All camping and hiking enthusiasts want their gear to last as long as possible. Being able to rely on your equipment is one of the most important things whether you’re camping, hiking, or practicing your bushcraft. Arguably the most important piece of your gear would be your shelter.
Unfortunately, not all tents are created equal and some of them last longer than others. However, if you are looking for a tent to last you ten years or more, most people opt for a Hilleberg tent.
Most people believe that because Hilleberg tents are so expensive they’ll last longer. These people are somewhat correct in that assumption. While Hilleberg tents do last longer, it is not because of their pricing, well, at least not directly. Hilleberg tents get their legendary durability because they are made with the sturdiest materials out there.
Hilleberg tents can last up to 20 years, depending on where and in what conditions you like to camp. These are some of the most durable tents out there, and they are designed to withstand rough weather and abusive conditions. A Hilleberg tent will last you longer if you take care of it properly.
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Factors Affecting How Long Will a Hilleberg Tent Last
How long your Hillebeg tent will last will depend on various factors. Factors like the tent type, your camping preferences as well as the conditions you encounter on your camping adventure will all affect your tent’s longevity.
What Kind of Tent Did You Get?
While Hilleberg tents are much more durable than regular silnylon tents they too have a limited lifespan, it is just much longer than your average tent. However, the lifespan of your Hilleberg tent will depend on what type you get.
The Swedish tentmaker manufactures four types of Kerlon fabric (exclusive for this tentmaker), which have different water resistance, tear strength, and insulation levels.
- Blue Label – these tents are designed for mountaineering expeditions and you’ll rarely find them in commercial use. With this in mind, it’s not a good idea to talk about the longevity of these tents, because they are not used often enough (no one goes on expeditions every week) and they are designed to deal with some of the most brutal conditions on this planet. So, they’ll definitely last you a few decades.
- Black Label – these are the tents most people refer to when they mention Hilleberg tents. Black Label tents are made using Kerlon 1800 which can withstand 40 pounds of force without being torn, and they have a special, reinforced floor that is virtually puncture-proof.
- Red Label – are the second most commonly purchased type of tents from this manufacturer. As the Black Label tents, they are 4-season tents designed to survive rough weather, and resistant to water and tears. The fabric used is slightly lighter than the one used in Black Label tents and it is slightly less durable. However, this doesn’t mean that Red Label tents will not last just as much. With proper care and maintenance, these tents can last for 20 years.
- Yellow Label – meant for camping in warmer and dry weather. Don’t let that fool you, though. These tents are still super durable, they’re just made for conditions that are less extreme. Kerlon 1000 can still take up to 18 pounds of tear force.
Choosing the tougher fabrics will definitely increase your tent’s lifespan, but it will also make it heavier. You’ll need to decide for yourself what is the best balance of durability and weight for your particular camping needs.
How Often You Go Camping?
Apart from how well you treat your tents, the frequency of your camping trips is the most dominant factor that will determine how long your Hilleberg tent lasts. Camping at least once a week can reduce the lifespan of your Hilleberg tent. This reduction won’t be that significant, but it will still make your tent last a bit less.
Don’t misunderstand, tents are made to be used and you shouldn’t keep your Hilleberg tent in storage just so you could boast it lasted a few years longer. This being said, using literally anything every week will shorten its lifespan – from your smartphone to your shower.
On average, tents tend to last 5 years of heavy usage before they give out. It is the general consensus of campers and hikers worldwide that Hilleberg tents last at least twice as that. Now you can get the idea about why they’re so exacerbatingly expensive.
Where You Go Camping?
The locations you chose as your camping spots will have an effect on how well your tent stands up to the test of time.
Constantly camping on rough terrain, in damp forests, and sandy beaches can shorten how long your Hilleberg tent will last. Additionally, if you like setting up your shelter on rocky ground or a forest floor that’s covered in twigs and brush, your tent is more likely to get torn or pierced by debris.
While tents aren’t allowed everywhere, they are still the best type of shelter when you’re camping in cold or rough weather conditions. This is why tents tend to get ripped, pierced, and torn.
Tents are usually put to the test quite seriously when camping, and while these things can decrease the life of your Hilleberg tent, the tents from this manufacturer are designed to withstand the conditions you’ll encounter when camping.
What Conditions Do You Encounter When Camping?
Another important factor influencing how long your Hilleberg tent will last is the weather you’ll be camping in. While most tents are designed to work in rough weather, they are not completely immune to it.
Camping in blizzards and heavy snow often will effectively decrease the expected life of any tent by almost half. Luckily, Hilleberg tents are extremely durable and well made, which means they’re affected by the conditions, but to the same degree as most other tents.
Along with this, camping in high humidity might shorten your tent’s life span by degrading the tent fly, the tent floor, as well as cordage.
Do You Have Any Additional Equipment?
When used properly, additional equipment can prolong the expected life of your Hilleberg tent. If you have dry bags to keep the tent in after you pack it, this will decrease the humidity damage to your shelter.
In addition to this, a tent footprint on the outside of your Hilleberg tent will protect the floor from punctures and rips, helping your tent last well over a decade.
How Can I Increase the Lifespan of My Tent?
It’s not difficult to make your tent last longer! All you need to do is care how you use it and where you deploy it. Remember, your gear will treat you only as good as you treat it.
- Don’t wear shoes inside the tent – this is the most common reason why people tear up their tent floors. While shoes are dangerous, they’re not the main reason by themselves – it’s all the small rocks and stones stuck in your soles that make holes in the tent floor.
- Clean the tent – once you’re done sleeping in your Hilleberg tent, don’t just stuff it into the tent bag. First, let it dry (or wipe it), then clean it from twigs, rocks, and dust, before finally folding it and packing it up.
- Leave the mud outside – Don’t track mud into the tent. Make sure you either clean your shoes before entering the tent or take them off completely.
- Don’t leave food in the tent – While having a snack in the tent is nice it attracts many insects that will gladly eat through the tent fabric to get to the delicious crumbles you left inside.
Why Are Hilleberg Tents So Durable?
Hilleberg has been on the market for a long time now (since 1971) and their methods of tent manufacture are well-known and renowned.
They incorporate tradition, a meticulous approach, and a problem-solving attitude in all of the tents. Couple that with the best possible materials out there and you get some extremely durable tents.
- Fabrics – all of the fabrics used are coated with 3 layers of silicone and tear-resistant, waterproof, and UV treated
- Poles – the poles are Featherlite and designed to withstand gale-force winds
- Reinforced stitching – all seams are reinforced and sealed against water
- YKK zippers – the toughest zippers out there
The attention to detail and the supreme durability are what makes the Hilleberg tents last longer than others. The manufacturers claim the tent can last up to 20 years, and there are people who’ve confirmed this. However, for avid campers who use them for weeks on end, without a break, in various conditions, the number is closer to 12 years.
Probably the most effective way to determine the longevity of tents is to look for the pricing on used tents. The ones that cost more will be the ones that last longer. Well, Hilleberg tents are still worth a lot of money even when they’re used and you can find some used tents still looking well and still worth a pretty penny.
Finally, the Hilleberg team claims that they can repair their tents to make them last even longer. All you need to do is send your tent to them and they’ll fix it (not for free, you’ll need to pay to have your tent fixed). They even claim that they can fix tents clawed by bears, eaten by mice, gored by reindeer, and even crushed by seals. So, if you’ve got your heart set on restoring your 15-year-old, beat up Hilleberg tent – you can.
