Helm Compact 1 Tent
£250.00
Winner of the Trail Magazine Gear of the Year 2023 and Best Value Award 2022.
The Helm Compact 1 is a lightweight, free-standing one-person tent designed for solo backpackers who need reliable shelter with a compact pack size. With a spacious interior, generous porch space, and excellent ventilation, it offers year-round versatility. New for 2025, the Helm Compact 1 now features a recycled, PFC-free inner and groundsheet, along with a new solution-dyed flysheet for enhanced durability and eco-friendly performance.
404 in stock
Sleeps
Season Rating
Max Weight
Min Weight
Packed Size
Helm Compact 1
The Helm Compact 1 is built for adventurers who value a balance of weight, durability, and interior comfort. Weighing just 2.09kg, with a minimum weight of 1.85kg, this tent provides ample sleeping space, making it a versatile option for three-season backpacking trips. The free-standing structure ensures stability on varied terrain, while the newly updated flysheet, inner, and groundsheet improve environmental sustainability without compromising performance. A rear storage space under the flysheet allows for additional gear storage, accessed conveniently from inside the tent. Designed with Easy Pitch and Easy Pack features, the Helm Compact 1 is quick to set up and packs down small, fitting neatly into a 35cm x 17cm bag—ideal for space-conscious backpackers and cycletourers
- New for 2025 with recycled. PFC-free inner and groundsheet fabric.
- New solution-dyed flysheet for enhanced resistance and durability.
- Award-Winning—Trail Magazine Gear of the Year and Best Value Winner.
- Free-standing design for stability on challenging terrain.
- Spacious interior with excellent headroom and ventilation.
- Rear storage area under the flysheet for extra gear access.
- Easy Pitch, Easy Pack features for quick setup and compact packing.
Details
Weight | 1990 g |
---|---|
Dimensions | 35 × 17 cm |
Sleeps | 1 |
Season Rating | 3 Season |
Packed Size | 35cm x 17cm |
Pitched Size | 220cm x 77cm x 92cm |
Max Weight (g) | 1990 |
Min Weight (g) | 1850 |
Weight Class | Medium Weight |
Flysheet Material | 68D Polyester Ripstop Polyurethane Water Repellent Solution-Dyed, PFC-Free |
Flysheet Hydrostatic Head | 4000mm HH |
Inner Material | 68d PES RIPSTOP Recycled WR PFC FREE |
Groundsheet Material | 70D Polyester Plain Recycled Polyurethane Water Repellent PFC-Free |
Groundsheet Hydrostatic Head | 5000mm HH |
Number of Poles | 2 |
Pole Material | 8.5mm Superflex Alloy |
Number of Pegs | 12 |
Pegs Material | Alloy ‘V’ Angle Pegs (12g) |
Number of Guylines | 4 |
Guylines Material | Yellow Reflective |
Footprint Compatible | Yes |
Doors | 1 |
Porches | 2 |
7 reviews for Helm Compact 1 Tent
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Tents Built for Weekend Adventures, First-Time Campers and Family Getaways.
Wild Country offers dependable camping tents designed with quality, value and simplicity in mind. Inspired by the innovation of our sister brand Terra Nova, Wild Country tents and shelters are made for first-time campers, festival goers, and weekend hikers who want confidence in their kit without the premium price tag.
Each product is designed in the UK and built with carefully chosen materials to provide long-lasting performance. From solo shelters like the Helm Compact 2 and Zephyros 1 to spacious family tents, Wild Country delivers gear that’s ready to go — wherever you’re headed.

Simpler Setup. Smarter Design.
Wild Country tents are built for speed, ease and reliability. With fast-pitch poles, colour-coded features, and compact pack sizes, they’re ideal for first-time campers and hassle-free weekends. Designed by experts, ready for anyone.
Adventures Start Here.
From your first wild camp to a summer of festivals or a trip with the kids, Wild Country gets you outdoors with confidence. Built for real-life use and value-packed without cutting corners.


Loved by Campers Like You.
We listen to our users — and build based on what they tell us. That’s why so many campers return to Wild Country again and again. Practical, durable, no-fuss tents that make your trip smoother from the first peg to the last brew.
is covered by Wild Country’s standard guarantee: a 2-year warranty on materials and craftsmanship.
This includes a 2-year alloy pole replacement policy for added protection on multi-season use.
Register your tent after purchase to activate your guarantee. Full terms & repair details.
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Richard Mansfield –
Purchased after much research and I have not been disappointed. Very easy to pitch and quick to pack away. I have used it in all four seasons in the UK, including high winds, driving rain and well below zero and it has held up flawlessly. I am 5ft 9″ and can sit up in the middle, can easily get changed and store my kit – the storage area accessed by the small zipped door is brilliant!
I would highly recommend this tent.
Graham –
This tent is just too short for anyone over 5ft 10ins. Apart from that one issue, it’s absolutely brilliant. I hope Terra Nova produce a longer version soon.
pk.szymanski (verified owner) –
I recently upgraded to the Zephyros 2 tent, and as a 183cm tall man (6ft), I find it incredibly comfortable. While it may seem small if you’re accustomed to larger tents like 3-person ones, it’s perfect for backpacking and wild camping, offering excellent value.
I’ve tested it in strong winds exceeding 50mph and heavy rain, and it held up admirably. Unlike the Zephyros 1, which lacked a pole, this tent meets all my needs perfectly. I highly recommend getting a footprint for it, as it greatly simplifies pitching.
Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend this tent. While I haven’t had the chance to compare it to TerraNova tents yet, I’m very satisfied with my purchase and hope to do so in the future.
Paul Messner –
I’ve used the Helm 1 Compact many times and have been extremely how well it performed in testing conditions, including severe wind and rain. The Helm has stood firm alongside tents that have cost 4 or 5 times the price. It’s easy to pitch, has generous storage space for your gear but I’d recommend that it’s more suited to people 6ft and under. You can see why this tent has won industry awards and I’ve said before that this is probably the best 1 person tent £ for Lb that’s out there for general wild camping.
Dave Binks –
I haven’t tried this out for real yet, but on first erection in my garden: -The tent appears to be well made (I have bought Terra Nova tents before and am confident this will be fine), and really good value for the money, but there are a few points to think about. –
I’m 6ft 0ins tall and this is not really long enough inside. My feet touch the end whilst my face is uncomfortably close to the wall at the other end, remember that the walls are not vertical – they slope towards the centre of the tent, so whilst the footprint appears on paper to be adequate, the full length is not useable. If you are say, 5ft 10ins or less, it would be fine.
The inner tent door opening could be a bit wider, it’s necessary to be really careful not to catch the opening when trying to get out.
I can sit up inside it, but only if there is no lamp attached to the ceiling loop.
For anyone taller than me, I would say this isn’t really big enough. I’ll live with it because I wanted to reduce the weight and bulk of my old Terra Nova Solar 2, which is actually still a good tent, but heavier and bulkier. Like most light tents, I would recommend using a footprint of some sort to protect the thin groundsheet from cuts etc.
Albert D (verified owner) –
The tent is great… but the customer service isn’t.
I ordered a footprint with the tent but it never arrived. I had to contact Terra Nova to find out where it was. It arrived about two weeks later but it was incomplete (it looked as though it had a price tag on previously which had been partly scraped off, maybe a return?) anyway, it had bungee cord missing off it so again I had to contact Terra Nova myself.
I thought that by buying direct from Terra Nova I would get better service than by using a third party seller. I was wrong.
I like the tent but am unimpressed by the customer service.
Nikos (verified owner) –
Super sturdy in wind consitions. I have not had the chance to use it in the rain just yet. I am 5’10” and I can easily change clothes inside the tent.