Hi there people. I have a wee question for Hilleberg Akto owners,

I bought one of these tents earlier in the summer and have used it on a fair few wild camps but only during the summer months. The thing is that I'm quite keen on getting some wild camps in the hills in during the winter months but am not sure of the Akto's suitability in standing up to high winds and poor winter weather as I have only used it in clement weather - has anyone on here got any experience of using the Akto in winter weather?

I've been using an Akto for about 5-6 years and it, by preference, my winter tent. However, there are one or two things you should bear in mind. The Akto isn't designed for extreme conditions. It works well in low level stormy weather but if you're planning on camping on the likes of the Cairngorm Plateau in winter then make sure the weather forecast is not for extreme weather. The other point to remember is that the Akto is prone to condensation build-up if you seal all the doors. The air flow flaps at either end work reasonably well but I personally only ever zip up the flysheet door when the weather is really foul or when I want some privacy - eg in a campsite.

Agree with Cameron. I'd be happy to use my Akto lower down the mountain especially in winter. I haven't had snow on mine, but I believe I recall Chris T saying it sheds it quite well.

Thanks for the information guys. I'm hoping to use my Akto soon for a wild camp but I'll make sure its in a sheltered pitch. Thats a good idea of Cameron's - only zipping up the fly sheet when its foul weather, I've found the Akto a bit claustrophobic and I'll definately try having the fly sheet opened to see if I prefer that. Also I think its better if you get a view out the tent door while in the sleeping bag.

Yes, snow does slide off the Akto flysheet easily. However heavy snow can build up on the ends of the tent and needs to be knocked off regularly.

Like Cameron I only close the flysheet door when absolutely necessary. The same applies to the inner door, which I only close to keep midges out. I also always leave the end vents unzipped unless snow is blowing in.

The last time it snowed on my akto i woke up to find the inner tent pressed against my face, it had not shed the snow at all. I think what caused it was that with the snow being quite wet the tent fabric had stretched as it does in the rain which meant that the guy lines were not tight. had i known that it was snowing i could have got up and tightened things up but i was asleep.
andy