This is an absolutely incredible tent weighing in at only 580g, it uses space age fabrics and clever construction techniques to give you a one, or at a squeeze two, man ultra light shelter for adventure racing, mountain marathons and minimalist backpacking.
The fly and groundsheet are made from Terra Nova's own ULTRA fabric which was developed from super techy yacht sails and uses a UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) mat laminated between very thin sheets of a high performance polymer to create an incredibly strong, waterproof and strangely translucent material. Whilst the fabric is completely waterproof (HH 10000mm) the seams are un-taped, so Terra Nova have rather cleverly positioned them to avoid water ingress and you can always use some seam sealer to make the tent 100% waterproof.
Large mesh panels on the inner tent help with ventilation and combined with the translucent fly really helps to enhance the light within the tent, despite it's small size the Ultra 1 is a pleasant place to shelter from the elements. The large single hoop Scandium Alloy pole provides strength and stability and creates a vestibule over the front door for storage or sheltered cooking. The Ultra is supplied with an extra black pole hood which offers greater weather resistance, UV protection and increased stability for the main pole seam. Two carbon fibre support rods keep the ends of the tent upright to provide structure to the fly and also more internal space around the head/feet area.
With some practice you get the Ultra 1 erected in about 5 minutes and once pitched it is a very stable structure thanks to the materials used, you get very little wind-flap and the fly doesn't sag when wet. The flysheet and inner are attached and will go up as one very quickly, but if you really need to keep the weight to an absolute minimum you can pitch the flysheet separately to create a stupidly light minimalist shelter.
Because of the unique lightweight structure of the fabric it can cause some unique patterns and inconsistencies in colour and shade, this is perfectly normal and will not affect the performance in any way. We highly recommend the use of a footprint with all tents to prolong their life, improve waterproofing and to keep the groundsheet clean. Admittedly it will add some weight to your pack but its worth it to protect your tent and to prolong its life.
-
Waterproof ULTRA fabric on fly and groundsheet
-
Lightweight inner with mesh panels
-
Storage and cooking area
-
Titanium pegs
-
7.55mm Scandium Alloy pole
-
Carbon Fibre support rods
-
Sleeps 1-2 persons
How to Care for Your Tent
We know that purchasing a tent is a big investment, that’s why we have such a wide range of options to suit different activities, weather conditions and people, allowing you to choose the perfect one for you. Taking care of your brand new tent can be the difference between heading out for an adventure in the mountains, or having to fork out for a hefty repair bill, or even worse, another replacement tent. Below are our best tips to care for your tent.
Footprint
Before even leaving the shop (or online basket) with your tent, consider a footprint. A footprint is a large water-resistant piece of material which sits underneath your tent to protect it from sharp rocks and wet ground; if this footprint gets damaged, it’s easy to replace and doesn’t cost a fortune; if your tent groundsheet gets damaged, you’ll have to spend at least twice the amount for a repair or replacement.
Don’t Abuse the Poles
The chances are your poles are made from individual aluminium sections connected by elastic; when you come to remove the poles from the tent, don’t pull them out. The best way to remove poles from their sleeve is to place the pole end against your hip and pull the fabric towards you. If you simply attempt to pull the pole out, they’ll disconnect inside, the elastic will stretch and then spring back, potentially trapping the fabric of your tent between the pole sections.
You might also be tempted to flick the poles out so that the elastic snaps them into place in a quickfire fashion. However, this is far from ideal, as if the poles don’t align when they meet, you can easily damage or weaken the end of the pole, leading to future failure which is usually on the wettest and windiest nights!
Collapse Poles From the Centre
When your poles are safely removed from the sleeve, collapse them from the centre to avoid stretching the elastic.
Stuff, Don’t Fold
You were probably told when you were in the Scouts or doing the Duke of Edinburgh Award that the best way to pack your tent away is to neatly fold it into a rectangle, the width of your storage bag, roll it around the poles and pegs and then put it all in the stuffsack. However, whilst very neat and tidy, this method of packing can create permanent creases in the fabric, weaken the waterproofing and eventually split the fabric of your tent. The best solution is to simply stuff the tent fabric into the storage bag, just like you would a sleeping bag, and pack the poles separately. Make sure to leave and end or corner at the top, so that you can easily peg it out if your next campsite is windy. The poles normally have their own stuffsack so they can be packed separately, strapped to the outside of your pack or stored inside, allowing the tent fabric to be compressed for efficient packing.
Store it Dry
Let’s assume you’ve been out with your tent and the weather has been a little on the damp side. You’ve packed your tent away when wet and now you’re back home in the warm and dry with a nice of cup of tea reflecting on your latest adventure. But what about your poor soggy tent? The worst thing you can do is to leave it packed away wet, mildew will grow and eventually rot the tent, rendering it useless. As soon as you’ve finished that cup of tea, wipe off any excess dirt and moisture with a towel, then hang the tent somewhere where it can fully air out; a nice warm spare room or a garage is perfect. Alternatively, when it stops raining, pitch the tent outside in the sunshine to dry off. Let it air for at least 24 hours and once you are sure that it is bone dry it can be packed away for storage. Note - don’t tumble dry or hang the tent over a radiator or other direct heat source.
Don’t Store in the Stuffsack
Like your sleeping bag, it’s best not to store your sleeping bag in its stuffsack unless it has to be compressed for an activity. Leave it in a large duffel bag or supermarket ‘bag for life’ in a cool, well ventilated area so it can breathe.
Avoid Tree Sap
If you’ve ever had sap on your hands, you’ll know how horrible and sticky the stuff is; it’s even harder to remove from your tent flysheet. Pitch away from trees if possible.
Don’t Leave in the Sun
The majority of tents we stock are made from nylon. Nylon is incredibly tough, lightweight and easy to care for, however it will naturally degrade if left out in harsh sunlight for extended periods of time. Try to pitch your tent in the shade or strike the tent (pack it away) during the day. Polyester tents don’t suffer from this quite as badly, but it’s still a good habit to get into.
Leave Sharp Objects Outside
Boots, cooking equipment and other sharp/abrasive objects can all be stored in the vestibule, where there is less chance of it ripping a hole in your fly or groundsheet. You may not want to pop your pet in there, but at least carry a small blanket to avoid their claws damaging your groundsheet.