3100g / 4.27m²

What we liked: Well designed, comfortable space for three, durable
What we don’t: Breezy in cold weather

We recommend for:
Families or trios looking for a comfortable, easily organised three-season tent.

Overview and features: The new Trilight is a freestanding, three-person-plus, dual-entry tent. It provides plenty of room and practical features for a reasonable weight. The inner has a large area of mesh for warm-weather comfort along with interior-adjustable vents and plenty of pockets. The UV-resistant fly and nylon floor have high waterproof ratings.

Space and comfort: The inner is a tight fit for four regular-width mummy-shaped mats or three wide mats, but three regular-width mats fit easily with room for gear. The design makes good use of space, with plenty of room for sitting side by side. A roll-top storage bag clips to the ceiling for use as a gear loft, complementing several large storage pockets that help avoid the chaos of loose gear.

Durability: Macpac has a reputation for durable tents, and the Trilight maintains that standard with strong zips, quality materials and a tough 40D floor. This means that in many cases you can leave the groundsheet at home.

In use: The tent’s inner can be pitched independently, or you can use the fly and poles alone for lightweight trips. Macpac recommends this tent for warmer weather use below the bushline, as airflow is prioritised over winter warmth. That said, the 10,000mm waterproof rating of the floor is at the top end for three-season tents. With the six supplied guylines attached, this tent stayed stable in strong wind and the fly pitching points allowed easy re-tensioning. The vestibules are not large but were sufficient for stashing packs and boots. There are lighter tents in this class, but the Trilight provides a lot of space and function in a reasonable backpacking weight, while promising longer life than featherweight tents.

Value: It has a strong feature set and durability for the price.

Why buy the Trilight?

Parties of three to four will find this tent practical and long-lasting for the price.