Southern Uplands | Solo Wild Camp | Cold & Windy | Helm Compact 1 | 2022 

Great video.Thanks for sharing it.

That looked like a lot of fun Dave, Thanks for the video and steering me to this channel from your camera review one.

nice trip. and a great new tent. The Helm 1 is excellent.

Cracking tent! I absolutely love mine!

Good stuff Dave, nice new tent , totally agree about the head room in the akto . I still have one , i dont fancy 14 odd winter hours stuck in it but i'll need to get it back out in the summer . I'm waiting a Doumid at the momment , another to add to the collection lol ..cheers Stevie

Looks like you made a good purchase Dave! I'll have to look at your last video with the mc-flappy Akto 🤗 It's a flappy one for sure!! Looks like you enjoyed your night out on the hills when tucked up in your quilt...I could imagine that wind chill on my face!!

Aw nooo! All the respected RU-vidrs getting this tent - Messener, Hardy Tempest and now you to name 3 off the top of my head - going to have to save my pennies as you’re all saying it’s fit for the job 👍🏻 I spent one night in my Akto recently on a rainy night - I swear the inside was wetter than the outside in the morning. Fed up with it. Why can’t they sort out the condensation issues? Enjoyed your film here, thanks for sharing 🙂

Solid bit of kit Dave, just goes to show you don't need to spend a fortune on a decent three season tent!👍👍

Great to see the tent in those windy conditions Dave. Backing up what I think about some mid priced tents. Looked cold up there. Atb Gary

As a similar age gent the ability to sit upright was #1 when I got a replacement bikepacking tent last year, but at 6’2” I probably had a more limited choice. Very pleased with the Vango Helium 1 I got.

Great video, I have the compact 1, i love this tent!

I have the Helm 1 and bought it just before the first lockdown, although I think it was the old model as I got it new but real cheap. Nice bit of protection from the wind with the stone wall and I love the way the tent goes all up in one, nice and quick. Must admit I have been spoilt with the £1 Look What We Found meals, had a few of them now and all of them have been dam tasty. Sounds like the Helm 1 passed the test, early days yet but fingers crossed you stay happy with it, cheers Alan

I went the same way, just sold my Drift 1 and my Scarp 1, had an old Helm 1 loved it, found myself using regularly, now bought helm 1 compact, works well, enjoyed your views on it. Cheers.

it does look a good tent and i personally think having head room is quite important, especially in winter when you are in the tent a long time

Good stuff Dave, that wall’s been your saviour a few times now ha ha… Love the Moffat area and the Helm 1, a proper Ford Fiesta of the hills. Nothing pretentious, easily affordable for the everyman and solid as a rock. Just give in to it 😊I also drive a Fiesta, say no more 👍

I bought this tent earlier this year, still haven’t used it. Great video. 🎥

Bloody hell Dave. I felt cold just watching that. New tent looks tidy 👍. ATB pal.

Nice camp Dave The Akto is a great tent but as you say very flappy. I have a Terra nova laser thats is very flappy too. I must sat the Wild country looks a great Winter tent. I need a nice winter tent with 4 seasson inner. Sandy

Great tent choice - love mine . My own AKTO is redundant for the same reasons .

Seen lots of reviews and people using thsi tent so nice to see how you get on with it. Actually decided to buy one myself for an upcoming long distance winter hike to see myself what all the fuss is about :) Atb

Nice one Dave! I’m watching you camping. And I’m camping in my helm 1 on the South Downs 😄👍

awsome Dave tad windy mate lovely tent mate like them tfsu atb Bryan 🙂

Haha I've won a coconut.(guessed right)😂great choice dave.doesn't take long for anybody with a bit savvy to realise the value on offer.they seem to make a batch &they sell out very quickly.been top of my list for a while (need to get my mojo back) look forward to a longer term review 👍take care.

Belting tent for the money the helm compact 1. Definitely the best bang for your buck 🙂 Looked a good camp too. I've hidden being many walls over time and sometimes it just makes a load of sense ☺️ Adge.

Nice wee trip out there and a good tent choice. I've got the Helm Compact 2 as I have to fit two Border Collies in as well! It's a great tent though. I love it.

Nice one Dave move the expensive Swedish nylon on to the all-the-gear-no-idea types they'll snap it up!😁😄 Excited to see what you bought next...👍🍺

The only problem with the Helm 1 is it’s popularity , becoming the Banshee now. That being said it’s hardly surprising considering how good it is for the money. There’s a new model coming soon though…… Great video as always Hardy

Yip enjoyed this nothing like setting up a metal camera for utube exposed to ridge line winter bite. Fun. I am pleased to say bought the helm 1 compact earlier this year and quite sympathise with your observations except was little surprised you found it bit blowie. To increase wind resistance of structure even further Ive added 2 long guylines to the exposed pole cross over point on v top of tent. That there are so many additiinal guyline options was another positive point for me. Thx for posting and thx for getting in the LNT messaging so reliably. I really appreciate it.

I wonder if the condensation problem with the Akto is something to do with newer models? My old tent has never had a problem with condensation, above that of any other tent. I do agree though, headroom is a pain in the 'arris especially in winter. I can't justify a new tent atm, but I'm going to be interested to follow your journey, I might be tempted in the future.

Hi. LOVE. LOVE. CAMPING. VIDEO.

Good morning Dave, seems like a wise choice that Helm 1, I've got a TeraNova Wild country Zephyros 1, I was selling it on ebay as I hardly ever used it then changed my mind... so easy to pitch as one with inner attached, warm as anything too... a bit tight on space especially headroom but I sort of like it, seems bullet proof in the 10 times or so I've slept in it. My mate Will has the older style helm 1 and he managed to split the sleeve where the overhead pole goes!! So watch out for that 👍

Been pondering getting one of these Compact 1 tents - you have just tipped me to buy it now - got it directly from Terra Nova for £147 . I look forward to my trial !

superb little tents those helms dave ive seen pauls up close & although it may be a bit small for me length wise they look great tents for the money..shows you dont have to pay hilleberg money if you choose the conditions sensibly..

Good looking tent Dave. Everything I hear about the HC1 is positive. Will this be your go to winter tent or will you mix it up? Once again, a wall comes to the rescue👍. After my recent camps I might just camp next to a wall on all my winter camps......I need a long break from the wind! ATB mate.

The Helm one is a really nice tent, especially at that price. Atb Darren

Great video Dave. My Dad has the Helm Compact 1 and has had it out in very bad wind and rain and it’s been champion. I had my first night in my new Duomid (SiNylon) on Monday night at Angle Tarn. It was really bad wind and rain so it got a good test. I’m used the inverted V pole set up and it was solid!!! I think the single Pole set up is even more stable. Do you Not rate the Duomid in wind, is that why you went for the Akto and then Helm compact 1. Love you videos mate. Thank you 👍

Great video Dave. I’ve never really understood all the fuss about the Akto. Although it’s a 4 season shelter head space is not great. In Winter you need that extra space. Like the look of the Helm Crag 1 Dave. ATB - Simon

This tent seems to be popping up everywhere on my RU-vid channels at the moment… I do really like this tent though, and almost brought one a few months back! But I decided I wanted a true 4-season shelter, one that could also stand up in a hurricane, so I brought the Nordisk Svalbard-1 PU instead.. and I already had a 1-man “3 season” shelter in the form of the Alpkit Soloist XL. However, my budget Mountain Warehouse Dome-2 is still my favourite for wild camping in, as it has so much room inside but it’s purely a 2-season shelter, because the whole of the inner is mesh.. This is how I first started out (now clocked up 23 nights solo) wild camping with this one back in January of this year, I’ve done sub zero nights in it with sub standard sleeping mats/bags, never again 🥶 lol.

Hi,did you say you sold on your Hilleberg,I’ve been watching a lot of you tubers using Hillebergs to the point of if I get back into cycle camping I would buy one but the price tag is frightening compared to your Helm 1,thanks for the video & test on a much better priced bit of kit,atb Colin P.

Nice Dave, just sold my Akto after 3 consecutive nights. Prefer my Fjallraven Abisko Lite 2.

I have the Helm 1 & 2, although not the compact versions. I'd suggest they give the best bang for your buck out there.

Could you wrap the guy lines around the red poles for extra support? Not sure if this tent allows for that.

Nice one dave. So you swapped the akto for the helm. I always think of you camping behind a wall when I’m pitching but there are far fewer walls in the north of Scotland to hide behind it seems. Gordon

I've been looking at the Helm2 for a month or so now Dave, prices are very good - but I've always fell shy of pressing that buy button so it's great to see you got a Helm 1. Maybe you can help, I'd trust your opinion. The clips on the fly that attach to the red pole - how tight are the clips on the pole? And the head and foot end of the fly appear to bow in quite easily at ground level either side of the main pole, but I know a couple of well placed tarp clips would solve that. Did you notice the inner bending in much at the head and foot ends? Looked quite close to the top of your quilt at the foot end. I shan't say anything about the Akto. 🙄 Great vid and yip, it sounded brutal over the other side of the wall.

Nice camp, Been looking at that tent seems popular, Only thing is, how long is the inner at a height of 8cm ? Is it enough for me at 6’3” if you get a min next time take a tape ! Camping food ideal in bad weather it’s just dear Cheers

Good decision Dave. You can build up an amazing 'Wardrobe' of tents by buying cheaper. Lots more choices for when you get bored using the 'same old' all the time. I gave up buying expensive DCF tents/shelters way back. Much better having ten tents than one LOL. S Uplands can be a cruel place this time of year..😫.atb from llama-ladee-anny👍

Shivering just watching this 🥶Looks a nice tent that. Can’t see any reason why it won’t be solid through winter with the cross poles, and a bit of change left over from the Akto is a bonus as well! Can I ask you what’s the make of that thermometer? Cheers Sean.

Hello Dave! Appreciate your video for the HC1. Im planning a multi day hike in Mt. Apo in the Philippines, it's the highest peak in the country and it constantly rains. I have been watching a lot of videos recently about which tent to buy and this one seems to be really good and it's not as expensive as the other top brands. In your opinion would it be alright to use in a tropical scenario? Thank you Nat

Well I’m happy to report that I too have now joined the ‘non-exclusive’ HC1 club!..😄 Couldn’t resist the sale price this time of £139, and money off the footprint as well! 🙈 I’m putting my Nordisk Svalbard-1 up for sale now, I do much prefer Dome style tents personally, especially freestanding ones! 👍🏻

the aluminium foil pad under the sleeping mat where did you get that and what was the cost. Thanks

An off beam question from me, please. I notice you had your meths burner on an upturned Cascade (?) table. What do you put under the burner to stop it melting the table?

I'd take the helm over the akto every time simply just for the ease of use and the room it gives ok it might not be as robust but I bet it's not far off just a bit more selective when pitching.

Atko's & Hilleberg tents in general definitely have a condensation problem that isn't really acknowledged in all the rave reviews they get.

Just come across your channel. Excellent. I've put a fell running comedy up on RU-vid which could keep you company on those cold dark nights. Might give you a giggle. Best wishes to you and your trips out.

Would this be good for me and two small spaniels or the Helm 2 a smarter choice??😊

Just got my Helm 1 as solo female wanted a good safe tent in case the wind gets crazy. I'm claustrophobic but the Helm 1 is ok as white colour and head room is good. Whats that quilt? Im a side sleeper i would love a warm quilt!

Dave, did you consider buying the Compact 2 given that it's only a tad heavier? Thanks. Atb.

What is the gadget you have on your right should strap?

Tent looks great, just the weight lets it down. Do you have a link or the name of your new thermometer?

Isn't wild camping in england illegal?

Was it cold ... You didn't mention bit 😂

Dave, great video as usual, apologies, I meant to press the like button but pressed dislike by mistake (age related error, both button are next to each other) I really enjoy ALL of your content, Regards David

Enjoy your helm compact 1 great tent very sturdy with next to no condensation use mine for bikepacking and backpacking. Nice video mate cracking hike in and out ATB ...colin.🏕🔥

Good one Dave. Nothing like using new gear. That tent looks pretty good 👍. ATB