Enclosed Tarp for a Tall Guy

I am 6'3 and own a SpinnTwinn and it has A LOT OF COVERAGE. In a way it has almost has to much coverage but still a great tarp…A 8×10 tarp under 10 oz Awesome!! I have been trying to find good 6×8 tarp (HINT BPL) for less of a panel size in stronger winds, bad weather, etc, etc…You can not go wrong with a SpinnTwinn IMHO!!!

You're definitely right about the SpinnTwinn, but I just realized I meant to ask about the SpinnShelter. I want something that can be enclosed. Sorry for the mix-up.

No my bad!! Go with Golite Hut-storm tough!!! I am not a fan of poncho tarps. Goodluck!!!

Have you thought about a tarp like the spinnTwinn or just a larger solo tarp along with an MLD serenity nettent? The ends of the nettent can be made with a waterproof material (silnylon or cuben) which in effect gives you protection on all sides. I like having the flexibility of using the nettent alone on clear nights or the tarp alone if trying to save weight on a particular trip.

At your height and with an inflatable pad I would stay away from the Gatewood cape and Wild Oasis. The Shangri La 1 would be excellent–so long as you can angle the poles far enough outward. If you rig the rear pole on the outside of the tarp, you should have plenty of room. You might also consider a SMD DuoMid; again if you sleep on the diagonal and push the man pole to the side a bit, you should get good room in there.

Lastly, Ron at SMD is designing a tent for taller people later this summer; if you like his designs and can wait, it is worth considering.

Eric,

I have a Wild Oasis, and it definitely will be too small for you, unless maybe you pitch as high as possible.

Question — why do you want an enclosed shelter?

So I was looking for something enclosed for a few reasons. As I mentioned, I use a down sleeping bag and it's rated to 25 degrees. I'd like the warmth and the protection from rain an enclosure gives me. I'm thinking the SpinnShelter is the best option. I sure wish they made one out of SilNylon for a cheaper price. The nice thing about that is I can open it up in nicer weather. I just don't know how well a bivy would work with a 2.5" mat and a down bag. The bag is an older Down Hugger, before the improved PolkaTex DWR. Anyhow, any feedback is appreciated.

Looks claustrophobic to me. The nice thing about the Gatewood cape is you can pitch it high enough to sit up under if it's raining and you want some protection without having to lay flat on your back.

Something to think about….

Why can't the spinnshelter be pitched higher?

Why can't the spinnshelter be pitched higher?

It can be. No problem.

I think because the walls are so short, pitching it higher isn't going to give you much protection. That's just the way it looks from the picture online, no experience with it, fwiw.

A higher pitch is a nice option. Much more room, and good ventilation. In fact I rarely use the lockdown pitch.

Eric,

I had the same question about the Gatewood Cape a couple of weeks ago (I am about 1" shorter than you) and I decided to go with the Mountain Laurel Designs (MLD) Silnylon Poncho/Tarp. I paired it with a MLD superlight bivy (in the large size). I have the poncho/tarp now, but I am going to have to wait about four more weeks for the bivy.

I thought the tarp provided decent coverage and the bivy could serve as a splash guard if wind blown rain did find its way under the tarp. I was very attracted to the versatility of this combination. I liked the idea of being able to sleep in the bivy out in the open when the forecast was favorable.

As another option, I am also having a Six Moon Designs Meteor Bivy made for me using the pattern from their website (just in case the superlight bivy does not fit me).

Hope this helps.

Ryan

Ryan,

I think you have the perfect set up, which is what I use. And you hit upon the versatility factor.

Eric,

You do not have to put a pad inside a bivy, it can be used on the bottom. My MLD Soul Bivy Side Zip has pad straps on the inside and outside. It will only take up to 1" pad inside. I use a BPL Torsolite or a GG NightLight Torso inside the bivy. I have not tried using a pad on the outside of the bivy, and will probably get rid of those straps.

Thanks for the comment about the bivy and pad. That is a good thought, I could use the bivy oustide of the pad. But then I have to worry about things puncturing my pad, and carry the extra weight and space of some type of ground cover.

So what's the prevailing thought of bivy's and down bags? I've been out of the loop lately. I know some think it's fine, but some recommend against it. It seems like even here they don't sell down bags, it's mostly the synthetic insulated quilts for use with bivy's. These are the reasons I thought it would just be much simpler to get a tarp that can be closed off.

Nick,

Thanks! Your advice was a major factor in my purchase of the tarp/bivy combo. I am REALLY looking forward to using it ASAP.

Really, 6'5" in a Montbell? I found that if I put my feet down they are pushing through the bottom and the bag becomes tight against my head.

I found that most tarps got to be a pain in the butt and then you had to pair it with a bivy so I just use a Contrail instead and it has plenty of room.

Wouldn't a person sleep warmer by some degree with the pad inside rather than outside a bivy? I always use my closed cell foam outside.

Good point Brett Peugh about tall persons and just going with a Contrail instead.

Well Brett all you have to do is buy the long version of Montbell's sleeping bags. The specs say that they are good to a height of 6'-4" but I've found that they are good to someone 6'-6"

As someone said you can get the long version which says it's good up to 6'4". I think that that spec is probably just about right, I feel like it is too small for me when I'm on my back all the way stretched out. I have room, but the insulation on the hood and feet is pulled tight. I'd probably get something else if I had the chance again, mostly for that reason. But, for the most part, it works. I'm a side sleeper.

It's a long story but I actually had a Contrail. It was nice, but I'm thinking I don't need the full tent now that I moved to Colorado. I think bugs go away during the night at the high elevation and cool temperatures. Ohio, on the other hand, was another story.

I was just in the Montbell store Saturday on vacation and tried the long bags out but they didn't work if I slept on my side or back. That is why I went with Marmot and Western Mountaineering.

I would have kept the Contrail. I know you live in the Rockies now but just about any other place than that on this continent has bugs 6 months out of the year let alone other little things that like to curl up next to you. Kind of limits what you can do if you go anywhere.

I will add my 2 cents in support of the Contrail for tall users. I'm 6'5" and find it a good fit. It IS enclosed (in an airy sort of way) so it's not an open tarp. On the other hand it is quick and easy to pitch and weighs a bit over 24 oz.

In my comparison analysis and window shopping, it has (so far) won out over tarp/bivy combinations that were adequately sized for me even though in absolute terms it isn't the lightest weight solution available.

Hi,
MLD Trailstar – Can be mounted low to the ground if it gets a bit hairy or higher for the views and better ventilation. Definitely big enough, I'm a big 6'4" and there is more than enough room for two of me in there with gear.

Thanks for the input so far. I see a couple of people have mentioned the Contrail. Like I said, it's a long story but perhaps my best bet is just to get another one of those. I will check out the other options mentioned though. I just thought I could save some weight going with something that's not a full tent.

The other option I just noticed is the MLD Patrol Shleter. It's not fully enclosed, but perhaps it would be good enough to keep me sheltered from rain without needing a bivy?