sierra-designs-meteor-lite-2-review-dirtbagdreams.com

ProView – Sierra Designs Meteor Lite 2

When your home away from home is a tent you end up spreading out, moving in, and generally just spending a lot of time (sometimes more than you want) in the tent. The Sierra Designs Meteor Lite 2 tent is a great second home; one you can really get comfortable in no matter the environment or weather forecast.

Sierra Designs Meteor Lite 2

Product Description: Your new home away from home, the Meteor Lite is an update to our time tested Meteor, with lightened, upgraded materials to take some weight off your back. The strong, fully freestanding design touts 2 doors and 2 vestibules with a footprint that allows you to spread out, giving you plenty of room for gear and a versatile pitch that works anywhere.

Offer price: MSRP: $369.95

  • Quality
    (4.8)
  • Features
    (4)
  • Fit
    (5)
  • Durability
    (4.5)

Summary

Overall, I think this tent is fantastic and will age well and serve as a useful home away from home. Not many tents provide an open feeling on the inside, this was probably the aspect of this tent I appreciated the most alongside the double vestibules. Despite the lack of footprint and cheap tent stakes (many broke), this will make a great gear acquisition!

Overall
4.6

Pros

  • Packability
  • Near vertical sidewalls that provide more space
  • Ability to roll up the rainfly, gives you desert tower gazing abilities

Cons

  • No footprint
  • Cheap stakes

I used the Meteor Lite 2 tent over the past several weeks in the ever-changing springtime weather of the Colorado Plateau and the gravely ground of the South Platte region of Colorado.  The very first tent I ever used (almost 20 years ago!) when I started backpacking in 8th grade was a Sierra Designs tent; so I was excited to use a modern tent from them and see what all the hype is about. 

Weight/Packability

At 3 pounds, 9 ounces and a packed dimension of 18 inches x 6.5 inches, the size (or lack thereof) will probably be the first thing you notice. I was pleased that I had a tent that was not cumbersome since when I am not tent living, I live in a UPS-delivery-truck-turned-motorhome. Space can be limited but it is nice to bring along a tent as a backup living quarters or for those impromptu overnight backpacking trips. This tent stows easily thanks to its great packability.

Sierra Design’s “burrito bag” packaging is also fantastic. I do not think I have ever used a tent that went back into the bag as small as it came from the manufacturer – even when you are in a hurry and do not try very hard. The tent pole bag has an attached pouch for the stakes which was a nice touch.

sierra-designs-meteor-lite-2-review-dirtbagdreams.com
sierra-designs-meteor-lite-2-review-dirtbagdreams.com

Size

The tent is spacious and for a 6’2”, 215lb person, that is important! I fit comfortably in the tent while laying down but most notable were the near-vertical sidewalls. These provide so much more space and helps eliminate that cramped tent feel when you and your tentmate are both sitting up in the tent while it thunderstorms outside. You have two doors and two vestibules (approx.. 9sq. ft each!) which provide tons of covered storage space for gear, clothes, shoes, and even a 75lb dog!

sierra-designs-meteor-lite-2-review-dirtbagdreams.com

Performance

The rain fly performed well in the brief but heavy thunderstorms of the desert, but I never used it in prolonged rain like you might face in the Pacific Northwest. Great hardware for being able to draw the fly tight simply means less flapping of material during the night and easy adjustments for when the fabric loosens up due to saturation.

At first, the tent seems complicated to set up, but a set of colored photo instructions are included. The instructions seemed hard to follow but luckily the tent is relatively intuitive to set up. They utilize some color coding poles and points on the tent to make sure things are set up correctly. The poles use a keyhole slotted metal attachment point on the tent which at first seemed like it was going to be great but it doesn’t provide a lot of friction and inevitably your pole will pop out when you move to the other end. 

Sierra Designs started in 1965 which means your buying from a veteran company with a proven track record of well-made equipment. More importantly, they instituted a Code of Conduct in 1995 that has guided them in operating in a way that is socially responsible. Focusing on ethical standards, working conditions and fair labor practices. They have made this a large priority of their business and choose to partner and support organizations that are committed to these same principles.

sierra-designs-meteor-lite-2-review-dirtbagdreams.com

Room for Improvement

The tent does not come with a footprint which I think is a big negative. A footprint helps protect and prolong the life of the bottom of your tent and adds another moisture barrier level. I find footprints to be an integral part of the tent system and should be included. You can buy one made specifically for the Meteor 2 for an additional $30 MSRP. Since the Meteor Lite 2 is one of their most expensive 2 person tents ($370 MSRP) I feel they dropped the ball on the footprint exclusion.

The Final Word

Overall, I think this tent is fantastic and will age well and serve as a useful home away from home. Not many tents provide an open feeling on the inside, this was probably the aspect of this tent I appreciated the most alongside the double vestibules. Despite the lack of footprint and cheap tent stakes (many broke), this will make a great gear acquisition!

Find Sierra Designs Meteor Lite 2 on Outdoor Prolink. Not a member? Apply today!

About the Gear Tester

Outdoor Prolink Pro
patrick-betts
Patrick Betts
Technical Director :: Front Range Climbing Company

Patrick Betts is the Technical Director at Front Range Climbing Company and is based in Moab, Utah. He has been in the Outdoor Industry since 2009 and guides year-round in Colorado, Utah, and beyond. When he is not guiding, you will find him traveling to climbing destinations around the world. Patrick is an experienced adventure photographer who enjoys taking photos of people pushing their own limits and capturing the landscapes of the areas that rock climbing takes you. Follow along @adventurethrulens

11 comments

  1. Justin

    Great review!

    I think you have the wrong weight listed in the review. According to Sierra Designs, this tent has a trail weight of 3lbs 5oz, not 4lbs 5oz

    Reply

    1. Outdoor Prolink Pro

      Justin,
      Thanks for catching that! The post has been updated.
      Roxy

      Reply

      1. BRIAN NORDBERG

        The Meteor Lite 3 is 4lbs 3.3 oz. No way the 2 person is 4 lb.

        Reply

        1. Outdoor Prolink

          Hey Brian! Thanks for commenting 🙂 We updated the review to state the correct weight, 3lb 9oz. Where are you seeing 4lb in the post? Let us know please!

          Thanks!

          Reply

  2. M

    Are there gear pockets or lofts in the tent? I can’t tell from any of the pictures or reviews I’ve read so far.

    Reply

    1. Patrick Betts

      M – good question!

      There is no loft but there are 2 mesh side pockets, one on either side, down low to help wrangle loose items!

      Reply

      1. Caleb Johnson

        There are four loops on the tent ceiling to add a gear loft, it just doesn’t come with one.

        Reply

  3. Elbert Dao

    Were you able to fit 2 people and your dog inside?

    Reply

    1. Patrick Betts

      Elbert,
      I did not have 2 people and the dog in the tent at the same time. My dog is a tall, 80 lb dog and would not fit with another human.

      I hope that helps!

      Reply

  4. Matt

    Wondering how well the tent has aged. Considering purchasing one for two people for seven day backpacking trips along Slovakia’s Cesta SNP.

    Reply

    1. Patrick Betts

      Matt – I think it has held up really well for how much it has been used. I probably sleep in it for 14-20 days a year. Most of that time it is packed in motorcycle bags for off-road backcountry travel. I did just recently have some seam sealing issues but I sent it in and they repaired it for free. I attribute that wear to the vibrations of being in an off road motorcycle bag. I was worried about the lightweight material in that environment but I haven’t had any issues with it wearing through. I still love the tent! I did buy the specific footprint for it. This allowed me to set the fly up without the tent body. Although it isn’t really intended for that set up; it works. This helps me cut weight and space when I just need a shelter. Hope this helps!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *