Best bang for the buck solo shelter

I use a TT Moment, too. Love it. Lots of little features that add up to great flexibility for various conditions. I just had mine in Joshua Tree and it took a beating in the wind and withstood everything Mother Nature threw at it.

I used to have a Sierra Designs LightYear. I had a love/hate relationship with it. It's very similar to the Spitfire (almost identical), but a little lighter and a few other bells and whistles, but not enough (IMHO) to justify the price difference between the two. But those are very stable shelters and offer some flexibility (can do without fly in dry season for star gazing, for example). Very wind worthy.

I am dying to try the MLD Trailstar. Looks amazing. But I'm going to practice tarp life with some cheapie tarps from Home Depot first.

-Michael

Re: "I am dying to try the MLD Trailstar."

It's not the cheapest, but i certainly like the design of this shelter. The flexibility makes it a true all terrain shelter.

When I lived in the South-West, we would often have zipper failures from the grit.
Having no moving parts and having so many pitching options is very appealing to me.

Painters Tarp definitely qualifies as great Bang For the Buck! This was the roof for a bush craft mansion a friend and I set up (in the rain) on a camping trip in high-school.

All it lacks are the refinements I guess.

I've been really tempted to go the tarp route (probably something lighter than a painters tarp though)but Its looking like a tarp-tent may be a better idea for me.

I like the idea of being able to use a tarp during a rainy day lunch stop. I like that the shape/openness can be modified to fit conditions and/or desired view. I like the roominess.

What I don't like is the bug exposure. Every time I shop a tarp + bug tent combo I end up with a combo that costs more and weighs nearly the same as a Sublite Sil.

I guess the benefit for me would be more in the flexibility/ability to alter my style if using a tarp + bug tent. Maybe I'll get over the bug thing and start leaving the netting at home?

I'm in gear paralysis at the moment, stuck trying to avoid copying Rambo's gear list and dying of exposure (due to lack of skills) while also trying to avoid spending too much on gear that I'll replace quickly as I learn my preferences.

That trail star looks pretty sweet;)

There are instructions to make a Meteor bivy at the Six Moon Designs site.

I bought mine used.
It's a half bivy/groundcloth/bug net that works perfect combined with a tarp. My most used piece of kit.

http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/support/make-your-own-gear/60-meteor-bivy.html

Steven, that looks pretty nice. Most importantly, roomy. I could see reading in it if necessary.

You use a ground cloth as well eh? The net portion doesn't seem to have much of a bathtub.

I have been really happy with my Gatewood Cape and optional Serenity Net Tent combo. I usually leave the net tent behind. The small footprint is great for when space is limited and it provides good protection from wind and rain, since it can be pitched all the way to the ground. The Trailstar is one that I've been seriously considering. It would be much more storm proof than my tarp. The Net Tent should be compatible if bugs are a problem.

It has a flat floor. Some people make their's bathtub shaped.
I never needed a bathtub and in fact a bathtub floor would collect any water that should spray in.

I sometimes use it with a ground cloth if I think I'm going to be camping in areas where the ground may damage the floor of the bivy, but not required if you want to keep the weight down.

It has two hanging points. When I am in very wet situations, I'll sometimes use both tie points to pull it high. That will lift up the edges off the ground into a somewhat bathtub shape.
I also do this when I want extra ventilation on hot buggy summer nights.

In my case, "solo" includes my 80-lb. dog. I want him to have a bug-free space, too, which sort of eliminates tarps (although I'm going to do some backyard trials with an Equinox 8×10 tarp and making my own bug net)–tarp, bug net and groundsheet for the two of us is pretty much the same weight as my current tent.

My current shelter, which I really like, doesn't quite fit the category of "best bang for the buck," but I really like it! It's a Gossamer Gear/Tarptent Squall Classic. It's the 2009 version which has a zippered vestibule (I am not fond of velcro–especially since it tends to get full of dog hair!). It pitches really taut with a nice taut bathtub floor. I know it's supposed to be a 2-person tent, but, IMHO, it's too small for two adults (unless they really like being spooned together). It is, however, exactly the right size for my dog and me.

I used the Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo for a couple of summers, but it's a bit too snug for both the dog and me. For just sleeping, it's fine, but when the dog and I were confined to the tent by bad weather it was rather claustrophobic. I also encountered a lot more condensation in the LS than I have in other silnylon tents, even when solo without the dog. I also had troubles with my head hitting the tent wall over my head when I sat up, even though I'm only 5'3". It did hold up really well in Colorado thunderstorms and Wind River winds, though!

If I were advising a beginner on a low budget what to get for a solo shelter, I'd suggest a tarp (maybe an Equinox silnylon tarp from Campmor) or the Tarptent Contrail.

Well, if we are getting really cheap, you could just use a painters cloth and a garbage bag with a piece of netting (often available at some fabric shop really inexpensivly.)
~5 per trip. A pebble wrapped in the plastc(and netting) lets you tie it off pretty well. Not real good with condensation, though. And not cost effective over the long haul. Good enough for one trip out, though.

MYOG tarp and bivvy costs a bit more, but are completely reusable. Pitched low enough, they are pretty good with winds.

For a single piece of shelter, my vote would be for a tarp. A bivvy is just a ground cloth with a cover and a piece of net. Keep it simple. Cost and weight and overall usability will usually follow.

Forgive the rant. I get carried away, I guess. Half the fun of camping is making do, though. To me, this means making your own gear, too. Anyway, I gotta get back to building my boat, then I can take my wife out canoing while her knee heals from mountain climbing (another year or so.)
My thoughts only . . .
jdm

"What I don't like is the bug exposure. Every time I shop a tarp + bug tent combo I end up with a combo that costs more and weighs nearly the same as a Sublite Sil."

This is pretty much where I've been. Most of the time I don't need bug protection but there have been times when I would have been absolutely miserable without it so I always carry some way of keeping the skeeters/black flies at bay.

I looked at the absolute lightest, cost no object shelter that I'd carry and something like the Zpacks Hexamid comes to mind. With stakes and Cuben ground sheet you are looking at just around a 15-16oz. I'd carry a minimalist bivy rather than the cuben ground sheet so that combo comes in at 19oz which is within spitting distance of the Tarp Tent of half the money.

One is a tent though and the other a tarp (ok…they both blur the lines) and some people like the open nature of tarp camping. Others like to be holed up in some nylon. The Sublite is probably more wind worthy than most tarps but the bigger tarps offer great coverage for rain.

The bottom line is that knowing what is best requires knowing how and where you are going to use it and what your preferences are. Do you like to toodle around in camp below treeline? If so you might like a large tarp. Like to walk until you are ready to drop and your only concern in camp is shelter and food (not necessarily in that order), then a quick and easily deployable tent might be the better solution.

Hey Mary,

I've heard many reviews where people have stated that tall pyramid shelters have less bug issues than other shelters so bug nets haven't been needed in mosquito country.

From what I've read, the mosquitoes tend to gather at the peak of the pyramid. I guess the theory is that they are attracted to the CO2 from your breath and that rises to the top, keeping most of the mosquitoes away.

This has made pyramids good for hikers with dogs.

Well, that's the theory. I definitely would not want to test that out in some of our local Northwest areas in July! I would more likely expect the mosquitoes to fly away with both me and my dog!

Michael said early on in this thread:
"There are so many, it would be hard to say without zeroing in on a few requirements, lightest, most usable space, vestibule,pitching,built in bug protection etc……."

Exactly. I think the best response to this question is "need more information". Are there any uncompromising requirements? (i.e., "only free standing" or anything like that) Then, what of many (the above are just some) factors get highest priority in selection, also to include cost, durability, etc etc etc (add a few more etc's).

Otherwise I think the question tends to morph into "What solo tent(s) that you have personal experience with do you kind of like?".

@Brian Yeah, I see your point. I tried to respond to Michael (vaguely) when I wrote:

"I guess I had "balance" in mind, whatever that means. For me, personally, I'd want a tent that was as light as possible but that offered enough space for my long bag and a vestibule (or inner space) for my backpack and some bug protection."

My intent when I posted wasn't necessarily to ask "which tent should I buy". I wanted to hear people's opinions and experiences, taking into account the "best bang for the buck" idea, which, to me means "highest value". (ie. before the cost/benefit curve becomes too steep). If that makes sense?

There is the theoretical side (IE I like the look of that) and a practical side (will that work for me…)
So the best value to me is one that ticks most boxes (including budget) without a major "that drives me nuts" weakness.
And of course it has to do with location (terrain and climate) , expertise/expectation as well as size.
Not everybody is 5'7" and 150 lbs (but I am)
So for example if bugs are your bug.. some shelters, by the time an inner net is added ( not everybody likes bivvies), become less appealing.
But that could be the attraction too, being able to choose between fly only (tarp) fly and bivvy, fly and mesh inner or all of them.
Look at how many people comment on bathtub floors and wind protection (not high enough for the former and not low enough fly for the latter…) yet others rave about theirs, one that has neither.
Who is right ?
Franco
BTW, bugs and pyramid tents..
No offence, but the top of the tent is exactly where my head is when sitting up, so not exactly sure why I would enjoy a concentrated swarm of insects right there.
A head net will mitigate that if head nets is your thing.

For me, personally, it would be the TarpTent Contrail. It is a refined tent (lots of really nice bits and pieces) with an overall design that has stood the test of time. I like it because the apex of the tent is above the head. I rarely sit up in tents (and when I do, I'm OK with sliding) so having the high point of the tent in the middle is a bit of a waste for me. I do prop myself up on my elbows though, as well as lie down and stare straight up (when I can't sleep) so the Contrail would be a great value for me.

I agree with the Contrail, if you want reasonable rain and bug protection. I love mine.

The trail star seems like a strong contender in this thread. The value looks exceptional for conditions that require bombproof reliability. I'm always thinking about buying one of them.

However, my personal vote for best bang for the buck shelter goes to the poncho tarp since it also saves you the cost of rain gear. Sure you'll probably have to buy a bivy but that's still cheaper than high end rain gear and it adds some temp rating to your sleep system. It doesn't hurt that it's also one of the lightest options out there.

I have a TT Sublite and MDL Solomid. If I had to use just one solo tent it would be a Sublite Sil. 24 ounces, bug proof, good rain and wind protection and plenty big enough for me and my gear plus a vestibule.

I am a tarptent fan, but if you had to buy one shelter to cover all needs you best bet is probably some Mid. Good amount of space and 4 season ready.

Of course we probably consider how much you want to spend.
If your not sure what you want to do and how much backpacking you are going to do, it comes back to the less than $100 mark for most people.

So:
A cheap tarp
A used solo Eureka or other car camping tent
Borrow
Rent
…?

I am going to get hung by my short ones here, but I would say the Hilleberg Akto. It has the best blend of all weather / all season ability, weight, room, durability, and proven performance of any solo shelter that I have ever seen. It isn't perfect, but it is very close.

Bear Paw tents makes some great stuff at a great price. They sell closeouts pretty frequently on eBay too!

I just bought a Pyra Net 2 for $70 on closeout. Less than half the price of the DUO InnerNet by MLD.