Review: NEMO Meta 1P Tent

For multi-day backpacking trips where space and weight are major concerns, a lightweight, minimalist shelter can turn an otherwise arduous slog into a pleasant stroll through the summer woods. Options abound these days, but we like the NEMO Meta 1P. Search all you want—there’s no full-feature trekking-pole tent that sets up faster, packs up smaller, or sheds more water than this handy little shelter. The interior is a roomy 26 square feet and includes front-and-back screens for bug-free airflow. A 13 square foot vestibule keeps boots and other gear dry and close at hand. And at less than two pounds, the Meta 1P won’t put undue strain on your shoulders while you’re hoofing from one campsite to the next. Little touches like improved guy-line tension adjusters and a constellation chart on the stuff sack set this tent further apart from the competition. $300; nemoequipment.com.