new Terra Nova tents

[wayno]

New Laser Ultra 2

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/gear-news/ ... 13194.html

Available from spring 2015, the Laser Ultra 2 is claimed to be ' the lightest two person tent commercially available', that would be 'double-wall tent' we're guessing. It weighs in at just 695g or 347.5g per person, less than some waterproof jackets.

The design uses the Cuben Fibre Ultra fabric again for both fly and floor and packs down, says Terra Nova, to a package measuring just 40cm x 12 cm. In effect, we're thinking, it's a scale-up Ultra, though we suspect as with many 'two-person' lightweights, it'll be closer to a one-and-a-half person tent than a more conventional two-person one.
New Sola Ultra 2

Also due out next spring is the Sola Ultra 2, claimed at 772g (or 386g per person) to be the world's lightest free-standing two-person tent. And if you're wondering why the freestanding bit matters, its apparently a factor in the US market 'where freestanding models are popular. '

All interesting stuff, but before you start making ultra-lightwegiht plans for next spring, bear in mind that both the new tents are likely to be eye-wateringly expensive. Cutting edge fabrics, components and design come at a cost. In the case of the record-breaking Laser Ultra 1 - effectively a limited edition special - the price-tag is currently £800 while the Voyager Ultra 2 - a take on the classic Ultra tent but made from Ultra fabric - sells for a cool £1200, though it's around 50% lighter than the £430- base model tent.

[nq111]

Very nice.

I'd love to see how these tents go with condensation - my cuben tarp seems to have some weird properties so that it doesn't collect much condensation compared to silnylon.

[icefest]

I wonder if it's stitched and taped or just stitched like the Ultra Laser...

I'd be hesitant to buy it if they used the old technique.

[Mark F]

You always have to laugh at what they consider a 2 person tent. In the case of the 2 person laser series this is an extra 20 cm width over the 1 person version - only really usable in a top to tail sleeping configuration and only one vestibule and door. Really just a more comfortable 1 person design. My SMD Haven with net inner weighs 750 grams, has two vestibules and doors and 120cm width for the entire length (about 30% more floor area).

On the other hand the Laser design is pretty bomber for the weight but really needs a top vent to minimise condensation.

[north-north-west]

You always have to laugh at what they consider a 2 person tent. In the case of the 2 person laser series this is an extra 20 cm width over the 1 person version - only really usable in a top to tail sleeping configuration and only one vestibule and door. Really just a more comfortable 1 person design.
On the other hand the Laser design is pretty bomber for the weight but really needs a top vent to minimise condensation.

I had a Laser Comp 2. You couldn't even get two people in there top and tail. Only way they'd fit was stacked on top of one another, although there wasn't really enough headroom for that to be comfy, either. There's more room in my Scarp1.
As for the condensation issues . . . Terra Nova would have to make some massive design improvements to ever make me think about using one of their tents again.

[GPSGuided]

That tent looked like cooker in summer.