Mountain Laurel Designs Mid

Gear from MLD has been coming soon for months…

Yeah – wasn't there supposed to be a hammock or something he was going to introduce back in the summer? I don't know if I'd get my hopes up on the "mid." I don't think the problem is that Ron makes empty promises – it's just that he sells too much stuff for his own good and can't roll out new products for being so behind in the production of his old ones.

I have bought and received recently from Ron Bell two bivies, two tarps and have ordered a pack and and another tarp.(The point being: if you order it you get it.) He has dropped his wait time from 10 weeks to 7 for most products(4 weeks for non-poncho tarps). The drop is a consequence of opening a small shop and hiring some help for sewing. Any one who has ever started a business will sympathize with/understand the financial risk and other challenges involved in increasing overhead and adding staff. He is taking on this risk to cut wait times for his clients. If things work out, he will have the time needed to bring out a new product or two.
For me the advantage of dealing with Bell is the custom work you can get.
Douglas J. Durham

Hopefully, my previous post didn't come across as an insult to Mr. Bell. It certainly was not intended to be accusatory in nature. My only point was that Ron is busy because people like his stuff. I don't think I've ever heard a negative review of any product he sells. I certainly was not inferring that we have another Bob Molen on our hands.

That being said, the likelihood of seeing a new product in the immediate future is not very high when he can't keep up with demand for his old stuff. Adding a new product into the mix would probably make things more difficult and wait times longer. Hopefully the new staff helps. The only reason I haven't bought anything myself is for the wait time alone.

Hi,

No offense taken Drew. Folks should feel free to share opinions and your observation about MLD dreamed new items from 9 months ago was in general, factually correct. I've got pretty thick skin and use the feedback to improve.

I do have a recent new shop and am on week three with a new hire; so a few items are starting to move faster. Items are being shipped everyday. It amazing how steep the learning curve is for the light specialty gear!

Delivery for new orders for Non-Poncho tarps should be under 2 weeks in about two more weeks. Other items that require a lot more skill to build will move slower.

Oct and Nov are looking like a bit slower months for orders and so I feel fairly good about cutting the projected wait times down. (Boy was I off at first!) For existing back orders it's at about 12 weeks right now. It should be down to 10 weeks in two more weeks and 4-6 weeks by the end of Nov.

As for the Mid's: It will be a few weeks before they are put up for sale/order and then should move in 4-6 weeks after an order. In the meantime, DYI'ers and future dreamers can at least see them and know the weights & sizes…

Hey, anyone remember the wait times for Limmer Boots back in the late 70's and early 80's…..One to Two Years!

Looks great Ron. I am anxious to hear how you got it to hover a foot off the ground without the use of stakes lines or poles! :)

I am intrigued by the possibility of a solo mid from MLD. Even if the weight savings are small, I would value the smaller footprint. BUT, it would have to accommodate my 6'4" height without touching the walls. So perhaps the same design with 1/2 the width ~ say a 2:1 ratio?

Can somebody summarize or point me to the main selling points of a mid style shelter versus other options (tarp/bivy, tarp tent, etc.)?

Jason,

I use a Hex pyramid when hiking with one of my boys and especially appreciate it in wet, nasty, winter weather in as much as there is no hassle with taking boots off outside before entering the tent. At just under 5’10’ there is loads of head room which probably won’t satisfy you as much with your height. The steep pitch allows for the condensation, if any, to drain rather than drip. Speaking of condensation, the gap clearance around the perimeter and the top vents are effective in minimizing it and I personally have not experienced undue condensation in this tent. It is lightweight and easy to pitch and to pack up quickly. It is “bomber” in wind and snow and again the pitch prevents most snow build-up. As you might tell, I really like the pyramid design of this tent.