One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for evaluating connections between nodes in a mesh network. The technique includes determining, at a first node, one or more first accumulated message success rates associated with transmitting messages from the first node to a target destination within the mesh network via an established parent node and with receiving messages from the target destination via the established parent node; determining, based on the one or more first accumulated message success rates, that a search for a different parent node should be performed; identifying a plurality of potential parent nodes; computing, for each potential parent node, one or more second accumulated message success rates associated with transmitting messages from the first node to a target destination within the mesh network via the potential parent node and with receiving messages from the target destination via the potential parent node; and based on the second accumulated message success rates, selecting a new parent node from the plurality of potential parent nodes or maintaining the established parent node