We were deep into Nepal, backpacking through the Himalayas. As we hoisted the flag, the cool evening breeze was blowing on the rooftop towards the green mountains Exped Caseira Two-Person Tent. Within minutes, we had the tent set up and the vestibules were open, letting in a breeze and giving us views of the countryside.
We spent 5 days trekking in Nepal using the new Caseira as our base camp and it performed well. In the rain and wind, it kept out the elements and provided a comfortable place to rest after a long day on the trail.
While customers know Exped for its sleeping pads, it also makes tents, and the new Casira tent is a versatile offering. The two-person version we tested offers an extra-large vestibule, ideal for storing gear and even cooking if necessary. The tent has steep walls and a high peak height, making it a good choice for longer hikers.
It is lightweight for a two-person tent and is very easy to set up. If it would stand up to a trip halfway around the world in the Himalayas, it would perform well for any trip here in the state.
In short: The Caseira Two-Person Tent ($530) is a lightweight backpacking tent that is easy to set up and has extra large vestibules that provide good airflow. The steep side walls create a high peak height for taller hikers. For two larger people, the tent will be a little tight, but for smaller hikers or one person, it is quite spacious.
vestibule area
30.8 square feet.
Minimum. weight
2 pounds, 8.5 ounces.
packed dimensions
4″ x 16″
floor dimensions
87″ x 51″
Pros
- easy to install
- comfortable
- lightweight
Shortcoming
- small 2p
- gylines tangle
- expensive
Exped Caseira Two-Person Tent Review
on the way
We tested the Caseira two-person tent during a trekking trip in Nepal and set it up everywhere from villagers’ courtyards to flooded mountain peaks.
This tent is extremely light for a two-person tent, weighing in at around 2 pounds, 8 ounces. And the ease of setup meant we had more time to enjoy our evening and less time making camp. The tent has a T-shaped pole that snaps into place to hold the tent body in place.
Being in the rainy season, we used rainflies every night. It slips and sticks to the body. The guylines attach to the tent with an O-ring at the end of the rainfly and are secured in place. This was one of the few shortcomings.
The rainy season in Nepal makes it very humid, and the Caseira provides great airflow even when the Rainfly is on. The sides and top of the tent body are mesh, and you can open the rainfly wide to let the wind in, or even roll it halfway up the tent for views of the night sky.
The standout feature we love about the EXPED tent is the “Stargazer Mode,” where you can fold back and secure the head end of the fly, giving you full night sky views while maintaining a little privacy and wind protection.
Made for backpacking
While there are plenty of tents for backpackers these days, the Caseira two-person tent is a great option for trekkers who want lightweight shelter without sacrificing space and comfort.
The tent’s pole system uses DAC NFL poles, which are lightweight, strong, and provide solid stability. One reason setup is so easy and quick is that the pole hubs and canopy clips make it obvious how to attach the tent to the poles. Exped Guylines features what it calls its “Rapid Tension System,” which anchors the tent to the ground for added stability. This provides more stability in the wind, but the lines can easily become tangled.
The tent interior is constructed using waterproof ground protection, polyurethane-coated flooring for up to 1,500 mm of water column, and factory-taped seams. Due to this we remained dry the whole time.
The Casira is designed to prioritize headroom and space, which it does well. With one person in the tent, there is plenty of space. Adding a second makes floor space a little tight, but headroom is great.
On hot, humid days along the way, the fine mosquito net provided adequate ventilation, while also keeping out insects and snakes. There is a 15-denier ripstop nylon polyester fabric on the side of the tent that provides some ventilation and privacy, but without the rainfly, the tent looks quite open.
The interior offers ample storage space with four pockets (two overhead and two at one end of the tent), making it easy to stash gear while sleeping. There are five internal loops for attaching gear loft, accessories, and camp lights as needed.
who is it for?
The Exped Casira tent is the perfect spot for backpackers who want a lightweight freestanding tent that doesn’t skimp on features or space.
It offers a good balance of comfort, weather protection and packability. For three-season backpacking, this ultralight offers minimalism and traditional backpacking comfort.
Given the cost, it would not be suitable for those new to backpacking, and is also too much for weekend warriors or car campers. And for ultralight thru-hikers, a trekking pole tent may be a better choice if you’re really counting ounces. If you are planning to use it in winter or cold weather, its mesh will not provide much warmth.
take away
In the field, the Casera two-person tent performed very well, and it stood up to everything the Himalayas threw at it. Compared to other tents I’ve tested over the years, the Exped has created a really lightweight, easy-to-use tent that will work for multiday treks as well as overnight camping trips.
This is a great backpacking or bikepacking tent for anyone in the market for a lightweight tent that still offers all the features and ample space. Cassira two-person tent Is $530. Check it out!
