Tarptent Aeon Li Review

Tarptent is one of the finest tent makers in the market of trekking pole tents. And their premium product, the Aeon Li, has also caught quite the attention of travelers. Let’s check if this tent is worth the talk in our all-in-one Tarptent Aeon Li review.

Design

The Tarptent Aeon Li is a lightweight, single-user Dyneema hiking pole tent. It is a customized half-pyramid structure with more internal space and workable headroom than standard pyramid shacks and tarps. It contains a front entryway for kit storage, an all-mesh main wall and entrance, and a designed bathtub ground sewed to the sides with netting for better ventilation. With a simple trekking pole that you can place on a slant for easier ingress. The resulting construction is cozy, albeit a tad claustrophobic.

Tarptent is renowned for its unusual and sophisticated design style. Tarptent’s tents sometimes have rather unique proportions inspired by intriguing architectural and mathematical ideas like prismatic patterns and catenary arcs. Many of Tarptent’s mathematical concepts are nicely shown by Tarptent Aeon Li. It is the very first canvas Tarptent has ever provided that is exclusively made of Dyneema, a material that is incredibly durable, waterproof, lightweight, and doesn’t spread.

Pitchloc frameworks can be found in Tarptent Aeon Li two rear corners. Each comes equipped with two 14″ or 36-centimeter carbon rods secured in place by tiny pockets sewn into compressive straps. Pitchlocs are applied to raise the point where an edge ends, creating a short wall parallel to the ground and increasing the amount of useable interior space. They also strengthen and stabilize the tent’s structure. 

Pitchlocs, according to Tarptent, can let people up to 7 feet tall relax and lie peacefully. Even if seven ′ could be a reasonable estimate, people get plenty of space to store personal belongings and equipment on the ground over their heads. Another carbon strut rounds out the two edges and is in the middle of the rear wall.

Setup

The Tarptent Aeon Li gets pitched very quickly. And it can be arranged in a few different ways. The standard setup is fixing the tent’s top “peak” to create a five-sided framework, which forms a vestibule and seals the front walls on the left. The right-hand doorway can then be closed entirely by rolling it up or clipping it at the base of the height.

The other choice is to rewind both doors and let the front completely open. The anchored front edges of the tent are nicely balanced with the architectural awning created by the crossing pole and braces, which also removes the requirement for a forward guyline.

Additionally, the Tarptent Aeon Li includes magnetic doorkeepers. A small Dyneema band with an additional integrated magnet and a magnet enclosed inside the tent walls are on either side. These are considerably simpler to use than toggle switches or the buckle fasteners often seen on other shelters, and they attach around the wrapped entrance flap like a dream.

Ventilation

The Tarptent Aeon Li airflow performance is passable. The Tarptent Aeon Li vestibule measures 25 inches in width and zips tight. Although it’s not amazing, it’s not awful either. The easiest technique to ensure proper circulation is to keep the door open and let the outer air contact the net wall.

A few ventilation-related features have also been incorporated into the Aeon Li. The upper peak’s frontal flap or vent is perhaps its most notable feature. It is only a slit that may be pushed open or compressed down and leads to the entryway area. Between bath flooring, backrest, and walls of the tent’s structure is a net covering. It doesn’t offer a lot, but it does enable some ventilation. And by nature, the walls overhang this mesh passage, giving moisture a chance to drop off into the nets and out rather than on the floor.

Additionally, the optional nylon flap on each Pitchloc rear corner may be boarded to keep cold air out or let up to promote ventilation.

Pack Up

The Tarptent Aeon Li comes with one aluminum pass for the top, five carbon Pitchloc supports, and a pair of 6 aluminum pegs with their individual Dyneema sacks. The Dyneema stuff pouch that comes with it all allows for easy packing.

Dyneema is somewhat bulkier than lightweight ripstop nylon while comparable to lighter materials. The Aeon Li is an exception, as it uses 0.51 oz. Dyneema Composite Fabric folds up quite tiny (15″ x 5.5″). (38 x 14cm). Because there is just one pole with the cross-brace, you may save some room by using fewer poles.

The set of five 14″ Pitchloc carbon struts is another restriction on its packing size. It is easiest to keep them in position and pull the canvas up around it rather than having to take them out and re-insert them with each takedown and setup. It implies that the Aeon Li can only be packed to a length of roughly 15″. (38cm). It shouldn’t be a significant concern unless you’re focused on packing it in a small or thin bag.

Value for Money

Tarptent Aeon Li costs $535. The ordinary backpacker’s pocketbook might struggle because of this expense. However, because of the use of Dyneema will be somewhat more costly. Lighter equipment also simplifies traveling, reduces your backload, and allows you to spend longer days happily strolling around the bush.

However, given that it is reasonably priced compared to other Dyneema tents of a like shape that are available, and given Tarptent’s well-deserved renown for fine craftsmanship and long-lasting goods, we believe the Aeon Li offers a good bang for the buck. So long as you can stomach the initial expense, you will be satisfied.

Conclusion

The components, layout, and level of detail are all of the highest calibers of the Tarptent Aeon Li.  You can expect this with any tent built by Tarptent. It’s an excellent choice for bike touring, backpack rafting, and pretty much any other solo endeavor. To wrap up our Tarptent Aeon Li review, we’d say this is one of our favorites and would be a wise purchase for lone travelers.

You can also read: Trekking Pole Tents: The Tarptent Notch Review