another shelter thread

What about the Alpinlite Terraform Tarp (16.9oz) and Bug Shelter 2.0 (14.4) Combo. This shaped tarp/Bug Tent combo seems like a great alternative to Tarptent style shelters.

You might also look at the SMD Haven with Nettent

http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=68

SMD's Lunar Duo is similar to Tarptents

http://sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=47

Or the MLD DuoMid with nettent

http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=35&products_id=105

I just bought the Lightheart Duo and we love it. Almost like having a double wall. Lots of room, etc…

+1 on the Lunar Duo for a couple. It's not the lightest option, but the extra interior volume is incredibly useful.

I know you dont like the tarptent but what about the gossamer gear squall classic? I cant tell if it was the design you didn't like or the weight so if it was the weight that should work for you guys.

-Jace

My wife is a lot more tolerant of bivies than yours seems to be. We do have a Pyramid that, in winter and fall, is used without bivies. Oware 9×9. You can also have an inner bug net along with it, which might help.

Have you considered a pyramid shelter? I love my 9 x 9 Oware pyramid. It has bug mesh sewn around the perimeter. My wife and I have gone from freestanding tent, to flat tarp, to tarp with beaks to tarp with beaks and inner bug mesh and now to pyramid tarp with mesh. I must say the pyramid tarp is heaven in terms of space, and overall simplicity. We generally pitch it using our trekking poles. My Oware pyramid with lines and stuff sack comes in under 30 ounces. Stakes and a poly ground sheet put it a couple ounces over 2 lbs.

Looks like Joseph beat me to the punch on the pyramid shelter. You should check out Ryan Jordan's website and see what he has to say about pyramid shelters. I am paraphrasing but I believe he says something like.. If I could only keep one shelter it would be a silnylon pyramid.

Thanks for all the responses so far

I am not against tarp tents but was just looking to see if there were other lighter options.

I really like the looks of the Oware from what people have said, but I do have a few questions. With the netting sewn in is there complete bug protection? Also is there a floor sewn in as well or would one of those be needed too. I have never used a pyramid shelter but the center pole seems like it would be anyoying. Has anyone ever had a problems bumping these in the middle of the night?

Also I would like to hear more about the lightheart duo from anyone who has used one. Thanks again for all the info.

My wife and I swear by our Tarptent Double Rainbow. We live in the Porland, OR area and have used it in both WA and OR ever since it came out in 2006.

The ability to set one or both vestibules up in the "porch" configuration is wonderful.

Complete bug protection: No. This is a floorless shelter so a ground sheet is required. I use a standard poly drop cloth. I cut it to 8 ft x 8ft and remove a small triangle from in front of the door to have a sort of vestibule area. This means that crawling insects could get in. I am mostly concerned about mosquitoes where I hike. Obviously one should check that you aren't setting up on or near an ant hill. I find it to be fine for mosquito protection. You have to kill of a couple when you first get in, but as long as you seal off the bottom of the mesh to the ground with stones or extra gear I have never had an issue.

Center Pole: I do not find it to be annoying. The shelter has a huge amount of space for two people. Negotiating around the pole has not been an issue.

I talked to my wife and she does not like the pyramid idea because she does not want a pole to separate us, she thinks she will get too cold with a pole between us. So I guess its down to tarp tents, the six moon shelters, and the lightheart duo. Thanks for all the suggestions I will keep doing my research I guess.

I haven't tried myself since I don't have a pyramid to try it with at the moment, but some folks have pitched their pyramids with two poles set at an angle rather than one, so the middle remains free. The only catch AFAIK is that you need longer poles.

Hopefully someone with a pyramid can elaborate on this.

In the forest we set our Pyramid without a pole by stringing a line between two trees or hanging it from a branch. The two pole method is an alternative, but it takes some practice.

This with no pole.

How about this for a two pole set along the edge of the tarp. The one you see is an Inuit Paddle and about 7 feet tall, the other was a small diameter spruce branch.

For what it is worth the last time my wife and I were out we slept on the same side of the pole. The pole was barely offset and we still had plenty of space. The 9 x 9 easily sleeps four with minimal room for extra gear. For a couple more ounces a 10 x 10 would mean you would would definitely have no issues with having enough space.

The reality is that unless you are using a double quilt I doubt sleeping on the other side of the pole will make much difference to how warm she is. Warmer sleeping pad, bag and a good meal before bed will make a far bigger difference. But it is probably best to go with another option if she does not like the idea. Good luck.

Scissor poles outside your shelter for extra room.

Note single 1mm cord holding up a 5 person shelter.

These photos taken after a night of rain. No sagging.