Terra Nova Equipment Laser Photon 2

[big and tall]

NEMO Moto 1P

Like most tall campers, our 6’7” tester often sleeps with his feet scrunched against mesh—but he discovered rare comfort in the 109-inch-long Moto. “I could extend my arms behind my head and still not touch either end,” he rejoices. Add XXL dimensions in every other direction—46 inches wide at the head and 27 at the foot, and a 37-inch peak height—and there’s enough space to sprawl comfortably and still store gear inside. And now the really good news: You get all that extra space without extra weight.

That’s a result of several design choices: 1) a tradeoff—in extra-long mode, there’s no vestibule; 2) a weight-saving air beam (in lieu of a pole) provides the main structure; 3) it’s a single-wall; and 4) it’s not freestanding.

Testers deemed the latter three nonissues: Inflating the air beam takes just 30 seconds using the integrated foot pump, condensation never built up, and four stakes achieve a taut pitch—in the Rockies, the Moto prevailed in hammering 35-mph winds. And the former? If you want a vestibule, just roll the floor back to create a 10.5-square-foot one. Bummer: Opening the door during rain allows some drips inside. $330; 2 lbs. 14 oz.
New for 2011 the 1lb 15oz Laser Photon 2 is designed to be the lightest 2 person double wall tent in the world, it achieves this and more. Designed for adventure racing and super light backpacking it can fit two people or one in luxury.
Features:
High performance, low weight fabrics.
Split carbon rods for tiny pack size: 16 x 5 inches
Extra venting on door and at ends of tent
4 extra guy points for extra stability in poor weather
1g titanium pegs