Terra Nova Equipment Laser Photon 1

[stable featherweight]

We don’t know why this three-pound tent is called the Kilo. No matter. Here’s the math that counts: one pound per person for a three-person shelter. And unlike some ultralights, which employ futzy trekking-pole setups or wispy fabrics, this three-season dome achieves its low weight by using innovative carbon-fiber poles with connectors that use short monofilament tethers rather than one long piece of elastic cord. Ergo, best-in-weight-class stability.

Pitching the Kilo takes two minutes, and even without guying, it withstood 30-mph gusts in the Sierra. Headroom is adequate, with a 40-inch peak height that lets campers play cards without crouching, but the 43-square-foot floor was a snug fit for three thru-hikers on the John Muir Trail.

Downsides: The 4.5-square-foot vestibule shelters little more than three pairs of boots. Condensation dampened testers’ bags with just two campers inside, and in rainy conditions, the fly sagged onto the mesh, further compromising airflow. (Update: Easton says Velcro attachment loops have been added to the inside of the fly to improve stability and reduce sag. We didn’t test the new version.) $499; 3 lbs.; eastonmountainproducts.comBreaking new ground for lightweight tents Terra Nova have created the definitive racing tent for Mountain Marathons and Adventure Races.

The Laser Photon 1 pitches flysheet and inner together, so it is exceptionally quick to erect. The transverse porch creates more usable space than a longitudinal porch and provides excellent shelter from the wind as well as a large entrance.
Features:
1g Titanium skewer pegs
Extra ventilation on door and at ends
Split carbon poles to reduces pack length to 14 inches
4 additional guy points on the ends of the tent
Can be pitched fly and Fastpack groundsheet for even lower weight