Hilleberg Nallo 2/3GT

[Franckster]

To all Nallo GT owners:

Is your tent noisy with the wind at night, at least more so than others?

I had intended to buy a 3 GT for touring in France next year with the wife but I've seen a couple of reviews where owners have complained about the noise of the tent flapping in only moderate winds and keeping them awake at night. The problem area seems to be the large vent hood at the front. I don't know whether this problem is an issue for just the GT or whether it encompasses the basic Nallo model as well.

Obviously the purchase of this tent is going to be a large financial outlay at over £600, but then if it's the perfect travelling home you don't mind do you. However, if the general opinion of owners is that sleepless nights can be expected due to incessant flapping then I'd rather try a different model. I'd be interested to hear the views of anyone who's tried one out?

 

[slowdown]

Hi Frankster,

I was one of the people commenting in another thread about the noise - for me it was also the main flysheet that was noisy, regardless of how taught it was pitched. I also found, due to the slope of the main body, that internal space reduced greatly toward the foot end.

I am still considering a Hilleberg, but would definitely go for a Kaitium - slightly heavier but with a more horizontal main body, and an entrance / vestibule at both ends and understand that it is more robust / quieter too.
The other one I am looking at is the Allak, which is basically a larger, freestanding version of the Solar 2.2 that I have, but with the advantage of inner and outer pitching together.

 

[P.H]

Hoop pole tunnel tents are more flappy than cross pole or dome tents.  That's the price for so much space for so little weight.  Hilleberg will be better than most, but you can't get away from the facts of structural engineering!  Loud enough to be a problem, I don't know.  I do know on a moderately windy night I was kept awake by my neighbors noisy Nallo while my TN Solar was relatively quiet.  If having a really stable tent is important to you, look at geodesic mountain tents, but they will be a lot heavier for the space, or more likely not offer comparable porch space at all.  If I were looking for a quality tent and was happy to spend Hilleberg prices and carry 3kg, the Allak would be top of my list.  There's plenty of reasons I think it's a better tent than the Nallo.

 

[slowdown]

well said p.h and couldn't agree more.

 

[P.H]

The other one I am looking at is the Allak, which is basically a larger, freestanding version of the Solar 2.2 that I have, but with the advantage of inner and outer pitching together.

I have the same Solar, I've never found pitching inner first a problem, it is the thing that gives the structure it's rigidity.  Water pooling on the roof is a problem... When it comes down to it all tents are a compromise, weight, space, design, price, you can't have everything.

 

[slowdown]

I too haven't had a problem with inner pitching first and understand that the design is what gives it its rigidity - I seem to have been lucky having not had to pitch the tent in a downpour where the inner would get wet though.

I find the Solar 2.2 a great compromise:
sleeps 2
stable and qiuet
light -actual weight (2.2kg)
2 doors give great panaramic view and ease of access for 2, each having own door
good price -approx £300

As far as tunnel tents go though, I do think the Kaitum is worth it's slight extra weight gain and cost for added space and stability over the Nallo.

 

[Franckster]

Thanks for that guys. I think you're right. The Hilleberg tunnel design is fantastic for space but there are always sacrifices to be made. However, we're currently using a Wild Country Duolite Tourer which is a tunnel design of sorts and have never had a problem with noise.

Have just looked at the Allak and the Solar. Different concept altogether isn't it. Nice tents, food for thought. I've got all winter to make my mind up as we're not off again until June. Going back to the tunnel designs, good point about the Kaitum. I think this tent has got a thicker flysheet, Kerlon 1800 as opposed to 1200. That may be the key factor.

Basically we're after a living space that's at least a metre high with plenty of room for storing our panniers and also for sitting in case of bad weather. I don't really want to go beyond 3kg but I need a bit more headroom and sleeping space than the Duolite is giving us. Thought I'd found the ideal with the Nallo 3GT as I don't mind the slope off at the foot end of the sleeping area. It's just this noise issue that's really concerning me. The story about a neighbour's Nallo keeping you awake really is a worry!

 

[Gerry Attrick]

I have a 2GT which I have used regularly for two years. A non-cycling activity in which I am involved puts me in the lucky position of being able to wild camp legally on otherwise private land and in some extremely exposed positions. I can honestly say that noise has never caused me a problem. I do think there is a knack to ptching the Nallo to get maximum tension in the panels and I was fortunate to be guided in that by a friend who has had his Nallo for several years.

Making sure the pole cups are really well snugged up to the tent side and angling the guy ropes to help tension the tent is vital. Everything will need adjusting to take account of the pitch contours too.

The only problem I have had with the tent is that the footprint could be tougher as I have holed it in a couple of places.

 

[Franckster]

I have a 2GT which I have used regularly for two years. A non-cycling activity in which I am involved puts me in the lucky position of being able to wild camp legally on otherwise private land and in some extremely exposed positions. I can honestly say that noise has never caused me a problem. I do think there is a knack to ptching the Nallo to get maximum tension in the panels and I was fortunate to be guided in that by a friend who has had his Nallo for several years.

Making sure the pole cups are really well snugged up to the tent side and angling the guy ropes to help tension the tent is vital. Everything will need adjusting to take account of the pitch contours too.

The only problem I have had with the tent is that the footprint could be tougher as I have holed it in a couple of places.

Thankyou Gerry. I have to say that whilst I would like to have a go at wild camping, we're mostly stopping at French camp sites down south and what with the trees and hedges, the wind would be less of an issue for me as it is for you, so pitching well and adjusting could be the answer here?

 

[slowdown]

I find the Solar 2.2 and Allak are fairly similar - both geodesic tents , very stable with doors on either side which I find a great
feature - just the price (£300 vs £650)
Also the Kaitum is 1200 Kerlon too, so I guess the stability is coming from the design.
For me ( 6ft) the head room in the Solar is better than the Nallo at the highest point, and the Kaitum feeling much roomier in the main body than the Nallo, although they are both 220 cm internal length, with much more usable head room.

 

[Franckster]

I find the Solar 2.2 and Allak are fairly similar - both geodesic tents , very stable with doors on either side which I find a great
feature - just the price (£300 vs £650)
Also the Kaitum is 1200 Kerlon too, so I guess the stability is coming from the design.
For me ( 6ft) the head room in the Solar is better than the Nallo at the highest point, and the Kaitum feeling much roomier in the main body than the Nallo, although they are both 220 cm internal length, with much more usable head room.

Slowdown, have you actually got a Kaitum too?

 

[slowdown]

No, but I have a friend who has one and borrowed it for a weekend.

 

[Ravenbait]

I have a 2GT which I have used regularly for two years. A non-cycling activity in which I am involved puts me in the lucky position of being able to wild camp legally on otherwise private land and in some extremely exposed positions. I can honestly say that noise has never caused me a problem. I do think there is a knack to ptching the Nallo to get maximum tension in the panels and I was fortunate to be guided in that by a friend who has had his Nallo for several years.

Making sure the pole cups are really well snugged up to the tent side and angling the guy ropes to help tension the tent is vital. Everything will need adjusting to take account of the pitch contours too.

The only problem I have had with the tent is that the footprint could be tougher as I have holed it in a couple of places.

I'd agree with this. We had issues with noise with ours one night in very high winds and in the morning repitched it. No more trouble after that.

Sam

 

[Franckster]

Well, I've had mixed reactions from owners but in general it seems the Nallo is a fine tent and if you pitch it taut you'll have no problems. I'm an habitual fettler when it comes to pitching the tent anyway so I'm sure to get it right.

No going back now though as I've just taken the plunge and ordered a Nallo 3GT and the footprint to go with it from 'Taunton Leisure.' Good price, £620 all in with free postage. I know that's still hugely expensive but when you consider the RRP stipulated by Hilleberg for the tent alone is £665 and then a further £73 for the footprint, I don't think I did too bad. A saving of £118!

 

[asterix]

Never thought about noise being a problem with my Hilleberg 2GT. I had to fiddle around a bit getting the tensions right at first after which it was very easy to pitch, much easier than the Saunders tent it replaced. I use a bit of cheap cut-to-size plastic sheet under it very light and does the trick. Nice tent IMO.