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Wilderness Experience Moonlight Mesh

rated 5.0 of 5 stars

Wilderness Experience is no longer in business, and the Moonlight Mesh has been discontinued. If you're looking for something new, check out the best three-season tents for 2024.

photo: Wilderness Experience Moonlight Mesh three-season tent

Large floor space, light for 1978, airy and well vented solid piece of equipment.
A bit of a rare bird.

Eight body peg points, three guy outs, solid bathtub floor, three adjustable strap down points for the fly, and six clip points along the sides for the fly as well.

This thing is built solid, bought it at a local Salvation Army for $10. I made aluminum poles to replace the fiberglass poles, and used it once south of Carbondale, Colorado, for a few days. It got very windy one night as a storm passed through and I can say this hoop tent being 29" at the highest point held like an anchor.

Very taut rain fly, solid stitching, lots of star gazing mesh, good venting.

Pros

  • This tent is a bomber for how light it is.
  • Windproof and lots of mesh with 8 feet of floor length, crazy only 4 pounds 12 ounces.
  • Two people and gear could fit in this tent with no problem.

Cons

  • No sealed seams, but does have poly coating
  • Sort of short floor-to-ceiling space
  • Can't be found; I was lucky to find one in pristine condition.

I've never even heard of this tent or any other tents made by Wilderness Experience. Although the history of the company by brothers Jim and Greg Thomsen is like a trail to success from what started as a simple mountain guide outdoor adventure gig for underprivileged kids in 1970 turned into a huge 400+ employee business.

As you can see this is the typical hoop design, but for someone as myself at 6'3" wide shoulders this is a solid roomy tent.

Wish it was a bit higher.

  • Wilderness Experience 1978 tent catalog gives the measurements of 96" (8 feet) long and widest point is 63" (5.25 feet) front to center of body and then tapers to the rear at around 50".
  • It sits low to the ground for total wind protection from 29" front, 27" center, and 25" rear.

I built a set of shock-corded aluminum poles to replace the fiberglass ones.

Nothing wrong with the fiberglass ones, just prefer aluminum.

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Background

Few nights in the Rockies. Zero condensation, but never had it rained on, just hit with some high winds and took it like a champ being low profile.
So as far as full blown water resistance? Have no clue, I would seal the seams.

Source: bought it used
Price Paid: $10

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