Search results
The Starlite 1 is an extremely lightweight 1 person tunnel tent that is perfect for bikepacking or cycle camping. It’s also an ideal tent for a backpacker looking for the smallest overall packed size and weight. Updated for 2023 with a PFC-freebreathable inner tent.
The Helm Compact 1 is a remarkably spacious 1 person dome tent that packs down to just 35cm x 17cm. This 3-season, 1-person tent is lightweight and compact, easy to pitch and simple to pack away. A perfect tent for backpacking trips and youth expeditions.
- (6)
- Similarities
- Size Differences
- Tent Weights
- Weather Considerations
- Head Space
- Foot Space
- Porch Space
- Head Room
- Conclusion
- Helpful Links
They all have fairly small footprints which is important to consider, as that makes it easier to find a suitable pitch. They are also low so they can be tucked away out of sight if you need to camp near civilisation (never ideal but sometimes unavoidable – see my 11 wild camping rules). All of the these tents are pitched flysheet first which is goo...
There is a noticeable size difference in the tents when they are in their bags, as you can see in the photograph above. This is mainly down to the thickness of the materials they are made from. They are all stuffed in their bags similarly, except for the Photon which is fairly loosely packed and could easily be put in a smaller bag.
Nordisk Telemark 2 = 977g needs 6 pegs. Nordisk Telemark 1 Carbon ULW = 837g ” 6 pegs. Terra Nova Competition 1 = 964g ” 10+ pegs. (new design uses 8+ pegs) Terra Nova Laser Photon 1 = 756g ” 8+ pegs. Terra Nova Laser Pulse 1= 520g ” 9 pegs. Please note:The weights are in grams and as measured on my kitchen scales, complete but without pegs. The No...
The tents are all stable in strong winds. I would be happy using any of them in normal UK winter conditions, unless heavy snow was expected. The only exception is the Terra Nova Laser Pulsewhich is better suited to dry weather or single nights out, because condensation can be a real problem in this tent if conditions are unfavourable. It’s also imp...
The Nordisk Telemark 1 and Telemark 2 have a more spacious feel to them, but when lying down the inner can push down, touching your face when it’s windy. This isn’t always a pleasant experience. The Terra Nova Competitiondoesn’t feel as spacious around my head but due to the single end pole design, it doesn’t have the same issue with the inner on y...
All the tents are a similar length. However, the design of the tent has an impact on the way the inner hangs near the sleeping bag. This is an issue if the inner is wet from condensation and the amount of contact they have with you and your gear will affect how damp everything gets during the night. The Terra Nova Competition 1 has the best design ...
Remember these are light-weight stealth tents for wild camping, so none of them have huge porch areas! The porch space is very small in the Nordisk Telemark 2 (a lot smaller than the Telemark 1) but the inner can easily be pulled inwards to allow more space for cooking and storage. This would be especially good if you need to sit out bad weather. H...
The head room is tight on all these tents as you would expect, but just bearable. It’s nearly impossible not to touch your head on the inner tent at some point.
All of the five tents reviewed here are very good, fairly tough and extremely well made. I have not had any trouble with them failing through faulty or bad manufacturing or materials. However, the Pulse is made from lighter weight materials, so I treat it more carefully than the others. It wouldn’t stand to much rough treatment. None of these tents...
If you plan on buying one of these tents, it would be helpful if you clicked on the links below and buy through my site. Because I would receive a small commission and this would help with the website running costs. Terra Nova Laser Compact 1 Terra Nova Laser Compact 2 Nordisk Telemark 1 Nordisk Telemark 2.2 Nordisk Telemark 2.2 PU(A lot cheaper bu...
- Mountain Laurel Designs SoloMid XL. Rating: 4.5. Pros: lightweight, spacious, headroom. Cons: only available from USA. RRP: $275/£233, flysheet only. Weight: 575g (flysheet only)
- Hilleberg Enan. SQUIRREL_BUTTON_12925857. Rating: 4.5. Pros: low weight, porch, high hydrostatic heads, ventilation. Cons: expensive. RRP: $720/£750 | Available from Alpine Trek.
- MSR Hubba NX Solo. SQUIRREL_BUTTON_12925858. Rating: 4. Pros: lightweight, roomy, big porch. Cons: flysheet doesn’t come right down to the ground. RRP: $533/£570 | Available from Alpine Trek.
- Terra Nova Laser Compact AS. SQUIRREL_BUTTON_12925859. Rating: 4. Pros: weather resistance, roomy inner, tough groundsheet. Cons: shallow porch, quite heavy, expensive.
Ideal for single trips when you want to spend time alone, or if you prefer your own space, Terra Nova Equipment has a range of 1 person tents to suit you. Whether you like to backpack, bikepack or run ultramarathons, we have a 1 person tent to suit your needs.
New for 2024 is a 1 person version of the popular Panacea 2. The Panacea 1 is a free-standing, outer-pitch first, 3-season tent. The Panacea 1 offers an external all-in-one hub pole system to provide excellent space for 1 person.
The Laser Pulse 1 weighs just over 500g and is a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts requiring the lightest tent for events and backpacking trips. Its ideal for short-duration mountain marathons or medium-duration backpacking trips due to its lightweight and quick, easy pitch.
