ultralight one man enclosed shelter?

There is a current thread with an Alenite bug shelter and a BPL nano tarp. Doesn't much lighter, and is roomy.

My Hexamid Solo w/ bug net is 11 oz / 313 gr including stakes (3 ti V and the rest ti shepherd's hooks). With the door, it's 12.7 oz / 361 gr.

Fully enclosed shelter at 3/4 lbs.

My preferred solo shelter is a Gossamer gear Spinnshelter combined with an SMD Meteor Bivy.

The Spinnshelter gives all around protection from blowing rain and spindrift and the Meteor bivy adds bug protection, ground cloth, additional spray protection and is relatively comfortable in hot bug season.

There are other options, but as far as I know, none provide more protection, in as many extremes, for the same weight.

The combination is much less than 24 oz, depending on how many and how heavy your stakes(pegs) are.

Like Steven, I am a big fan of the GG SpinnShelter. I use mine with a Alpinlite Bug Tent 1.25 and Easton 6" Blue Stakes, with GG Ti Shepard hooks for the bug tent. I think mine is around 22.5-23 ounces.

Re: GG SpinnShelter with Alpinlite Bug Tent

This could prove to be even better in hot weather than what I use.

I use the SpinnShelter. In fact, last week I got snowed on while in it. Instead of a commercial bug net, I added some DIY netting in a skirt that goes all the way around the bottom edge. That way, I can elevate the whole thing 2-3 inches off the ground for warm weather ventilation. I added some netting around the door.

About the only gripe that I have is that I get it all pulled out taut and staked in, and then rain drops fall off trees onto it, and that is noisey. Worse things could happen.

–B.G.–

Interesting. I sold my spinnshelter to Brad, but Steven said in another thread he ended up with mine. Did Brad get another one?

It's a very good shelter. My only gripes were the white colour and that it's a bit tight for two.

Kath and I use a modified Golite Hut 1 with sewn in perimeter mesh and Tyvek floor.

Hi David,

'Anyone make a large lightweight (8 – 10 oz) tarp that could make a crude rain / wind shelter for 1 – 2 with some hiking poles and sticks/trees for a reasonable price?

Or better yet a very lightweight two piece (bug net plus enclosed tarp) one man shelter solution?'

check this thread out:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=28511

Integral Designs 8×10- 385g
SMD Serenity bugnet- 210g

just add stakes and line.

cheers,
fred

Just stick with your SMD tent and save yourself a lot of aggravation puttting up a tarp, THEN a floor THEN a bug net.

Weight ain't everything. Conveniance, weather proofness, and wind resistance count for a lot. Do you REALLY want to be readjusting your tarp when the wind shifts in the middle of a storm?

The newer single wall tents have come SO close to tarp/groundcloth/bug tent weight that I see no point in tarping anymore. I love my Moment tent and liked my former Contrail a lot too.

Our Hut 1 flaps around a lot less in the wind since we added the mesh and floating floor. Not that it was too bad anyway, but for taller, steeper sided designs, it's a consideration.

Hi Rog,

Yes, I have Brad's and you old hand my down:-)
I suspect Brad opted for the newer version. The white color is not optimum.

I found that Spinnaker can be tinted using a little black and bronze silicone caulk diluted with a lot thinner.

I tested with the storage bag.
I haven't done the tent itself yet. It will probably add a little more than an ounce to the weight and will end up with a blotchy/camo very light brown/grey color.

Anyhow,
I am also a fan of the Hut 1. Which is why I bought the Spinnshelter in the first place. They are very similar in design and size. The Spinnshelter is much lighter, but less durable.

The perimeter net was something I had considered, but I use mine solo. The Meteor bivy isn't much heavier and gives more flexibility in how I pitch. I can pitch it with the ends and one side wide open and still have bug protection.

Or I can just cowboy camp with bug protection.

Hi Steven,
Good plan, I wonder if a dusting with some good old fashioned soot while the caulk/thinner mix is still tacky, followed by a second coat might get a darker tone. All adds weight as you point out.

I like the durability of the Hut 1 so much I'm happy to carry the weight, there are two of us in it after all. In fact I like it so much I've picked up another off gear swap to use out of bug season.

I'm still working on my cuben design with minimal stressed seam lengths too.

Eric,

I would also add that some people like me take joy in tinkering with things like tarps, bug nets, bivies, etc.

But after adding up all the benefits of each I still ended up ordering a Moment. :)

Yes, I bought a new gray SpinnShelter this winter for the new color and the redesigned foot end. I will have to admit the new fabric is just now starting to get a little softer like the old white one was. Spinnaker can be really loud when new.

>>>The newer single wall tents have come SO close to tarp/groundcloth/bug tent weight that I see no point in tarping anymore. I love my Moment tent and liked my former Contrail a lot too.<<<

What are you talking about? My cuben tarp + bug bivy (with silnylon 2.0 floor so no groundcloth needed) + stakes + guylines combined weighs less than 12oz and I don't have to worry about misting or water penetration when camped in boggy areas.

Tarptents certainly have their place, especially in certain climates and maybe for convenience, but they're not the best choice for everyone and they're not even close to the lightest tarp/bug bivy options available now.

"…they're not the best choice for everyone and they're not even close to the lightest tarp/bug bivy options available now."

Yep, there's no sense in packing a 29oz. shelter every time you're out, because every trip doesn't require bug protection, so why bring the extra weight and bulk? It's all about modularity and versatility with tarp systems, lot's of options and pairings. Both tarps and enclosed shelter have their place. UL solo shelters are great and convenient and are sometimes the better option, but definitely are one-trick ponies in many regards.

John-

What combo of tarp and bug bivy do you use? Is it MYOG?

Jeff

The tarp was made by Joe at ZPacks. It's 9x6x5 with a catanery ridgeline and weighs 3.3oz before guylines. It was a custom order at the time I bought it but I think Joe offers tarps as standard orders now.

The bivy is an MLD Bug Bivy with a silnylon 2.0 floor (which is supposed to be similar to more tradional tent materials as far as hydrostatic head) and that weighs 6.35oz including the mini-biners/shock cord I clip it up to the tarp with.

This set-up isn't the best choice for everyone (for instance you can't sit up in the bug bivy) but it works great for me. Depends on your priorities.