Terra Nova Southern Cross 1 Tent Review

[@jkabholat]

You truly have inspired me to get up and walk, to enjoy the fresh air and to be kind to myself.

[@maxvidal6884]

Ace tent, I have the 2 man version which has served me well for the last few years, love the ease of pitch. I’m 6’2 and there’s plenty of room for me, never had an issue with condensation either. Love your vids and energy 👌

[@tonycave7426]

Great review Abbie. I use mine with the Wild Country Porch Tarp which gives the option of a small outside cooking / storage area and you can eliminate condensation in the tent by leaving the door fully open under the tarp,even in the rain.

[@jamieoutdoors]

This was really interesting to watch as I am looking more and more into wild camping. Thanks for all the information you spoke about. I am looking at the Terra Nova Voyager, good to hear these guys are family run.

[@linedwell]

Love your reviews. 👍 Do some cheap stuff tho, I can't afford a £400 tent and it makes me jealous.. 😝

[@simonholley4110]

Terra Nova also make Wild Country, cheaper and slightly heavier versions of the range. I have a Terra Nova Laser 2 which has lasted me about 16 years, mainly in Scotland, so I have got my money's worth, and it is still going. I added a footprint about 2 years ago, and replaced the pegs as soon as I bought it, but still got life in it. 2nd hand off Ebay or similar is an option, I wanted a bigger 4 season tent, and bought a Terra Niva Quasar for about 1/3rd the RRP still with plenty of life in it.

[@robertwicks3782]

I really like your reviews Abbie - articulate and informative. There are so many gear reviews that tell you absolutely nothing other than that the person liked the product! keep it up : )

[@northernmonkeydan1940]

Hey Abbie - glad you pointed out the Terra Nova "tent peg issue". I'm a big fan of TN and have had several over the years, however, they really need to be called out on the pegs they provide, which are a joke. The ones I got with my Solar Photon 2 were literally unusable, barely thicker than sewing needles! Terra Nova tents are expensive - the least they could do is provide decent pegs.

[@simonholley4110]

Agree about the pegs, the early ones were carbon fibre and like small biros. I swapped them for some titanium ones, no heavier but much better.

[@justwilliam6192]

We have the TN SC2, truly cracking tent Abbie, we're taking it in the TMB this year. It's a fantastic shelter and so easy to put up and down. The entrances and two porches realy does make it very versatile.

[@get_outdoors]

Great video, I have this tent and totally agree. Condensation has been a issue for me too, so much so I’ve had to take the inner out to prevent it wetting out on multi days. I’m just about to send mine for repair as I had a guy point stitch fail in 25mph gusts, which is not great considering the price, I also discovered the inner tent stitching has failed (not a stress point).

[@Bereit18]

I’ve pretty much decided to go for a Hilleberg Soulo or Unna. That said a friend pointed this out to me recently, nice tent and great review Abbie as always. 👍👍 I used to own a terra nova laser comp 1 and do rate their products.

[@briantyhy4880]

\thanks for detailing the toggles for removing the inside tent. I found that in rainy weather I need a tent which I can roll up the interior tent keeping it dry. Then store the outer tent separately and remove it to dry when the time is right during the day. thanks for posting

[@Lee-70ish]

Good overview Abs . Bit short for me ,but looks reasonably well made however for 500 quid I think there’s better fours around in this price band IMHO Terra nova make fabulous tents but only when you pay fabulous prices for example their Quasar expedition 4 season is £900 but could be used anywhere with confidence. Happy Trails everyone👍🏻

[@TheScotsalan]

Interesting design. A net pocket on the end of the door would be good, to accept a walking pole to create a vestibule area. That wound do away with the need for a clothes peg. Great review.

[@quiettime1282]

Had this tent out in windy conditions, maybe 30-40mph. Very stable tent. Inner tent was flapping around though and kept hitting my face. Only problem is the small inner, but it isn't too bad! For 1.7kg, this tent is really stable in strong winds!

[@tamarmolerick3814]

Great review. I think the price tag is going to be a deal breaker for a lot of people; it looks a good tent but possibly not £550 of good tent.

[@ScotsWildcamper]

I got the 2 man new for £390 when it first came out. Wouldn't recommend the one man get the Akto, the 2 man southern cross is alot better in my opinion.

[@TimmyBobinson]

You are a bright light in a dark world Abbie. SHINE!

[@WiltshireMan]

I have the laser one and to be honest it is just a little too small for me and I am 5ft 10 inches, but I do like the quality and the design. I think with any 4 season tent you are going to get more condensation. But atleast the snow won't get in:)

[@jeanpauldebaene]

I agree on the condensation !

[@patrickmoore2031]

Hey Abbie, that looks like a well designed tent. Very solid. It would be a bit too snug for me. I’m always trying to keep condensation off the foot of my sleeping bag. I hope you get good use out of it though. Thanks very much for the shout out. 🙂

[@leeconnett7532]

Excellent review! Proper useful information Thankyou.

[@HerrFinsternis]

Thx, someone who knows how to pitch a tent nice and tight. Lovely 😊 I actually didn't know that was possible with this tent.

[@markdale8301]

Looks a decent tent. I’m 6’4” though so the length would be an issue. I use a Hillberg Unna. Like the extra room inside . No vestibule, but can make space by unclipping the inner tent from the poles when necessary which works okay. Thanks for the interesting review.

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

I got that one, it's a very good tent and I'm pleased with mine. If I had to buy only 1 tent to do it all Abbie, that would be the one.

[@excaliber32]

Great review. I was looking at a terra nova tent really nice tents but in the end I brought a fjallraven abisko lite 1. Keep up the great vids 👍

[@PMarsh14]

How do you find the Abisko Lite 1?

[@positive_kjj]

I got this tent! ❤❤

[@MaNi-cn7to]

Thank you for review! looks like if it´s rain and windy you will get inner tent in your face? am 189 cm, you think it will work for me?

[@muzzmacc6411]

Nice review, but what about summer-only tents? If you ever get the time (!) , some captions would be helpful. Bullet points, that kind of thing. Would you consider doing some 'bike and hike' videos? It's a great way for people to ease themselves back into walking after a fairly challenging winter. Works different muscle groups too! Hope you're well, Murray.

[@BrianthatiscalledBrian]

Thanks, Abbie. 👍🙂

[@alasdairgeddes]

Thanks for the review, very helpful. Is this tent still good? Also, I have the same bag as you with the tent on the outside and it's the reason why my tent now has holes in it.

[@tiddybearkush]

Abbie, if the zippers messing with you carefully spray them with silicone lubricant it works grate. CRC silicone spray for example.

[@walkaboutphilpots3795]

Hey nice tip mines arriving tomorrow i will spray it Cheers :)

[@erwinveenhoven]

Today is a special day! It is today :) Good spirit.

[@alanhunter2051]

Have you given up using the Enan and the Akto? My Soulo is my all year and best tent ever. Pros bomb proof in any weather. Con price and weight.

[@rayturvey7967]

Thanks for the review Abbie, As for being pricey, yes it is a lot of money but think how much B&B accommodation would cost you on a week-long trek. Say £50 a night, so it`s relative. Not sure if I could cope with a free-standing tent, I would worry about it blowing away before I could get in.

[@esmex8829]

You did separate videos on both 1p Hilleberg tents, + a direct comparison. And you dont say a word on how those compare to the TN Southern Cross? How is this not the most interesting part, how does it compare to the ENAN... Please add a comparison if you like, would be most appreciated.

[@snessiram]

Weight: The Akto weighs about the same as the Southern Cross. The Enan is 500g lighter! Price: I think the Southern Cross is cheaper than the Hillebergs? Materials: The Akto is marketed as 4-season, and thus has thicker stronger materials than the Enan. I would say that the Southern Cross is a bit in-between, probably more like the Enan (especially the inner). The poles on the Southern Cross are thinner (but due to the construction of the tent, this might be ok) and the pegs need to be replaced. Features: The Southern Cross is free-standing and I liked the clip on the door te hold it open. Easier than on the Hillebergs where you have to roll up the doors. The door on the inner of the Enan falls to the floor, which seems impractical to me. The Enan and Southern Cross have permanent mesh in the door of the inner, on the Akto this can be closed off. The Akto has a vent at the top of the zipper, which the other 2 lack. Space: The Hillebergs are wider and have a bigger porch area (but this was still ok on the Southern Cross). The Southern Cross and Enan have a single pole on the ends of the tent, while the Akto has 2 shorter ones. This has quite an effect on the space in the inner when you lay down. In the Akto, the roof of the inner comes a bit lower (but I haven't experienced it coming too close to my face), while in the other 2 it's the walls of the inner that "fall in". I'm 190cm and for me the Akto feels a lot roomier laying down. I have space left above my head and behind my feet when stretched out. In the other 2 I think I would be touching the walls of the inner tent with my feet. I think the Southern Cross is the worst in this regard. Sitting up in the Hillebergs is okish for me, but I can't do it with a straight back. The Southern Cross is a bit special in this regard. I couldn't sit up within the inner either, but because the center wall slopes a bit, I could sit up with my head popping out of the inner door, which gave me a few extra cm's of headroom. I ended up going with the Akto because it felt roomier for me. If that is not an issue, I would say go for the Southern Cross if you want a free-standing tent, go for the Enan if you want lightweight.

[@karolinamazur9351]

Hi Abbie, do you reckon it's worth the pricetag? I'm considering buying it, did fair share of research but wanted to know your opinion. Hope you're keeping well in this crazy times x

[@LudikVideos]

Привет! Как я понимаю, у этой палатки только один слой сверху? То есть она как бы однослойная? Что на счёт конденсата? Как ваш опыт использования в сильный дождь и в холодную погоду? Влага не попадает внутрь? Конденсат не попадает внутрь? Hi! As I understand it, this tent has only one layer? It's like a single layer tent? What about condensate? How is your experience of using in heavy rain and cold weather? Does moisture not get inside? Does the condensate not get inside?

[@LudikVideos]

oh no, I'm sorry, I watched it to the end, this tent has two full-fledged layers! It is fantastic! now I want the same one!))

[@catianaweiss2788]

Thank you a lot good and honest review :) I bought the tent and I hope I will have great adventures with it! 🩵🏔️

[@philmcglass450]

Whatever tent you use it will be cheaper than a hotel in the long run and getting out and about is better than staying at home most times. Many of us make do with a 3 season vango 200 size though for two they are a bit cosy, they are also sub £100 if you catch a special offer though not as light as some at higher prices they work fine at a manageable weight for most people, great for all but the worst of uk weather when the majority don't venture out in a storm anyways.

[@summitupmark5615]

Just ordered one of these tents - have you used the webbing loop on the door to create a porch using a trekking pole?

[@ChrisWilson-mg1it]

Good review Abbie. Have you ever used a tipi style tent in strong winds and if so how did it stand up to it? Cheers Chris

[@thepilgrim1581]

Great video Abbie.......

[@cedarcanoe]

I am 2 meter long (6’6”) and am afraid the inner won’t be long enough?

[@christinemitchell6726]

Great review - thanks Abbie! :)

[@hoser7706]

How is this for setup vs the Hilleberg Akto by ease?

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Easy peasy :)

[@andymcc3059]

It's a nice tent, but for me it was a bit short, and in not tall. Sold it on and went for a hilly soulo and have never looked back...

[@Paul-kx7gh]

Think of the work out you’ll get carrying this tent in or on your backpack 💪

[@freddiemercerful]

Dont you think it would be a much better wild camping tent without the massive red poles? The low profile is great but surely Terra Nova know that were not always camping fully legally. This would stand out like a sore thumb up on an explosed hillside.

[@KOL630]

Great review. Those pegs are a joke. Any tent over £100 in price should not come with those pony cheapskate pegs. I’ve been weighing one of these up for a while but the price and weight have put me off. I’ve had hillebergs and Mountain Hardware tents and there’s always a compromise so recently settled on a £100 Naturehike Vik 1 tent. Brilliant kit for the price. And you get good pegs with it. Obviously not as well constructed as a Terra Nova but for the price, weight and performance you cannot go wrong. I’ve had it on a ridge in extreme wind and it was rock solid.

[@michellehanley4651]

I just want to see your Cleveland Way video..... waiting waiting.. hahahaha

[@alexmorgan3435]

How many mugs of coffee did you have before doing this review? Really curious about this tent, but soon as you showed inside I was so disappointed as it promises so much but doesn't deliver. It seems rather claustrophobic inside. I prefer my MSR Hubba NX - no sloping fabric on your face and still lots of space. The 2 person one has a huge amount of space and two doors, one each. I think this Southern Cross tent is about £300 too much.

[@davids9549]

It's a nice enough tent, but, having tried both, it seems to me that it's the lesser version (in more ways that one) of the Southern Cross 2, a superior tent at 600g more weight. The Southern Cross 2 has twice the space, more height, two good vestibules (and thus better condensation control), and of course can accommodate 2 people if needed. Sadly Terra Nova tents are becoming a rarer sight that they used to be on he hills as other manufacturers take a larger slice of the market, which I think is because they're falling behind in the weight/price/value stakes. The Southern Cross 2 costs £700 - if you've got that kind of money you're more likely to be throwing it at a Hilleberg.

[@maxvidal6884]

David S I must have got extremely lucky, only paid £340 for my SC2

[@niftyfiftycampingadventure795]

At 550 quid with cheap nasty pegs ,no DAC Poles and condensation issues.. Not for me.. The Wild country Helm 1 compact looks just as good for a fraction of the cost.. With maybe a 300g weight penalty.. Thanks for the upload..

[@modestadventurers]

Nice tent.

[@mechasartre3694]

Daaaaaamn. The price of 4 seasons kills me every time.

[@xjessukx]

Does the footprint cover the vestibule or just the inner tent ?

[@get_outdoors]

Yes it does

[@xjessukx]

Thanks

[@rotaaable]

Have you tried any ultralight tents? This one's expensive, heavy and not very spacious, to be honest. So what are the advantages?

[@scuba5k]

rotaaable 4 seasons. If you don’t camp in the snow then you don’t need it.

[@kc3718]

what do you call an ultralight tent pitched on a mountain ? A Kite.

[@onnonugteren2935]

Hello Abbie, first reaction here for me. Love your energy. :-) But generally: if you want an international public than remember we are not all native speakers. :-) slow down a bit in your tempo of speaking. I think if you think it is slow than it is probably for a lot of us still fast. :?-) The slower you speak the better people can remember what you said. The more charismatic you will be. And I think you are charismatic. :-) Friendly greetings, Onno Nugteren. Perhaps adding this: when it is really important to know the details, repeat or slow down especially. But… love your energy so don’t change that. Ah and your articulation is very well also, …for your speed. :-)

[@ruairidhalexander7631]

Do the end vent flaps in the inner tent have insect mesh? It doesn't look like they do, and if that's the case then Scottish midgies would quickly find their way past the flaps into the inner tent, making this tent useless in midgie season.

[@get_outdoors]

Ruairidh Alexander the outer vents have mesh fitted

[@tonycave7426]

Tested in midge hell of NW Scotland last august and yes it is midge proof with mesh over the end vents

[@gullberg1000]

the pegs are 13 grams, soo super light!!

[@rotaaable]

Looks like it's REALLY heavy!

[@happymaskedguy1943]

looks like a Zephyros or laser Comp with a spine growing on the outside.

[@dannywilliams1279]

Anyone up for starting the 2 moors coast to coast from the 6th to the 12th of June hit me up 😂😂😂

[@dannywilliams1279]

2 meters distancing in effect at all times .. naturally

[@joekelly9369]

The blue pole was 1 pole to many And pack size for a 1 person tent , did like the outer pole system , great white inner ..always seem to know what the weather is in a white inner even with the door shut . Any other colours drive you maaaad after a few weeks plays with your vision,, ventilation points arent midge proof ..so not for the highlands then

[@es3907]

What do you look like without the hat ? You and Darwin always in hats are you two hat lovers ? Great review - 2 small for me I'm a giant

[@simonholley4110]

Try the Terra Nova Laser range, I am 6'8", and have Laser 2. They also make a cheaper and slightly heavier version in the Wild Country range, from the same company.

[@garyjaques4821]

I think the terra nova pioneer 2 tent is far better tent. About same weight, more room, dac poles, better ventilation and 40d fabric and best of all only £240 no brainer in my eyes, plus the inner tent is alot more taught than the southern cross

[@get_outdoors]

Gary Jaques I have both tents, the Pioneer 2 is a great tent but it’s not a true 4 season

[@kn0bch33s3]

Terra Nova are not a small company at all and since they moved production abroad they have been relying on their past reputation to sell tents. And they are backed up by the worst customer service I have come across.

[@get_outdoors]

I’m just about to test their customer service out with my Southern Cross 1 which has 2x stitching failures!

[@get_outdoors]

Update, TN customer service have been great

[@christopherlawley1842]

Ah Ha a RIGHT handed tent. If only Hilleberg did one.

[@Dr.D00p]

I really don't know why you'd want to put your faith in one of these when you can get a bulletproof Hilleberg Akto & Groundsheet for the same money.

[@nawwk79]

Because she support UK brand, Hilleberg is Swedish so she ain't gonna support that.

[@pootlingalong8928]

OK - I have a challenge for you. Bearing in mind your slogan "Spend More Time In the Wild", I challenge you to source and review a package of kit sufficient to enable a cash strapped student or pensioner, or someone of any age and circumstance simply on a more modest budget, to get out and Spend More Time In the Wild. I'm thinking of someone who may, as we endure the current lockdown, be thinking that when this national crisis and lockdown is over, well then they would like to get out for a few weekend trips this year - an overnighter here or there but who currently looks at your films and thinks, well I just don't have the money for it.I'm not talking about someone planning a Tour of Mont Blanc or a Lands End to John O'Groats slog, but someone who would just love to have a few weekends away during 3 seasons but with very little money for kit, and certainly not in the hundreds and hundreds of pounds bracket. I first went backpacking in the 1970s and can promise you I did not have money for kit at the age of 23 that you appear to have which is right up there at the high end.I challenge you to find a rucksack, solo tent (3 season), comfortable sleeping mat, 3 season sleeping bag and cookset for £150 or under The kit should be of decent good quality - capable of lasting a couple of seasons of several weekends away each season, and should not weigh more than approx 6kg all in, allowing for the fact that food and water and spare a set of spare clothes and a cheap waterproof cape will add possibly a further 3-4 kg (on the basis that food can be picked up on our hiker's route and not necessarily carried from the start). 10kg is enough weight for anyone unused to it to carry across country for a good few miles. Once you have sourced this kit, we can all have a look at your review which I'm guessing will not only be a lot of fun to see what is out there on a budget, and will also draw you many more fans if it is up to your usual excellent review standards, and you could perhaps then donate the package to a scout or girl guide group or other youth group. There you are, I've thrown down the challenge. Will be interested to see whether you wish to have a go! :)

[@janesmith5665]

Why not do it yourself and post a video.

[@Sparky-ov1ot]

Get on with it! a real non biased review? not.

[@ospreybird]

:-)