The Hilleberg Soulo is a free standing solo tent that is both light and tough.
Background
I’ve been using my Red Label Hilleberg Soulo for eight years and I’ve used it in all conditions: winter as well as summer. It’s the tent I almost always pack when I go out on my own, whether it is hiking, kayaking or skiing. It is my favorite tent and I´ve used it extensivelly. Soulo means “Island” in the Sami language.
Requirements I had when I bought the Soulo
- One man tent
- Free standing and stable
- A small vestibule to be able to store some belongings
- A tent for year round usage
- For kayaking adventures primarily
- Compact and reasonably light
Hilleberg Soulo facts (Red Label)
Since the Soulo´s free standing construction allows it to be pitched almost anywhere, and since it is remarkably light and tremendously strong, it is ideal for almost any adventure. During its development, nearly every tester found it perfect for whatever trip it was used on. Mountaineers, both recreational and professional, will take to its strength and low weight, as will backcountry hunters and winter campers. Bicycle, motorcycle and paddle tourers will choose it for its free standing simplicity and compact packed size. Backpackers in all seasons, long distance trekkers, and weekend hikers alike will be drawn to its light weight and integrated vestibule, and ski tourers and ski mountaineers will appreciate its snow load handling. Tall users will love its length, and all will appreciate its remarkable overall roominess.
– Hilleberg
- Minimum weight: 2.0 kg
- Packed weight: 2.4 kg
- Outer tent fabric: Kerlon 1200
- Poles: 9mm
- Pegs: 12 V-Peg
- Also available in Black Label construction with 10mm poles Kerlon 1800 outer tent fabric.
Pitching video
Hilleberg Soulo advantages
- It´s a very well made tent with well designed details. Classic Hilleberg feel throughout.
- The tent is compact and the footprint is small so it’s easy to find places to pitch the tent.
- The tent is very easy to set up and take down with the clips that attach to the poles.
- Linked but separable inner and outer tent for simultaneous pitching.
- The gutter on the roof tile is a nice detail, it prevents dripping from the roof tile into the vestibule when you open the door.
- The dome construction with multiple pole crossing points making it very stable.
- When you set up the tent with ground pegs it’s bombproof. It feels like a very safe tent that can withstand the roughest of conditions.
- There is plenty enough interior space for spring/summer/autumn and one person.
- Good interior height in the middle of the tent but the height falls quickly when not in the middle.
- Ok ventilation. But nothing magical.
- The tent easily fits long and wide sleeping mats.
Hilleberg Soulo disadvantages
- It’s a small:ish tent. Calling it minimalist isn’t right but the interior space and vestibule size is limited. Spring, summer and autumn it works great. For nordic winter conditions with a lot of equipment and bulky clothes you might have to think about it and maybe you should look at a bigger tent.
- I didn´t like the 9mm poles that came with the tent, I prefer having the 10mm poles to have a more stable tent, especially when pitching the tent without any pegs or other support.
- The inner tent is asymmetrical and the idea is that you should sleep with your head towards the entrance (however, you can sleep in either direction without problems).
- There’s only pockets in the inner tent at the head end.
- The rain cover for the door zipper could have been longer. I often get caught at the start of the rain cover when I close the door (see picture below).
- When I bought my Soulo the Black Label version didn´t exist, there was only the Red Label version. If I would buy a Soulo today I´d buy the Black Label version to get the 10mm poles.
Summary and rating
I am very happy with my Red Label version Hilleberg Soulo, it´s my most used tent. I mainly use it for sea kayaking adventures and for that use case I’d give the tent a 5 out of 5 rating. It´s fantastic!
Images of the Soulo
