Terra Nova Solar Photon 2 Review: An 880 g Three-Season Backpacking Tent

Introduction

The Terra Nova Solar Photon 2 is a three-season, two-person backpacking tent with a claimed packed weight of 880 g including its pegs. That figure places it among the lightest shelters aimed at backpackers who count every gram, and it rolls down to a compact 37 cm by 14 cm bundle.

The fabric is highly compressible, so the packed size can be reduced further by removing the poles and stuffing the fly and inner into a dry bag. For anyone building a lightweight kit around multi-day routes, that combination of low weight and small volume is the headline.

The design is front entry and pitches inner first, using a single all-in-one DAC pole structure. It rewards a careful pitch and a little mechanical sympathy, and the reward is a shelter that effectively disappears into a pack.

Who This Tent Is For

This is sold as a two-person tent, but it is an extremely small one. It was originally designed around two regular mummy-style sleeping pads, and modern longer and wider pads will not fit two side by side. Backpackers who use wide or long inflatable pads should treat the Solar Photon 2 as a generous one-person shelter rather than a genuine two-person option.

For a solo backpacker of around 172 cm, the interior is comfortable. There is room for a large sleeping bag, space to keep belongings inside, and two covered vestibule areas on either side that make it easy to separate cooking gear from toiletries, electronics, and anything else needed quickly.

It also suits walkers who do not use trekking poles. Because the structure relies on its own DAC poles rather than pole substitutes, there is no need to carry or deploy trekking poles to get the tent standing.

Main Strengths

Weight and packed volume are the obvious strengths. At a claimed 880 g including pegs, the Solar Photon 2 is remarkably light for a three-season tent, and the compact 37 cm by 14 cm pack size keeps it small in a rucksack. The highly compressible fabric means the bundle can be squeezed further still when the poles are separated and the fabric is compressed into a dry bag.

The pole set is a single all-in-one DAC design in 8.7 mm Featherlite sections, which contributes to both the low weight and the quick, logical pitch. Materials are thin but feel well made: the fly is 20D ripstop nylon with a 2,000 mm hydrostatic head, the inner solid fabric and mesh are 10D, and the bathtub floor is 20D with a higher 3,000 mm rating. The package also includes a pole repair sleeve and stuff bags.

Ventilation has clearly been thought through. There is a mesh panel at the back of the inner, mesh on the sides, a see-through mesh inner door, and a closable vent above the outer door that can be fastened shut with Velcro on colder or windier days. Combined with a two-way zip on the outer door, that gives a good range of airflow options.

Interior Space and Vestibule

The inner measures 214 cm in length, 80 cm across at the narrower rear and 126 cm at the wider front, with a 90 cm peak height. For a user around 172 cm tall, the ridge clears the head, though the inner wall can be brushed at the sides. Taller backpackers should expect a snugger fit and will want to check the dimensions carefully.

Inside there is a lantern hook at the centre and a pocket to one side, plus a second pocket on the other side. The rear vent sits at the head or foot end depending on orientation, and the layout keeps small items off the floor.

The vestibule is 60 cm deep by 56 cm wide. The outer door has a two-way zip with a storm flap, and it can be unzipped from the top to open just the upper portion, which adds ventilation while keeping the opening covered. Two toggle points hold the folded door back, which prevents the fabric from sagging the way it can with a single toggle.

Pitch and Setup

Pitching is inner first, which is typical for a three-season tent of this type. The all-in-one DAC pole assembly runs to the rear and arcs over, with two pole ends at the front. Feeding the pole ends into the sleeves takes a moment of care because the sleeves are very light, and it is worth taking the extra time to make sure there are no gaps.

Once the inner is up and pegged, the fly goes over the top. Working from the back forwards helps here. Elasticated hoops attach the fly to the pegging points, and small Velcro tabs keep the fly centred, which is a little fiddly but effective. After the fly is secured, the tent is watertight and the front vestibule and guylines can be pegged out.

The shape is blade-like and arrow-shaped, and the front should be pointed into the wind for the best behaviour in a blow. Additional fixing points on the sides add useful stability when the wind shifts around. In good conditions the whole process is quick, which matters when the weather turns while pitching.

What Changed for 2025

The 2025 version of the Solar Photon 2 brings several practical updates. The pegs are described as much more usable than the original set, which many users found disappointing. The fabric is more eco-friendly, and the new Aerial corners replace the small elastic loops that previously joined the inner and fly, giving a neater finish and making the tent easier and more pleasant to peg out.

These changes apply to the 2025 model. The 2024 version remains the one covered here, and it still uses the original pegs and corner arrangement. Buyers should confirm which model year they are ordering before they commit.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The hydrostatic head ratings are modest. A 2,000 mm fly and a 3,000 mm floor are adequate for typical three-season use, but they are not the highest figures available, and the fabrics are thin. The tent needs a little more care when pitching, packing away, and stowing inside a rucksack. Treated sensibly, it should serve well over many seasons.

The included 1 g titanium pegs are extremely small and may not suit everyone, particularly on soft or loose ground. Many buyers will prefer to carry slightly heavier pegs for reliability, and the repair sleeve is worth keeping in the bag for longer trips.

Price is the other consideration. At full retail, the tent is expensive. It has spent long periods discounted to around £420, and at that level it represents good value for a high-quality ultralight backpacking tent. Buyers who cannot stretch to it might look at the Naturehike Cloud Up 2, a similar design at roughly £150 that weighs a little over 1.5 kg.

Buying Advice

The Solar Photon 2 makes sense for solo backpackers who want a very light, compact three-season shelter with genuine vestibule space and thoughtful ventilation. It is less suitable for two people using modern wide pads, and taller users should check the interior dimensions before committing.

If the price sits close to the discounted figure rather than full retail, the value case is strong for what is a well-made, extremely light tent. That is the scenario in which this shelter competes hardest against heavier and cheaper alternatives.

If the cost is still too high, the Naturehike Cloud Up 2 offers a comparable layout at a much lower price with a meaningful weight penalty. Either way, matching the tent to how you actually sleep and how much space you need matters more than the headline gram count.

Conclusion

At 880 g including pegs, the Terra Nova Solar Photon 2 is an astonishingly light three-season backpacking tent with a compact pack size, a fast all-in-one pole pitch, and a well-considered interior for one person. The thin fabrics and modest hydrostatic head ratings call for careful handling, and it is not a roomy two-person shelter by modern standards. For the right solo backpacker, and at the right price, it is well worth a look.