The G Spot

I thought for sure I was going to order one…but whats up with the weight? 10.5 oz for the cuben fiber version is barely lighter then my Duomid. Don't get me wrong, it's gonna be awesome, but I was hoping for 8 oz or something like that.

I'm personally staying with the Duomid. 10" taller, 18" wider, and only 2 oz. heavier (only 1 oz. heavier for the cuben!). If I was buying new, the only thing that would lean me toward the Solo is the $80 savings (in cuben). But, really, to me anyway, $80 isn't that much at all. I'd probably end up with the Duomid for all that extra room for a measly 1 oz penalty.

So where does the extra weight come from?

"So where does the extra weight come from?"

That's a good question, since the DuoMid also has more mid-panel tie outs (or at least it looks that way from the pics).

I think the SoloMid design is perfect. No center pole, no pole jack and sized for solo use. The footprint being smaller allows for easier site selection and the smaller packed size allows the use of a smaller volume pack such as the new MLD Newt (SoloMid).

If the additional floor space of the DuoMid is favored its great that it can be had for a minimal weight penalty. If a smaller sized shelter meets your needs the SoloMid offers numerous design advantages IMO.

Is anyone ever going to come up with an ultralight winter shelter that does NOT require trekking poles? It feels like all the cottage manufacturers discriminate against people who don't use trekking poles.
On that note, are there any carbon fiber poles out there long and strong enough to support a Solomid or a Duomid?

-Sid

Hi Thom!

I haven't used the DuoMid yet, just set it up in the yard to see how it pitched. I plan to give it a real test this weekend. But when I set it up in the yard, I did so with my one trekking pole at a significant slant, so that it ran along the back wall, and gave me the entire floor space wide open. The pitch was pretty taut like this as well, but not perfect. And no pole jack, just my LT4s with CF extender. When GG starts selling the extenders (soon, I hope!), I'm going to get another one, and try setting up the Duomid with double trekking poles/extenders to see how it works. I think it's going to be a great setup!

I do agree, however, that the SoloMid will be perfect for those looking for a small, compact, lightweight shelter. Really, Ron makes such great gear, I don't think you can go wrong with either one!

Hi Sid!

Nearly every shelter requires poles! The cottage manufacturers are just making shelters that can also use trekking poles, they don't mandate them, but it's a great use of gear many of us already carry! Since the CF trekking poles are long and strong enough to support both the mids, I assume that any good CF pole would do so. Perhaps check out Fibraplex, or LuxuryLite's Big Survival Stick.

A vertical hiking pole will be A LOT sturdier than an aluminum pole, which in turn is significantly sturdier than a carbon fiber tent pole. I would STRONGLY recommend AGAINST Fibraplex poles!!!

"A vertical hiking pole will be A LOT sturdier than an aluminum pole, which in turn is significantly sturdier than a carbon fiber tent pole."

Hi Ben! Don't doubt you, but would like to know why. Are the Fibraplex just not thick enough (I don't know anything about them, just did a google search)? Are they just the thin, bendable kind? That LuxuryLite pole looks pretty sturdy, would that work do you think?

Ben,
why do you recommend against Fibraplex poles?

Douglas,
You misunderstood. I meant that there are no ultralight winter shelters out there that already have poles included in the design so as not to require the user to utilize trekking poles. I feel like I'm the only ultralight backpacker that does not use trekking poles.
LuxuryLite's pole would work well but it's a bit heavy for me.

Another option: use as SoloMid net liner with the DuoMid to get added coverage/vestibule and save weight with the solo liner. Mike

"Another option: use as SoloMid net liner with the DuoMid to get added coverage/vestibule and save weight with the solo liner. Mike"

Exactly my plan! First, though, I'm going to see if the MLD bug bivy fits in. If so, I'll use that instead as I already own that.

Sid – depends on what you define as UL, but of course TT has the Scarp with a dedicated pole.

Douglas,

Let us know how it works with the MLD bug bivy inside the DuoMid/SoloMid.

Also, how much does the GG pole extender weigh?

I don’t have either, but I might not be able to hold out much longer. I only hear great things about the Solo and DuoMid.

EDIT:
I found Douglas’ review of the carbon fiber GG pole extender here and he weighted it at 0.7oz.

I've used my MLD Bug-bivvy with my Duomid before the Inner tents were available, and it works fine.
I bought the Duomid for the extra space and headroom though, so i use the Duomid Inner with it now. It is perfect for my needs. Lots of bug protected space, and not claustrophobic when sitting out bad weather. The Duo Inner can be pushed over in rain, so you have a dry spot for changing and cooking. I think it is just about perfect for hiking in Scotlands climate.
Something to be aware of with the Solomid and Inner is that you wont have that big dry area at the front during rain.

I don't use poles either. I have some, but noticed that the more tired I become, the less I wanted to be bothered with using the poles. If I was hiking out west where there was scree or lots of stream crossings, they might come in handy. There is usually good footing on the AT and eastern forest trails where I hike though. I did find them handy when I had a heavy pack, but now that it's lighter, my back and knees are no less sore when I use poles than when I don't.

ps: The tarptent cloudbust and rainbow don't require poles.

"I think it is just about perfect for hiking in Scotlands climate."

I am quite excited to hear this! I was considering getting a Scarp 1 for my Scotland trip in April/May, but if you think the DuoMid with inner will work just fine, then that's what I'll use! Thanks Mike!

Ron also offers an option for bug netting around the perimeter of the shelter which would work well unless there is a heavy bug population. I'm not sure how much weight this would add but it would be a lighter option the Inner Net.

-Sid

5.5oz

It's bound to be a disaster now Douglas! :)

Seriously, we can get long periods of rain here, as well as beautiful weather.
I like the headroom in the Duomid and Duo inner when tent bound for long periods. You should be too early for midges, but when those hungry bar stewards are out in force, it's a nice big space to escape from them in. I would carry 4 longer stakes for the corners, and smaller ones for the other guying points. The ground can be sodden, and you often need the longer length stakes for a solid pitch. I use the 8" Easton pegs for the corners, or sometimes even MSR Blizzard stakes, depending on how the weather has been.
A sheet of polycro under the groundsheet, and that's my usual set-up. I haven't tested it in severe weather, as i head low for shelter when the wind really blows. I other shelters for stormy, summit pitches.
The Scarp would be another good choice, but i've grown to like the headroom in Pyramid tents over the last few years.

"The footprint being smaller allows for easier site selection and the smaller packed size allows the use of a smaller volume pack such as the new MLD Newt".

I couldn't agree with Thom more….
In most cases I hike solo and want a shelter that is sized accordingly….even if the weight isn't much different than a larger although similar shelter, I'd choose the smaller one do to packability/compressibility which as Thom stated allows the use of a smaller volume pack thereby again decreasing weight…..that said, at 5'4" and vertically challenged I've never had the problem of the tall or "unvertically challenged" of not having enough floor space. I know it's a tough spot to be in but most single person tents to me seem palatial :-)

Paired with a season appropriate bivy, the Solo-Mid looks like a very versatile shelter for 3 season and light-mid 4 season use.

I have nothing to add to the tent discussion, but I have never had a problem with my FibraPlex poles. I plan on getting a new set (or trying to mod these ones) soon for another tent.