Chris Townsend reviews the Hilleberg Niak as part of his review of the best solo tents for 2022
The Niak is in Hilleberg’s Yellow label series, designed for three-season use. Even so it’s probably the most suitable tent reviewed for severe weather. The flysheet has a high hydrostatic head, the groundsheet a phenomenal 12,000mm one, ten times that of some of the groundsheets in other tents.
In design the Hilleberg Niak is a two-pole dome that opens along one side. It goes up as a unit and pitching is quick and easy. It only requires one peg, for the vestibule, to stand but it’s obviously wise to peg out the corners and guylines.
The flysheet is raised slightly at each end and the inner door is mesh for ventilation, which is why this isn’t a tent for use in blizzards – snow could blow in. In strong winds, the Hilleberg Niak flexes a little but isn’t noisy and feels secure.
Hilleberg describes the Niak as a hybrid between a solo and two-person tent. There is room for two, but one person has no access to the door or vestibule without climbing over the other. For one it’s very roomy with space for your pack and gear inside. Headroom is good too and steeply angled walls means it’s still quite high at the ends. The porch is big enough for footwear and any wet gear and for careful cooking.
As usual with Hilleberg the Niak is beautifully made. This is a lovely tent. It needs to be, as the price is very high. It should prove very durable though. The weight is quite high too, but for that you get masses of space.
If weight isn’t significant and cost no object and you want a comfortable roomy tent that could sleep two at times, or perhaps an adult and a child or a dog then the Niak would be a great choice.
Read more: 9 of the best solo tents for 2022 reviewed
