A more flexible shelter needed

What? No weight criterion? How light is light?

nm

Golite Hex or Shangrala-check there website

Looks like the Golite Mafia is out in force tonight… :)

The golite shelters mentioned are not bug proof because they are floorless.

GoLite pyramid-type shelters are modular – you can add a floor or a bug net that includes a floor. You can also add a floor to the Utopia shelters.

http://www.golite.com/product/ProductByCategory.aspx?mc=6&s=1

nm

And there just happens to be one on gear swap. ;)

How long is extremely long anyway? The golite website give a floor area but no dimensions. duh.

nm

Good size,
Are the vents netted?
Are the poles alloy?

The problem with making a Golite shelter bug proof is that the nest is so stinkin' heavy. Even the floors are heavy, which I cannot understand. You make an extremely light tent, then the only floor you offer weighs more than the tent. Good company service though, I had a problem with my Hex last week, and they swapped it out for a Shangri-La.

What was the problem? My Hex3 is fine so far, but I'm interested to know what the failure might be.

My lady and I made an inner with tyvek and a bugnet which weighs just over 16oz.

I'd definitely look at something with a good amount of space. If you are truly bumming across the country then there may be days where you just hang out at camp in the rain/snow/wind; a bivy wouldn't be much fun.

You could go bivy plus pyramid/tarp for a really flexible option.

nm

Thanks David,
We use a piece of polycryo under the tyvek, adds another 3oz, and is easily replaceable.

For an extended trip, a roomy tent is a must I think. You never know when you may have company. :-)

I waited forever for a chance to test my Hex in the rain, and finally set it up in the yard when the weatherman said we might get some. I think it was leaking around the external loop and running in. Wherever it was, it was leaking down all four seams that ran on the sides of the vents. It didn't pour, but was a fairly constant drip, alternating from seam to seam. It was probably an easy fix, but I called GoLite to see what they thought. They thought I should send it in for a new one. Waited for 3 unusual days to take it down, because it wouldn't stop raining! I'll probably seam seal the new one. That is a slick tyvek insert. Wish I had that ability.

It’s a shame the floor is so heavy. The Hex is my favorite two man tent, especially for wet, sloppy, winter weather. A half floor would allow the center pole to be canted for center positioning of the sleeping area. I attempted to persuade GoLite to make a ½ bathtub floor for the Hex and a half-nest as well. Obviously my powers of persuasion rolled off like rain off a Hex.

While Tyvek makes an ideal canopy material for the Sierras and the Southwest, I would be afraid to use it as a floor material for the same reason silnylon is considered sub-optimal. A Hex or a Duo-Mid coupled with the SMD or similar nest, on the other hand, would be worth considering-it would seem???

nm

Okay, I do like the look of the Utopia 2+ but I don't think it would breathe that well at temps above 80F with humidity. In fact, it looks like it would be a death trap. I still don't see how to use a Hex or Shangri-La without trekking poles or trees though.

Now Brett, don't you just hate it when people (aka David Ure and the Golite mafia) ramble off stuff without regard to your specs? OTOH, I asked about your weight requirement (i.e. max weight) but you still haven't specified.

Golite mafia here!! Golite makes a Tube that you put between two trekking poles-1.4oz. Works great.. And they have 14 oz. tent pole that is easily folded or compacted down to less then a foot.

Thanks Tony Saprano

Sorry, I meant to do that but things got away from me. I guess I would like it to under 3,6 which is the weight of that freestanding Alps Mountaineering Taurus 1 tent I have that is usable for such conditions.

Golite Hex 28oz.
Golite Hex Bug Net 38oz.
Bugproof and Bombproof— Tony!!

Golite mafia?? Oh, that's right, corporations need not apply. So where's all the cottage industry mafia? Or as I like to say………..purists.