Shelter opinions?

Do you use trekking poles? Also, what's your budget?

We need more info to give you really good answers. Budget and general weight you are looking for to start. Your trekking pole situation helps also.

Without any of that based on your post and assuming you aren't ready to drop cuben fiber money I would suggest looking at the new tarptent protrail.

If you use trekking poles a Gatewood Cape or Deschutes Tarp coupled with a Serenity Net tent from Six Moon Designs would be an option to consider. My gatewood was my introduction to light weight backpacking and it's a great little shelter that can handle some pretty bad weather if needed with good site selection.

Shoot, I knew I left something out! Sorry!

I don't currently use trekking poles, but I know I should — I'm shopping for some now and I'll have some by the time I get the shelter.

As for budget? I'm willing to spend for something good, but anything more than, say, $350 is going to have to be pretty compelling.

And since I'm just starting with the UL backpacking thing, any light gear is probably going to be hugely different from what I'm carrying now. So I'm not quite at the stage where I'm gram counting yet!

Can the ProTrail be set up as just a bug tent? I don't think so. It's an awesome shelter, but I don't think it meets that criterium. I could be wrong, though. However, the TT Stratospire is a true double-walled tent that can be set up as just a bug tent. And I think the newer TT DW Moments, too.

It really sounds like you want a more conventional double-walled tent, with the option to just pitch the inner (bug net) alone. Lightweight alternatives are rare. Big Sky is the winner in weight, but might break your budget, and their weight gains may be made by using some very tenuous fabrics. Others seem to like the BA Copper Spur line, and the REI Halfdome isn't a *bad* bargain option.

Around here, though, you're going to get more fringe recommendations. For instance, a 2P pyramid tarp with inner net. Something like the MLD DuoMid with their inner net would fit your bill very nicely. But in my opinion using an inner with a pyramid is sort of missing the whole point of a pyramid, and very nearly negates any weight advantages over a conventional tent. But it would fit your criteria. I have a hard time thinking of something faster and easier to set up than a pyramid. (Other that a few Tarptents, like the Moment. And I think the newer DW Moments can indeed be set up as just a bug net. I used to set my Moment up in 60 seconds for the minimal two-stake pitch. They are probably worth checking out.)

In fact, I use the MLD DuoMid as my go-to solo shelter. I use a SuperLight bivy, though, not an inner net. As a side/belly sleeper I have no issues with netting on my face, and the bivy acts like a grounsheet, bug net, snake barrier, and protection from light rainspray or spindrift if I cowboy camp or use an established shelter of some sort. The DuoMid is a very cozy 1P shelter capable of fitting you and all of your gear, that can hold 2 if they don't mind being friendly. A trekking pole can be used as the center pole, either with a polejack or just by sticking a rock under it- but most poles aren't long enough on their own. I've never had a problem finding a rock. :)

In general, I'm a BIG fan of pyramid shelters (I can go into why if you like) and think that if you could have only one shelter it should be a pyramid of some sort. My larger "group" shelter is an MLD SuperMid, and I do have an inner net for that, but I bought the inner when I was still experimenting and I have found that the bivy is the best solution for me.

Tarptent Moment DW or Double Moment, depending on how big you want it.

Lightest Shelter plus raingear/pack-cover option.

SMD Gatewood cape
Zpacks hexanet

Use the cape by day, sleep under it by night. It works well in both modes.

Use the bugnet alone on nice nights.

Thanks for the added info. Regarding trekking poles they are not for everyone. I compromised and got a "hiking staff" which is basically just one trekking pole, but mine is longer and more adjustable than most trekking poles. Because of that I generally prefer mid style shelters that only require one pole.

With that said I stand behind my earlier recommendation of the tarp tent protrail. It is a 1.5 person tent that can get you through most conditions a back packer will face (it is not a 4 season rated tent, but it can handle some pretty high winds and small to maybe medium snow loads) at around 200 dollars and 1.5 lbs. They sell very light carbon fiber poles that you can use with it or do what I do and use my single trekking pole in the front and a 1 ounce rear pole I got from tarptent for the back. Obviously you could also just use two trekking poles if you go that route. I find it to be the best budget friendly lightweight tent on the market and very easy to set up which is a huge plus in my eyes.

Some other tents in your price range I think are worth looking at are any of the other tarp tent models (maybe a 2person if you want more space Double Rainbow and Squall 2 are very popular), Six Moon Designs Lunar solo (1 pole) or skyscape trekker (2 pole), or some traditional free standing dome tents like the big agnes line. I've messed with the REI quarter dome 1 and 2 and I find them to be pretty good as well.

ETA: Good point dean I somehow failed to see that requirement. It nulls most of my recommendations. But the other tarptent models mentioned by Dean and the dome tents have that covered. I also like the duomid+inner net for some added versatility, but if you are never going to use the duomid floorless or with a bivy there are lighter options out there.

But Logan, can the ProTrail be pitched as just a bug tent? I don't think it can. I agree, it's a wonderful UL 1P shelter (indeed IMO it's a contender for "current best bugproof 1P UL shelter") but the OP seemed fairly set on the option to pitch it as a bug tent.

As I (and others) have said, the Moments might be better for him that way. (Though fitting 2 adults in the 1P Moment is *never* going to happen. If you really want that option you'd have to get the Double Moment.)

If OTOH he isn't hard on that requirement to pitch the inner as a bug tent, I'd agree with you fully. The ProTrail is an awesome shelter, and at $210 the price is right. (The 1P Moment is $295.)

ETA: Ah, I see your edit. Sorry to nag. And, yes, I agree, using an inner with a pyramid isn't the best solution IMO. That gets the system very nearly as heavy as a mainstream DW tent, so if you never plan to NOT use the inner it's not ideal, and I perhaps shouldn't have pimped for it so hard. I like a lightweight bivy for bug protection with my mid.

At just a couple ounces more than the Protrail, a Lightheart Solo is $245, has a bug tent mode as well as a double wall mode, and you can get cool colors.

There's also this article http://hikelighter.com/2011/12/29/sulxul-enclosed-shelter-comparisons/

No worries Dean not naggy at all. My edit and your post were only 15 seconds apart and you are of course absolutely right. Had my reading comprehension or memory (whichever one failed me there) been functioning you wouldn't have had to correct my bad recommendations :)

I think duomid + inner is one of the best recommendations one can make to a backpacker looking to lighten up. Simple to pitch, 4 season capable, can use a combination of the pieces for every season, and it is made my MLD which is always a positive in my book. I just wanted to make sure the OP knew some of that versatility would go to waste if he didn't intend to ever go floorless. If it were just a little bit longer or if I could justify the price of the Duomid Xl in cuben I think it would be my go to shelter also.

Check out the tarptent Notch as well. It's my go to shelter for the Sierra. Removable inner, two small vestibules, and very easy to setup.

Thanks, everyone! Awesome advice.

Sounds like I need to think this through a little more.

I guess I should first figure out if trekking poles are my thing. Wasn't even thinking about how much impact that could have on my shelter selection. It seems like everyone in their mother is using them these days, but I've been hiking for years without them.

I'm just getting into the UL thing — I've typically only backpacked with either a small DW tent or just a groundsheet. I got sick of carrying this big, heavy tent with me just in case it happened to rain or the bugs were gnarly.

I guess I like the idea of versatility – grab both a net and a shelter for spring in the Sierras, or just a net when I'm out in the desert, or just the tarp when there are no bugs but the weather is iffy.

I recently received my Big Sky Soul 1p tent, and I think it may meet your criteria.

I got mine for exactly $400. It comes out to 2lbs3oz which includes groundsheet, four stakes, and guylines.

It is a totally freestanding, double-wall tent. Unlike something like the BA Fly Creek UL2, it is freestanding even with the fly on.

The interior is all bug mesh, except the floor obviously. You get a fantastic view without the fly on.

The fly attaches directly to the tent, and does not require stakes.

Super fast and easy to set-up. It has pole clip-on's instead of sleeves, which I prefer.
The tent is long and narrow. This results in it falling over if a slight breeze blows on the broad side in free-standing mode. I just put two stakes in the front and it's good to go.

Does not require trekking poles.

EDIT: http://bigskyproducts.com/big-sky-soul-1p-tent.aspx

Also, click on the "specials" section, there are a couple of Soul 1p in there.

If you do decide to use trekking poles and you want versatility /modularity and the ability to house two people,you should take a look at the Six Moons Designs Haven.

Two trekking pole set up. Inner bug net can be set up alone, or clipped into the tarp as a combo or just use the tarp alone.

Tarp is 18 oz and $200
Inner is 14 oz and $150

Hard to get much more verstaile than that. Lots of room and gear storage space.

Haven't read all the thread… just skimmed so apologies if this has been around the block.

Six Moons has a great looking rain cape and a bugnet that work together to create a fully enclosed shelter. If I didn't already have poncho and bivy it'd be something I'd consider.

I love my bivy and poncho but the bivy is not your thing. To be fair though, you can pull the top up with a string or use a baseball cap the keep it off your face.

Another vote for the lightheart solo great for hot buggy nights great star gazing great view and if it starts to rain it switches very fast to storm mode. Not a great pick for much over 6 foot 1 or 2 I'd guess but for 5' 10" it's a palace 30 sq ft floor space 4 stakes min 10 stakes max it stays put. Weight 27 oz very easy setup. Trekking poles go inside and stay in place out of the way with no chance to knock down. I've used it for years now and my only gripe is it weights twice what my wild oasis weighs. Oh and when the silnylon stretches when wet just extend the poles a little from the inside done. $250 new I got mine used off gear swap. Judy should give me a commission but since she does not that New pro trail looks sweet also and though I have not used it it looks like it would manage condensation well. There's trade offs to everything

There is also the Lightheart Solo Long (http://lightheartgear.com/index.php/tents/lightheart-solong6-tents/solong-6-standard) for those of us who are taller.

I personally ordered a Protrail over the Lightheart Solor because I prefer front entrance (which tends to mean more space directly above the head).