We have been deep in Nepal, backpacking by way of the Himalayas. The cool night air blew throughout the terrace overlooking lush inexperienced mountains as we unfurled the Exped Cassira two-person tent. In a matter of minutes, we had the tent arrange and the vestibules huge open, letting in air and providing us views of the countryside.
We spent 5 days trekking by way of Nepal, utilizing the brand new Cassira as our base camp, and it carried out nicely. In rain and wind, it stored the weather out and offered a calming place to relaxation after an extended day on the path.
Whereas clients know Exped for its sleeping pads, it additionally makes tents, and the brand new Cassira tent is a flexible providing. The 2-person model we examined provided extra-large vestibules, perfect for storing gear and even cooking if wanted. The tent has steep facet partitions and a tall peak top, making it a great choice for tall hikers.
It’s light-weight for a two-person tent and really straightforward to arrange. If it is going to stand as much as a trek midway around the globe within the Himalayas, it is going to carry out nicely for any journey right here stateside.
Briefly: The Cassira two-person tent ($530) is a light-weight backpacking tent that’s straightforward to arrange and has extra-large vestibules that present good airflow. The steep facet partitions create a tall peak top for taller hikers. For 2 massive folks, the tent might be a bit cramped, however for smaller hikers or a single particular person, it’s fairly spacious.
Vestibule space
30.8 sq. ft.
Min. weight
2 lbs., 8.5 oz.
Packed dimensions
4″ x 16″
Ground dimensions
87″ x 51″
Execs
Simple to arrange
Snug
Light-weight
Cons
Smaller 2P
Guylines tangle
Costly
Exped Cassira Two-Particular person Tent Evaluate
On Path
We examined the Cassira two-person tent on a trekking journey in Nepal and set it up all over the place from villagers’ yards to mountaintops that skilled flooding.
The tent is ultralight for a two-person tent, coming in at round 2 kilos, 8 ounces. And the convenience of setup meant we had extra time to take pleasure in our evenings and fewer time making an attempt to construct camp. The tent has one T-shaped pole that snaps into place to erect the tent’s physique.
Being within the wet season, we used the rainfly every night time. It slips over the physique and stakes out. The guylines on the finish of the rainfly connect to the tent with an O-ring and have a tendency to get tangled. It was one of many few drawbacks.
The wet season in Nepal made it very humid, and the Cassira gives nice airflow even with the rainfly on. The edges and prime of the tent physique are mesh, and you may open the rainfly huge to let air in, and even roll it midway up the tent for views of the night time sky.
This standout characteristic we beloved in regards to the Exped tent is the “Stargazer Mode, “the place you possibly can roll again and safe the pinnacle finish of the fly, revealing full night time sky views whereas retaining a little bit of privateness and wind safety.
Constructed for Backpacking
Whereas there are tons of tents for backpackers nowadays, the Cassira two-person tent is a superb choice for trekkers who desire a light-weight shelter with out sacrificing area and luxury.
The tent’s pole system makes use of DAC NFL Poles, that are light-weight, sturdy, and supply strong stability. A part of the rationale the setup is very easy and fast is that the pole hubs and cover clips make it clear learn how to connect the tent to the poles. Exped calls the guylines its “Fast Pressure System,” which anchors the tent to the bottom for additional stability. This does present extra stability within the wind, however the strains can simply get tangled.
The inside of the tent is constructed utilizing waterproof floor safety, a polyurethane-coated ground rated to 1,500mm water column, and factory-taped seams. This stored us dry all the time.
The Cassira is designed to prioritize headroom and area, which it does nicely. With one particular person within the tent, there may be loads of room. Including a second makes it a bit tighter on the ground area, however the headroom is nice.
For the recent, humid days on the path, the nice mosquito mesh offered ample air flow, whereas additionally retaining bugs and snakes out. The facet of the tent has 15-denier ripstop nylon polyester cloth that gives some wind and privateness, however with out the rainfly, the tent is sort of uncovered.
The inside gives ample space for storing with 4 pockets (two overhead and two at one finish of the tent), making it straightforward to stash gear whereas sleeping. There are 5 inside loops for attaching gear lofts, equipment, and camp lights as wanted.
Who Is It For?
The Exped Cassira tent hits the candy spot for backpackers who desire a light-weight freestanding tent that doesn’t skimp on options or area.
It offers a pleasant steadiness of consolation, climate safety, and packability. For 3-season backpacking, it gives ultralight minimalism and conventional backpacking consolation.
It will not be a great match for folks new to backpacking, contemplating the associated fee, and it’s also overkill for weekend warriors or automotive campers. And for ultralight thru-hikers, a trekking pole tent could also be a greater choice if you’re actually counting ounces. When you plan to make use of it in winter or chilly climate, its mesh gained’t present a lot heat.
Takeaway
Within the area, the Cassira two-person tent carried out nice, and it stood as much as the whole lot the Himalayas threw at it. In comparison with different tents I’ve examined over time, Exped has created a extremely light-weight, easy-to-use tent that may work for multiday treks in addition to in a single day tenting journeys.
For anybody out there for a light-weight tent that also gives all of the options and ample area, it is a good backpacking or bikepacking tent for hitting the path. The Cassira two-person tent is $530. Test it out!
