About Terra Nova

Terra Nova is one of the most popular tent brands we have ever sold.  They are a UK company, based in Derbyshire specialising in ultra lightweight and mountain tents.

The drive to surpass even our most exacting customers’ expectations leads to new developments being made throughout Terra Nova. Most recently we beat our own Guinness World Record for the lightest tent in the world with the Laser Competition, weighing just 940g complete or 860g at its’ minimum weight.
At Terra Nova our aim is to continually extend our horizons and our outdoor product range in order for us to achieve our mission to be ‘Best in Class’.

Terra Nova Voyager Superlite Technical Spec

The classic geodesic design remains, but the weight has been stripped away by using pole clips on the inner and lighter materials.

This Superlite version saves weight over its classic brother, without reducing internal or porch space.A minimum weight of 1.7Kg brings the benefits of a geodesic structure to the superlite range. Ventilation is improved by using clips instead of pole sleeves and introducing a large mesh panel to the inner door.

Destined to become a firm favourite with anyone who is likely to come across unstable ground, especially sandy or loose soils.

• Packed Size: 14cm x 52cm
• Weight: Minimum 1.7Kg / Packed 1.86Kg
• Person: 2
• Season Rating: 3 Season Backpacking
• Note: Due to the nature of the silicon fabrics used in this tent, the seams are not factory sealed.  Silicon seam sealer is available though.
• User range: Ultra lightweight backpacking, Trekking, Cycle Touring
• Pitching: Inner first
• Titanium pegs, 5.5g each
• 8.55mm DAC Featherlite pole

Trail’s Review of the Terra Nova Voyager Superlite Tent:

Overall ratings on the Live for the Outdoors website, suggest that both users and professional outdoor gear reviewers regard it as the number one tent of choice…

This 2-person sub-2kg tent is a lightened version of the Voyager, a classic 3-pole geodesic that defines its class. By lightening the fabrics to those used in the brand’s Laser range, Terra Nova has reduced the weight by 400g (18 per cent). The beauty of the tent is that you still get an inner and outer, a three-pole geodesic design and a superb porch and front entrance with double zips for venting. The geodesic design is incredibly stable.

The pegs are the wire skewer type which do not hurt your hands and they are made from titanium to keep the weight down. But the outer doors do not get external stormflaps and the zips are particularly small, so you will need to treat them with a little care. To save weight the poles are held in place with clips rather than sleeves. Also this is an inner-pitched-first design, so it’s not ideal for pitching in heavy rain.

…this all makes it sound perfect as a 2 person backpacking tent or lightweight trans-European cycling tent even!

Outdoors magic Review of the Terra Nova Superlite

Another heavyweight reviewer of the outdoor gear world is Outdoorsmagic, here’s what they had to say:

The low weight – a mere 1.85kg when packed – doesn’t cost you too much in terms of comfort. This isn’t a minimalist adventure racer’s shelter with the canvas hovering millimetres above your nose. There’s plenty of space for two people and the stability of the geodesic three pole structure.

There’s a lot of attention to detail in this tent, to make sure that every possible gram has been stripped away. The outer feels like tracing paper and you need to pick up a few pegs at once to notice them, but neither was lacking when it came to keeping the tent in place in high winds.

…a positive review of the Voyager Superlite tent again, scoring 4/5 for value and 4.5/5 for performance.  Read for the full review here.

Pitching Instructions for Voyager Superlite

To prove how easy it is to pitch too, here’s a video to make things a whole lot easier when choosing your next lightweight, quick-to-pitch tent!

Our thoughts…

A nice summary is that the Terra Nova brand is one of the best we feel for serving backpackers in a way of complete trust.  When you’re away from civilisation and exposed to a variety of conditions, you simply want to know that your geodesic tent is one that keeps you protected and away from the weather!

The Voyager range of tents is one of our best selling tents and for good reason.  it can sustain 3 season conditions comfortably, keeping 2 people away from the elements at a weight of under 2kg.  It therefore makes a whole lot of sense to us why we sell so many.

Top 10 Tents

As you can see, according to LFTO, the Terra Nova Voyager is the number one choice of their visitors.   And to be frank, readers of LFTO and Trail are certainly guys that know their stuff (we read both – hehe!).  It’s also worth noting that Terra Nova are the only tent manufacturers to get 2 tents into the top ten tents category…good work!

And looking at what LFTO’s members regard as the best tents, I’ve got to say I’m pretty pleased that we sell 5 out of the 10 on there:

• Terra Nova Voyager Superlite Tent
  
• Terra Nova Voyager Tent
  
• The North Face Tadpole 23 DL Tent (and Nylon version)
• Vango Ultralight 200 Tent (along with 200+, 200 lite and 300+ versions)
• Vaude Taurus Ultralight Tent

…although I was suprised not to see the MSR Hubba Hubba HP up there or the Terra Nova Laser Competition.

The laser Competiton is quick and easy to pitch…the amazingly low weight of the Laser Competition – less than half that of the similar sized [Hilleberg] Akto…I had no concerns about it collapsing in 40mph winds.

You can read more Terra Nova tent reviews on their website.

Conclusion

Terra Nova really design and manufacture a great range of tents, and are certainly one of the best for lightweight backpacking tents…If you’re looking at buying a Terra Nova tent not many people serious about outdoor gear are going to put you off, that’s for sure!

But make sure you take a look at the full range of Terra Nova tents to learn more because they really are fantastic for a variety of purposes and weather conditions…choose the best tent for you.  Otherwise, if you’re still wanting to look at other tent brands, such as MSR, Mountain Equipment and Vango head over to the tent section in the outdoor shop.

Earlier this month Adam Wilton and Gavin Booth set off on a two man expedition to the geographic South Pole. Their journey started about a week ago at Hercules Inlet and will cover a distance of 1,130 km. They will climb almost 3,000 m on their expedition and will be heading into winds of up to 55 knots. With no support or re-supply they will each be pulling sleds of 120 kg with all their expedition equipment. Average Antarctic temperatures will be from – 25 °C to -40 °C.

Campaign to Save Robert Falcon Scott’s Hut

Robert Falcon Scott's Antarctic Hut. Source: www.ukaht.org

Adam and Gavin are hoping to raise £250,000 to help save Robert Falcon Scott’s hut. Located at Cape Evans, the hut dates back from Robert Falcon Scott’s ill fated Terra Nova expedition to the South Pole. The hut is of great historic value but is unfortunately deteriorating in the harsh weather conditions of the Antarctic. Preserving the hut and other Antarctic artefacts is a huge and expensive task, taken on by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust. Any donations made will be doubled as a match funding pledge has been set up through the generosity of a British Charitable Foundation .

Frozen Sleeping Bags and Mitts

Adam and Gavin have been walking for nearly two weeks now. The weather has been harsh: snow storms and cold, biting winds. They have been waking up to find their sleeping bags and mitts frozen. It has been hard going, nevertheless they have reported that they are making good progress. Further progress reports on the South Pole expedition can be found on their British South Pole Expedition website. Adam and Gavin aim to reach the South Pole by New Year’s day 2009. If they have any energy left by that time they might consider celebrating by doing the crampon dance. Good luck guys!

Why bother lugging that heavy knife, fork and spoon or spork up a mountain when you can take chopsticks instead? Manufactured by Terra Nova, these stainless steel chopsticks are the ideal lightweight eating equipment.

You can always find room to fit these in your pack and they’re lighter than a fork and spood set. Ideal for boil in the bag foods and camping favouites like rice, noodles and pasta.

Terra Nova Chopsticks

Plus they have the added advantage that if you are not proficient in using chopsticks, you can amuse your friends by dropping food all over your lap!

If you’re considering taking chopsticks on your next trek or expedition, why not test yourself in our “Are you a lightweight?” quiz?

Lightweight and Lighthearted!

Terra Nova Chopsticks would make a great light hearted yet practical stocking filler or Christmas present!

Terra Nova Spork

What About Sporks?

The Spork, a combination of a fork and spoon, is another fine piece of lightweight eating equipment that should not be over-looked when choosing between eating equipment! Other eating and cooking equipment can be found on our cooking accessories page.

Chopsticks, Spork or Knife, Fork and Spoon?

What would you rather eat with? Let us know, using the “comments” link below!

And just for fun here are some YouTube videos of people playing chopsticks on the piano…

I’m sure that this second clip isn’t actually chopsticks, but the piano is in a field…