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Mountain Hardwear Meridian 2

rated 4.0 of 5 stars
photo: Mountain Hardwear Meridian 2 three-season tent

This is a lightweight tent at around 4 lbs. I have used it both for backpacking and bicycle touring. I would highly recommend it!.

Pros

  • Has two doors with one on each side.
  • The sides are covered in wind proof nylon(?) high enough to shield from cold air.
  • The bathtub floor stays high off the ground.
  • It's easy to setup in a matter of minutes and has clips instead of sleeve poles.
  • The rainfly can be set up alone with the pole ends in grommets at the edges of each corner.

This tent sets up in minutes with the poles being shock-corded and having clip hooks along the top instead of pole sleeves. It will also set up without the tent beneath with just the rainfly and poles.

It's very stable in the wind and standing by itself. The aerodynamic shape of the rainfly makes the air flow over it well.

It holds up against the most powerful rainstorms and hold back snow well too.

It is covered on the main tent with a fine no-see-um netting and is very nice at night to view the stars as well as in the daytime to view the world.

It has about 3 feet of headroom and is long enough for the tall hikers. It more of a single person tent as its not as wide as most 2 person tents.

It has two meshed pockets on either side near the high end and one long one on the wide end also. And has two loops on the top ridge to hang lanterns, lights, etc.

It packs fairly small, rolling up small and tight. The poles and stakes pack well into their storage bag and the stakes are "T" shaped making them stronger against hard ground and stones beneath the surface of the ground.

The tent has held up well thru all kinds of weather and types of set-ups.

I have had the tent 2 years, bought in the spring of 2011.

Source: bought it used
Price Paid: $100

The best thing this tent has going for it is its solid MH construction, complete mesh top, easy setup, and dual doors. But if you've ever been in one you'll know its major downfall. This tent has absolutely no headroom! The floor space is ok for a tent this heavy but only one person can sit up in this tent and your head will be rubbing against the mesh. It would make an awesome solo tent if it were lighter, and a great two person if it had more headroom, but it's simply not perfect for either.

I'm not the most experienced backpacker in the world, but when I bought this tent, it seemed to fit my style perfectly. I very seldom sleep with other people and I need good ventilation. While the rainfly provides good rain protection, with both the vestibules zipped the rainfly seems to cut off airflow through the tent, and causes a lot of condensation. The tent is perfect for one person but is a little cramped for two people, unless they like being snuggly.

If weight is a big factor in your next tent purchase this tent is extremely light, and with the light pitch option (using the rainfly, footprint, and poles) the tent saves even more weight. Tent has plenty of mesh for warmer summer nights. This tent couldn't be easier to put together. With only one pole it is very simple and quick. I've had to put this tent together several times at night and have had no problems. Overall I'm very happy with this tent and would recommend it to anyone!

Design: 3.5-Season Freestanding
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: a monkey could but this together...
Weight: 5 lbs 8oz
Price Paid: $199.99

This tent has great ventilation, easy to open the fly from inside the tent. Room for 2 people over 6' tall with room for gear in the vestibule. Very easy to set up and very light (4.5lbs) when divided between two people.

This tent has been slept in for approx 20 nights and will be making its second trip to Philmont Scout Ranch.

Update: December 19, 2011

Took it to Philmont and the poles broke. Sent back to Mountain Hardwear and they replaced them no charge!!!

Price Paid: $145

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Specs

Price Current Retail: $275.00
Historic Range: $120.00-$275.00
Reviewers Paid: $100.00-$199.99

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