Integral to Hilleberg’s philosophy is the idea that tents should be rigorously function-first. Avid outdoorsman and company founder Bo Hilleberg found himself continually frustrated by tents that required a complicated, multi-step pitching process. He envisioned a tent with linked inner and outer tents that could be pitched simultaneously and so, together with his wife Renate, who had the skills to sew his vision, created that solution.
From this very first innovation, Hilleberg has continued to make highly functional tents that offer any user a high degree of both safety and comfort. All Hilleberg solutions are literally born in the wilderness, a process which began with Bo – who drew on his experiences with the Swedish military and as a forester as the inspiration for his designs – and continues today as a hallmark of the Hilleberg brand.
By keeping their sole focus on tents and shelters, Hilleberg is able to dedicate a great deal of effort into perfecting even the smallest details of their products. And, they are constantly reevaluating and updating their models to ensure optimal performance overall. All tents go through months, and often years, of extensive testing before reaching production, and every feature of every model is placed very intentionally, with functionality being the highest priority. In addition, Hilleberg owns and operates their own factory in Estonia, close to their Swedish headquarters, so they have full quality oversight throughout the production process, and all of their tents are set up and inspected at the factory before being shipped out.
By upholding very high quality standards and using only the strongest materials available, Hilleberg builds tents that will last many years of use – a key component to how the company works sustainably. On top of this, they are always looking to find fabrics, fittings and other tent components with the least environmental impact possible and which won’t sacrifice any function. Another big piece of their sustainability workis their repair capability. Both their own in-house repair specialists and a network of trained repair contractors can perform everything from minor fixes to full repairs, a service which both reduces the company’s overall environmental impact and increases the tents’ longevity.
The fabric Hilleberg uses for all their outer tents, called Kerlon, is a Ripstop Nylon which has a total of three coatings of silicone. Not only is it extremely strong, very light and waterproof, it also has a significantly higher tear strength than many other so-called “expedition grade” ripstop nylons and siliconized fabrics and, if punctured, is far less likely to develop into a trip-ending slash. This fabric is one of the defining features of Hilleberg’s Label System, which they use to categorize their tents and clearly define their intended performance range.
Black Label tents have a Kerlon 1800 outer tent fabric with an excellent tear strength of 18 kg, and use 10 mm poles. These are Hilleberg’s most versatile tents, offering the greatest strength, ease of use and comfort in all seasons. Because they have the most features and highest overall durability, they are fit for extremely demanding conditions as well as less challenging ones where the user simply wants the most comfortable tent that will last for a long time.
Red Label tents have a lighter weight yet still very strong Kerlon 1200 outer tent fabric with a remarkable 12 kg tear strength, and they use 9 mm poles. They are also all-season tents, and are built for all but the very most demanding conditions, where a lighter weight is a greater priority than absolute strength. The balance of these traits lends very well to a variety of trips and environments, and makes them great tents for all-around use in any season.
The Yellow Label is home to Hilleberg’s tents for snow-free use only, and uses their lightest Kerlon 1000 outer tent fabric and the same 9 mm poles as in Red Label models. These tents are very strong with an impressive fabric tear strength of 8 kg, and offer an excellent lightweight solution for both summer and shoulder season trips.
Finally, the Blue Label encompasses Hilleberg’s specialized group tents, which use differing outer tent fabrics and poles depending on their specific role. They provide excellent space for group gathering, either as the primary shelter or a secondary space during large group trips.
This Label system serves to simplify the Hilleberg range so users are better able to choose a tent fit for their trips. People who choose Hilleberg tents are discerning. They are just as likely to be professional adventurers as they are to be those who take weekend trips with family. What connects them is their demand for the highest quality gear, their understanding that attention to detail is crucial to that quality and, above all, their passion for the outdoors.
As dedicated backcountry explorers themselves, Hilleberg recognizes the importance of safety in the backcountry. All their tents, no matter the Label, are built with added strength and features and so can handle the worst possible conditions within the tent’s specified range. If the weather changes unexpectedly or if a trip lasts longer than intended, then having this built-in margin of safety becomes a necessity and, regardless of the trip, provides peace of mind.
Hilleberg believes not in building the lightest tents, but that building the strongest tents at a light weight offers a far better solution for backcountry travel, for any user. Riding out truly bad weather with minimal protection can be miserable, if not downright dangerous. But with a wholly dependabletent, the outdoors is an enjoyable place to be, no matter the conditions. This Hilleberg standard of comfort is not a luxury, but rather a key component of a tent – and a reliable shelter – that can be used for anyone’s adventures, anywhere in the world.
Over 50 years of experience, knowledge and history go into everything Hilleberg does. By keeping their company family-owned and reasonably managing its growth, they are able to maintain quality in every aspect of what they do, from how they build their products, to the work environment for their workers, and the relationships with everyone they work with, from retail partners, to suppliers, to customers themselves.
Contact
Phone: +46 (0)63 57 15 50
Fax: +46 (0)63 57 15 65
Address:
Hilleberg the Tentmaker AB
SE-832 21 Frösön
Sweden
Leave a Reply