Which tarp?! Deschutes vs Solomid XL vs hexamid vs ????

Hi David,

here is my reply to a question by Jennifer M. about the Deschutes.
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=102107&skip_to_post=864093#864093

I'm quite happy at 6.1' with the old Deschutes. It sounds to me the new version is even better with its longer zipper.

After visual comparison when backpacking with Andrew F. who uses a Hexamid, I prefer my Deschutes.

I hope that helps,

Manfred

The deschutes and Hexamid are of a similar lineage. Lineage isn't the right word though. Just trying to sound smart. They are similar shelters. When I first saw a Cuben deschutes I thought it was a Hexamid in green .74 Cuben! Until I got a little closer that is.

I think the solomid XL would be the best bet out pf those three shelters. It is the most expensive and heaviest, but you get s bomb proof shelter you can use all year round. Pick up an inner net tent for big season and just use a groundsheet or bivy the rest of the year. Of course, you could do the same thing with the other two but you wouldn't have as bomb proof of protection.

Narrow it down to two shelters. Once that is complete, get a coin and assign each shelter to a side. Flip the coin. Don't worry about which side it lands on. You'll know the moment you flip that coin in the air which one you want it to land on. So just go with that choice. You can always resell it later and pick up another option.

My severely depreciated $0.02

See Nick's thread at http://popupbackpacker.com/six-moons-designs-deschutes-cf-shelter/

Hex solo + is 3" longer, and taller steeper pitch.(52" vs about 49) Pitches with minimum 8 stakes, preferably 10.

52" is too tall for some trekking poles without a jack or a rock.

Deschutes is 1" wider at ends, deeper, and more beak coverage. Pitches with 6 stakes.

They weigh about same, even though deschutes is 0.74 cuben.

I think if you disregard the 0.5 oz for the shock cords, the solo plus weighs~ 7.4 oz, the new deschutes weighs 7.6 . these wts are in stuffsak with guylines. Im still not sure how this is possible….

My Hex Solo + with all guylines and stuff sack is 7 oz on the money. Also, I very rarely stake it out with 10 stakes.. Most of the time I only use the 6 main guy out points. Even if the weather is just a little bad, I still don't use the extra mid panel guys… However, being that I also use the Hexanet, I do carry 10 stakes, so if I do need to stake out all tarp guylines, I have enough stakes. I have used broken sticks as stakes on my Hexanet at times…

Anyway, I cannot comment on the other shelters as I do not own them, but I can say I have been very happy with my Hex Solo+ tarp in a lot of different weather conditions.

I believe the wt of all joes shelters went up with the new overlapping storm doors for the beak. Wt i quote is from website, and joes wts are always spot-on. Unlike some other mfgs.

Im sure hes willing to make one the old way which was lighter. They are all made to order with constant backlog.

The new zpacks hexamid solo is $280 and comes with full zip down doors.

The mld solo xl is $240 shipped. I have a new unopened xl in brown I was going to return. Let me know if you want to buy.

I would consider getting something in cuben for weight reasons. By the way what are you planning on using for bug protection?

Thanks for so many good answers!
Good to know, Manfred.
Sam, the idea to cut it down to two options was great! I instantly removed the hexamid from the equation. It is extremely similar to the deschutes, which I like more for technical and visceral reasons. Bahahaha I actually do the exact same thing when I flip a coin (usually for trivial decisions)

MB thanks for those numbers they helped me axe the hexamid.

thanks for the solomid offer Michael but I am going to buy this tarp in cuben for sure

DETAILS
I'll be using this tarp in many conditions: for the next four months I'll be using it in Northern Ontario and Québec. I will definitely need bug protection for this. I was planning to get a bug bivy until a few nights ago, first night of the year I got feasted on, and realized I need a bug-free space I can read, change, smoke, etc. in. Both the Solomid XL and Deschutes have a net tent designed for them. I've heard the Serenity can be a little cramped for tall people and while I haven't read much about about the Solomid XL inner it is 10" longer. Which of these two options do you think would leave me more vestibule space?

In four months I am leaving for SE Asia (starting in Cambodia then who knows), not sure If I'll bring the tarp with because packing space is at a premium and I'm not sure how much I would get to use it. If I was to bring it, I would truly need epic bug protection. After a few months I am planning to arrive in South America more permanently, Colombia or Ecuador or both. I will be using the shelter in the Andes there as much as I can, hopefully with just a groundcloth.

TBH my heart says the Deschutes (my heart likes to save money) but I am still concerned about feeling claustrophobic, especially with the Serenity

I've been looking at the same shelters. The weight difference (for me) is basically a wash between the hexamid solo plus and the Deschutes. I would be looking for a tarp only and so the solomid xl would likely price itself out of contention (at least in cuben), although if I were planning to be spending much time at elevation (above treeline or expecting snow) I would reconsider. My biggest question and the likely deciding factor would be useable interior space or "livability". Anyone out there have experience enough with these (or two out of three) to give us an idea of how they rank in terms of how big they feel inside?

The hex solo plus is about 59"deep from the tip of the beak, to the rear of the tent

the deschutes is ~80"

these are from their published footprint dimensions

That extra depth in the middle rear doesnt do much good with the serenity though, its wasted due to rectangular shape, where as the zpacks inner takes advantage of following shape of the zpacks tents back wall.

but the lower, less steep pitch of the deschutes may shed wind better.

You can also buy the hexamid solo without any options and no beak. I asked Joe about it a while ago and he said it would only cost $210.

The hex is a sul great shelter. Good coverage lighting fast setup too.

@MB I forgot that Joe had upgraded his Hexamids with the storm flaps. It also appears that the beak extends closer to the ground than the older version (like on mine). I guess this is where the slight extra bit of weight comes in at the slight extra bit of material.

I like it… Kinda makes me want to sell my Hexamid tarp and upgrade to the newest version… :)

I am 6'1" and have the older silnylon Deschutes. When I have it hunkered down low on all sides for wet weather, my head and feet don't touch, especially if I pull out a guy from at least one of the sides. I usually place it higher with a 140 cm or better pole height, and at that height can very comfortably fit two people. I have a long torso but erected at any height it still feels roomy to sit alongside another person while cooking in the vestibule. To me it feels spacious, and the new higher 2015 model door makes it even more attractive. I also just posted information about a perimeter net modification: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=103152&skip_to_post=884362#884362.
If I had to buy a CF shelter today I would get the Solo + tent, but I am holding out for an Altaplex design but with a 4" wider floor.

Have both these. The Solomid XL is more full fly and will offer more protection for a few oz more in Cuben; I do not particularly like to wear on zippers, so I'm using it sparingly and saving for a long trail. The Hexamid Long is more open and has more draftiness – should be great with an appropriate bivy. The 2014 version is not as long as the Solomid though.

"If I had to buy a CF shelter today I would get the Solo + tent, but I am holding out for an Altaplex design but with a 4" wider floor."

Did you hear about an update of the altaplex or is that just you dreaming?

Hello Daniel. I asked Joe about his listing of the Altaplex as a "1.5" person tent, which I took to be an indication that one can can accommodate two in a pinch. He confirmed that a second 20" pad would stress the tent too much, and that the Altaplex shape is derived in part from zero waste of the cuben fabric width. A wider tent requires another seam, and he did not indicate that a modification is in the works. He recommended considering the Duplex or the Solo +. I don't want a two pole tent, and the Solplex + is of the low door variety. I have seen the good reception given to both the Altaplex and new Deschutes for their high doors, and I think that that is where designs are going. So it is just a matter of time…in my dreams.

Thanks for the clarification. I'm still trying to understand what the key differences between a Hexamid solo plus and the altaplex are (as tarps only). As far as I can tell by measurements and pictures the Deschutes looks like a shelter designed to handle high winds (lower profile). Maybe I'll write zpacks to get an idea of the performance trade offs between the altaplex and the hex+. Cheers

This has been a great discussion! It has convinced me to give the Deschutes a try. If I get it and realize I need more length I can sell it and grab a solomid XL. I've posted a WTB, and i guess this thread has convinced Daniel to do so as well (luckily we are looking for different models hahaha).

Can anybody else around 6'1" or who uses a LW pad comment on the serenity net tent? Otherwise, would something like an MLD solo inner fit under the deschutes?

Gents,

Some more differences worth mentioning..

The ZPacks products ate 100% US made. The SMD products are made in Asia. I know many here dont care about that, but I do. Especially at the price points we are talking about for these Cuben shelters.

SMD flies use small #3 zippers vs Xpacks that use an overlap flaps with buckles. I will take the flaps for reliability.

As to shape, the steeper shelters will shed snow better and give a bit more upper room to to the wall angle. The lower angled shelters are slightly better in the wind but due to they will be about equal in the wind. The important thing is a proper, taught pitch since they are all pretty much the same basic design.

If if were me, I would get the Hexamid Solo plus or the Altaplex if I was over 6 ft..

I would go for the SoloMid XL. It is going to be the best made with quality of construction that surpasses the others. MLD has been using cuben for over a decade and have the experience to back up their claims. The design is really the only true 4 season capable shape that is proven in the field in those types of conditions.

@ jimmer

"The ZPacks products ate 100% US made. The SMD products are made in Asia."

Generally true.

Except that SMD makes their cuben products in-house.

For virtually the same wt, the deschutes provides greater coverage, pitches taught with less fuss in my experience, pitches lower better ( angles not as critical as hexamid for some reason ( possibly the more symmetrical shape), and is made of more durable material.

In the rain, i choose the deschutes over my hexamid. For heavy snow i choose neither, i want a mid with a strong pole.

On more thing: I'm not sure about pole heights and how strict they are for tarps. I always hear that tarp height is not static and depends on the site and conditions. HOWEVER I do not use adjustable poles, I carry the zpacks carbon fibre staff and plan to use it as my tarp support. It can be used at heights of 48", 52", and 60". Since the Deschutes has a height of 49", will it be sub-optimal to pitch it at 48" when I need to batten down the hatches (can pitch it high at 52" when the weather is nice)? If so this would be another argument in favour of the solo+ since it pitches optimally at 52".

Height is compensated for by using adjustable guylines, linelocs or such give greatest flexibility, a taughtline can only shorten by half.

My experience is the deschutes seems more accomodating to different pitch heights with same guyline lengths, even pitching on ground ok. I postulate its due to angles and symmetry, i have no other explanation.

Height is also adjusted by the angle you set the pole at. You can inset it into a ditch or raise it on a rock. Very flexible and easy.