Marmot Aeolos Tent 2-Person 3-Season - 2008 BCS

Because reviewers had questioned whether this tent could stand up to a strong rain, I bought it with some concern. Having taken it out for several nights in wet weather, I'm a big fan. Set up is straightforward, and while the combination of sleeves and clips isn't elegant or clean, it does work. Specifically, the bent pole design does create nice living space. I stayed dry through wind and moderate long-lasting rain for several nights. My complaint, as with other reviewers, is with the doors on the fly. They don't stay open particularly well; and opening them in the rain without soaking gear stored in the vestibule is tricky.

It's shocking to me that no one has reviewed this tent yet. The bottom line is this: you'll have a hard time finding a better tent than this one. I've spent a whole lot of nights in this thing, in conditions ranging from hail to heavy rains to light snowfalls (couple inches). I've never had any condensation inside - not a drop. It pitches easily (even at 1 a.m. in pitch dark), is incredibly taut, and stands up extremely well in high wind. Oh, and it's obscenely big inside + 2 vestibules.

I'd suggest reading the editor's choice award review from backpacker's magazine (google it). I've owned a lot of tents over the years and this one is hands down the best 3-season I've ever owned or used. Like most things in life you get what you pay for, and you get every dime's worth with the Aeolos.

I bought this to go summer camping around mediterranean Europe. The tent was relatively easy and quick to set up even on first attempt. It is very spacious inside, thanks to the bent poles, with good head room. it also has good sized vestibules. Although it's a bit heavier than the light-weights on the market, it is much more roomy, and comfortable. It also has heavier coating on fly and floor than the light-weights which ensures it can withstand heavier rain. For me these trade-offs are important as it makes the tent much more practical. The only downside of the inside tent itself is the slanted pockets on the corners which means things do fall out. However I think the tent is roomy enought to leave things lying on the floor.

I've read some reviews in other sites that suggest the fly has a poor design and it experiences dips as water collects on top at certain spots. Despite having grommets to insert the shorter poles on the ceiling onto the fly, dips can happen as I found since I didn't use the guy ropes when I first set it up. Nonethless, on its 1st use it had to endure a 12 hours on continuous severe thunderstorm with very heavy rain in the Slovenian mountains and it held up fine and we stayed dry. (I also purchased the footprint when kept the floor perfectly dry). Afterwards I did use the guy ropes on 3 corners of the 4 corners (as strangely, only 3 line clips were provided) and the fly pulled much tighter without any dips. You do need to make sure you stake the fly well and use the guy lines to ensure this. The vestible door design however is not great as you can get wet opening the doors from the inside. It is also a bit tricky to keep the doors rolled up due to the position of the tie-ons. Also when it is rolled up, it does sag and touch the tent wall so you can't do while it's raining or wet.

Overall, I think it is a very good 3 season tent with some flaws. It is spacious and quick to set up. Ensuring you stake out the fly properly is the trick in making this tent work well when it's raining.

Worked great. Very light weight and strong construction. It was a breeze to set up and I had not previously red the directions.

I would note that I used it in a down-pour of rain and wind, and I was completely comfortable and dry inside. Also it is ENORMOUS inside (easily fitting 2 large people with packs inside).

Only complaint would be that when rolling up the fly doors, they do not really say all the way open and droop (when wanting to let in wind through the mesh).

I bought this to go summer camping around mediterranean Europe. The tent was relatively easy and quick to set up even on first attempt. It is very spacious inside, thanks to the bent poles, with good head room. it also has good sized vestibules. Although it's a bit heavier than the light-weights on the market, it is much more roomy, and comfortable. It also has heavier coating on fly and floor than the light-weights which ensures it can withstand heavier rain. For me these trade-offs are important as it makes the tent much more practical. The only downside of the tent itself is the slanted pockets on the corners which means things do fall out. However I think the tent is roomy enought to leave things lying on the floor.

I've read some reviews in other sites that suggest the fly has a poor design and it experiences dips as water collects on top at certain spots. Despite having grommets to insert the shorter poles on the ceiling onto the fly, dips can happen as I found since I didn't use the guy ropes when I first set it up. Nonethless, on its 1st use it had to endure a 12 hours on continuous severe thunderstorm with very heavy rain in the Slovenian mountains and it held up fine and we stayed dry. (I also purchased the footprint when kept the floor perfectly dry). Afterwards I did use the guy ropes on 3 corners of the 4 corners (as strangely, only 3 line clips were provided) and the fly pulled much tighter without any dips. You do need to make sure you stake the fly well and use the guy lines to ensure this. The vestible door design however is not great as you can get wet opening the doors from the inside. It is also a bit tricky to keep the doors rolled up due to the position of the tie-ons. Also when it is rolled up, it does sag and touch the tent wall so you can't do while it's raining or wet.

Overall, I think it is a very good 3 season tent with some flaws. It is spacious and quick to set up. Ensuring you stake out the fly properly is the trick in making this tent work well when it's raining.

Pros: lightweight, small pack size, very roomy-almost vertical walls, 2 doors&vestibules, easy set-up with outside frame and clips, great in rain and wind, easy to find in a sea of tents (color), great privacy with fly. There are a few cons - far outweighed by pros. Cons: can be cold with all-mesh design, vestibule door zippers hard to reach, rain fly doors have no attachment to hold open, my door zippers snag. (we have the three person - lots of room, a week together in crappy weather and we were happy)

This tent is absoulutely first rate in material quality and craftsmanship. However the stupid design issues (ridiculous slanted pockets and fly door issues) take most of the luster off this tent. It makes me wonder if the magazines that gave it awards actually tested the tent. It's a shame really. It could have been a great tent.