Terra Nova Laser Competition 1

Weight: 970g
Price: £440
Internal Size: (LxWxH): 220cm x 93cm x 95cm 
terra-nova.co.uk

Terra Nova’s Laser Competition 1 is an iconic backpacking tent. Its trophy cabinet is brimming full of ‘Best in Test’ badges from reputable outdoor magazines and websites, as well as industry awards. Why? Well, first and foremost, it is incredibly lightweight. At just 970g, it is the lightest tent on test, meaning it won’t weigh you down (or take up much space in your backpack) during your adventures – and, somewhat miraculously, the sub-1kg weight doesn’t mean the Laser Competition 1 is light on features.

With its transverse hoop design, utilising one main alloy pole in the centre and two tiny poles at each end, the Competition 1 still feels relatively spacious for one person. Most people can just about sit up without your head touching the inner’s roof, while the two mini poles ensure improved structure and room at the foot and head ends.

A large backpack can easily be accommodated in either the interior or the single porch, which at 220cm long and 50cm wide is easily big enough for gear storage or cooking. In terms of durability, the Laser Competition 1 is rated for three-season use, especially when additional guy ropes are used to provide extra support. Its low profile stands up excellently to strong winds, with air flowing aerodynamically over the tent, while the flysheet and groundsheet are made of Terra Nova’s Watershed fabrics, ensuring they are waterproof and ‘cleverly designed to prevent water penetration into the inner’. Condensation is effectively dealt with too. Half of the inner door has a midge-proof mesh and there are mesh panels at the end of the inner and flysheet.

Another useful feature is that the inner and flysheet come attached, so the tent pitches quickly and easily ‘as one’; or during wet wild camps the inner can be detached and stored separately, thus preventing the outer wetting the inner.

As with any product, the Laser Competition 1 isn’t flawless. It isn’t as durable as others; taller campers may find it somewhat small and claustrophobic; and I found that the zips of the single door often annoyingly jam and catch on their seal. This, however, is nit-picking. The Terra Nova Laser Competition 1 is a classic tent at an unbelievable weight, as well as being sturdy, durable and comfortable. It’s an epic tent worthy of epic adventures.

Pros: ultra-lightweight
Cons: expensive

Full Specification

3 season backpacking / 5 mins pitch time / single porch / single door / fly and inner pitched together / 42x12cm packed size / 10 x 11g Alloy pegs.

Vaude Hogan SUL

Weight: 1250g
Price: £475
Internal Size: (LxWxH): 235cm x 110cm x 95cm
vaude.com

Vaude’s lightweight, stable and spacious Hogan SUL (Super Ultra Light) is ideal for backpackers who don’t mind a bit of extra weight in return for extra room. At 235cm long inside, it is far better suited for taller backpackers than the Enan and Laser Competition 1, while the 110cm internal height provides better head room and space for moving around. The main crucifix-shaped pole, coupled with two sewn-in short poles to the rear, create this spacious structure, which is classed as a one to two person tent – meaning it’s easily big enough for one camper with a lot of gear. Despite this added room, the Hogan SUL is pretty lightweight too, at just 1250g.

Vaude, a German firm respected for its ethical and environmental approach, claims the three-season Hogan SUL ‘defies wind and weather’, describing it as ‘extremely wind resistant and durable’. And that seems to hold true. The outer is siliconised on both sides, ensuring excellent beading in rain, while five guy ropes with large adjustors create a steady and strong structure capable of withstanding gusting winds.

Other positive features on the Hogan SUL are plentiful too. The inner hanging-line and large pockets are handy for organising your kit and clothes; all of the zips are smooth and easy; internal meshing improves breathability; the single door at the head end can handily be toggled half or fully open; and, despite a myriad of Velcro straps, poppers and clips, the tent is pretty simple and quick to erect. I do have one gripe: the porch is an awkward shape, making it difficult to store a large backpack. But, all in all, this is another top-notch tent with an array of premium features – and it’s ideal for any wild campers towering above 6ft tall.

Pros: spacious and long
Cons: awkward-shaped porch

Full Specification

Snugpak Ionosphere

Weight: 1520g
Price: £174.95
Internal Size: (LxWxH): 240cm x 90cm x 75cm
snugpak.com

If you can’t stomach forking out £500 or so for a premium tent, but still want a sturdy, roomy and weatherproof shelter for your backpacking adventures, then look no further than the Ionosphere. At £180, Snugpak’s offering is the joint cheapest tent on test, making it an affordable and excellent value option. It can’t compete with Terra Nova, Hilleberg and co in terms of weight – at 1520g it is heavier than many solo wild campers would prefer – and it isn’t as flush with high-end touches and premium materials. But don’t be fooled into thinking the low price tag means low features. This is a great tent at a great price.

Snugpak’s Ionosphere is a long, narrow and low profile tent, with a huge floorspace. At 240cm in length, it is big enough for even the tallest of wild campers, and there is ample room for a single occupant with lots of equipment, despite the lack of a porch. At only 75cm high, it isn’t the best for sitting up in, but the low profile means the tent isn’t thrown around by the wind. The two-pole, hooped structure feels sturdy and durable, while the 5000mm hydrostatic fly sheet with taped seams effectively keeps out the rain and the accompanying mesh interior effectively prevents condensation (and midge attacks). Other positives include the military green colour, which is ideal for stealthy wild camping; and the 16 star-shaped pegs, which enable extremely secure pegging out.

As with any product, there are of course some negatives. The pole sleeve, which is split into three parts, is fiddly and awkward, while the very low profile of the tent makes sitting up without your head pressing against the inner roof impossible. In some ways, the Ionosphere could be described as a very large, hooped bivvy bag, or perhaps a particularly shallow, squat tent. But none of this really matters. At £180 and a weight of 1520g, this is an amazing value tent that is lightweight, sturdy and weatherproof – a great companion for adventures, both big and small.

Pros: excellent value; large floorspace
Cons: poor head room; relatively heavy; no porch

Full Specification

210T ripstop nylon 5000mm outer / 48cm x 14cm pack size /
anodised Aluminium poles, 100% aluminium / single-point side entry / taped seams / 14 lightweight alloy pegs.

Vango F10 Helium UL 1

Weight: 1200g
Price: £240
Internal Size: (LxWxH): 210cm x 95cm x 95cm
vango.co.uk

Vango’s F10 Helium UL 1 is the ideal mid-range option in our list of 2019’s top 6 solo backpacking tents. It can’t match the high-end, premium features of Terra Nova and Hilleberg; nor is it as competitive as Snugpak or Wild Country on price. But this means it fits neatly on its own, in the middle, providing a mid-range option with an excellent balance between weight and price. In fact, with a price tag of just £240, the F10 Helium UL 1 is incredibly lightweight, measuring just 1200g – saving valuable grams from your backpack. And the small weight still comes with big features.

Vango bill the Helium UL 1 as a ‘welcome and reliable shelter’ – and that’s certainly how it felt testing it out in the Scottish Highlands. The hybrid tunnel, constructed with one main and two shorter poles, provides effective bracing against side winds, while the Protex 3000mm waterproof flysheet and 70 denier nylon fabric ground sheet provide effective protection against the rain. Vents allow air flow to combat condensation and pre-angled poles achieve greater internal space, including generous head room. Other handy features include internal storage pockets, reflective points on pegs and guy lines (to stop you tripping up) and the oversized fast-pack bag for ease of storage.

Downsides? The tension band system is a little annoying and can get in the way, while the central curved pole can be a little awkward to thread through the sleeve by yourself. But all in all the F10 Helium UL 1 is an extremely good value tent. For just £240, you get an ultra-lightweight, durable, weatherproof and spacious one-man tent – it doesn’t get much better than that.

Pros: competitively priced; lightweight
Cons: not as advanced as others

Full Specification

Protex 3000mm flysheet / internal storage pockets optional footprint / oversized tent bag with compression straps for easy packing  / dyneema pegging points / multiple reflective points.

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