Well, Dawn, as a Hilleberg guy myself, can I suggest that you take a look at models like the Soulo and the Unna? Maybe the shop didn't have them in stock, but they may have advantages over both the Akto and the Nallo.
--- they are both better than either the Akto or the Nallo in terms of snowload handling.
--- they both have good venting systems (a vent at the top of the outer)
--- the Unna gives you a little more headroom (100cm) than the Akto (95cm).
The Soulo is 2.1kg and the Unna 2kg, so it is still pretty much the same sort of weight. They cost around £300/350 (at Alpenstock), so it's the same sort of price tag and the Akto and Nallo.
The Soulo is basically an Akto with an attitude---same sort of footprint, pretty generous vestibule, but much more storm-proof and much better in snowy conditions.
The Unna has got more inner space, but no real vestibule. You can create a temporary one by pulling back the inner. If you want your dog to sleep outside then it wouldn't work. But you get the extra head room inside, which is handy in winter when you spend more time inside the tent.
The Nallo 2 GT would give you a larger porch and a much better venting system (two cone vents at either end). Condensation wouldn't be an issue in a GT model.
I think "condensation wouldn't be an issue in a GT model" is a bit optimistic: there are times in any waterproof tent where it will be an issue, as much about the conditions as the tent design.
Another alternative to the Nallo GT is the Kaitum, with two large porches rather than one huge one, but full height along the inner and better vented than any of the Nallo models for your slightly greater weight (and a slightly wider inner too). We've got the Kaitum 3 and it's a cracking tent: had 5 folk and loads of spare space with the inner down for a communal breakfast.
"condensation wouldn't be as much of an issue in a GT model"?
does that sound better?
I very rarely have trouble with condensation in the Akto or the Nallo 3GT. Choose your site with care, use a footprint and venting does the rest. I camp high, so it tends to be breezier than down in the glens anyway...
In certain conditions you may get condensation all the same, even with the best of vents. Sometimes one cannot avoid condensation – as little as one can avoid dew in the morning. Even a tarp may get condensation underneath if there´s no wind going.
Many factors can play a role when condensation occurs:
• Moist air getting into the tent from outside
• Higher degree of moisture in the air outside the tent than within, making it difficult to vent out moisture.
• Humidity in your breath
• Steam from hot food eaten inside your tent
• Wet clothing/equipment inside the tent or the vestibule
• Humidity rising from the ground in the vestibule
• Proximity to bodies of water (river, lake, ocean)
• Cold ground causing condensation underneath your sleeping pad.
Even when I do get it it's not a real issue... but it's nicer not to. But with atmospherics that's a bit like saying it's nicer if it doesn't rain so much...
aye, I know about their disclaimer, but I was just saying that if you're worried about condensation, then a GT is better vented than a standard Nallo. I wasn't making any stronger claim than that, although admittedly it came out as a much stronger claim!
Anyway, I notice that you too recommended the Soulo as possibly a better choice as a winter tent for Dawn. So it's two votes for the Soulo!
Hi Walter, I wouldn't say it's better, but it is different and perhaps worth a look. TBH I can't see a great deal of point in one myself, heavier than the Akto with a slighly reduced porch... but that's myself, and not necessarily Dawn.
Where I feel I want freestanding is in the sea kayak, where the weight is a non-issue and I camp in a Tarra. Other than that, I see freestanding mainly as a way to add weight for not very much gain, but again we're in the realm of the personal preference.
I also prefer twin entrances, so in the ca. 2 Kg plenty of room for one and enough for two category I use a Saunders Spacepacker. But I would never suggest anyone who's 6' would be best served by a Spacepacker!
The question's second part was which can cope with some snow load. And the answer is "either of them", because they've had years of testing on ski tours! if you're in a real deluge of the stuff then a dome may be better, but that's not the same as saying an Akto or Nallo won't manage: their track record says they will.
In a similar vein, stable in high winds is good, but the difference between "stable enough" and "even more stable than that" is a great deal less than "not stable enough" and "stable enough". I would suggest we have the first case, not the second.
As always, we all want a tent that's really strong, really big and really light. You can't have it all, the trick is looking at the compromise points. And none of them make much sense to have beyond the levl they'll make a real difference. Superlight is irrelevant if you're not carrying it far, it only needs to be as strong as lets it stand up where you're taking it, and it only needs to be as big that you never run into the sides. I'd say the third one is harder to overdo than the second...
