Skip to content

 

Related Gear

Gear Reviews

Terra Nova Laser Competition 2009

£260.00

LFTO rating rating is 5
Owners' rating rating is 3.5

The Terra Nova Laser Competition is the lightest tent in the test, with a packed size so small that you hardly notice it in your rucksack. Internal space is very good, enough length for my six foot frame (or two skinny adventure racers) to lie down and sit up straight as well. The porch is huge, and all my gear fits in one side, leaving the door side clear for cooking and getting in and out easily. The inner and outer pitch quickly as one, with a single pole in the centre, and a carbon fibre rod at each end. There are multiple guy lines and internal tensioners to get it taut, and it will resist wind, rain and snow when pitched well. Ventilation is good with mesh vents at each end, and the top half of the door is also mesh. But Pitching it well takes practice, but it is worthwhile. It rattles in high winds. The outer door on the current model has a one-way zip, which means cooking has to be done with an open door. The supplied pegs are very small and thin but you could easily swap them.

Design single pole 
Poles shock-corded alloy
Inner ripstop nylon
Flysheet silicon-coated ripstop nylon, 3000mm hydrostatic head
Groundsheet nylon, 5000mm hydrostatic head
Internal dimensions length 220cm; width 95cm, height 95cm 
Packed size 12x45cm
Packed weight 1030g
Made in Vietnam
Stores in UK 50
Terra Nova – tel. (01773) 837373; www.terra-nova.co.uk

Verdict: The Terra Nova Laser Competition is not perfect, but the minor issues are outweighed by the light weight, comfort and freedom offered by this tent. It won ‘Best in Test’.

 

Review by Peter Macfarlane
First published in Trail magazine March 2009

Users' Overall Rating rating is 3.5(1 review)

  • Ridiculosly light

    christopher smith

    sunderland, UK

    reward badge

    User's Overall Rating rating is 3.5

    Show Details

    Performancerating is 4
    Build qualityrating is 4
    Value for moneyrating is 3

    I have used the tent 3 times mainly for wild camping due to its superior lightweight,as of yet I have had no major compliants with the tent. Immediatly the first thing that hits you with this tent is the sheer weight of it (or lack) it packs down (once you take the internal two end poles out) to nothing especially if you squeeze it into a dry bag (fit mine into the small green with no difficulty). The weight is inferior in major part to its pegs which look like black nails and weigh next to nothing however it would be intersting to see how these pegs (which are roughly 10cm in length and made of carbon fibre) would do in strong winds. I actually put in two lightweight steel alloy pegs in for the front and back to reinforce the stability. Rain and condensation dont seem to be a problem with this tent due to the high hydrostatic head and good ventilation, however the groundsheet of the inner is made of the same lightweight skin fabric and feels pretty flimsy so a footprint might be a good purchase. One major advantage this tent does have is that the inner and outer can go up at the same time meaning in a downpour your inner wont get soaked a life saver. The last tip I would give if your thinking of buying this model is dont force the pegs into the bag (as i stupidly nearly done) as they are like mini crossbow darts and will easily punch a nice neat hole in your new tent. I would recommend this tent for fell runners or people who are on long distance walks where weight is a real issue if your going away for one night wild camp then a sturdy heavier (and probably cheaper) model will be better. hope this helps Chris

    (Written by: tunebug)

    08 August 2009 00:35

Page

Discuss this

There are currently no comments

add your comment

Terra Nova Laser Competition 2009

Subject

Your comment

By submitting your comment, you agree to adhere to LFTO.com's Terms and Conditions

Cancel

Ask an expert

Need advice? Got a question about gear? Put it to our community of staff and users.