2p wind-worthy tent?

See this thread for pictures I posted of the Duomid with the "inverted-v" shape to the poles which eliminates the center pole problem. Just FYI.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=22180

Fitting two adults in the DuoMid would not be much fun in prolonged rough weather, and the pole-less inverted V setup will compromise wind stability.

I've found a larger pyramid tarp (MLD SuperMid or Oware Mid) to be ideal for two people in nasty conditions. With the pole angled toward the door, two people fit comfortably along the back with enough room up front for changing, dealing with wet gear, cooking, etc. It's a very versatile shelter. My gf loves the larger mid.

I've been able to use a Golite Hex 3 (now a Shangri-La 3) with inverted V poles. Since both of us use trekking poles, I connected each pair tip-to-tip, which gave me two long poles to create the inverted V. I was able to create a 60" wide space between the poles.

A Shangri-La 2 without the inner nest has a surprising amount of space, and you can do two inverted V's so long as your poles are 140cm or more. Space gets a little tight using the inner nest, but there is still ample room for sitting up if the two face each other between the poles. It gives you a nice ridge-line above your heads (I'm 6'2") while your sleeping bags and pads are to either side of you.

I would agree that the inverted V is not quite as wind stable, but for wind, you could simply turn the V back into an I, with the benefit of two poles for added strength. If you roped both poles together, you'd have a very wind resistant pole. Then, when the wind dies down, you can go back to the inverted V setup.

I've come to your conclusion as well that wind-resistance is very important, since I like to camp in exposed areas. You'll simply have to accept that you'll need a heavier shelter to make this happen comfortably for two.

My Shangri-La 2 is 22.4oz for just the canopy, but a company rep told me it will be 5oz lighter and with bigger vents come January. This is acceptably light for me; where we pay for it is in the inner nest. But I may sew my own, with lighter materials and more interior space, especially in the middle area (so it looks more like a BD Beta Bug).

I agree with the previous poster. I just purchased the Oware 8x8x5 pyramid and I'm amazed at the space inside–you might even be able to fit both of your bikes inside with plenty of room leftover (don't quote me on that)? You could get mid-panel/mid-height tieouts to aid with wind stability. Also, even if you don't get a mid type shelter, I would seriously consider something with a nice vestibule that can be pitched flush with the ground. I've never been to Patagonia, but I understand the winds can be something else.

This article about single walled tents has a column for wind stability:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/sotmr_single_wall_tents_2008.html

In general, the hoop tents perform the best.

I'm not sure how wind stability is measured. If folks had enough money, they could put each tent on a rotating platform on top of a pickup truck and keep increasing the speed of the truck until the tent broke (or they got hassled by the cops).

I assume that one of the ways in which a tent can fail is for the poles to break. If so, then I assume that tents held up with trekking poles would fair quite well. Even a very lightweight trekking pole (GG) is much heavier (and stronger) than a lightweight pole meant to hold up a tent. Also, poles that are curved have different pressures on them and are more likely to break (especially a carbon fiber pole). For example, a nice carbon fiber trekking pole can hold my weight vertically just fine, but I can easily break it if I lay it across to two stands and push down in the middle.

Sometimes wind performance gets confused with snow performance. There are tents that perform well in the snow, but not in high wind, and vice versa. This is something to keep in mind when comparing tents.

I'm sure there are lots of other important considerations (like the ability of the tent to shed wind). I'm also sure there are lots of folks with other things to add.

The current DR has grommets to allow trekking poles to support the long curve pole in heavy winds…if you use trekking poles that is. We have tested this setup in pretty high winds (several times), and it is solid as long as the rest of the tent is also well staked.

Are there any pictures of the Double Rainbow with the additional trekking pole support (I'm curious as to how it works exactly)?

I don't know of any pics, but it works by butressing the CF cross strut at both ends of the strut, so the long main pole really *can't* collapse.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/reviews/display_reviews?forum_thread_id=2368&skip_to_post=28865#28865

Miguel's review was comprehensive at the time, but the newest version of the DR has addressed many of those issues, inluding zippers on vestibules, grommet support of the spreader pole, and standard side guyline tie outs. Other issues have not been addressed, like having the vestibules come down to the ground, velcro on the door flaps and ways to seal off the high vents. I have MYOGed most of these fixes on our DR, but still something to keep in mind.