Tarptent - Aeon Li

Love my Aeon Li.

I honestly think the lunar solo pitch instructions are wrong. I used one for a few trips and had excellent pitches every time by following the tarptent aeon instructions. I forgot the instructions on my first night with it but I used to have an aeon and so I pitched it that way. I tried it again weber I got back to civilization and I don't know why smd recommends the way they do

I love my Tarptent Aeon Li, but it fails your "no extra struts" requirement. There are two carbon triangles at the back corners, a carbon strut on the back wall, and an aluminum strut at the top to increase headroom.

It's great for me, I really appreciate the ventilation, extra headroom, and stormworthiness that they add, but it does have to be packed vertically within my pack or outside.

I use a TT aeon Li and SMD Lunar Solo. If your on the fence about tracking pole set up shelters the Lunar Solo is a great choice. They are very affordable and fairly easy to find second hand.

Yep. It really is a great tent. I have yet to find any of the “UL” makers with one that has as much to offer as the SMD. Roomy, huge vestibule, very forgiving set up, and over all price. One thing I really appreciate about it that I didnt know until I got the Aeon.. there are no supports in it. It is just a large piece of material. That is nice because you can just stuff it and go. The TT Aeon and others have carbon support rods that you have to be aware of. The only thing better than the SMD would probably the MLD Deschutes. Very similar in design, but slightly different. As a matter of fact, the owner of six moons, and the owner of Mount Laurel are close friends, and both through hikers from what I understand. Either way, whatever you choose of the models you mentioned you can’t go wrong 🙂

Yea as much as I like my Aeon Li, it doesn’t fit your use case. Too big packed and heavier than the others. I have an HMG Unbound 2 that is basically the same packed size.

sorry, and lastly, since you asked what we use, so I'll share that. I have a TarpTent Aeon Li for solo camping (19oz, bought used $330), esp in nastier weather... I'm dialing in a lighter tarp and bivy option (shooting for <10oz there $250) for better weather... and a Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 2 for two person trips (29oz, used $435)

I had an aeon li when it was released in 2018 or so. I sold it after one season entirely because I didn't like the length that required it being packed vertically

Tarptent aeon li (478g) is 20% off in the november sale ($455). Very nice design, but the struts means it won't pack horizontally inside your pack (a deal breaker for some). Struts limit carry options but give you more internal space and better wind stability. Trade offs.

One thing to add is to be careful going off the spec sheet floor length alone. Just because a tent has a longer floor does not mean it will have more usable length. For example, our Dipole 1 Li has much more usable length than our Aeon Li, even though the Aeon Li has a longer floor. You want to look at the tent design and asses how high from the ground the fly is near the floor ends. If it gets too low, you will be cramped or even touching the fly with your bag, even if there is technically more floor length on the spec sheet.

TARPTENT FOR LIFE! I have over 5,000 miles on a 2017 Double Rainbow and Aeon Li

One of the best in the market that is truly ultralight would be the Tarptent Aeon Li. It's about 1.5 pounds. For a trekking pole ultralight tent it's especially good in wind but of course nothing compared to the Slingfin Portal or similar tents which weigh a lot more. I've not used it in Patagonia but I'd say it's one of the better truly ultralight tents out there. The other problem is that it doesn't have a high bathtub wall. So much dust is blown around in Patagonia that you almost want a four season double walk tent to keep it out.

3 to consider: Bonfus Middus 1P, Locus Gear Khufu w 1/2 or 2/3 inner, or the Aeon Li. I got over the packing issue w the Aron. Super simple set up, great weather resistance. I sold my Plex Solo. Poor wind resistance and absolutely hated all the staking.

I love my Aeon Li (and what the heck, I love your Aeon Li, too), but it's packed size is an issue - almost certainly won't fit in the Salomon 25

Tarptent Super light tents, good value. I’ve been happy with mine. I have a double rainbow and a single person. The single person uses trekking poles to setup.  I’d probably stick with free-standing if I buy a new one. Just out of convenience. 

I thought about the xmid and the Tarptent Dipole. Ended up with the Dipole because I'm tall and I didnt like the large footprint required to set up the Tarptent. I got the 1p and it's huge in the inside (for a ul tent).