Nowadays, there are countless tents on the market that are considered lightweight, but when Terranova released the Laser Lite , it was the first tent on the market to weigh less than 1kg, and was even recognized by the Guinness World Records as the lightest tent. Since its release, it has won various awards, setting the standard for lightweight tents and earning its place as a pioneer in the lightweight tent industry.
The Racer Competition 1 we will be reviewing this time is the successor to the Laser Lite, and although its weight has hardly changed since its release, so it is not as surprising as it was back then, it has undergone a series of updates to improve safety and durability.
We will tell you about the current state of this tent, which changed the history of lightweight tents, along with a review of what we have actually used
table of contents
Overview of Racer Competition 1
The Racer Competition 1, a long-standing product of lightweight tent pioneer Terranova, may be overshadowed by ultra-lightweight tents like the Laser Pulse Ultra 1, which weighs less than 500g, but it offers durability and weather resistance not found in tents that are entirely focused on lightweight construction. Even more impressive than its performance is its reasonable price, making it a well-balanced, cost-effective model
The fly and floor materials are water resistant to over 5,000mm, provide solid wind protection, and are quick and easy to set up. Designed for use in mountainous environments, the high level of performance will satisfy a wide range of people, from mountaineers to adventure racers and long-distance thru-hikers
This review is based on the previous model. Just to be sure, we borrowed a sample of the latest version from the manufacturer to check it out, but the basic design is the same with only minor updates, so we will mention any changes in the main text as necessary
Recommended points
- Simple structure reduces setup time
- High weather resistance
- Lightweight at under 600g thanks to the Fast Packing System
Points that interest me
- A very stoic interior
- No ventilation
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | Specifications and ratings |
|---|---|
| Number of people to sleep | 1-2 people |
| color | green |
| Official minimum weight | 860g (970g including pegs and storage bag) |
| Actual measured weight | 1024g (1117g including pegs and storage bag) |
| Fry material | Sil nylon ripstop (water resistance: 5000mm) |
| Floor material | Silnylon ripstop (water resistance: 6000mm) |
| Pole material | DAC 8.55mm Fatherlite |
| size | Width 220 x Depth 62/93 x Height 45/95 cm |
| Storage size | Body: 12 x 42 cm, pole cm |
| Floor area | 1.3㎡ |
| Front room area | 0.5㎡ |
| accessories |
|
| option |
|
| Living comfort | ★★☆☆☆ (★★★☆☆ for solo use) |
| Ease of setup and removal | ★★★★☆ |
| Weather Resistant | ★★★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★☆☆ |
| weight | ★★★★★ |
| Portability | ★★★★☆ |
| Versatility | ★★★☆☆ |
| comprehensive evaluation | ★★★★☆ |
Detailed review
Simple structure reduces setup time
The set includes the main body, fly, three poles, and ten pegs. The storage bag is large, so you can store everything in one bag, but by storing the poles separately, you can keep the main body and fly compact. The storage bag is made of silnylon, so it slides easily in and out
The poles are DAC's 8.55mm Fatherlite, weighing 147g. The weight is kept down considerably thanks to the single pole, non-self-supporting design. Two auxiliary poles are included to add height to the long ends of the fly. These auxiliary poles are made of carbon and weigh 22g each.
*The auxiliary poles in the updated version have been changed to aluminum.
The pegs are made of titanium (5g each) and come with 10. However, these pegs are quite thin, so even though they are made of titanium, you need to be careful where you hit them...
*I wasn't able to check the new pegs, but the manufacturer's website says they are made of aluminum, 11g x 11.
The tent is a tunnel-type, non-freestanding tent. At first glance, it may look complicated, but once you understand how it works, it's actually a very simple structure. To set it up, first insert the poles into the sleeves on the fly
The entrance and exit of the sleeve where the poles are inserted are covered with reflective material, making them easy to see even in the dark with a light
By using auxiliary poles on both ends of the long side and securing them with pegs, the tent can stand on its own. It is relatively easy to set up even in strong winds
All that's left to do is hang the inner tent from the inside of the fly and secure it with pegs. Unlike freestanding tent systems, you need to tension it firmly and secure it with pegs
I'm a little disappointed with the livability..
The interior is spacious enough when used as a "solo tent." This compares favorably with other manufacturers' solo tents. However, the manufacturer claims it's for 1-2 people, so I wish there was enough space for two people, but it's pretty cramped for two people... First of all, there's no space for two mats. There are triangular mesh panels of the same size at the feet and pillow
There are no headlamps, loops for hanging strings, or storage compartments inside the room, making it a completely ordinary private room
The vestibule is wide, measuring 50cm at its longest point, and is spacious enough for storing food and luggage when used as a solo tent. In stark contrast to the interior, the vestibule is spacious enough for two people. It would be nice if it were a little more balanced with the interior
The impression of breathability is neither good nor bad. Half of the entrance to the inner tent is mesh, so if you roll up the fly, it seems like it would have good ventilation, but if you close the fly, there are no air vents from the outside, so it's likely to get quite muggy depending on the season. And since you can't close the mesh in all three places, it seems like the wind will get in and it'll get cold in the winter. It would probably be best to use it as a three-season tent, as per the manufacturer's specifications
Impressions of actually using it
High performance as a solo tent
The manufacturer claims it's for 1-2 people, but no matter how you look at it, it's too cramped for two people to sleep in. The only time you'd want to force two people into a tent is in mountain races. You want to sleep dry during a race! If your essential gear includes a tent, this lightweight, compact, and wind- and rain-resistant tent is the perfect choice
However, only a handful of people use it in this way. For normal use, it should be considered a solo tent. It's lightweight at less than 1kg, highly weather-resistant, and quick to set up, making it well-balanced and high-performance overall. It's also comfortable to live in. While the initial setup requires hanging the inner tent, after that it can be taken down as is, making setup much quicker. The manufacturer claims a setup time of 5 minutes, which is actually quite accurate. Once you get used to it, it really can be set up in 5 minutes
There is also a method called the Fast Packing System, which allows you to use it like a bivouac, as a floorless tent without an inner tent, and with this system it weighs less than 600g including the poles.It can also be used in an ultra-lightweight manner, so you don't need to carry both a tent and a bivouac, killing two birds with one stone
It also stores compactly. The storage bag is made to fit the length of the poles, so if you store the poles separately, the main body and fly will be quite compact.
*Currently, the Racer Compact that weighs the same but stores the poles in about 2/3 the size, which seems to allow for even more compact storage. The price is also almost the same.
The fryer has a double zipper, so if you open it from the top, air won't get trapped and ventilation is excellent even when cooking on rainy days
However, the ventilation inside the bag is lacking. On sunny days or when you're sleeping, you can roll up the fly, which provides ample ventilation since half of the opening is mesh. However, if you close the fly, you're left relying on the small
mesh sections at your feet and pillow, which means no air circulates at all. This is insufficient ventilation in Japan's hot and humid climate. *The new model features mesh in the same places on the fly as the mesh sections at your feet and pillow, improving breathability. The inner mesh can now be closed with Velcro. This is perhaps the biggest update. A small roof has been placed on top of the mesh fly to keep out rain.
I'm also a bit worried about its durability. The seams of the fabric are weak, and after a few uses, the areas under tension have already deteriorated. There are also many rubber parts, such as the part connecting the fly and the inner tent, so I'm worried about them deteriorating
Also worth mentioning is the pole cover. By covering the pole sleeve of the fly with this, it becomes less susceptible to the wind, improving wind resistance. If you know you will only be using it in places that are not affected by the wind, such as forest areas, you can remove it and save a few grams
Summary: Recommended for people like this
It offers an excellent balance of lightweight construction, weather resistance, and strength. It stands upright even in strong winds, so you can use it without worry even in windy, high-altitude scree fields. The manufacturer's specifications state that it can accommodate up to two people, but unless you're extremely stoic, you should think of it as a solo tent. As for the seasons it's suitable for, as the manufacturer claims it's a three-season tent, it's probably best not to consider using it in the winter. It would be difficult in hot, humid summer environments, too. It's intended for mountain use from spring to autumn. However, the updated version appears to have slightly improved breathability, so it may be comfortable to use even in the Japanese summer
For those ultralight people who want a lightweight tent but don't want to use a tarp or tent, those who go on multi-day traverses, and those who want to go far and fast hikes, the Racer Competition 1 is perfect for those who want to keep the important points in mind without sacrificing anything. It's a choice you won't regret
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