Open main menu

Hilleberg Helags 3

rated 5.0 of 5 stars
photo: Hilleberg Helags 3 three-season tent

The Hilleberg Helags 3 is a three-season tent designed for groups looking for excellent protection in a lightweight package. Although a bit tight for three people and their gear, this tent has superb livability for two people (a Helags 2 is also available). Excellent ventilation combats condensation well in such a large tent. Two doors/two vestibules allow for plenty of gear, and a 35-inch/89cm center height works well for most hikers.

Pros

  • Spectacular strength-to-weight ratio
  • Straightforward design/easy pitch
  • Good ventilation/condensation management

Cons

  • Restricted livability for three people
  • Large overall footprint limits site selection
  • Head/foot entry not ideal for some people

As outdoor recreation is coming to an all-time high, a need for versatility can really come into play. Hilleberg has introduced a new line to its tents, and the Helags is quite the mobile home. Hilleberg proclaims: "Backpackers, paddlers, and bicycle tourers will all love its lightweight roominess, and since the Helags 3 weighs just 7oz (200g) more than the Helags 2, sizing up is an easy choice for those wanting even more comfort."

Those who are familiar with Hilleberg products tend to unanimously agree on at least one word—quality. The brand began in Sweden in 1971 and has been manufacturing premium tents and shelters since 1973. Bo Hilleberg, a Swedish forester, had a vision to make a product where the inner "tent" and outer rain fly could be pitched together, while still remaining "storm stable."

IMG_4764.jpg
Pleasant mornings in the Allegheny Front are hard to come by in late October

Hilleberg designed the Helags 3 to be "the ideal three person tent for mobile journeys in warmer conditions where the lowest weight is the highest priority."

IMG_4842.jpg

While being marketed as a three-person tent, livability is best as a two-person shelter.

Helags3-2D-EN-sm.jpg
Dimensions posted on Hilleberg's website

Setup/Ease of Use

The Helags 3 has several different configurations for the vestibule, however all arrangements are based on a three-pole assembly. The tunnel design can be set up with a minimum of four pegs at the vestibule doors. 

9158CA28-E033-49E1-A199-4BECE9B81FE4.jpg
The tent will stand after staking with only the center pole—engineering perfection

 

DSC01262.jpg
Configuration #1

 

DSC01275.jpg
Configuration #2

 

DSC02499.jpg
Configuration #3

 

DSC02525.jpg
The Helags 3 wide open

The Helags 3 is extremely intuitive, and easy to set up after the initial corners to the tent are secured. Once the tent poles are sleeved and inserted into their respective tensioner cup, a loop can easily be tensioned.  

IMG_4900.jpg
Deep tent pole cups allow no chance of accidental release

 

DSC02459.jpg
A simple lever-pull tensions the perimeter corners

The Helags tent line is patterned after the Kaitum four-season tents, but offering superior airflow. This is the primary feature that makes the Helags a three-season tent, made for "the snow-free times of the year."

Hilleberg has a label system for its products—"Red Label" tents, like the Kaitum, are Hilleberg's lighter weight four-season tent line. The Helags is categorized as a "Yellow Label," which are "engineered for warmer climates and for the snow-free months of the year." More can be read on the Hilleberg Label System HERE

DSC01275.jpg
Space for air to flow under the fly sides and vestibule

Ventilation

Initial testing (about six nights) has shown sufficient air exchange to prevent condensation build-up overnight. Temperature range during testing was approximately 20°F to about 55°F. Although there was no rain during testing, there was significant moisture from a high dew point which tested the Helags' capabilities. [If possible, additional testing will continue during favorable conditions in the winter (no snow), and into next spring and this review will be updated.]

One specific occasion to note was in the Dolly Sods Wilderness of West Virginia, when the Hilleberg Helags 3 was pitched along a stream in late October. 

IMG_4763.jpg
Visiting the North Forks of Red Creek in the Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia

Both vestibules can be opened to maximize ventilation, with the additional benefit of bringing the outdoor scenery into home. 

DSC02530.jpg
Plenty of air exchange in mild weather

Weather Resistance

Currently, the Helags 3 has not found inclement weather. Having used a Hilleberg Tarp 5 for well over thirty uses, the silicone treated ripstop Kerlon 1000 (the same fabric as the Helags 3) has not failed. More can be read on Hilleberg fabric specifications HERE. The Helags was designed primarily for rain protection, as the curved pattern along the bottom of the tent is not designed to prevent snow intrusion. 

 

Stability

The "tunnel style" tent design common with many Hilleberg tents, is touted by many to be among the most stable tents made. Testing during the autumn of 2021 in the mid-Atlantic USA has been extraordinarily mild—although not battered by wind and rain, it is easy to tell that this shelter can stand remarkably poor weather.  

With the vestibules pegged, the Helags 3 is incredibly fortified.

IMG_4897.jpg
All hardware is designed to last 

 

DSC01268.jpg
A taut pitch can be easily achieved before any guy lines are set

The outer guy lines must be used to stow the vestibules. This setup reduces structural integrity, but is intended for mild and warmer climate. 

DSC02526.jpg
The Helags 3 shown with 20"x36", 20"x70", 20"x70" sleeping pads

 

IMG_4841.jpg

Room & Storage

As stated by Hilleberg, the Helags 3 has "a good amount of room for two occupants and their gear." Also, "the two vestibule configuration results in an inner tent with vertical ends, near vertical sidewalls, and full sitting height throughout the tent."

Industry-wide, it can be agreed that the personnel capacity of a tent by its description is ambiguous. With the tent inner being 61 inches in width, three 20-inch sleeping pads can be accommodated. Storing three people’s gear, getting in/out of the shelter without being obtrusive, cooking during a storm are all completely different scenarios.

Hilleberg also offers a smaller available size in the Helags line, the Helags 2.

IMG_4849.jpg
Unloaded 65L pack to show vestibule storage capacity

Setting this aside, this tent is spectacular for two people to use—livability gets a perfect score, with the exception of extremely tall hikers. 

DSC02527.jpg
Seated, 5'10" leaves little headroom

With its two doors and vestibules, more than ample storage is available for trekking poles, footwear, packs, etc. 

IMG_4761.jpg

Features

The Helags 3 is teeming with features.

Coated on both sides, the silicone treated ripstop "Kerlon 1000 outer tent fabric makes for a supremely lightweight tent that is still quite strong."

IMG_4898.jpg
Close-up image of the Kerlon 1000 fabric, alongside a vestibule curtain stow

The tent inner has a "bathtub" type floor, which helps prevent precipitation from splashing in near the ventilation.   

DSC02506.jpg

 

Typical to most Hilleberg tents, the Helags 3 has a "linked but separable inner and outer tent for simultaneous pitching."

 

Helags-3D.jpg
This image from Hilleberg depicts the tent-in-tent design 

DAC Featherlite NSL GREEN poles are standard for most Hilleberg models. DAC, an aluminum tubing manufacturer, has developed a "green" anodizing process, which eliminates nitric and phosphoric acid use in production. 

DSC02556.jpg

DSC02550.jpg
The highest quality shock cord—built to last

 

 16 Y-Peg UL tent pegs are included. 

DSC02543.jpg
The included Y-Pegs are similar in holding power to MSR Groundhog stakes

 

IMG_4926.jpg

IMG_4924.jpg
Reflective panels are sewn on to the doors near guy line/entry points
IMG_4922.jpg
Guy lines are pre-installed, and easy to adjust

Both the Hilleberg Kaitum and Helags models offer an accessory mesh Inner tent which provides 360° views. 

HelagsKaitum-MeshInner-Alone-2472_sm.jpg
The accessory allows the tent poles to attach directly

"An optional footprint covers only the inner tent area and not the vestibule. It connects directly to the tent. and can be left attached during pitching." Neither of these accessories were tested, but could potentially add even more versatility to the tent.

Packability

The Helags 3 has separate storage bags for the tent body, poles, and pegs. Although this can easily be overlooked, the option to pack the tent poles on the exterior of a pack, keep a wet rain fly separated from other gear, and store dirty tent pegs is critical for gear hygiene. 

DSC02575.jpg
Although great separate storage, black peg bags can easily be misplaced

The tent body/rainfly can be compressed a significant amount more than the tent bag.

DSC02591.jpg
The main tent/fly can be compressed for significant volume savings

Construction & Durability

So far during the course of testing, the Helags 3 has shown first-rate quality. No signs of wear whatsoever were noted. It must be echoed that the caliber of Hilleberg’s products are unmatched. Hilleberg is easily the top brand found on expeditions from the Himalayan mountains, to Antarctica and beyond. 

IMG_4917.jpg
Hilleberg's Kerlon 1000 is highly tear-resistant

 

IMG_4766.jpg
A robust floor is puncture resistant, and highly water resistant 

Like the Hilleberg Staika and Tarp 5 (100+ nights) I've used, the Helags 3 is of the same excellent construction. From impeccable stitching to the absolute best quality hardware, I expect the Helags 3 will last for hundreds and hundreds of runs.

If looking for a lightweight, stable tent with maximum livability for two, a tent for sleeping for three, Hilleberg has made its mark with the Helags 3 tent. 

Conditions

The Hilleberg Helags 3 has been tested from October through December 2021 for approximately six nights in the mid-Atlantic USA—Dolly Sods Wilderness/Monongahela National Forest, and the Appalachian Trail in Maryland and Pennsylvania. If possible, additional testing will hopefully continue during favorable conditions in the winter (no snow), and into next spring. Temperature ranged from the upper 20°F mark, to about 55°F. No rain reported, and winds were relatively mild- gusts to about 25mph. 

Many images from this review are thanks to Dean Jankovic, a professional photographer based in Baltimore, Maryland. 

Background

I have personally tested many different size and capacity tents over the last few decades—the Hilleberg Staika, Hilleberg Tarp 5, along with many other styles of tents, tarps, and hammock systems.

Source: received for testing via the Trailspace Review Corps (Sample for testing and review provided by Hilleberg)

About the Author

Sean Van Cleve spends much of his free time as a backcountry guide in the mid-Atlantic USA. A certified Leave No Trace Trainer and Wilderness First Responder, Sean focuses on outdoor education with friends and clients alike. Whether it is recreational high-pointing, section hiking on the Appalachian Trail, or leading multi-day backcountry trips in West Virginia, practicing outdoor ethics is at the forefront of the experience—preserving the land for future generations. 

Your Review

Where to Buy

Help support this site by making your next gear purchase through one of the links above. Click a link, buy what you need, and the seller will contribute a portion of the purchase price to support Trailspace's independent gear reviews.

You May Like

Specs

Price MSRP: $1,065.00
Current Retail: $1,210.99
Historic Range: $1,065.00-$1,210.99
Minimum Weight 2.3 kg / 5 lbs 1 oz
Packed Weight 2.6 kg / 5 lbs 12 oz
Outer tent fabric Kerlon 1000
Poles (9 mm) 1 x 328, 2 x 285 cm / 1 x 129.1, 2 x 112.2 in
Pegs 16 Y-Peg UL
Best Use three-person tent for mobile journeys in warmer conditions where the lowest weight is the highest priority
Product Details from Hilleberg »

Recently on Trailspace

Outdoor Research Cirque III Pants Review

Insect Shield Easy Packs Review

Big Agnes Gold Camp 5 Tarp Review

Xero Shoes Mesa Trail II Review