The BEST Backpacking Tents in the World go HEAD-TO-HEAD!

Here is the ultimate backpacking tent review, the Hilleberg Soulo vs 2024 Nortent Vern 1. I believe these two solo wild camping tents are the best backpacking tent in the world. These two 1 person tents are very high quality 4 season tents capable of being used as winter tents in all sort of bad weather conditions.

I have made my solo tent choice but which do you prefer? Put it in the comment section!

Despite the quality and reputation of the Hilleberg Soulo tent I actual prefer the Nortent Vern 1 tent. This is becuase of the increased internal space, the two doors and the ventilation options. I believe it's a great tent for tall people too.

Both tents are still not perfect though. They both weigh a fair bit and the pack sizes aren't small either. However, they will protect you in adverse weather conditions.

Hilleberg Soulo

Features
Kerlon 1200 outer tent fabric and 9mm poles make for a very lightweight yet supremely stable tent.
All season construction: outer tent walls extend to the ground and mesh areas are backed with adjustable fabric panels.
Dome construction with multiple pole crossing points provide outstanding snow-load handling capability.
Plenty of room for one occupant and his or her gear.
Linked but seperable inner and outer tent for simultaneous pitching.
Fully free standing dome design requires no pegs for pitching, and the straightforward short sleeve and clip pole system make for quick, easy set up.
The single entrance/single vestibule configuration affords easy access as well as storage space.
An optional footprint covers the entire area of the outer tent, including the vestibules. It connects directly to the tent, and can be left attached during pitching.
The inner tent can be replaced with a Mesh Inner tent (sold separately).
The outer and inner tents can be used separately. Pitching the inner tent alone requires optional pole holders (sold separately).

Specifications
Weight Specs

Flysheet & inner weighs: 1642g
Poles weigh: 550g
Total weight: 2192g (excludes pegs & bags)
Pegs x12 weigh: 136g
Construction + Materials

Inner tent area: 2.0 m2/21.5 ft2
Vestibule area: 0.6 m2/6.4 ft2
Fly fabric: Kerlon 1200, 30 D High Tenacity Ripstop Nylon 66
Fly treatment: Coated on both sides with a total of 3 layers of 100% silicone, and treated for UV resistance during dyeing and coating
Fly hydrostatic head: 5000 mm/49 kPa (ISO 811)
Fly tear strength: min. 12 kg (ISO 13937-4)
Inner tent fabric: 30 denier Ripstop Nylon
Inner tent treatment: Durable Water Repellent (DWR)
Floor fabric: 70 denier Nylon
Floor treatment: Triple-coated Polyurethane
Floor hydrostatic head: 15000 mm/147 kPa (ISO 811)
Floor miscellaneous: Highly puncture & abrasion resistant
Poles (9mm): 2 x 344, 1 x 285 cm / 2 x 135.4, 1 x 112.2 in
Pegs: 12 V-Peg

Nortent Vern 1

NORTENT Vern 1 is an extremely durable and solid tent intended for 1 person. Optimal for the longer hikes in mountains and over isolate plains where you really need a reliable shelter against the elements. With its aerodynamic shape and many possibilities for anchoring the tent to the ground, this tent is a true friend which will keep you safe in the different elements. We believe you should not have to fight the elements but rather become one with and thrive in them.
Vern 1 is designed to provide clean and correct lines that blend in with nature. We have placed great emphasis on the tent being able to be set up quickly and easily without obstacles. With a little practice you should be able to set up the tent in 2-3 minutes where you can then crawl into a warm and safe sleeping bag.

All exposed areas on the outer fabric are reinforced with Dyneema. Dyneema is considered the world's strongest fibre. It is therefore entirely appropriate that we use this fabric fibre in these tents.

4 seasons
Capacity: 1,5 person
Flysheet: Ripstop silnylon 30D, HH 3000mm (1650 g with inner)
Floor: 70D nylon, HH 10000mm
Guylines: Dyneema 10 pcs
Pegs/ stakes: 18 aluminium Y-peg (288 g, 16 g each)
Pole: Three 9 mm high quality aluminium, 7000 series. (600 g),
Bag: 70D ripstop silnylon (70 g)
Weight min: 2,3 kg
Weight max: 2,6 kg
Height: 100 cm
Length: 260 cm
Width: 200 cm
Pack size: 40x19 cm (length x diameter)

If you are into your hiking, backpacking and wild camping please SUBSCRIBE @BackpackingUK

Thanks, Andy.

#hilleberg #nortent #wildcamping

[chipjones]

Hi Andy, I’m fairly new to all the tech of gear and especially tents. This was a great vid of two top tents, that in one way was a bit of a no brainer. But you explained very well all the facilities and the small cons of both of them, which was well appreciated. This is the best review you’ve done, thanks. Regards, Chris.

[peterrobertson]

Great comparative review Andy. As you say, tent choice will ALWAYS be personal, to suit your build and where, when and how you intend to use the tent. I currently use a Pioneer 2, because it suits where and when I camp and how I transport it (mainly 3-season touring in a microlight aircraft). So I don’t need a full 4 season tent, but can fully appreciate the high quality and comparative virtues of both these tents. The Soulo is obviously a proven fantastic Winter tent, but as you say the Vern is certainly shaping up to be a bit more versatile. Horses for Courses I’d say! Great Review!

[jn]

I'm Norwegian and I can't stand the thought of the idea that Nortent is produced in China.
Hilleberg is produced in Europa. My preferred jacket is from the Norwegian brand Brynje and they also manufacture in Europe. I hope Hilleberg will find a way to lower their prices.

[frstesiste]

Super interesting review and doubtless two excellent tents. Best solo backpacking tents though? To me these (and specially the Soulo) are super specialized tents good for extreme use, but way too heavy for general backpacking. I'd never consider a one person tent weighing more than 1.5 kg for "normal" use, and I'd try really hard to find one at around 1 kg - or around half a kilo for a trekking pole tent. I've spend a lot of nights in tents above treeline, and it's almost always possible to find a fairly sheltered spot unless you just have to camp at the top of a mountain.

[domesticmonkey]

Love your vids lad, I'm just getting set up to start camping but I'll stick with my hyena 11 for now got loads of places in the highlands I've got in mind, look forward to more reviews and camp's from you

[JoerivanderKloet]

Funny that nobody seems to realize that Hilleberg is more expensive because they pay their employees fair wages. Nortent is made in China. Also, in 100km/h winds I’d sleep much better under proper DAC poles in stead of no name poles.

[Life-Outdoors-UK]

Good review. I think the Hilli will be better with snow loading, but, I think both will cope with extreme winter weather. There's almost always some protection from the wind. The Vern 1 has a bigger footprint than my TN Pioneer 2 (never a 2 person tent), although less interior space. I like having good interior space, but with a small footprint. I think for the price, there's no better tent than the Vern 1. As good as the Soulo is, it's too small for me. I'll stick with mine though. It's not as strong but used every week, no matter what the weather. I just choose a location to suit.

[raytaylor]

The Nortent definitely wins for me, the extra features make all the difference when camping, great review Andy.

[petergilbert]

Think I’ll wait for the real life test on a very windy, wet hillside with rocks and peat underneath. That’s the comparison video I want to see!

[therainbowgulag.]

Ventilation on the Soulo is provided by the detachable roof which directs airflow through the tent. There's also a vent in the outer door.

[daveandemmaoutdoors]

The glow in the dark zip tabs did it for me 👌. I love my vern 1 . Hopefully do me for years to come . Thanks for the review 👍

[TherdChaos]

This is an excellent review. I have been thinking about using the Allak 2 for a solo trip, because I did not want to invest on the Soulo or Unna. I think I will now go with the Vern and go back to the Allak 2 for future two-person trips!

[Leeslost]

The head shaker video 😂😂😂
Brilliant video Andy, I love the look of the nortent but the only thing that lets it down is the shape of the inner door,
As you said they both have there lovers and haters

[DS-ejdu]

Thanks Andy, great video. If I was in the market for yet another tent, I’d go Nortent

[smellyoldsock]

My Vern 1 is here. Sadly, I've got to wait a couple of weeks before I'm able to use it. I'm far from patient!
Great comparison video. Thanks.

[fellrunningguide]

Ridiculous to call any tent the "BEST" let alone best in the world!
It totally depends on the circumstances in which you are going to use it. E.g. are either of these the BEST for lightweight backpacking in good weather conditions?
It's an interesting comparison but rather a misleading title.

[ericjarvie]

Got to admit both these tents are great and an choice may not be so simple as one over the other but more likely which applications do you intend for the Tent..The Hilliberg would tuck into an small space and may be warmer in the cold but the Vern is much more roomier and undoubtedly comfortable in warmer weather..I tend to camp on the coastline where space is limited and the weather predictably better since its an summer pursuit so the Vern would suit that but the Hilliberg is much lighter and may prove useful with strong sea breezes..Its an hard choice for me but if i had the money I'd buy both and choose Tents over the weather and geography Vern for the beach and Hilliberg for the hills moor or heath...

[mantass]

In my opinion Nortent Vern 1 is the winner in many ways. I`m waiting delivery for my dream tent Vern 1 PC it`s fantastic tent really is.

[Percy-cv]

Got the Vern 1 2024. Just hoping it’s going to see me through the whole of the year and not just winter, as buying a second (pole) tent this year is not an option. Really pleased I got it though.

[rickay]

It's a no brainer, nearly half the cost and able to use it more often. If I could only have one it'd be the Nortent