Imperial Dave (currently on hols) has one; no doubt he will appear soonish and will tell you all about it.

Looked very sturdy the couple of times I saw it pitched 

It's great quality, but it's not particularly light in the grander scheme of things.  However, if you need something you can pitch just about anywhere then it is light for a fully free standing design.  Whether you need that is another question, of course.

Also, try and narrow down what you mean by "great quality".  For example, an Akto and a Laser Comp are both high quality single hoop solo tents, but they have had their design focus in different places.  Which one is better to a given camper depends on a number of factors, and it isn't the case that one is "better quality" in some absolute sense than the other.

In other words, what are the more specific points of the job you have for this tent?

Pete. 

Thanks all, your comments are much appreciated.

I need something light that is 4 season and can be pitched above the snowline and deal with some varying conditions. I live in Monza and will be using it around the Alps for winter and summer trekking & climbing trips, ice-climbing sleep-overs, sometimes at altitude and may at times need to squeeze a second person in. Freestanding appeals to me for use in rocky situations and above snowline, but I guess its not absolutely necessary.

The Akto and Laster seem popular and tested, as do the MacPac Micolite's but they seem to have been around a while and although well rated all have certain drawbacks from the reviews I've seen. I was hoping that the 'latest design' may have found the best from all the competitors and solved the negatives.

If that helps anyone narrow the search down their thoughts would be most welcome!

W

Warren, negatives in tents like the Akto amd Laser aren't going to go away, because there are fundamental design constraints. So, for example, you could put more "comfort" or "robustness" features in a Laser (say, thicker groundheet, zip out mesh panels) but then it would be heavier, which sort of defeats its point of being so light, or you could thin out the Akto to make it lighter but OTOH it wouldn't be so nice to live in, and so on.

Having said that, the Soulo does sound to be a good match to what you want, except for the putting a second person in. Imperial Dave will give you first hand data when he's back, in the meantime there is a podcast about the new 2008 Hillebergs with some comments on the Soulo you may find informative.

My impressions are that what it will do that an Akto won't is take static snow loads better and be fine to pitch pretty much anywheer you can find space for it. But the Akto has never been a popular solution for getting 2 in for a reason, and I doubt the Soulo will be either. Maybe something like a Lightwave g1 ultra, 2.12 Kg, freestanding geodesic so it should do snow loads and awkward pitches, a not unreasonable porch but plenty of room to get in a second person when necessary. Hilleberg tend to mean what they say about numbers the tent is designed for, especially if they're toting a pile of climbing gear around.  The Nallo 2 is a shade lighter and has more room, but if it's usually just for one it has quite a bit more room than you actually need, and it won't be so good at awkward pitches as it needs good pegging to stand up.  Assuming you have good pegging, it is easier to put up though (fewer poles with easier insertion, and al-in-one rather than inner first)

Pete.

Valid points, thanks for your time Pete. I'm keen to hear what Imperial Dave says when back... then I'll be getting the credit acrd out for one or the other... have a great w'end.

W

Warren,

Haven't you heard of the credit crunch? put that card away and use the childrens Christmas money

I can vouch that even with small amounts of snow on the Akto fly sags quite a bit and easily starts touching the inner, which is not ideal. I'd not want to use it a lot above the snowline. It is also very definitely a 1-person only tent.

Nallo would be better probly.

Hi Warren,

I'm back apparently.....

I havent got time to do the Soulo justice now but I will post a full reply later on for you to have a gander at. From the sound of what you are after, the Soulo would be perfect (IMHO ...I hasten to add!)

speak to you later

right

the Soulo

I bought the Soulo because it caught my eye being relatively lightweight, freestanding, a Hilleberg, tough as old boots and really easy to put up

I have used it 4 times now and can report faithfully the following

it is very easy to put up and not only that actually achieves a really taut pitch with ripple-less fly sheet. I havent had it in more than 30mph but in this wind it shrugged it off and remained solid and unmoving. When I mean solid, I really mean it and once the fly is clipped into place on the 3 sets of poles and the guys set out it really is one of the most solid tents I have ever put up

with regards to the weight....yes it is heavier than akto, laser etc etc BUT it is a freestanding tent and it can easily be used as a single skin shelter if you really want to shave the grammes without losing any of the inherent strength of the tent. The fly also goes all the way down to the floor which some tent flys dont thus giving greater weather protection.

If there is a downside to the tent (apart from the 2kg weight...but lets be honest 2kg for true 4 season freestanding tent!!) it it that Hilleberg refuse to put cinch down straps onto their stuff bags. My advice would be to attach a couple of DIY straps yourself

so would I recommend the tent......?

if you want something that can take a beating, is light for a 4 season freestanding tent, like to have a small footprint so you can literally pitch it anywhere and you intend to take it above the snowline then I can thoroughly recommend it

if you want a 3 season uber lightweight tent that may occasionally get roughed up....get something else as the price tag is a bit ouch for a one man tent....but what a tent!

Sir Imperial Dave!

What a report... sold to the man in a silly hat! Thanks for that... its just what I wanted to hear. I'd rather shell out the extra pennies (or pounds in this case) and get something really bomb-proof that can then be stripped down when not necessary. If your only complant is about the stuff sack I'll be happy to DIY it!

Since you seem so well versed with all the gear, but not wanting o take too much of your time, could you please tell me your suggestions for a lightweight cooker and sleeping bag (I was going to get the MH Phantom Zero)?

 Thanks again and have a great w'end,

W

Ray;

I've got the 650 and it doe's pack down small, i'll use it next weekend for the first time.

I agree with Roger about the quality etc.

If you want a compression sac for it, go here www.themountaindepot.com they have one for £2.99.

I used my pipedream 400 on the Lakes Windy meet in Feb and was fine down to -7 (as Ray etc will attest to) so this is my down lightweight bag of choice. I am awaiting, however, a delivery of a Golite quilt/bag which is a slight departure for me from a normal sleeping bag. As soon as i get it I will put a report in. Dont forget, a bag is only as good as the insulating pad you sleep on though....

re cooking.........oooh could go on forever and ever.....

coke can homemade meths stove is my prefered option at the mo although in the summer I may wheel out the MSR pocket Rocket as it is instant and dependable