Dog shelter–Oware Pyramid vs MLD Supermid

Nobody has an opinion on either shelter? Really?

We have the Oware 9x9x6 and have used it in fall, winter and spring here in Southeast Alaska. We love this shelter. It has withstood wind, snow and rain, and has kept us dry and cozy. We’ve cooked breakfast inside over a small fire — on the beach — and warm it at night with a small lantern. Here are two views. The second shows it raised with hiking poles connected using the straps from Oware.

Thanks for the response. I've got a few questions:

–do you need wrist straps on your trekking poles for the support pole straps to work? Based on the photo from Oware's website, that is the impression I'm getting.

–Besides the ground level perimeter guyline attachment points, are there any mid panel guyline attachment points for use in high wind to prevent fabric flapping?

–Any thoughts on how this would work with a dog? I'm hoping that if I got a pyramid shelter and pitched it 4 inches off the ground, then the dog would stay inside with us through the night.

thanks.

I have neither, but think pyramid tents are intrigueing. These two tents are almost identical from companies that appear to have good reputations here. If you want more tieouts I imagine they would add them for you. I'd go with the company that has the shortest wait.
Does anyone know what the two pyramids have for venting?
Oware has pictures of their pole joining system on their website. MLD's jack is basically a short section of aluminum pole to stick on the end of your trekking pole.
I'm planning on sewing a half pyramid for myself soon.

Zack,

Our hiking poles have straps, so this response is conjecture. I think you could tighten the three included pieces of nylon with buckles enough to keep them together without the straps, though you may want to use one as a lash then the others to strengthen the connection.

We don't have a dog, but are friends with one who, on occasion, likes our pyramid better than its own bed under an open tarp. Its really not a dog, but a terrier, so I can't speak to the 4" off the ground issue. It is perfectly capable of nosing under the tarp close to the ground.

The Oware doesn't have the mid point guy lines that the MLD has, but I'm not sure it is really necessary unless you are facing extremely strong winds. Once you stake out all of the points the shelter is very strong.

Our Pyramid is the 30 d silnylon, no problem with tears or rips going on three years.

"Its really not a dog, but a terrier"

That's pretty funny. I have that same feeling sometimes when I see tourists around here walking their "dogs" who have on silly sweaters and such just because we're in the mountains–and often times this is in the summer.

I will go with Oware as it is based here in Tahoe and people I know who have his gear like it a lot.

Thanks.

Zack,

Good choice on the Oware. Just to set the record straight, this particular Terrier climbs mountains in snow, walks across muskeg and could probably take out a brown bear if it were after her food. She doesn’t think of herself as a dog, that precipitated my comment. Just want to make sure she knows my position on her if she is online tonight.

Probably a good idea–I've met a few terriers that definitely had a mind of their own and weren't afraid to let you know about it.

I didn't post earlier because I don't have experience with the two shelters in question… but on the broader question, I do use a mid with a hiking partner and two dogs. I've found the mid to be pretty much my perfect shelter for such excursions, with plenty of room for us all to stretch out and segregate wet funkiness. I personally use an inner bug tent w/floor and like that arrangement a lot, but of course it's not nearly as light as a perimeter bug net.

Brad–what shelter do you use? The BD Megamid is what started me down this path to the Oware and MLD pyramids.

I would ideally like to use an interior bug tent w/ a sturdy floor, but those seem to add around 2 or so pounds to the equation. If I remember correctly, the BD Megamid w/ bug tent weighed about the same as a tent and costs a bit more than one.

I think Golite makes some shelters that compare to the MLD and Oware products, but they are also heavier. I'm trying to go as light as I can as my dog has a recent history of injuring her hind leg and I most likely won't let her carry a pack at all to minimize any more potential damage.

Zack-
Mine's heavy. Very not light, but sorta acceptable to me for four occupants. It's an old Dana model similar to the Megalight w/insert. You're right; weight is about the same as a tent, but still much lighter than a comparable sized tent. The Mega reports floor area around 50 sq ft, but each edge is about 9' long IIRC; in other words, they actually under-report floor area. You actually end up with quite a bit of space.

Personally I'm looking at the MYOG route with a mid, but both the options you're considering appeal to me. Especially in cuben…

Cuben is awesome, but so pricey! I'm also wondering if I should just order a pyramid with no netting as that is a pretty easy thing to do myself now that I've gotten into sewing. And making my own inner bug tent, utilizing lighter materials than those commercially available, would probably come in the 24 oz. range–so hopefully the whole setup would be around 3 lbs.

And my dog thinks she's super tough (she's not) when it comes to coyotes and such, so the bug tent would keep her far safer.

Zack, did you go with a mid in the end, and if so, which one? My wife and I considering one as well for our 3 season shelter and also wondering whether we should go with perimeter netting or an inner bug tent.

Also wondering which quilt/bag, bivy and groundcloth you go with for 3 seasons, for cooler shoulder season and for winter.

Is it a good idea to always have a light bivy to use with pyramid shelters to protect your bag/quilt?