Haven't seen one of these on here so I thought I'd share my new tent with you all. It was the only tent I could find that solved every flaw or pet peeve I had with every other tent I've owned or tried. Also the only tent I liked that functioned equally well winter or summer camping. In short I love this tent.

quote jwilson: "Haven't seen one of these on here so I thought I'd share my new tent with you all. It was the only tent I could find that solved every flaw or pet peeve I had with every other tent I've owned or tried. Also the only tent I liked that functioned equally well winter or summer camping. In short I love this tent.

"

what was the peeve?

Looks hot in there. That would be my peeve.

I spent over 3 months sleeping in tents last year through 80+ nights down to -10. Through dead humid calms to 75 mph winds, snow, and rain, uphill both ends of the tent or something like that. In other words I really got to know what I liked and didn't like about several styles of tents-- and most every tent falls into a handful of styles with just variations on the design.

To list all my shortcomings or pet peeves with the different tent styles would be a very lengthy post-- and let me be clear, these are my pet peeves and this is my tent choice-- I didn't come on here saying it was the best tent for everyone or that everyone's tents were crap compared to mine. I just happen to think that I have found the perfect tent for me and my camping style.

My requirements list might be easier than my shortcoming list.
1. Had to be fully free standing including vestibules (entire tent had to be erect without a single stake/guyline).
2. Had to be pitchable in less than 5 minutes in a complete downpour and high winds without getting the body of the tent wet and without first erecting a tarp
3. Had to be very quite in high winds (no fabric flapping)
4. Had to be very cool/well ventilated in the summer
5. Had to be able to take a heavy snow load
6. Had to be able to stand up to high winds
7. Had to stay dry and vent very well during sideways driving rains
8. Had to include good all weather roof ventilation for condensation issues in winter
9. Had to have vestibules accessible while lying in sleeping bag (side doors)
10. Had to have 2 entrances/2 vestibules
11. Had to offer a very substantial view of the outdoors while lying in the sleeping bag (this was one of my most important requirements as I love to gaze at the stars) this of course assumes the doors are open which they are when the stars are out

One additional feature I love about this tent but wasn't on my requirement list is a footprint that stays attached during setup/tear-down and fully covers the inner tent and vestibule ground area. So I can climb out into the vestibules and not be on the dirty or muddy ground.

quote jeroldharter: "Looks hot in there. That would be my peeve."

Actually is the coolest 4 season tent I have found. Much cooler than many of the 3 season tents I've been in. The doors open much wider than most tents and under that little umbrella thing are roof vents that are quite large and work even in a downpour. The tent is basically a hexagon so on either side (diagonally opposed) a whole section opens up. The inner tent allows the entire side to be opened so you can get air flow through better than most tents with an inner D style door.

Door picture can be seen here (not a picture of me). http://www.acrosscontinents.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/Expedition-tent-300x224.jpg

Hmmm. $810.00

That's a lot. Better be good.

quote RaisedByBears99: "Hmmm. $810.00


That's a lot. Better be good.

"

You get what you pay for. That is a demanding set of features for someone who spends a lot of time in a tent.

Oh, ya, now I understand...it is a Hilleberg tent. Ya, that company does make pert-near the best tents out there. Looks good.

Hilleberg Staika

Thanks for sharing your new tent. I'm a recovering tent fanatic so it's always neat to see what other people get.


Number 11 on your list is one I want in a tent as well (found out the hard way that isn't always possible with some designs).

Thanks again for sharing. I'm looking forward to hearing more about it after you use it some.

quote jeroldharter: "

quote RaisedByBears99: "Hmmm. $810.00



That's a lot. Better be good.


"

You get what you pay for. That is a demanding set of features for someone who spends a lot of time in a tent.


"

That's true. Still, that's about what I paid for my Snowtrekker tent and titanium wood stove together (not that you could get it for that today). Still, lots of money for a tent.

Thanks SevenOfNine-- the main reason I posted my Staika is I've owned or been in most tents commonly posted on BWCA and thought I'd share a couple alternatives I really like (see Nusku below) to what many go with. People can only see so many Taj or Losi pictures you know (these are both very good tents).

The Staika is a pricey tent and I know many would never spend that much on a tent. However many of you purchase other items that I also say "I'd never spend that much on a ______" (fill in blank). I am definitely a tent fanatic and honestly didn't think I could find a tent that met all my needs (my requirements list is actually much longer than I posted with different priorities).

I spent considerably less then the $810 and also consider that since I camp year round I was utilizing 3 different tents to fit my needs before. Ranging from $200 to $500 for the winter tent. I've sold these 3 tents in used condition and had more than enough to cover the Staika.

All my gear isn't high end or Hilleberg type quality. I'm an average guy making an average wage. For example my cook kit is a Trangia stove and a Swedish Army Mess Kit-- total cost $35 and heavier than most of you would go. I don't own down sleeping bags (would like to some day).

I actually thought I had found a tent solution for about half the price in the Marmot Nusku line of tents. These are very similar in style to the Staika design. The Nusku is a fantastic tent and I would highly recommend it for most uses but once again I found flaws in its design for what I wanted or needed from a tent.

quote RaisedByBears99: "

quote jeroldharter: "

quote RaisedByBears99: "Hmmm. $810.00



That's a lot. Better be good.



"

You get what you pay for. That is a demanding set of features for someone who spends a lot of time in a tent.



"

That's true. Still, that's about what I paid for my Snowtrekker tent and titanium wood stove together (not that you could get it for that today). Still, lots of money for a tent."

That tent is one of the few that you could use on the tundra too without its getting ripped to shreds. The average BWCA tent would be soon rags.

On a cost per use basis and for versatility in many environments, Hillebergs are hard to beat. But you do have to look at your tent differently ..as an investment rather than a good.

Quite correct on the Tundra. The very first Staika was built for a South Pole expedition. And yes, I know you don't need a South Pole equipped tent for the BWCA. BWCA is one of my favorite places but I also spend more time each year camping outside of the BWCA.

The first time I put up my Staika was a fairly windy day with gusts up to 35 mph. This tent appeared to be suctioned to the ground. The sides of the tent are all taught and still (and utterly silent) while the grasses, shrubs, and trees around the tent are blowing and swaying around like crazy.

quote yellowcanoe: "

quote RaisedByBears99: "

quote jeroldharter: "

quote RaisedByBears99: "Hmmm. $810.00




That's a lot. Better be good.



"

You get what you pay for. That is a demanding set of features for someone who spends a lot of time in a tent.



"

That's true. Still, that's about what I paid for my Snowtrekker tent and titanium wood stove together (not that you could get it for that today). Still, lots of money for a tent."

That tent is one of the few that you could use on the tundra too without its getting ripped to shreds. The average BWCA tent would be soon rags.


On a cost per use basis and for versatility in many environments, Hillebergs are hard to beat. But you do have to look at your tent differently ..as an investment rather than a good."

and the average canoe tripper doesnt go to the tundra.

Everyone has different needs from a tent. If I winter camped more often I could see investing in a tent that costs more. I bought a top of the line Exped down mat because I wanted the comfort. Usually I try to buy midrange priced gear because it fills the bill without excessive cost. However in that case I wanted the comfort and was willing to pay for it.

I appreciate learning about new things. Thanks for sharing.

Very nice, should last a lifetime, any worries about that color being hot? I had a darker tent once and its was a oven if you couldn't find shade and the wind was calm, never again!

I'd love to see it at a wing night sometime - thanks for sharing... when is the inaugural trip?

Ragged: I honestly don't know and I know exactly what you are talking about-- trying to take a mid-day nap in a dark tent is like stepping into the sauna. The thing opens up much wider allowing more airflow than most other tents I've had so ventilation is great. Because of the diagonally opposed doors you typically get good flow regardless of wind direction. Also I noticed at night when my son had his headlight on in the tent the glow was barely visible (tent was completely closed)-- it wasn't like a military blackout fly but it was drastically cut down compared to what I'm used to. So I'm hoping this translates to reducing the green house effect.

BWPaddler: First real inaugural trip will be the Tetons in a little over a month. First BWCA trip will be July. If I happen to make a wing night I'll definitely bring it.

quote jwilson: "Haven't seen one of these on here so I thought I'd share my new tent with you all. It was the only tent I could find that solved every flaw or pet peeve I had with every other tent I've owned or tried. Also the only tent I liked that functioned equally well winter or summer camping. In short I love this tent.

"

I am so jealous. :)

quote kanoes: "

quote yellowcanoe: "

quote RaisedByBears99: "

quote jeroldharter: "

quote RaisedByBears99: "Hmmm. $810.00





That's a lot. Better be good.




"

You get what you pay for. That is a demanding set of features for someone who spends a lot of time in a tent.




"

That's true. Still, that's about what I paid for my Snowtrekker tent and titanium wood stove together (not that you could get it for that today). Still, lots of money for a tent."

That tent is one of the few that you could use on the tundra too without its getting ripped to shreds. The average BWCA tent would be soon rags.



On a cost per use basis and for versatility in many environments, Hillebergs are hard to beat. But you do have to look at your tent differently ..as an investment rather than a good."

and the average canoe tripper doesnt go to the tundra."

As always kanoes you are absolutely correct. However I think the point was that this tent could take tundra type conditions while many of the popular tents on this site couldn't. Maybe not critical during my summer BWCA trips but this could be very serious during some of my winter trips and I don't plan my trips around the weather.

I'd also like to point out that most on this board would agree the CCS Tundra tarps are about as good as it gets and many many people recommend these for BWCA usage-- why would I possibly want a tarp whose name indicates it is "tundra condition tough" for BWCA camping? I'd want it for the same reason I want my Staika, because it is tundra tough.

The Tundra tarps have such a great reputation mainly due to CCS using quality components throughout, most important of which is sil-nylon instead of PU nylon. The Staika also uses quality components throughout and also is sil-nylon in construction. Tear strength on either of these products is much higher than the average tarp or tent-- hence the tundra toughness. Ruggedness also equates to longevity and ability to withstand abuse.

Only reason I posted my Staika was because no one else had ever put up this style of tent (or even a cheaper similar tent like the Marmot Nusku) and I wanted to add something new to the stockpile of invaluable information I find on this board. No, you won't find me yelling "Staika" every time a person asks for a tent recommendation though most of you do throw Tundra Tarps out every-time someone asks for a tarp recommendation. Price wise I think they are both in the same category-- very pricey but you get your money's worth in value. I bought it for the same reason most of you would buy a CCS Tundra Tarp-- it is in my opinion the best of the best and worth the price.

I am sure you will like you Staika. I looked at that tent real hard and bought the Saivo a few weeks ago. I thought I wanted the 1800 kerlon fabric. Probably overkill as my Atko has the 1200 and works just fine. I have only used the Saivo on a St. Croix trip and at wingnight. The Hilleberg quality is unequaled and is worth every penny. I would love to hear how the Staika performs in some tough conditions. We are taking the Saivo to basecamp on the Grand Teton in July and might see some tough conditions, but probably nothing real bad. Nice tent, thanks for sharing!!

whiteh20 I did just the opposite, I was set on a Saivo or Tarra for almost 2 years but ended up going with the Staika. I discovered through some other tent styles I tried out (Marmot Asgard/Nusku) that I personally really favored side door style tents over end door style. The Saivo almost had me though-- great tent hope you enjoy.

Sounds like a rugged tent. Thank you.