NEMO Meta 1P Tent - 2012 Overstock

Comments about NEMO Meta 1P Tent - 2012 Overstock:

I'm 6'4", so, I had some concern about inside space with this tent despite the 100" length. Set up properly, it is roomy enough for me to lie down fully and even sit up crossed-legged in the center.

When I used it for my first backpacking trek followed the directions but didn't realize how important the front (extra, blue) guy line is for maximizing the height of the tent. The instructions deem it optional but with my need for the max height it is necessary. In fact, I leave the front guy line attached even when it is in the tent bag.

I don't use walking poles but a staff instead. So, I bought an optional 50" titanium, collapsible pole ($20) to prop it up. Now that I know to use the front guy line and not only the included directions, it sets up great with 6"-8" over my feet and face when I'm inside it. The end guy lines help prop it up too but seem to suggest setting it up between two trees with 5'-6' of room on either end for best elevation of the tent ends. However, using stakes with the end guy lines works pretty well too. Using 50' of para-cord (that I normally take with me anyway) the mid-height, corner loops can further increase inner space and seriously anchor it for foul weather.

The ventilation is really good but I put out a lot of heat during sleep, so, condensation is inevitable for me pretty much. However, it wasn't too much of a discomfort even with the high humidity I just experienced this first trip with it. The vestibule is large and easily fit all the gear I brought with me under it and left space for me to easily get out in the morning and, in fact, stand straight up from within the tent through the door.

With the footprint (an extra expense but nicely attaches to the corners with hooks) the whole thing weighs < 3 lbs. and saves a lot of room in my backpack. It is pretty pricey but it is worth it long-term to me. The construction is well done too.

It is bright in the sunlight and the guy lines are nicely reflective especially seen with a flashlight of some type.

Comments about NEMO Meta 1P Tent - 2012 Overstock:

I spent nine days on the Wonderland Trail with this little beauty, and it never let me down. Yes, it does collect condensation, but no more than the inside of your average rainfly, and it was never a problem. There is ample room in the tent at both the head and foot to keep from touching the walls (I'm 6'1").The vestibule is huge and can easily swallow all of your gear. Setup is intuitive, and I could always fully pitch this tent before anyone else had their tents up.

Comments about NEMO Meta 1P Tent - 2012 Overstock:

I have owned this tent for 2 years. I find it to be an excellent choice for a Backpacking tent. The vestibule is enormous, the side entry is much more convenient than front entry tents and if you pitch it right you can absolutely get a tight pitch. I would agree that you need to use a stake each at the ends to keep the ends from sagging. The other keys to a tight pitch are to raise your trekking pole as high as the shelter will allow and to guy out the back loop to something at least a couple of feet high to create an upward angle. That results in a much tighter pitch across the back.

Comments about NEMO Meta 1P Tent - 2012 Overstock:

The Nemo Meta 1p is a crossover between the 'normal' backpacking tent and the ultralight style single walled or hybrid tarp-tents. Unfortinatly this one combines the lesser aspects of both. Being 'heavy' for a ultralight and complex for a light backpacking tent.

What I see as a design flaw, the sides sag when wet with rain or dew and touch the floor leaving a place for water to pool and enter the tent - right along with that is since the sides sag there is a lot less usable room by your head and feet. Staking it out requires 2 additional stakes and guy lines and that gets rid off most but not all sag and gives lots more room - the tent actually is roomy with the additional stakes and I would say these additional stakes and guy lines are required for this tent but not included. Using 2 additional sticks to elevate the guy lines could elimiate this sag, but IMHO not worth the small weight savings at this point.

The other minor things that I have noticed is the center pole deign does limit entry and exit, and while exiting it is easy to forget the center pole and bump it, for a ultralight some things like this I would consider normal and something you just have to learn to deal with, and the bumping is not going to take the tent down it is solid once put up. It is also curious how the zipper for the inner door extends past the center support pole as you can't use that section of the door due to the pole in the way.