Topic

Seeking insight on tarp bug shelters for tall people and a wet dog

  • This topic is empty.
Viewing 3 posts - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
— BPL Member
PostedApr 13, 2015 at 12:07 pm

As the title suggests, I'm trying to figure out if we can all fit in there. I have an MLD Grace Duo tarp and I'd like to add a bug tent (e.g., Serenity Shelter) underneath. If you've tried this, did you like the setup with two 6' people and a medium dog? Would you have preferred a pyramid? Anything else you'd like to share?

Conditions would be up to a week in typically awful Southeast and Southcentral AK weather: lots of bugs, high winds, heavy rain. All the photos I've seen of these bug tents show a nice airy tarp pitch; how well do they fit when you have the tarp pitched super low?

Basically I'm torn between the tarp approach, which would be about 2 lbs total and ~ $175, and starting over with a pyramid and some kind of DIY floor plus removable perimeter bug net, which would be heavier and more expensive— but more livable, too.

I'd appreciate your thoughts!

Joe S BPL Member
PostedApr 13, 2015 at 12:20 pm

I have a SpinnTwinn with a first-generation Yama 2.0 bug net. His second generation runs some vertical sides up from the floor, and this give you a bit more functional width than mine. But I think mine is a 90" floor, and the newer ones are slightly shorter IIRC. It's a light set up, for sure, and packs quite compact for the level of protection, having a full sil back and half sil front.

I'm 6'3", and use this combo a lot solo, and have used it once with my 5'4" wife. I think that this arrangement might be tough for two tall folks and a dog, in as much as the combination of A frame, height, and cat-cut really limit the useable head room. The Yama and MLD 2 person nets have a front height of 40-42 and a rear height of 24 or so. There's a pretty significant cat-cut on the ridgeline, so that 42" drops quickly. Plus, that's 42" at the top of an A frame, so there's very little width up top.

However, you can't beat the weight/protection ratio, so I typically just make do for solo. If I expect some serious in-tent time, I have a BA Copper Spur 2.

Folks who use mids may have more helpful advice as to headroom, etc.

todd BPL Member
PostedApr 13, 2015 at 4:06 pm

I'm 6'2" and find entering an A-frame from the front a pain w/a MLD Serenity-style shelter. I don't hear many folks expressing this sentiment, so it must just be my knees.

That said, I do like my Patrol, which I find easier to lift one of the front corners to make entry easier than a typical A-frame.

Viewing 3 posts - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
Loading...