Does anyone have any experience of this Norwegian company's gear ?
Decathlon sells some of their tents. The one I'm thinking of buying is a 3-man mountaineering tent (Decathlon's description), weighing 2.5kg and costs £219. It's called the Hardanger 3 at Decathlon (although it's called Rondane 3 on their website, www.helsport.com). It seems incredibly lightweight for the size / functionality.
I'm looking for a 2/3 man lightweight 3 season tent - the other tents I've been considering are TNF Roadrunner 2, Vango Phantom 200, Sierra designs asteroid.
Anyone got any opinions on the Helsport tent or the others I'm looking at ? Any other suggestions ?

Before I bought my Hel-Sport Troll 3 Camp tent, I did a research of what was on the market. Being out in all weather conditions and too many sleepless nights, price was not weighted much in my choice of tent. I wanted a tent that was easy to get up and did not blow away. The choice became more obvious the more I dug up. It had to something from Hel-Sport. My first choice was the Rondane, but by experience I wanted a tent with two entrances. A small one to serve as a kitchen, and the other for gear and entrance. In wintertime both of them serves as cold air traps. If you want a tent you can rely on when the weather turns against you, you should look for one of the tents in the x-treme collection.

Mark - are you sure Decathlon is selling them? I ask as they are on a par with Hilleberg. And I'm surprised that Decathlon would supply from a range (and expense) along these lines. But Helsport could be trying to get wider UK distribution.

The Rondane has been around for some time and I have never heard of the the Hardanger. It certainly isn't a model in production since 2005 (and their info is in English - so it's not a case of different market, different name).

I have two of their tents in the Pro range and am a fan. I would recommend the Rondane or look at the Fjellheimen range. I have a Fjellheimen Camp 4 and have had no issues. The X-treme tents are good - but are designed for that and therefore a bit pricey. I would class the Trek range as 4 season - but not full blown mountain 4 season (if that makes sense). Though I have been out in them in raging storms.

Helsport has now brought out a new Fjellheimen version with two entrances, with tent sizes from 2 to 4 people. The vestibule size is less than their Fjellheimen Camp. Take a look at this.

Good luck.

Hi Mark,

I own a fjellheimen camp2.
It's a lot of tent for not too much weight.
Similar to the nallo 2gt.

Plenty of room for two people, a vestibule that is big enough to store two peoples gear and still have space to cook for example.

There is however still room for improvement,
when wet the tent stretches quite a bit, making the shape at the backside of the tent such that it rather catches the water instead of shaking/loosing it. (hard to explain, i have pictures somewhere showing what I mean, if you want to see)

Also I need to use the seamsealer now at several seems. Last time I used it, it leaked trough when it rained for a whole night and morning. The innertent however kept everything out.

But that said it has withstand all sorts of weather, even some unexpected snow in Patagonia.

(tent is now approx. 2 years old)

hope that helps,

Gregor

I am not sure if this applies in this case, but I know that sometimes Decathlon and Intersport have kit that is sold under another name for a special reduced price. For example, I saw shoes that were entirely identical to the Asics Nimbus VII but sold under another name (and in different colours) for about 20% less.

I have been meaning to check out the Decathlon sale in Toulouse so if I see these tents I'll report back (again, names might be different in France).

John

I am sure that Mark will be grateful for the prompt replies...

...given that he posted FIVE years ago!! ;-)

Yeah, I noticed just after I made the first reply:)

Mark: you see, I had to test the equipment properly before I could give a recommendation. If the product is still on the marked, you should go for it. Definitly.

ah..
well..erm....

better late then never?

anyway...just wondering if Robert Breivik is working for Helsport?

Gregor
(running and hiding now)

alias Robert Breivik

No no Gregor, i'm not working for Helsport or any equipment manufacturer or dealer at all. I'm an IT-consultant.

It's that i'm from northern coast of Norway and i've learned to appreciate good equipment that can stand against the forces of mother nature. I'm just a Helsport fan who tried to give a friendly answer, just like you:)

Hi Pyro/Robert,

Ok
I tought you were a Helsport employee reviving threads about helsport... ;-))

(the brand can still do with some exposure)
anyway, hopefully Mark is happy with our belated advice.