Wild Country Helm Compact 2 Tent Review - what a cracking tent!

[@BackpackingUK]

Buy direct from Terra Nova with 20% off using this link: www.terra-nova.co.uk/products/helm-compact-2/aff/backpackinguk and the code BACKPACKINGUK

[@adamdavison5801]

Fantastic tent, took this backpacking in Kyrgyzstan and it stood up to thunderstorms, rain and very strong winds and it still looks brand new! The compact size leaves so much space in my pack. Although slightly heavier, the added durability gives me a lot of confidence. My only criticisms are that the vestibules are a bit small and the inner droops a little more than I would like. Otherwise its a great little tent.

[@BackpackingUK]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@vvs3796]

I would love to see helm 1 and fjallraven abisko lite 1 comparison side to side in a bad weather. Do you think helm is more stable and strong,despite cheaper materials and design?

[@stevec-b6214]

Nice review, just bought this tent after yours and may others positive comments. Btw - I always extend the guys as long as possible rather than short as you did here, but this is only a demo pitch, so no criticism here, this applies to all tents, use all the length if poss. to give a shallow angle to the ground for more pull-out resistance, (mine hasn`t even arrived yet, and i am expert already;) I have been using low profile `mountain` tents all my life, and now looking forward to some roomy comfort for a change, yet it still seems very strong.

[@andykeast8920]

Absolutely brilliant review. I used your code to buy this a few weeks ago so thanks for that. It is a great tent and as you say, so easy to pitch.

[@1972andyb]

Hi Andy, great review as always, thanks. Between my brother, dad and myself I got one of these for Christmas on a Black Friday 30% off sale. Unfortunately your discount code doesn’t work on already discounted prices. However, I have ordered a footprint and extra pegs using your code 👍 thanks. I have been looking for a 3/4 season tent for a while and decided this to be great for me. I looked at southern cross 2 but couldn’t justify the price and people still having a few issues. Also looked at pioneer but wanted the 2 doors. Flallraven abisko lite 2 was an option but again I don’t have the budget at the moment. Looking forward to using this really soon on Dartmoor and SWCP. Unfortunately the weather down here is a bit crazy at the moment. Thanks again 👍👍

[@bryanclarke1927]

I have the compact 1. A brilliant winter tent for lower levels and those longer nights. Hard to fault

[@BackpackingUK]

My only reservation over the Helm 1 (and the Southern Cross 1) is the head height. Can you sit up straight without your head touching the fabric?

[@bryanclarke1927]

@@BackpackingUK Easily. No probs getting into winter sleeping gear inside the tent. There's also a storage area opposite the entrance and is reached via a zip so you can put a rucksack in it etc. freeing up loads of room in the main porch. It beats tents two or three times the price imo.

[@shahids3055]

Love my Helm Compact 2, it's a total keeper! Great review, thanks for reminding me why I bought it!

[@BackpackingUK]

No worries 😁

[@shahids3055]

@@BackpackingUK Being only 5'6 in height, I have so much room, it's palatial, and I know its a little more weight to carry, but I have just accepted this, due to the strong design and huge amount of space. I always get a really good sleep inside this tent. It feels very safe inside when windy and rainy & withstands the bad weather really well, and I am sure it has some insulating properties due to its material? and the fact that the flysheet comes down so low, and also due to the inner tent mostly being a very good material and with only a small amount of mesh on the doors for ventilation. Superb tent : )

[@KNURKonesur]

I've been on a lookout for a compact packing tent for my bikepacking trips where the size is even more crucial. But every time I find something, it turns out that my trusty Naturehike Tagar with it's 44x10cm pack size is somehow still unbeaten. It has a lot of faults, but for a 2.5 season bikepacking around Scotland it's been doing great so far!

[@BackpackingUK]

I thought about trying a Taga out, thanks for sharing 👍

[@nuttycommuter3718]

Thanks to this video and a couple of others, I’ve just got myself a Helm 3 for cycle camping. Got it on a Black Friday deal for a steal of a price and really can’t wait to get it loaded in the panniers and start using it

[@KevinBarrowcliffe]

Just purchased the helm2 with footprint, discount code worked a treat, thanks Andy 👏👏👏

[@backpackingireland8624]

Hard to beat Helm 2 . I’ve loved mine since first outing. A cracking tent , ticks so many boxes. 🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@BackpackingUK]

100%. The only real negative is the weight, everything else is hard to fault.

[@MB-uu7so]

Got this a year ago for £187 on Amazon brand new I couldn’t believe it. Great tent & review 👍🏻

[@davt8615]

Great review as always buddy 👍, love the helm series of tents and the 2 is best of the bunch. I recently got the new Axis 2 and its massive. Terra nova make some of the best kit 100%. ATB 👍

[@delburgess4165]

Thanks for this. It will be my first tent and I cant wait to try it out.

[@andye222]

Cracking review Andy. Think I’ve finally found the tent I’ve been looking for. Been struggling to find a fly first pitch that’s got good headroom and not for silly money. 👍👍👍

[@andye222]

Ordered 👍👍

[@andye222]

And an upcoming trip to North Wales and Scotland next month will be the perfect test. 👍

[@ukrenz]

just got mine in the post cant wait to get it out in the peaks!!!

[@BackpackingUK]

You’ll love it!

[@markbailey15]

Good review. I have the Helm 2 for about 7 months now and haven't had the chance to use it but I've also bought 3 other tents and haven't used them either 🤣

[@KNURKonesur]

Wish I had that kind of disposable money for stuff that I won't even use :D

[@markbailey15]

@@KNURKonesur🤣they will get used eventually 😁

[@rodoutdoors]

Very nice design. Thanks for the review.

[@BackpackingUK]

Cheers 👍

[@norseman1137]

I always think of this tent as the poor mans Hilleberg ... i think it gives confidence in bad weather. Its a great tent to have in your kit collection

[@RobboOutdoors]

I had mine great tent but on the heavy side. I did like the inner and outer together saved a lot of time.

[@BackpackingUK]

It's a great tent, it's just a shame it isn't a little lighter.

[@geocoupe8144]

Had mines for about 6 months now, replaced a vango tempest that was a great tent but couldnt sit up in it! Got my helm 2 with the footprint for £220 so theyve fairly whacked the price up, my only issue with it is the vestibules are maybe a bit tight but plenty room inside to store gear if youre using it as a big 1 man tent

[@BackpackingUK]

Thanks for sharing!

[@stevec-b6214]

exactly! i got sick of being cramped in a low tent, and the helm 2 is roomy, well solid and confidence inspiring.

[@jamespestell6136]

Love mine.

[@MrEvilWasp]

I feel lucky because I've just bought this tent including the footprint for only £205 from eBay. Just have to wait for the storms to blow away so I can try it out.

[@vvs3796]

i wish there was an option to upgrade tent poles and some other mods ,to make this tent even more stable and strong in bad weather..

[@steviesteve750]

You could double pole it, there are 2 grommets on each pole peg loop

[@BackpackingUK]

Is that what they are for? I always thought they were for making the tent more taut / higher 😂

[@steviesteve750]

@@BackpackingUK for that too, though when tried it the tension in the poles was much higher for little obvious gain in structural rigidity. I'd be inclined to offset the holes if double poling, so each pair have the same tension.

[@Pasequale100]

does it withstand wind/ storm better than the cloud up2? Could i use this tent higher in the mountains in stronger winds?

[@BackpackingUK]

I’d say it’s stronger than the Cloud Up 2. It’s fine in the wind, but don’t go storm chasing with it! I had the Helm 2 and got caught out summit camping but it held up well.

[@Pasequale100]

@@BackpackingUKthank you so much. No i won‘t go chasing storms, but it can withstand them 👌🏻

[@marclennox9479]

Have you had sight of a Panacea at all? I was all for the Naturehike over the Helm, until I caught sight of a Panacea which seems to blow them both out of the water.

[@nothinglessness]

Fantastic part from the red poles. What a shame they didn’t go for green poles instead.

[@BackpackingUK]

True!

[@MayanPatel1]

Have seen both your videos! Do you think it's worth the extra £ from the Naturehike cloud up/peak 2?

[@BackpackingUK]

It’s better in adverse weather but the CP2 is a better design and it feels bigger.

[@steviesteve750]

Had mine a few weeks now, had to have zipper replaced already. I use this and rotate with a Vango Mirage Pro 200 which is better in high winds.

[@BackpackingUK]

Thanks for sharing. I’m still yet to have a zipper break on any tent. Maybe I’m overly careful?

[@steviesteve750]

@@BackpackingUK it was a faulty slider that's all, which I broke trying to fix it. Been repaired now and working as it should do.

[@gm6368]

Would you say it's better than the MSR Elixir 2?

[@BackpackingUK]

MSR is inner pitch first unless you use the footprint but even then it’s a faff. This is a deal breaker for many people. It’s also ok in the wind but no more. Personally I’d choose the Helm 2 but the Elixir 2 is still a good tent. Brian and Dave from BPUK both use the Elixir as their main tent!

[@pullmeifinger]

They currently have 30% on this tent. Just ordered mine 209 quid.

[@paulshaw2843]

Hi Andy thinking of buying a naturehike tent , doing the limestone way what would you recommend thanks paul

[@BackpackingUK]

The Cloud Up 2 is a great lightweight backpacking tent ideal for multi-day trips.

[@gerlachsieders4578]

Backpack? Forget that, but talk panniers ;-) But I loven the review, I have had my eyes on this tent for a while, its starting to look up

[@thewizard2465]

I've got a brand new helm 3 never used bargain for someone

[@Oddly1970]

Is this better than the pioneer 2

[@BackpackingUK]

In short, no.

[@stevenvitali7404]

I just bought the Helm 2 compact for £225 and was wondering how it is folded up after taking it down as my old Vango tent I folded in half lengthways so the underside of the ground sheet didn’t touch the tent material and get it dirty, then I wiped it with a tea towel and rolled it wiping it as I rolled because sometimes the ground was a bit dirty or wet, I see the Helm would have to be done differently as the pack size is more square shaped than my old Vango which was packed up long and thin, I haven’t seen many videos of how it is done,maybe be a good video to make

[@BackpackingUK]

I'm fairly sure I fold it lengthways. Fold the width by 3 (pull in right side over the middle, then left side on top of middle too).

[@stevenvitali7404]

@@BackpackingUK thanks for the reply, I think I was overthinking it lol, I got no room to set it up until I actually go camping so just want to know all I can beforehand

[@markswishereatsstuff2500]

5lbs 3 oz is insanely heavy once I replaced my 4lbs 6oz Marmot Tungsten 2P with a Tarptent Double Rainbow Li at 1lb 11oz. this year.

[@BackpackingUK]

I’ve been looking at the standard Double Rainbow for over a year. Would you recommend it?

[@gm6368]

Can you fold both vestibule flaps back to completely open the entrance up???

[@Lily7-n6o]

Yes

[@kindredspirit6654]

Perhaps a tad weighty for a trekking tent. Would make a superb cycle touring tent in my view.

[@BackpackingUK]

Just wish it was closer to 2kg

[@kindredspirit6654]

@@BackpackingUK Why view ticks more of the Cycle Touring boxes than Hiking/Trekking. Extra few grams on the bike isn't as much of an issue. Plus can see it's design and ease of pitch being ideal to pitch as a shelter after long day on the bike.

[@steviesteve750]

@@kindredspirit6654 I'm the opposite. I'd prefer to carry extra weight on foot, but on a bike every gramme counts, especially where I live which isn't flat!

[@kongyoyo]

@@BackpackingUK These are terra nova’s weights taken straight from their website. max/min wt: 2.36Kg (5lb 3oz) / 2.1kg (4lb 10oz)

[@hillenthusiast]

Review the Northen Lite 2?

[@BackpackingUK]

I don’t think I’ll be buying it but @theunfitbloke and @paulmessner both have one 👍

[@nigelmccomb8106]

Too bad there’s not more headroom.

[@DavinderSingh-wv7eh]

Hi! Lovely content! What's your recommended sub £200 lightweight, easy to erect and durable 1-2 person tent?

[@Simsydav]

3ful gear Zhengtu 2 or Taking 2 are decent tents for that budget

[@Simsydav]

Taiji 2* my phone autoincorrected

[@MrWrob32]

@@Simsydav 😂😂

[@KNURKonesur]

Been using a Naturehike Tagar 2 for a couple years now, it's got some issues (not fully free-standing, only 1 vestibule, 1-layer design) but for camping around Scotland in spring/autumn it's been great. Wouldn't recommend for winter though. Decathlon has some great options if you get the mid or top range options, had one of their Quick Hiker 2 tents for 4 years and it's done great!

[@abbottsadventures]

Paid promotion?

[@BackpackingUK]

Absolutely NOT. I paid for the Helm 1 & 2 with receipts to prove!

[@abbottsadventures]

@@BackpackingUKI've got the helm 2 and it's great

[@Jason-ke2nj]

Way over priced..

[@BackpackingUK]

Never heard someone say that of this tent before.

[@paulhulley5969]

Love your channel some great contents but if you shop about I’ve found it £100 cheaper, so thanks for the review and me looking at some comparisons sites to purchase this great tent.⛰⛺️🥾🍻

[@BackpackingUK]

If you can buy it cheaper crack on! I often do my own research after reading / watching reviews, I’d highly recommend it 👍