Terra Nova Equipment Laser Photon 1

[freestanding ultralight]

Here’s a rare find: a two-person tent at this price and weight that still delivers freestanding, double-wall performance. It’s a bit small—no surprise—but the ounce-saving dimensions (best for sleeping, not lounging) worked just fine for our long-distance-hiking testers, who used the Imogene during a 400-mile Appalachian Trail trek through Maine and New Hampshire. The shelter held firm in roaring rainstorms that forced hikers in lesser tents to flee for the lean-to, and the weight-saving, 10-denier fabrics (20-denier for the floor) survived the journey intact.

The Imogene packs down small—the size of a 1-liter bottle—and setup is speedy, using one hubbed pole. There’s just one door (at the head end), which requires careful exits to avoid disturbing a companion. The 39-inch peak height allows even 6’4” campers to sit upright. But the length and width proved “cramped for two big guys,” reports one tester, who calls the 30 square feet “just big enough for sleeping.” And we wished for better ventilation in humid conditions, when condensation collected. $300; 2 lbs. 7 oz.; golite.com

Breaking 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