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NEMO Meta 1P

rated 4.0 of 5 stars
photo: NEMO Meta 1P three-season tent

Lightweight, easy to set up. Roomy.

Pros

  • Long floor space when ends are guyed out.
  • Lightweight
  • Taped seams
  • Packs very small
  • Easy to set up

Cons

  • Ends have to be guyed out to accomidate a taller sleeper
  • Has to to be guyed out, not freestanding.
  • Requires minimum of 6 stakes if short, 8 if tall.

I'm 6-1, so I wanted a tent with a long floor to fit myself and my 70 lb catahoula. I found the 100" floor to be appealing, and it is nice. Keep in mind however that the tent will need to be guyed out at the head and feet with a stick under the line  in order to hold the tent up and out of your face and off your feet.

It is also not free standing and requires at least 6 stakes for a short camper, but 8 if you need to guy out the ends to keep them out of your face. The tent comes seam sealed and ready to go, and I haven't had any issues with leaking. It breathes very well with the high to low venting.

Vestibule is very roomy. Stable in high winds as long as it is pitched tightly and well staked. Packs very small, 6x6. The optional pole for those who don't use trekking poles is a high quality lightweight DAC pole, and collapses down to less than a foot long.  

Seems to be durable, especially for a tent this lightweight. The tent has been used exclusively in the ADK's.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $195 with footprint and pole (Extra 35% off sale price coupon)

One-person, single wall, non-freestanding tent. Stable, three-season structure. Works well for those needing lightweight, full-coverage shelter.

Pros

  • Light weight (2 lbs max)
  • Relatively easy setup
  • Solid construction
  • Tent stakes are light

Cons

  • Single wall tent - very thin fabric
  • Need to guy out ends to keep from sagging
  • Tent stakes are light (bend easy)

Very light, single wall tent, even with the 9 stakes to fully set up. Great for trekking pole users (uses one for center). Fairly easy setup — I would recommend set up/take down a few times before using on a trip. You will need 2 extra stakes for the ends — use the other trekking pole to pull the end away from where your head will be.

Stable in wind and rain — I have not set up in a fully-exposed location yet. I would not recommend for snow camping. I've left one side of vestibule open in light drizzle, with no issues.

In the Southeast, downside of single wall is issues with condensation - take a small pack towel. However, the fabric dries quickly and comes with a dry stuff sack - keeps other gear in pack from getting wet. For a single wall, there is fairly good ventilation options (high and low mesh openings).

Hikers over 6 ft tall will find the length very tight. Good storage pocket locations inside. Vestibule is adequate and allows for opening one half or all. Or, propping up, as a canopy, with additional trekking pole. Fold the tent when packing up and you can get the compression stuff sack (included) very small. 

Material is thin - carefully zip entrance closed - to prevent tent and screen material from being caught in zipper and make sure you have some kind of groundsheet.

I converted from much heavier two person, free standing tent to this. Much lighter to set up, take down, dry out. I've had this for almost a year now and it has done well for the 3 camping and 2 backpacking trips I've done. In the Southeast, it does what I need it to do - keeps the bugs at bay, keeps me dry, easy to set up and easy to carry.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $150 (on sale)

Ultra-light, compact. Uses a trekking pole, very cool.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • You can sit up.
  • Comes with a sweet little dry-bag.

Cons

  • Too much messing with stakes and guy lines.
  • Kinda pricey
  • I could use a window on the back side.

It's as light as a bivy sack, but you can sit up in it! I love that you use a trekking pole to replace a tent pole. Every ounce counts — especially if you are on your own. The darn thing packs up to about the size of a football, and the stuff sack is a dry-bag.

It's kind of tricky to get this tent pitched right. You need a lot of stakes, or trees and bushes just at the right angles for the guy wires. Don't try to skimp on the setup — you need to stake the four corners, then two more stakes to stabilize the pole, then you MUST run guy wires at each end to something at least a couple of feet off the ground. (I use my pack for one.) This shapes the tent so it is off your feet and face. The pictures do not show these guy wires.

Then there's the condensation issue. I spend a lot of time on the coast, and this tent does get condensation if you don't leave the vestibule fly pulled back for maximum ventilation. If it was colder or raining I think I'd be packing it up wet a lot. We'll see. I've only used it for two summer backpack trips so far.

I would say anyone over 5'10" might not be able to comfortably lie down stretched out.

Source: bought it used
Price Paid: $185 on E-bay. But then it came with no stakes. :(

Excellent lightweight tent and a good price.

Pros

  • Light weight
  • Quality construction

Cons

  • Tight for anyone over 6'.
  • Airflow/Condensation

I purchased this tent from a reputable outfitter for $175. It came with all guy lines, 6 stakes, and footprint.  There is a slight learning curve to setting up, but after just two setups I have no problem erecting the tent in under 2 minutes if I'm in a hurry. I am able to pitch the tent very tautly. 

I have used this tent a total of 8 times now and would highly recommend it for any three-season use. It has handled extremely well in various weather conditions. In the rain, it has never leaked. The tub is superb.

The only time I have ever experienced any moisture in the tent is when the vestibule is fully closed and the condensation builds up. The condensation did not bother me but it may for a big issue for others. I have a camp towel that I use to wipe down the inside. 

Head room is great vertical and horizontal. Although, if not guyed out properly, can be a challenged for anyone over 6' (I am 6'2").

I take great care of all my equipment/gear. The manufacture of this tent has done a fantastic job in building this tent. Well made and very durable. I expect this tent to last a very long time for me.

I would recommend this tent to anyone looking for a lightweight tent with the understanding that it is not a free-standing tent and there is some work in the setup. 

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $175

I have had this tent for a year. Having a tent that is around 2lbs with this much space and a side entrance is just amazing. 

I highly recommend to guy out the ends in addition to the standard setup. Condensation can still be an issue and will always be so if you are using a single wall tent and one or more of the following conditions exist

  1. Temps are near the dewpoint
  2. Poor air circulation

On this tent if you can leave the outer cover to the entrance open you should be able to completely eliminate condensation issues. 

This tent is plenty big for tall people. The length is near 100" inside and there is plenty of room to sit up comfortably inside. The side entrance means the vestibule is HUGE. 

All this for 2 lbs. What is not to love!!

Price Paid: $239

I found the Nemo Meta 1P to be an excellent light weight backpacking tent. From the one review I have read on your web site it is obvious that the tent must be set up properly guying out the ends so that the tent in the face thing doesn't happen. It is not made, I believe for those taller people over say 5' 11''.

Once set up properly you realize the incredible engineering that went into the design.

Price Paid: $265 w/footprint

My tent for my 2013 AT thru-hike. I'm 6'2" and had extra space at my feet and head.

Pros

  • Light
  • Waterproof
  • Huge vestibule

Cons

  • Non-freestanding

Great great great tent!!!! 

Know what it is and and what it is not and you will not be disappointed. 

I would buy this tent again without hesitation. 

Source: bought it new

I don't like the way it looks guyed out and having the wet (from condensation) fabric in your face every morning. Even sleeping with the vestibule wide open condensation was still a problem.

The tent did stand up to very heavy rain showers, but I have a Six Moons Luna solo that has more room and vents better than this tent.

Design: 3-season
Sleeps: 1
Ease of Setup: moderate
Weight: 2.2 #
Price Paid: $260

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Specs

Price MSRP: $329.95
Historic Range: $146.83-$329.95
Reviewers Paid: $150.00-$265.00
Minimum Weight 1 lb 15 oz / 0.9 kg
Packed Weight 2 lb 8 oz / 1.1 kg
Floor Dimensions 100 in x 36 in / 254 cm x 91 cm
Interior Height 50 in / 127 cm
Floor Area 26 sq ft / 2.4 sq m
Vestibule Area 13 sq ft / 1.2 sq m
Packed Size 6 in x 6 in / 15 cm x 15 cm
Tent Shell Fabric No-See-Um Mesh and 2D PU Nylon
Fly / Vestibule Fabric 20D PU Nylon
Floor Fabric 30D PU Nylon
Product Details from NEMO »

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