Exped Aries Mesh
The Aries Mesh has been discontinued. If you're looking for something new, check out the best three-season tents for 2024.
Fairly light, very hard wearing, easy to set up tent that can easily withstand all the rain and wind that the weather can throw at it.
Pros
- Hard wearing
- Inner connected to outer tent so fast setup
- A lot of room
- No condensation at all
Cons
- Snow or rain puddle will build up on roof
- Needs guy lines for a taut pitch
This tent weighs 2,5 kilos. Has a lot of room for two people and their gear and is loaded with features.
The tent never let me down (Alps, Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, etc). Takes wind beatings without a sigh and I never felt a drop of rain or a mist inside.
Because the inner is built with a lot of mesh, the tent doesn't have condensation issues at all. But because of this, it will feel cooler in shoulder seasons or in winter. I've taken it out in the winter in mild snow conditions and it has also performed perfectly in a snow storm in tierra del fuego (more wind than snow fortunately).
I would not take it out if I would expect a lot of snow, because of the long flat roof. Here snow and rain can build up. Also for a really taut pitch you will need to use the guylines. But if set up properly, you will have yourself a roomy castle for only 2,5 kg.
And the set up is easy, just put the two small poles through the nylon tubes, put in a few stakes and voila. You can do it on your own in 3 minutes. And because you set up inner and outer together in one go, the inside of the tent will not get wet if you set it up in a downpour.
Source: bought it new
Price Paid: 250 euro