Hilleberg Akto - A quality, dependable backpacking tent for Scotland and abroad
My Akto tent on the summit of Ben Lui in the West Highlands of Scotland on a mild December evening, pitched gratefully on the only suitable ground I could find.
When backpacking, your tent is your primary shelter from the elements. The best tents inspire confidence and offer more than just protection from wind and rain. Weight, space and ease of use all matter when your home is on your back and you’re several hours from the nearest road, seeking shelter in inclement conditions. Hilleberg’s Akto tent I’d propose is a great balance of all four of these attributes, for me a total ‘Goldilocks’ tent for backpacking in all seasons (as in it’s never too much tent, but never too little).
My Hilleberg Akto tent has seen regular use for wild camping in Summer, Spring and Autumn in Scotland but also in the French Alps, Spain’s Sierra Nevada range and both Chilean and Argentine Patagonia. I’ve also used it for Scottish Winter backpacking plus as a Scottish Winter base camp tent when the weather was relatively benign. (A proviso being If it’s overly stormy I’ll likely take a Macpac Minaret, simply because it is bigger and stronger).
What I like about the Hilleberg Akto
Weight - At 1.7kg use weight, it’s relatively lightweight (my Macpac Minaret for example weighs 2.4kg). You can buy backpacking tents from other manufacturers that are much lighter but there’s a trade-off I’d propose against usability and durability.
Capacity - I’m 6’2” in height and with 225cm space length-wise inside there’s more than sufficient room for me to lie down with space either end. It’s therefore great for reasonably tall people. It also has a huge, very usable porch.
Breathability - Pre-purchase, I’d read that condensation was a problem with the inner tent but with the zips wide open at each end of the tent I’ve never had a problem.
Versatility - A base Akto comes with a single 9mm pole, which is ideal for three-season use. The sleeve accommodates a second 9mm pole, which I’ll consider for Winter base camps and Hilleberg offers a bespoke 10mm pole which I’ve found to be ideal for Winter backpacking.
Pitching - Pitches really easily and quickly with the fly and inner together but the inner can be separated if you need to keep it as dry as possible.
Packability - Hilleberg provides a stuff sack with the tent that is over-sized. This may seem a small thing but I’ve likely mentioned to companions on every single trip how easy it is to get the tent back into its stuff sack in the morning.
What I’d like to see changed
Outside door - Despite many attempts, the part of the flysheet that forms the door of my tent won’t stay rolled up. Apparently this is a result of user error (see Petra Hilleberg’s instructions about folding the door on the Hilleberg Akto) but even following these instructions my door won’t stay rolled up. It’s highly frustrating and I always have to be mindful of it from a safety perspective when I’m using my stove.
Larger O-rings for the corner pegs, which won’t fit a wider winter peg (e.g. MSR snow stakes). I’ve attached a loop of cord to each corner. (I’ve also replaced all the metal zips with thin cord to remove a small amount of weight, following a tip provided in this Hilleberg tent weight-saving video from Outdoor Intrigue).
Two-way zip on the inner tent - I’ll alternate my head position depending on the ground on which I’ve camped and it would be nice not to have to lean all the way forward if I’m sleeping with my head at the ‘foot’ end.
Pockets - There’s a handy, small pocket sewn into the inner (which I find useful for e.g. glasses case or a power bank). I’d prefer a second pocket at the other end of the tent though, and for it to be larger.
Drying line - My Macpac Minaret has the means to be able to thread cord from one side of the tent to the other, which is useful for e.g. hanging up socks to help them dry.
The first bullet I’d propose is the only one that would make me look for a different tent. I’ve no plans to though.
Alternatives
Tarptent Scarp 1 - Lighter and with optional cross poles for Winter protection (making it freestanding), plus customisable floor space. Slightly shorter in length (inner) but it’s wider and is to said to be able to accomodate two people.
Fjällräven Abisko Lite 1 - A tunnel tent from another Swedish manufacturer, somewhat similar in shape, size and weight to the Akto but with a lighter-weight outer fabric and different ventilation options. There’s a comparison of the Abisko tent versus the Akto by Andrew Park Outdoors.
Don’t need a four season tent? A lighter version of the Akto, designed for three-seasons, would be the Hilleberg Ena. For super-light tents, check out Terra Nova’s Laserlite series. More affordable options would be the Wild Country brand, also from Terra Nova (e.g. their Halny Elite tent or a previous Zephyros model which is discontinued in 2026 but should still available on eBay) or Vango’s Helium 1 tent, both of which I’d suggest are worthy of consideration - just not for Winter.