A night sleeping beneath the stars can be an extraordinary adventure, especially with the right gear by your side. The last thing you want on a weekend away in the wilderness is a tent that doesn’t meet your expectations. You need a reliable, spacious tent that won’t break the bank and respects the environment.
Enter the Sierra Designs Meteor 3000, a tent designed to meet these exact needs. It’s eco-friendly, robust, and perfect for two-person backpacking, bikepacking, or just a weekend wild camping.
This review will break down its features, benefits, and my personal experiences, helping you decide if it’s the right choice for your adventures.
About the Meteor 3000 2P?
The Sierra Designs Meteor 3000 is a freestanding two-person tent, designed with sustainability in mind. It’s built for three-season use, perfect for warm-weather camping and comes with a host of user-friendly design features.
Whether you’re a first-time wild camper or an experienced adventurer, this tent aims to offer space and comfort without compromising quality. Its low-impact materials and eco-friendly design might make it the ideal choice for the conscious camper.
Meteor 3000 2P Specs
Minimum Weight: 4lbs 5oz / 1.96kg
Packed Weight: 4lbs 9oz / 2.08kg
Number of Doors: 2
Number of Vestibules: 2
Vestibule Area: 9 + 9 sq ft / 0.84 + 0.84 sq m
Floor Area: 29.8 ft2 / 2.77 m2
Peak Height: 41″ / 104.1 cm
Dimensions: (L x W): 84″ x 51″ / 213 cm x 130 cm
Packed Size: (L x W): 18″ x 6.5″ / 45.7 cm x 16.5 cm
Design Type: Freestanding
Number of Guylines: 6
Stake Quantity: 10
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Who Created the Meteor 3000?
The Meteor 3000 backpacking tent is an innovative product crafted by the esteemed American outdoor company Sierra Designs. Recognizing a unique demand in the European market, Sierra Designs meticulously designed this backpacking tent, with a blend of essential features that cater to the region’s diverse terrains and weather conditions.
Top Benefits of the Meteor 3000
Here are the top benefits that make this tent a preferred option for many wild campers:
Comfortable Living Space: The Meteor 3000 2P’s steep wall angles are not just for aesthetics; they create tons of internal space and good headroom, the Meteor 3000 2P ensures that you never feel cramped, providing a more comfortable camping experience.
Weather Protection: The 3000mm hydrostatic head of the outer fly guarantees that you stay dry and protected from the rain, even in unpredictable weather conditions.
Ease of Use: With its free standing design and inner clips, the setup and take-down process is smooth and effortless, saving you valuable time and energy.
Value for Money: Affordably priced without compromising on essential features, make the Meteor 3000 2P a great investment for both seasoned campers and beginners.
Best Features of Sierra Designs Meteor 3000 2P
From spacious interiors to innovative design elements, here are some of the standout features that make this tent a top choice for wild camping:
Burrito Storage Bag for Super Easy Packing
The innovative “Burrito” storage bag makes packing away effortless. Its unique design allows you to easily roll the tent into the bag, making packing and unpacking a breeze.
Fully Freestanding Design
Its fully freestanding design offers versatility in pitching the tent. Whether on rocky ground or a sandy beach, the Meteor 3000 2P can be set up with ease, providing a sturdy and reliable shelter.
Fast & Easy Two Pole Setup
The Meteor 3000 2P is designed for quick and easy setup with just two poles. The hubbed pole structure, coupled with a ridge pole, make for a simple yet effective design means that you can have your shelter ready in no time, even after a long day on the trail.
Two Doors & Two Vestibules
With its two entrances and two porches a.k.a. vestibules, this tent ensures that access and gear storage are never an issue. Whether entering or exiting, or stowing away your equipment, the convenience of this design is felt throughout the camping experience.
Stargazer Option
The full coverage fly not only offers protection against the elements but also includes a stargazer option. This design allows for increased ventilation and the joy of admiring the night sky from the comfort of your tent, adding a magical touch to your camping adventure.
Eco-Conscious Construction
Sierra Designs Meteor 3000 highlights the brand’s commitment to sustainable design, constructed with an environmentally friendly approach. The tent is entirely free from hazardous PFCs and features specially developed DWRs that are gentler to the earth. Moreover, all fabrics used in the Meteor 3000 are sourced from recycled materials, reinforcing Sierra Designs’ dedication to eco-responsibility.
How Much Does The Meteor 3000 Cost?
Sierra Designs Meteor 3000 2P has a retail price of £260, but it can often be found on sale for around £200, providing excellent value for those looking for a quality tent without breaking the bank.
This competitive pricing, coupled with its innovative design and robust materials, makes it a highly attractive option for both seasoned adventurers and weekend wild campers.
Sierra Designs Meteor 3000 2P Alternatives
In addition to the 2-person version, the Meteor 3000 from Sierra Designs is also available in 3-person and 4-person options, offering more flexibility for those who require extra space or are camping with a larger group.
However, if the Meteor 3000 doesn’t suit your needs, here are three alternatives that may fit your preferences:
Vango Banshee 200: The Vango Banshee 200 is smaller and lacks some features compared to Sierra Designs Meteor 3000. It is also not as spacious and might be tight for two people. However, it’s a tent that I’ve personally used for over 10 years and loved regardless. It’s a perfect entry-level tent for those on a budget and ideal for Duke of Edinburgh expeditions.
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2: Contrary to the Meteor 3000, the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is actually a lot lighter. It offers a balance between weight and spaciousness, making it a suitable option for those looking to minimize the overall weight of their backpacking gear without sacrificing comfort.
Terra Nova Voyager: The Terra Nova Voyager stands out in terms of features and for sure beats the Meteor 3000 in some aspects. While it offers enhancements in some areas, the Voyager costs significantly more than the Meteor 3000. It’s an excellent choice for those willing to invest a bit more for additional benefits.
If you’re interested in exploring more tent options, be sure to check out my comprehensive guide on the best tents for wild camping.
My Personal Experience Using the Meteor 3000
When I took the Meteor 3000 up on the South Downs to test it out, I was immediately struck by its practical features and thoughtful design. Despite being slightly heavier than some other tents in its category, the extra weight was hardly noticeable, and the packed size remained small.
Setup was a breeze, with the poles being colour-coded to match the inner tent and outer fly sheet. First-time pitching took me less than ten minutes, but I reckon I could set up the tent in around five minutes after a few outings with it. Though I’ve only tested the tent in dry conditions, it felt remarkably sturdy, and it’s evident that it was designed with the unpredictable European climate in mind.
On this trip, I was wild camping solo, so I had tonnes of room, but I am confident that this tent would still be incredibly comfortable for two people. The double doors are a feature I know I will particularly appreciate when camping with a friend as they’ll allow for easy midnight exits without the need to climb over anyone and large vestibules provide added convenience, offering a generous space for storing gear.
One of the standout features of the Meteor 3000 for me is the ability to roll back the top fly, opening up a window to the night sky. While tucked away in the wilderness, this design allows for a unique and intimate stargazing experience right from the comfort of the tent.
Overall, this tent stood out not only for its sustainability but also for its ease of use, functionality, and true suitability for two-person camping.
Final Thoughts: Should You Buy Sierra Designs Meteor 3000 2P?
The Sierra Designs Meteor 3000 2P is more than just a tent; it’s a testament to innovative and sustainable design that caters to both the seasoned adventurer and the weekend wild camper. With its unique blend of comfort, durability, eco-conscious construction, and fantastic value for money, it stands as a top choice and one of the best tents for wild camping in the UK.
It’s a tent that promises not only to shelter you but also to enrich your camping experience without breaking the bank. The quality and features offered at its price point make it an unbeatable deal.
Are you ready to elevate your camping experience without compromising your commitment to the environment or your wallet? Don’t wait. Purchase the Sierra Designs Meteor 3000 2P today and embark on an unforgettable journey with a tent that meets your needs and respects the planet. The outdoors is calling; answer with Meteor 3000.
About the Author
Steve Cleverdon is an adventure blogger dedicated to helping outdoor enthusiasts make the most of their outdoor experiences. With years of travel and many epic adventures including a 3000-kilometre solo hike across New Zealand, Steve has amassed practical knowledge on outdoor gear. You can learn more about his adventures here. Through expert reviews, recommendations, and guides, he equips his readers with the best gear for their next adventure. If you want to send Steve a quick message, visit his contact page here.
