The Sierra Designs Aspen Meadow 8 Tent has two large doors and one vestibule, it is incredibly affordable, and it is suitable for 2-3 seasons camping.
Key features & benefits
- Extended dome type tent.
- 2 Doors.
- Fiberglass poles.
- Great warranty.
- Incredible price.
What this is about
This Sierra Designs Aspen Meadow 8 Tent is a typical extended dome tent, and its structure is very clear when you see it without the fly as in the picture below. So you have a central dome part with its moderate peak height of 72 inches (183 cm), and two extensions supported by extra poles.
The tent has two asymmetric doors, one of them is a full-size mesh and the other is with a mesh in the upper part. This is related to its fly shape that covers the biggest part of the tent and creates a vestibule in front of the mentioned mesh door, but it does not cover the back side. The vestibule is with dual zippers on the sides so you can roll the flap up and fix it on the roof as in the picture:
You cam also create a large awning with the help of extra trekking poles, see how it looks:
The second door is shown below. As you see, you have a small brim above the door, so this is again a dry entry point. This is why the lower part is a waterproof coated taffeta.
Other features include an E-cable port, a gear loft, and a few small wall pouches, these elements are shown in the pictures.
Materials
The poles: The tent has 6 different fiberglass poles, two for the central dome, two for extension, one for the vestibule, and one for the rear brim. Setup is intuitive and easy and one person can do this in 15 minutes or so.
The fabric: The fly is a 185T taffeta with a moderate 1200 mm coating and the floor is a polyethylene with internal bound seams.
Ventilation
You have seen in the picture without the fly that the canopy is all mesh, so this is a huge ventilation space, plus the mesh on the doors.
There are no floor vents but I do not think this is a big deal, the main door mesh goes all the way to the ground. On the other hand, the rear brim raises the fly so you do not need fly vents. There is not much to object here.
Who is it for
Regarding the area, it is officially for 8 people and for this the declared area is 126 ft² (11.6 m²). This would mean 15.7 ft² (1.45 m²) per person and I think this is unrealistic. There is also the mentioned vestibule, but this is just for boots and shoes.
It is best to downgrade it to up to 5 people or so, I see it suitable for parents with 2-3 kids. The picture below shows how it looks in the camp.
Regarding seasons & climate, you have seen its canopy which is all mesh, so I see the tent best suited for summer camping or for 2 seasons. It might be unpleasant if you use it in a cold environment but this can certainly be done.
Regarding the weight, the tent is moderately light with its 21.74 lb (9.86 kg). This means the area/weight ratio is 1.18 m²/kg. The packed size is around 24 x 9 inches (61 x 23 cm) and this is also very good.
Regarding the price, this tent is incredibly affordable, you have the links below to check for the latest updates.
Specifications
- Weight: 21.74 lb (9.86 kg).
- Official capacity: 6 people.
- Dimensions: 192 x 108 in (488 x 274 cm).
- Floored area: 126 ft² (11.6 m²).
- Area per person: 15.7 ft² (1.45 m²).
- Peak height: 72 in (183 cm).
- Packed size (L x D): 24 x 9 in (61 x 23 cm).
Final thoughts, rating, pros & cons
In summary, this Sierra Designs Aspen Meadow 8 Tent is a very affordable tent with a 3/4 coverage fly and two functional doors. Ventilation is excellent here and the tent is best suited for the warmer part of the year. It is easy to use, lightweight and compact. You have a great outdoor brand behind this tent. The tent is included in my list of best Sierra Designs tents for camping.
Below you can see how this tent stands against my standard rating criteria. I apply them consistently to all the tents here in the site so that you can easily compare:
Sierra Designs Aspen Meadow 8 Tent
Pros
- Compact.
- Lightweight.
- Useful vestibule.
- Great price.
Cons
- Unrealistic official capacity.
BEST PLACE TO BUY:
For more tents of this shape please check in the category Dome Tents. You might want to see also this Coleman Bristol 8P Modified Dome with Hinged Door and the incredibly affordable Quest Switchback 8-Person Cross Vent Dome Tent.
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