Hilleberg Nallo 2 Review

"You'll have a hard time finding a so-so review of any Hilleberg and again, this isn't one. The Nallo 2 is the best tent I've owned and if I ever wear it out, I'll get a new one. It's a 2,5 kgs -including extra ground-cover- 2-person package, it is however most comfortable when you're on your own. With two people, you'd be better off buying the Nallo 3. Almost all Hillebergs are tunnel-designs and this is no exception. It will endure the heaviest showers and strongest winds; it's amazing how much it can take. Like all Hillebergs, the tent is constructed by one person and set-up at the factory -in Hackas, Sweden- for a last inspection. It carries the name of the guy/gal who made it. Thanks for the good job, Pia Jarhede!"

"Did a 4day solo winter hike in the Laurel Highlands (Feb)2003 with my Nallo2. 30" of snow, 10-20 degree temps,blowing wind, 70# backpack, snowshoes. This tent is EASY to set up,(Poles, snowshoes and long dead branches) keeps out the wind, and has plenty of room for one person and gear.Fabric remained supple and easy to repack."

"The first time I took our my new Nallo was over the New Year period which featured, as it can in Wales, with some strong gales. My only reservation about the Nallo was how it would stand up to some very high winds and the tent past every test with flying colours, giving me great confidence for the future.

This is a tent made for backpacking but is very roomy and storm proof.

This is an impressive tent and I'm a very happy owner!"

"I have now been using this tent for a couple of years and thought it would be worth updating the review.

This tent has seen me over several long treks in the French Pyrenees as well as winter camping in Wales' Snowdonia. If everything in life was as reliable as this ...

The first thing you notice about the Nallo is how much space is there is for such little weight. This is a no-frills tent, but you get a porch which is more than enough to cope with two large packs. And when it rains, and your stuck in the tent, there is more than ample room for cooking inside of the porch.

This is a light tent for a two person tent. If two of you are walking, split the tent and the poles and you have a very lightweight tent load.

Although a tunnel this tent is tough and stable. Ideally, you want this facing into the wind but it copes very well with strong wind side on. Only once has bad weather been a problem when I was stuck in high gales winds, coming at me side on! The large pole was bent at an almost 20- degree angle (and getting a little close to my head) - but there was no notion, at all, of the poles breaking.

It has been used a lot over almost 3 years in all kinds of weather conditions, with no signs of wear or tear (other than some muddy stains that I can't be bothered to clean off).

A tent that makes a big and instant impression but that grows on you!"

"I bought this tent in December. The first time I set it up, which was just in my backyard, it snowed, which collapsed the tent and broke a pole section in half. I tried it again in spring weather, actually camping in it, but found it unstable and flimsy. I can't imagine how this tent could ever stand up to mountain snow and winds. I would never buy another Hilleberg tent.

By the way, I have a North Face VE-25 and a Jack Wolfskin 4-person mountaineering tent, both of which are great tents. I also have a 3-season, 2-person Kelty Zen, and a 3-season 3-person Mountain Hardware tent. All of these tents perform better and set up easier than the Nallo 2. I think the hoop design puts a lot of extra stress on the poles."

"Okay, so I researched all of the light weight 4 season tents. Read the reviews, spoke with guides, talked to various companies and finally selected the hilleberg Nallo 3 tent on not a drop of reservation from the above sources. The tent was supposed to be a light weight 4 season tent that was hand crafted to withstand whatever could be thrown at it. Well I was excited with the tent when it first came, it was hand stitched with excellent attention to detail and amenities.

Well that is until I tried to put the Dac poles in to set it up. Now I have been pitching tents for some time so to my amazement when 2 sections snapped on the second pole, I was shocked and angered. I called the company and they were agreeable enough to send a new tent pole. Excellent customer service. Well I get the new pole set up the tent and find the netting and stitching was torn on the inside zipper to the large front door. I promptly packed it up and sent it back for not one problem but 2 problems. My reasoning. Spend this amount of money and get a lemon? I think not.

Hilleberg is a great company, I am not disputing that. They were agreeable and and responsive to my needs before my trip to Alaska. They have excellent attention to detail in most of their tents from what I hear. My personal experience was greatly distorted by this flawed tent. I hope that the other hilleberg users speak up because the ones I talked with loved their tents. I just caution those of you looking to spend good money on an expensive lightwieght tent to make sure the nallo is in working order. If I had it to do all over I would order the Nammatj that is supposedly a more heavy duty tent.
There are great features on the Hilleberg tents
1) Light weight
2) Easy set-up
3) Thoughtful design features -
a) rain fly attached for easy set-up in rain
b) stitching
c) bright yellow inner tent color-cheery
d) pockets in inner tent
e) Lines easily secured

Disadvantages
a) little ventilation
b) some what difficult to remove fly- not too difficult just a bit time consuming
c) need to buy additional supports to make it free standing if pitching without rain fly
d) my particular tent had flaws as mentioned above

Summary: I would still consider Hilleberg for serious expedition or all season tents. They are lightweight and the overall manufacturing appears to be second to none. That said I had problems- emphasis on problemS. A more well known company such as black diamond, marmot, sierra designs, Bibler, etc...may help to avoid problems encountered with a smaller tent. Just a thought on this tnet experience but one I felt needed to be shared."

"I purchased this tent for winter trekking. I have subjected it prolonged heavy rain, high wind, snow and ice. It remains unfazed..

Hilleberg represents the best of small family-owned businesses. There is pride in craftsmanship, full-blown quality, and a dedication to customer satisfaction. I will always consider Hilleberg first in future tent purchases."