Compare SMD Shelters

I think you are right Yohei. I will add a mesh skirt to my Gatewood cape.

Yohei:

I'm having trouble with the geometry.

If the two shelters have the same floor dimensions (8'9" x 5'6"), covered area (35 sq. feet), and are set to the same peak height, how can one have more space inside than the other?

Supposedly, the only difference between them is the removal of the hood (with a corresponding addition of a peak vent) and the addition of the mesh skirting.

Maybe the pole heights are slightly different, or one is sat in a divot, but the oasis looks to be pitched slightly higher and shorter, which might give the feeling of roominess. I use a 47" pole for my Gatewood cape.

For those of you who have used both, have you noticed much of a performance difference (bugs aside)? Has anyone used them on snow?

Check the why do women prefer tents thread for shots of Kathleen's Gatewood set up on snow.

For those who want to use their gear in extreme conditions, check this out.

Interesting though not recommended

Ron

I have used mine in light snow. Conensation is an issue, and I use a bivy. Best to keep the door slightly opened if possible. This is not a failure of the shelter, but a characteristic of the material and single wall design.

Nice taut pitch there Ron. ;-)

I'm living proof a six foot eight guy can stay dry in a Gatewood stretched out full length, alongside his lady.

Top design job, thanks!

That's a great pic!

Roger and anyone over 6 feet that might use a 'long' bag – are either of these 'shelters' suitable for a 6 plus footer without touching each end of the bag against the walls (thinking condensation here…..)?

David, I wrap my eVent jacket round my feet on damp nights. My WM bag is pretty WR anyway, but it helps. I also pitch the Gatewood cape Will Reitveld stylee with a 47" pole to steepen the sides. This creates more space for us tall guys. To be honest, I am onthe limit wih this, but I love the design, so I live with the quirks.

I'm considering adding a strip to the bottom edge which will roll round some oasis style no-see-um and snap to the seam for snag free rain wear.

Perhaps if Ron checks back on this thread he could let me know if he has any 5" offcuts of the green silnylon he makes them from.

Aaron – I prefer a floorless shelter on snow. I've used a tarp over a trench and the Gatewood. I like floorless on snow so that I can shovel down a foot or more for added insulation. On winter backpack trips I've noticed the people who used regular tents, including me, were cold, while those of us who "trenched" were comfortable. A sheet of polycro works fine for a floor, so I'm not really doing without.

Kathleen – (thanks for posting the pic!) I also prefer floorless shelters on snow….unless they get pummeled and destroyed by wind and blowing slush. I have a knack for getting stuck in storms above treeline and have had some very happy, and some not-so-happy times solely hinged on specific shelter performance (It's not always possible to dig down). I have used a Mountain Hardwear Kiva with good results, but it is the only floorless shelter that I trust above treeline (so far). I also have the SMD Wild Oasis and recently ordered the Gatewood Cape, so I look forward to trying them in some more exposed places. I've heard good things about the BD Beta Light, but have yet to try it in stormy conditions as well.

How have y'all 'weathered' inclemecy in the Oasis + Cape?

On our 10 day trip to Sardinia recently, Kath and I camped high in a strong breeze which gusted up to around 30-35mph during the night with driven rain. We were fine under the Gatewood cape. I had pegged the windward rear right to the floor and angled the cf golf club shaft pole over more to hunker the tent down tight. I was impressed with the way it handled the gusting. Fortunately the ground was hard and the pegs stayed put (6" Ti shepherds crooks).

Bob, Rog

Yes, you are right.
I wrote about my feeling.

It seem mesh skirt let me feel roomier.

This is image of my feeling as effective space.
(side view. dot line is mesh.)

A very good point Yohei. How a tent space feels is important.

The mesh is like a wall, and just as psychologically effective as one of stone in a piece of light nylon.

> Interesting though not recommended

Ron is very good with the understatement!

Be OK if you KNEW the weather was going to stay fine.

Cheers

the "trench" being warmer is curious to me. did you dig a trench beside you, yet under your tarp? i've always been under the impression that when digging in snow (snow cave and the like) that one should always sleep on a platform or dig a little pit for the colder air to sink to…