New Cuben Mid: Locus Gear Hapi (11.3oz in stuff sack)

I like zipper placement on the short side

What appeals to me about the Locus Gear 'mids is the slightly lower height than MLD. Only need poles that go to 130, so the BD carbon-corks (max 135cm) don't need any extra extender, unless you get the "DTPE" thing for inverted V set-up.

Thanks for bringing it to our attention. Sounds interesting. The $423 does not include the mesh liner? Did they quote the liner cost if not included?

$214 for the mesh inner.

This is the mid I've been waiting for – light enough for one, big enough for two and door access for both occupants. No being stepped on or stepping on someone else to get out. More and better sleep. Amen.

How much weight do you think could be saved if you could eliminate 3 out of the 4 mesh walls of the inner? It will definitely increase interior space, but wondering how much weight it would save as I'd like to find out if Locus Gear will make a bathtub floor with just a few inches of mesh above the waterproof walls that will attach to the inside of the walls with velcro patches or a velcro strip, and a mesh door that will velcro in behind the outer fly door.

So, I see that this shelter is initially compared to the Duomid XL and the Ultamid 2, which are both single pole designs. Though, both of those shelters are quite a bit bigger. Duomid XL is as tall as a supermid and just shorter on one side, ultamid 2 is also quite a bit taller and wider than the hapi.

The big comparison would be to a normal Cuben Duomid. Similar in price, much closer in size. Hapi is wider but shorter…duomid taller but narrower. Which one would I pick? The Hapi…I think the side zipper makes much more since than the duomid's and much better for 2 users. Heck, I think better for 1 user too.

I don't see an advantage that the duomid would hold over this design…maybe someone could enlighten me…I might be not thinking of something.

However….a notable comparison should be between this and the duplex tarp (not tent). Both weigh the same in .74oz cuben…around 11 oz.

The duplex is a two pole design. Yes…it would catch more wind, but its also structurally supported twice as much (tarp tension is spread between two trekking poles instead of one). I think its a great comparison b/c they are really close in height (48" duplex vs 50" hapi), though the duplex is wider by quite a bit (b/c of the vestibules).

Duplex is a bit cheaper ($390 currently). I think the main difference is interior living space. Duplex has it beat by quite a bit. With the two pole design, you simply have a ton of "sitting up" space inside the tarp. And you get two vestibules. With the Hapi and two people you won't have much at all useable vestibule space inside the shelter with you….just a strip a few inches wide of space on the sides of you. And with no pole between the two users…you are free to use double quilts to save more weight.

Personally I would lean towards the duplex.

I am not sure about the mesh/bathtub floor question, but Locus Gear definitely does custom work so it could be an option for those that don't want the full inner. I've seen some inners that they've made that are 3 solid walls and 1 mesh wall.

John,

I agree that the DXL and Ultamid aren't directly comparable, which is why I said it wasn't apples to apples. However, everyone I've asked said the Duomid isn't really a true 2 person shelter and neither is the Khufu. Thus, the duomid XL and Hapi are both the next sizes up and are ostensibly two person shelters. I say ostensibly because MLD's inner net XL isn't really a 2 person size IMO. I guess you could probably have LG make a custom 1/2 or 3/4 inner mesh or solid wall inner like they've done before.

You said this ->

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I guess you could probably take the Hapi CTF3 and use the Khufu inner mesh and have a similar setup to the DXL with a vestibule.

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I'm not following you there…could you reexplain that? I don't see how that inner would work with the hapi nor where you are getting the vestibule space…

"I'm not following you there…could you reexplain that? I don't see how that inner would work with the hapi nor where you are getting the vestibule space…"

Actually, the door on the Khufu is on the long side, so that wouldn't work, or would be quite awkward anyway!

I've seen some pictures of Locus Gear 3/4 and 1/2 mesh inners, so I would imagine you could use one of those with the Hapi if they'd make one. They also do eVent inners for high elevation from what I've seen, too.

I like to duplex, but it's a little too small for two (again, going off of other users' feedback). At only 45" wide, it's the same issue for me as the Khufu inner (53") since we use a wide (25") and normal (20" mat). I'm not a fan of the open floor tarp/mid shelters since I live next to the Sierra and mosquitoes and flies are big problems (no bivies either!). I'd have to move up to the Triplex and that's about $695 or $710 if using the same .75oz cuben. I think you'd get more livable space for two with the triplex + vestibules, but IMO mids are a better foul weather option with snow loading and being able to pitch the edges flush with the ground. I haven't seen a duplex or triplex pitched that way… is it possible?

Here are a couple pics of a black Khufu (smaller than Hapi) witha "2/3 inner".

Image of the white cuben (3 colors available – white, black, green) Khufu

And lastly, the metalized cuben Khufu, which is not available as of yet due to supply.

These pics are to show colors/options but are not pics of the Hapi version shelter.

Neat.

The extra 8" of width and placing the door on the end should make this much better for two than the Khufu. However, I prefer 2 pole mids for two occupants for the extra headroom. A single pole mid is ideal for one occupant. For a solo occupant, I like the Khufu better with the side door and lower weight.

Dan,

Do you mean two poles center mounted, like the HMG Ultamid? Or two poles in A frame mode?

I wonder if he took the chance to address some of the cons:

– Ineffective vent
– Perimeter reinforcement material
– #3 main zip

listed in your review, or does he know about them (or care):

http://intocascadia.com/2015/02/17/review-locus-gear-khufu-sil/

is #3 main zip too small?

I had #3 on similar tent and after a while it broke, so replaced it with #5. I'm thinking that's probably better, but the #3 lasted a long time.

"I wonder if he took the chance to address some of the cons:

– Ineffective vent
– Perimeter reinforcement material
– #3 main zip

listed in your review, or does he know about them (or care):

http://intocascadia.com/2015/02/17/review-locus-gear-khufu-sil/"

-Not sure about the #3 zipper. I've never had problems with #3 zippers, but who knows.

-I asked about the vent. I wanted more ventilation than on the Khufu, and this model comes standard with a much larger vent (same size as their largest mid) so that might alleviate condensation issues, but that will be tested.

-Added dyneema reenforced square panels to all the tie-outs, so that should be fixed.

I'm sure Dan is referring to 2 poles mids…ala duplex or Shangri la 2. And yes, I do agree with him….the head room is much better on models like those (I have both…and a cuben version of the sl2 here -> http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=92984 ).

Shangrila 2 is more like an a-frame, though easier to pitch and fully protected.

I had an email exchange with Locus a couple weeks ago asking about a Cuben Hapi, and it is possible to pitch with two poles. You can use pole jacks or their own DPTE.

From their site. " In addition, the optional parts DPTE makes inner space more comfortable and allow 2 persons to use.

*You need to prepare a pair of trekking pole which is adjustable to 135cm to use Hapi with DPTE."

"Do you mean two poles center mounted, like the HMG Ultamid? Or two poles in A frame mode?"
I mean two poles used in some creative manner to increase headroom, not in an inverted V for unintrusive support. A-frames are better for two occupants than single pole mids, but they're still mediocre for headroom with two. More creative shelters like the TarpTent SS2 and maybe Sierra Designs Tensegrity tend to be a lot more livable.

"I wonder if he took the chance to address some of the cons…listed in your review"
Locus Gear was very receptive to my comments. They've now added an apex hang loop for an inner and I believe they are going to offer a solo sized net inner.

We talked about the reinforcement material a bit. They acknowledged my concerns about differences in stretch, but they don't want to switch to using a heavier grade of nylon around the perimeter because of worries that it's not strong enough for bartacking the stake out points to. I don't understand this, as several makers bartack to nothing but silnylon. Bartackking to silnylon + 210D nylon reinforcement is very beefy IMO. I just made a tarp of silnylon reinforced with 70D nylon and I consider those guyouts quite beefy.

I don't think the vent or #3 zip are going to change. Perhaps that's just as well. Buy a Locus Gear mid if you want a lighter shelter for normal usage, or buy an MLD mid if you want something more overbuilt (#5 zip, stronger reinforcement, bigger vent). Snipping the netting out of the vent will help a lot too. One could even enlarge the vent by themselves, as the hood is quite generous. Perhaps I'll do this.

"Added dyneema reenforced square panels to all the tie-outs, so that should be fixed."
Are you sure the perimeter tie-outs have both? The website says they use PVC and dyneema, but I don't think they mean at the same spots. As far as I can tell from the website, the perimeter ones appear to still be PVC coated vinyl, while the higher up ones are 210D Dyneema nylon.

I think the front entry is very nice if you are often with two people.
I think the side entry is nicer if you are more often alone anyway (and only using it occasionally with a partner) just because it seems like there is a little more room and view. But – I haven't seen the Hapi in real life yet. I have the black cuben Khufu as well and agree it is impeccably made.

Dan,

The vent on the Hapi is about twice the size as the Khufu, just a rough estimate based on what LG showed me.

I didn't know the silnylon one has the perimeter weakness, I think I'd just get the cuben one. Did you have any tears with yours? Do you still use it or did you sell it?

You might be right about the tie outs, I'm not positive.

Definitely right about headroom. For that I have my Hoopla 4 with a ton of headroom.

My criteria in choosing this mid are:

-double wall (main reason I didn't get a lightheart gear or zpacks triplex)
-under 2 lbs
-livable for 2
-great 4 season use
-smaller footprint than Hoopla 4 (64 sqft hexagon)
– .75 oz cuben
-inverted V pitch capable (Khafra is bigger but can't)
-relatively inexpensive

My wife is going to be in Japan with work soon, maybe I should get one of these delivered to her hotel and bring one back.

"My wife is going to be in Japan with work soon, maybe I should get one of these delivered to her hotel and bring one back."

They have quite a wait time, 5+ weeks when I checked a couple weeks ago. They also have free international air-shipping, which takes only about 3-4 days to get delivered.

Similar weight time. I placed an order for the Khufu on 3/25 and was quoted 5-6 weeks. They were very good to work worth, answering all my questions over several email correspondences. I went with Sil for the Khufu. I'm not entirely sure of their seam process for cuben. I spent a while going back and forth between LG and MLD and eventually came to the conclussion that MLD would be my choice if choosing cuben based upon the reviews I was able to compare. I think the main issue though is a limited number of reviews for their shelters in cuben–at least in languages that I am able to understand.

I did raise the concern of their #3 zipper that Dan Durston had mentioned in his comprehensive review. Here is the reasoning they provided:

"No, as we do not have it. As we have never had any trouble or weakness in #3 yet especially in YKK Aqua Guard zipper..And we think that #5 with very thin and light materials do not really matched."

I'm fairly careful with my equipment that requires it so respected their decision and didn't question further.

All in all, definitely looking forward to the next 3 weeks sliding by. Also, ever so slightly bummed I didn't have the Hapi to compare as an option at the time.

I also have the black Cuben Khufu. I prefer the entrance on the long side for several reasons. I'm aging, and my mobility is getting less; and the side entrance is much easier to get in and out of than an end entrance tent (like several of my domes). It's also easier to put gear in and get it out from the side; also when lying down I prefer to see out the side thru the open door than behind my head. And I can occasionally have both door flaps open. But I'm a confirmed solo user, and I can see the advantage of end entry for dual users. Both the Hapi mid and the Hapi mesh inner look great!