By: Matt | Last updated June 4, 2019 
It is not easy to choose a backpacking tent, especially if you are a newbie in buying such outdoor items and you don’t really know what to look for. As a backpacker, you have to think of your tent as being your home away from home, so it is only natural to want it to be comfortable and to keep you protected from the elements.
Aspects to consider when choosing a tent
- The capacity of the tent (there are tents for 1, 2, 3, 4 people, family size and more)
- When you are going to use the tent; you can choose between 2-season tents (which are mostly used during summer/the dry season), 3-season tents (can cope with mostly any season except the winter, when the temperatures are extremely low and it is snowing) and 4-season tents (you can use them all year long)
- The shape of the tent: there are a lot of models out there, from dome shaped tents to tepees, tunnel tents and more
- The weight of the tent; if you know you are not using a bike or a car for your outdoor adventures, you might want to consider lighter tents, because carrying your tent by foot can really wear you down after a while
- The material of the tent; polyester, nylon and cotton are the most common ones
- Water resistance
- Other features such as a vestibule for more storage space, pockets, a rainfly, etc.
Hilleberg Niak - Is it a good option to consider?
The Niak tent from Hilleberg is a 3-season tent for 2 people, although some might find it a bit cramped for two. However, if you are using it just for yourself, it can be more than luxurious in terms of space.
Hilleberg is a Swedish tent producer and the company has been around since ‘71. Hilleberg has an American division, too, located in Seattle.
Hilleberg tents are renowned for their light weight yet very durable construction and the Niak model makes no exception.
The Niak has a packed weight of 3.7 pounds and a minimum weight of 3.3 pounds. The minimum weight refers only to the inner/outer tent and the poles.
The Niak comes in 3 available colors, green, red or sand and it is a dome shaped tent, with a self-supporting design. That makes it extremely easy and quick to set up, thanks to its 2 cross-poles (9mm) that easily go into the sleeves. You do have to peg the vestibule though.
Features and setting up the Niak
The Hilleberg Niak is made of Kerlon 1000 nylon (outer fabric) and has a 12.000 mm floor that will keep you dry even in extremely wet conditions, when it is pouring outside. It has one door and one vestibule, but that is plenty of space for storing your backpacks, boots, etc., or for other purposes.
Setting up the tent is a 5-minute job and you need 8 to 10 stakes if you want to make the tent as stable as possible.
There are two options when it comes to the inner tent: you can go for the full mesh or the solid walls model. Consider the first option if ventilation is a priority for you and you want to minimize condensation. Either way, the tent is breathable enough and the large door allows plenty of air to get in. Not to mention the view it can offer you, but that also depends in what kind of scenery you are going to use it.
In terms of comfort, as we’ve already mentioned it, Hilleberg describes this model as being a 2-person tent. However, in our opinion it would be more comfortable for just one person, or maybe a grown up and a child, a person and their dog or something like that. The Niak feels more like a one person and a half tent than a 2-person one. Another downside of putting two people in the Niak is the fact that there’s only one door, which might make it a bit difficult to get in and out of the tent without bothering your tent mate.
Hilleberg offers several accessories for the Niak tent. You can also purchase additional poles and pole holders, a footprint, pegs and a mesh inner tent.
The price of the Niak without these accessories is around $750, which might be the main drawback of this otherwise beautiful and high quality tent. However, considering its quality, durability and features, we are pretty sure you are going to get your money’s worth.
