Terra Nova

Laser Photon 1 Tent: 1-Person 3-Season

If you make sure to shave your mustache to trim weight before every backpacking trip or adventure race, the ultralite Terra Nova Laser Photon 1 One-Person Three-Season Tent's right up your alley. Fully packed, it weighs just 1lb 9oz and takes up about as much space as a water bottle, letting you stay as minimal as you need to, but it still comes with a fully waterproof silicone-coated nylon ripstop fly and floor to keep you dry and comfortable. The seams are carefully stitched and strategically located to shed water, but you should seal the seams to ensure total waterproofing, as the ultralite fabrication doesn't allow for traditional seam taping. Terra Nova did include a waterproof pole cover, which attaches over the single Scandium alloy pole sleeve to repel water and protect the zipper from damage.

Since it sets up using a single pole, the Laser Photon isn't freestanding, but it comes with four reflective clam-cleat guy lines and 12 titanium stakes to make pitching a breeze. The single door features a minimal vestibule that provides just enough space to shelter boots and a pack, and the fly has roll-up tabs to encourage ventilation and stop your tent from becoming a stinky sweat palace. You can also buy the footprint separately and use Terra Nova's Fastpack system to cut down on weight even more on fair-weather trips or allow yourself to keep the 'stache without weighing yourself down.