[MischaHY]

My experience of mesh tents has been positive but I would personally certainly describe the Freelite as a 'treeline tent' for 3 season. If the wind and rain is high you want to pitch in a sheltered place or dip ideally. This is why many people end up with Hilleberg if they're into 4 season because something like a Soulo or Jannu can be pitched in the heart of a storm and doesn't even blink. My compromise is something like the Telemark which as mentioned has some challenges but is very weather stable and lighter than Hilleberg.

[Paul B]

I take it the OP was looking for a mountaineering tent (i.e. not heavy AF)?

We bought a Coleman's tent from Go Outdoors in Sheffield over a decade ago now that we used extensively for car camping (so destinations such as the Verdon / Val di Mello etc.) and it's currently living a second life providing shelter to Peewee when he goes away for the weekend pretending he's Colin McRae.

[ali k]

I take it the OP was looking for a mountaineering tent (i.e. not heavy AF)?

Yeh that’s def one of the main criteria. Especially as I’ll now be carrying an extra 10kg in human form, at least for the first extended trip.

Planning to buy a cheaper but bombproof car camping tent with no limit on weight at some point so may end up looking at the 4p Zhota for that.

Anyway we’ve ended up ordering a 3p Nemo Dagger. Seemed to get good reviews. Not easy to get hold of, I guess cos it’s had a revamp for 2025 season? It is mostly mesh inner and I can def see the concerns with that in very wet, windy or cold cons but we figured we’re pretty much exclusively summer campers now and unlikely to consciously go when the forecast is truly awful. Plus the other comparable MSR ones were also mesh inners.

Will post back after it’s had some use (back from the trip in Dec). Hopefully positively! Thanks for all the advice as ever