to seeing you using it mate, I think you'll like it.

[@GrizzlyGaz]

​@@HairyHiker2022 I hope so! I wasn't so keen on the kuiu storm star but maybe I need to get out in it more and give it a chance? I've ordered a Chinook 2 as well which is also coming at the end of the month so I better like at least one of them because I'm skint now!!! 🤣

[@HairyHiker2022]

@GrizzlyGaz is that the Big Sky Chinook 2? What's up with the Storm Star? Looks a good solid tent. I know some folk say the pole clips are cumbersome and massive, but otherwise looks decent.

[@GrizzlyGaz]

@@HairyHiker2022 yes mate, big sky... I've wanted one for years but they've never been in stock. But now Nortent introduces this vern 1 and it looked cracking so I ordered one, then I got an email saying the big sky Chinook 2 was in stock and I couldn't miss out so bought that too! 🤦🏼‍♂️ Bought the kuiu in the November sales but I'm not a fan of the big G clips that hold the poles together, they're a pain in the arse to get on and off. Plus no mesh in the outer fly vents so if in midge season you'd have to zip up all the outer and inner vents to stop them getting in. You can open the outer vents from inside the inner though and that's why they've done it but for me, I like versatility and the storm star was created with one thing in mind.... Storm camping. But that's it!

[@GrizzlyGaz]

@@HairyHiker2022 if I remember when mine arrives I'll post a link to your hilleberg soulo comparison if that's ok with you? People will like to see how it compares but I don't have a hilleberg, just loads of cheap Chinese knock offs 🤣 but... I'm moving up in the world! 😝

[@drinkup.]

Nice one. Saw a comment on Nortent's channel saying this has been wind-tested up to 30m/s, which is 67 MPH. There is also a video on their instagram showing it loaded with snow. So long as it doesn't let water in it should be a winner. Only change I would like to see is a door like on the Soulo or Unna, rather than the portal hole.

[@HairyHiker2022]

100% agree on the door. T-door is vastly superior to porthole doors.

[@BhavaSindh]

Sorry to butt in, but you can open the porthole of the Vern 24 with one motion (provided it is pegged out nicely). I hade the Soulo at home for testing, and you always have to open both zippers and use two hands. I do not see the advantage here.

[@HairyHiker2022]

The advantages are as follows. More combinations of how you have the doors set up. Less likelihood of the zips failing over time as zips don't like being curved nearly as much as they like being straight. As for the oval door being easier to operate with one hand. I disagree. I can open my soulo doors with one hand with no problems at all. I will reserve judgement on this one until I've tested it fully but with the original vern1 (in my own experience), two hands were very much needed to open the oval door. Ultimately its personal preference and opinion. My opinion is that T doors are superior and that is my opinion. 👍

[@drinkup.]

@@BhavaSindh For me it isn’t about how easy the door is to open, it’s about how easy it is to get in and out of and full doors are so much easier for tall people.

[@adventurousdavee]

Excellent review . Have one on order :-) . Will have a look at your link for the footprint 👍.

[@HairyHiker2022]

I posted in the Nortent Owners group on Facebook. The footprint clips in with side release buckles. They're a very particular type. I've found them but they're hard to get hold of. They're called Duramid 10mm (3/8") model No C3SSB-8. Lucy doesn't have those so I've gotten some mitten clips fitted to mine to attach to the webbing behind the side release clip if that makes sense?

[@GrumpyoldGeordie]

Ordered mine on the 29th not getting shipped till end of Feb go figure ???

[@HairyHiker2022]

Wasn't on the website until 30th that I could see. I was checking daily.

[@Olan...]

Great review Scott and i too can vouch for Lucys footprints which are top quality at great prices. I have owned 2 Soulos but much preferring the Nammatj these days because you get tons more space and super quick to pitch although being a tunnel tent its a bit more flappy. I am guessing that this new Vern 1 has got the edge on stability because it has 4 crossing points compared to the Soulos 1 so even though the Soulo has better quality poles , structurally the Vern in theory should cope better although nobody has mentioned the other aspects yet about the material qualities and production methods in terms of waterproofing . Does the Vern material compare to Hillebergs methods because over time material degrades with UVs etc and my first Soulo looked and performed as it should after 9 years of a fair amount of use although lost a bit of its original lustre because it was used a lot in the Pyrenees .

[@neilhughes3529]

Hey mate. Looks an interesting tent. Nortent mention double poling option. I can see that 2 poles would fit into the sleeve ends, but how would 2 poles work with the clips? Any ideas?

[@HairyHiker2022]

My understanding is that you double pole into the sleeves then with the clips, you alternate which pole you clip to as you work your way along the seams. That's how it looks in a Nortent pitching video I've seen and I can't see any other way of doing it myself.

[@neilhughes3529]

Makes sense. Thanks!

[@krzysiek5209]

Thank you for the insightful review! I’m considering purchasing the original Vern 1 due to its lighter weight. I currently own the Abisko Shape 3, which is a 3-person tent with a large vestibule and similar weight. I believe it’s a superior 4-season tent as it allows e.g. double polling. My unique problem with Abisko is that it has a bit too short inner tent and lack of support for 3 rectangular mats. From what I understand, winter tents should have pole sleeves to prevent the connections from freezing, which can make unpitching the tent difficult. The old Vern 1’s lighter weight makes it an attractive option for summer and possibly light winter use in the Alps. I’m also inclined to purchase a custom footprint for the Vern 1. Having a vestibule with a footprint is a great way to keep gear clean. The original Vern 1’s more stealthy appearance compared to my blue Abisko Shape 3 is another point in its favor. I’m curious about how you would compare the original Vern 1 to the new model and to the Abisko. I’m also wondering if the original Vern 1 will continue to be produced and if any improvements from the new model, such as a yellow inner tent, will be incorporated into the original. Looking forward to your thoughts!

[@HairyHiker2022]

You would need to ask Nortent about the original vern 1 and whether they will continue production. I think they might not. I did own an original vern1 and it was a good tent. It is worth mentioning that it really needs both poles. With just the centre pole I found it was not very good in strong wind. However with the additional long pole it was very strong. The other thing worth mentioning is that it is a very long tent for a 1 person. Almost 3.5metres long. That can sometimes make it difficult to find a good flat pitch, depends where you are going I guess. I've never owned an Abisko so I can't really compare unfortunately. I hope this helps.

[@cycletouringoz5760]

The vern isn’t really close in quality truth be told. That is clearly obvious given the price difference. Would be interesting to see a real world pitch / take down every day for weeks / months at a time. The Hilleberg would come put on top I would imagine. Both great tents though

[@Alexhaugs]

Now i’m not a geek but talking about the poles. Iv’e been trying to read up on this and correct me if I’m wrong but dac poles are also aluminum 7000 series no? 7001 but with the t6 temper. So they are both of the 7000 series and should be very similar in strength? Not trying to say you’re wrong more like asking what the real difference is?

[@HairyHiker2022]

Hi, my understanding is its basically down to DAC processes and they have used a T8 temper which increases the strength and results in a better balance of strength and stiffness. So while they are fundamentally the same material, the way they are processed results in a pole with different characteristics. As I say, that's my (admittedly limited) understanding.

[@Alexhaugs]

@@HairyHiker2022 thank you💪🏻 I’m gonna have to do some more research to find out just how big of a difference it actually makes. But thank you for a great review. Really well made video. Definitely giving you a follow🤟🏻 already ordered the tent and should get it the week after feb 25’th😁

[@HairyHiker2022]

Thank you so much for the feedback and the follow. Really appreciate it.

[@davidc107500]

Just placing an order for the footprint from your recommendation for Lucy. have you bought anything else from her apart from the footprints I definitely like buying from independents. Just starting off my journey wildcamping some 50 years later since I started camping 😂

[@HairyHiker2022]

I also have the insulated roll top bag from Lucy. I use it to keep food warm while it's rehydrating. Also aside from that I put my powerbank in there as it insulates it to mean the battery performs better. It has a really cool deliberate hole in the side for the charging cable to be fed through so the powerbank can stay in the bag whilst charging your phone or other stuff outside of it.

[@stevegresty4181]

Does this need seam sealing with the supplied tube of sealant, or has it been done at the factory?

[@HairyHiker2022]

My understanding is that as with the mark 1 vern1 it is cold stitched with expanding thread so does not absolutely need to be seam sealed but you can do it if you wish. I haven't done mine but I'm considering it just to be extra safe.

[@davidc107500]

How much did you pay including postage and customs from Nortent. Was it an easy purchase credit card or bank transfer..sorry looked through your videos so may have missed it.Great video thanks following and already messaged for the footprint

[@HairyHiker2022]

Hi mate, including shipping it was around £460. There was no import duty or VAT. I believe that's covered in the price. I didn't get the footprint from Nortent which was another $55 (so about £45). I paid on my credit card. (I prefer the extra protection with that method). Yeah it was super easy. Hope that helps 👍

[@kevinlock8184]

Am I the only one who thinks its Ser Davos Seaworth reviewing a tent? Nice review though, thanks a lot. I learned several things here that I missed from other reviewers 👍

[@HairyHiker2022]

I'm more than happy to be compared to the Onion Knight 😂😂😂

[@Fellmandave1]

Ps I would be up for a strong wind camp soulo and vern sometime if you are up for it. I strongly suspect you are not too far from me!

[@HairyHiker2022]

Sounds good Dave. Yeah I'm Sunderland so not too far. Definitely up for that.

[@stealthandysteath1069]

They both look great tents. But the prices. Don't take this as a negative view point. But not all can afford such as much as this. Thanks for sharing buddy 👍🔥🇬🇧

[@HairyHiker2022]

Thanks for the comment. It's a fair point you make on prices. Everything has increased a lot in the last couple of years and lots are now out of reach to many sadly.

[@darkshaman7087]

Hi there, please could you help me out as I have just had my Vern 1 tent back and i'm wondering what would be the best seam sealer for it, cheers Ade

[@HairyHiker2022]

I used silicone mixed with white spirit. Mix until it is the consistency of warm honey.

[@darkshaman7087]

@@HairyHiker2022 cheers for getting back to me I shall give that a go 👍

[@BelfastBodger]

Kerlon 1200 (12kg) tear strength on the Red label Soulo. ARC-X N300, (16kg) tear strength on the New Vern 1.

[@HairyHiker2022]

Yeah that's what I'd read and why I mentioned the vern tear strength was approaching the Black Label which is 1800

[@BelfastBodger]

Will be testing mine in Canadian Winter conditions. Will post vids etc. ​@HairyHiker2022

[@HairyHiker2022]

Yeah please do. I know @AndrewParkOutdoors has posted a short video this morning showing his in pretty grim sleety conditions. I imagine he will post a full video review of that camp.

[@BelfastBodger]

​@@HairyHiker2022Cheers, will check his vid out . Saw his initial one.

[@_Mountain_Dave]

Does it look a great tent, yes. Do i think its a replacement for a soulo, No not for what the soulo was designed for. I have used hillebergs in alot of extreme conditions including expedition level, my concern is i do not think the vern will shed snow as well in prolongued use and left as a base high up, no, i think the low crossing point at the end is a mistake as can see snow stacking up, no one is even referencing this or the lower angle of the sides . Also i ran my soulo on 10mm poles years ago by triming other black label i highly doubt the vern as good, even standard red label dac 9mm will be considerably stronger. Do i think it will hold the same roof loading no. Ive used 1200 in horrific conditions including a time when an axe sliced through the vestibule, didnt track despite bad conditions so then16kg material wouldn't affect my judgement as if your thinking about being in those condtions the poles will go before the material for sure, and id want to be in a full geodesic Tarra. Nice tent thought , certainly one to have when just uk mountian camping in moderate conditions, the door is interesting and actually considered a few years back getting my local seamstress who makes alot of specific kit alterations to cut reinforce and put in another zip, being able to have the other side for wind changes would be useful. Then again so would having a 10m nammatj pole ship as standard with the Akto and Enan, or the Enan having the Akto door flap..... As for the price of kit these days, absolute insanity. I mean tents bought decade ago now double almost. Thanks for the great review best ive seen pop up on this subject.

[@HairyHiker2022]

Thanks. Appreciate it. All really good points you make. I guess time and use will tell hoe strong and capable the Vern is. It will be interesting to see how it handles snow loading for sure. It will also be interesting to see how long it is before someone modifies it to use DAC 10mm poles and how that affects its performance. 👍

[@_Mountain_Dave]

Look forward to your first use of it, I think at that price point it's going to be quite popular, rightly so. Yea swopping over there generally what £60 a pole these days so circa £180 for a shift upto 10mm, be funny it the pole lengths happen to be a pre existing length as even swopping tjust he shorter horizontal would add alot more strength to roof loading should you need it. But yea looks a great tent and as you say at that price point.

[@richardwright9563]

I think the soulo would get rid of snow better, the vern 1 has a flatter roof section where snow could build up and settle more easily than on the soulo

[@HairyHiker2022]

I'm inclined to agree with you. The vern is made in such a way that it steepens at the last part up to the centre crossing which may help with snow loading possibly. I think here in the UK though its not likely to be a significant problem, although a consideration for those in snowier climates.

[@Johnnygee10]

The most balance first impression of the new vern tent on youtube.🧐 The fact that you had the Soulo and the Vern 1 side by side for comparison was very imformative 👌. I have also notice some of the Bullshit channels giving a reviews, Need to use a four season tent all year in all types of weather before you can make any sort of judgement. One channel Bullshit uk (you know the channel i'm taking about) don't know the difference bewteen a first impression and a review. This idiot will tell you shit with sugar on it is a tasty treat as long as a company sends him some free sugar he has enough of the other stuff already 🤨. ATB 😉

[@HairyHiker2022]

I just try to be honest. As I'm not paid or supplied by any companies, I'm not obliged to say anything in particular. I have no issue if companies send me stuff to review as long as they understand I'll say what I think not what they want me to say. I suspect I won't get much stuff sent for review 🤣🤣

[@maxt7525]

Is it free standing mate?

[@HairyHiker2022]

Yes it is 👍

[@RJ-pu8yh]

Interesting video, but what is your point?

[@HairyHiker2022]

The point was to show people the two tents side by side.

[@DemiGod..]

Already having a 4 season solo tent , the Akto, got a Soulo BL for the worst weather, adding a 2nd side pole to make it not just bombproof, but nucleur bomb proof. Would prefer the Soulo as narrower, smaller and a hilleberg. Have seen tents hailed hillebrg beaters collapse and rip in weather the soulo laughs at . Cost does not make a tent a hilleberg beater as foolish to risk safety to save money. On top of this you need to factor in the life of the tent due to wear and tear and UV degradation.

[@HairyHiker2022]

I've also seen Soulo's destroyed in weather other cheaper tents have stood up to. Depends how well they're pitched too, but many people seem to forget that. As I say in the video it could be competition for a Soulo I never say it definitely is. As for price. In my own opinion, if something does the same job equally as well but at half the price, it's better, certainly in terms of value for money. But time will tell whether the Vern1 I or is not better.

[@tonyhall395]

My double poled Akto has stood up to some knarley conditions, this Nortent looks great but heavy.

[@BhavaSindh]

The Soulo is simply to small for bigger persons... I do not really understand why a Swedish tent is so small?

[@HairyHiker2022]

Depends how big. I am pretty comfortable in the Soulo and I'm 183cm and a pretty big guy. The Vern however is just that bit more comfortable.

[@Paul-hl4cj]

any one els not get the page to open fully

[@danieldring88]

Cracking video 👌

[@HairyHiker2022]

Thanks 👍

[@jn1083]

Hilleberg is produced in Estonia and that is a big pluss for me.

[@rodrev_hiking6757]

The only thing thats holding me back from buying is the weight. 2.6kg in comparison to my 800g Tarptent DoubleRainbow Lithium . Ofc this Nortent is even more stormworthy but then again...i dont really do winter backpacking and the DoubleRainbow survived anything in Iceland and Norway on summer mountains yet

[@HairyHiker2022]

Yeah in your situation it would be hard to justify the weight penalty for sure.

[@rodrev_hiking6757]

@@HairyHiker2022 its such a beautiful Tent tho , its something i see and want to have even tho there is no reason for me to buy it . And isnt it crazy that i paid 600 quid recently for my new Arcteryx Beta AR and this Tent is even cheaper ... Its such a beautiful Tent . And a no Brainer for me compared to The Hilleberg Soulo its cheaper , same weight class , same bombproof .... Im eyeballing the SlingFin Portal 2 . Its 1.5 kg and a freestanding 4 season Tent .

[@HairyHiker2022]

I totally understand where youre coming from. Im seriously considering the Chinook 1.5 but theyre really expensive so I may have to offload some gear to justify it really haha​@rodrev_hiking6757

[@mikhailyaremkiv]

​@@rodrev_hiking6757cheaper? Yes. Same weight class? Well yes we have the data to show that. "Same bombroof"? Well now we cant just be throwing words around as if they're true can we.

[@Soggz7785]

I think it’s better than the Hillaberg, tbh.👍🏾😉🇬🇧

[@arcticradio]

I’m guessing all the yooootooobers got one? Everyone is reviewing at the same time.

[@HairyHiker2022]

I think a fair few did. I bought mine.

[@RollrightKnights]

"Solo"

[@MoosebearAdventures]

Very cool video 😊 but this tent has so much condensation it's almost unusable, dangerous product

[@HairyHiker2022]

I've only been out in it once so far and the condensation was practically non-existent. Maybe conditions were not suited to condensation but I can only speak as I find and there was almost none at all for me.

[@ringperm]

@adventureisawsome Do you have any experience with this tent that can support this claim of it being dangerous?

[@HairyHiker2022]

Id just ignore him. He makes the same comment on all the vern1 reviews. He doesnt own one so he has none.​@@ringperm

[@paul333000]

Is barely fit for 3 seasons