Helsport tents

I have in my hot little hands a full Helsport brocuhure courtesy of Tamarack outdoors. In their shop they have set up the Ringstind Light 1 and 2 and I have to say, the build quality and sizing absolutely kicks the arse out of Hilleberg Akto. Apparently they stock the full range of Helsport and are the UK distributor of Helsport gear. Nice people too, I was even made a cup of tea.

So does anyone have experience of anything Helsport tent related? Despite buying tents recently I'm lusting after the Ringstind II (no ring sting jokes) and may well buy one. oh dear. Anyway, does anyone have one? or the fjellheiman?

i dont work for them, or tamarack by the way, just was really impressed with the gear, the shop, and the attitude of the staff there.

they also stock Exped tents by the way, i know some people here are interested in those too. 

Hi Nick. Did they have one in the flesh, last time I enquired they didn't keep any in stock so I couldn't go and have a play.

There are a few folk on here who have them, alas in the current economic climate they now cost a bomb. Shame you didn't stumble upon them last year. 

No exped tents on the website so I suppose it'd be something they'd have to order in - like they seem to do with most of their stuff. The shop is interesting enough but not as fascinating as their website  

Was probably asking about the helsports which I think they've only recently got into actual stock for examining pitched etc.

Their Helsport prices aren't so bad right now with their 20% summer sale on - due to finish around the end of month when I asked them. Like a few Norrona things I ordered recently. 20% off is just about enough to make them merely expensive

As for experience no I can't help. I don't remember really finding much info when hunting online either.

they certainly have rindstind and fjelllheimans, both normal and camp, and some of the bigger ones. plus they said they ll put up whatever you want if its in stock.  i was also offered the hire of one for a weekend with the cost removed from the purchase price if i bought one. 

just made a really pleasant change from the usual retail attitude i come across. 

Hi NJ

I have a Ringstind 1.

I have no compliants about the tent, it is well made, easy to use, small pack size and very weather tolerant. The footprint is larger than an Akto and I find more headroom as well. The Ringstind can pitch nicely, the secret being to get it square, upright and spread the footend guys. This will give you a very nice/taught pitch. Some early Ringstinds  sagged badly due to poor quality materials - Helsport did a no quibble exchange on those tents.

In comparsion to an Akto, apart from shape, the major differances is in ventilation. The Ringstind has a ventilation 'snorkel' at the foot end of the tent.  The idea being to pitch the foot end into prevaling weather, thereby any movement of air removes condensation. This method appears to work as well as any other ventilation system and I had no problem with condensation each time I used the tent.

Cheers Al

Question for you though - on the long side where the entrance is, there is no peg point half way along.  Do you find that with that side being so long and not secured that it flaps or blows up exposing gear to rain?

 are there enough guy points would you say?

the vent thing in the inner looks quite natty with its two pull thing. simple but I can see it would work

I have crawled around Helsports and Hillebergs side by side in Bever Sport in NL, and I'd put them at reasonably equivalent in terms of design, attention to detail and build quality (and price).  As it is I have HBs, but simply the case that for my particular requirements the models in their range ticked the boxes a little better than the HSs, but it could easily swing the other way with slightly different wants and needs.

As for the RS2, only has an entrance on one side despite side-by-side sleeping so I'd not be interested for a two man, though it would be okay for a spacious solo.  But I prefer the Spacepacker in any case, for two porches and better venting (via 4 doors with two way zips) in that class. 

Pete.

Yes, see my review of the Spacepacker: I'd never suggest it for anyone tall...

Pete.

I've used a hired Helsport twin hoop tunnel tent for a total of 4 weeks wildcamping in Sweden in mixed conditions from sub-zero with snow to warm and sunny early spring weather.

For all the reasons Stevie_Boy above gives, I wouldn't consider buying one.  Ever.

It was the worst tent I've ever used for pitching, condensation and weight.  It was impossible to get a taut pitch, so was constantly soaked with condensation due to poor venting and the inner & fly being in contact.

In it's favour it was quick to pitch, but that was partly because I gave up on trying to get it to look like a usable tent.

As for the '...design, attention to detail and build quality....'  well, that counts for nothing if the thing doesn't work, and it doesn't work. A budget tent from Go Outdoors would perform at least as well and probably better.

Buy one of these and you'll need a lightweight bivi bag to keep dry inside it. 

I have a fjellheimen camp 2, and I think it is excelent!

the fabric does stretch when things get damp, but with a bit of tensioning of the guy lines it is just fine.

for a tunnel it is extremely stable in strong winds.

The great thing about the tent is the uge amount of space you have with the porch, it is plenty of room for  all your gear, and still room left to cook or change cloting.

The design could be improved on some things,   but I guess the perfect tent doenst excist. well, except for the scar1....

cheers, gregor