Trailstar Question

I have only limited experience with my TS so far, but my hunch is that you could fit three under there but it might be a little cramped, especially if, or when, you have to pitch it low to the ground for more serious weather protection.

I used mine with a buddy this last weekend and there was more than enough room for just the two of us plus our gear and I plan to use it with an inner net tent for my girlfriend and dog at times.

The challenge with the Trailstar for three (as I see it) is that while there's a lot of covered area under it, the more usable area (for sitting up, etc.) is around the peak of the shelter.

Perhaps if you have long trekking poles and can set them up in an inverted "V" arrangement to do away with the middle pole or hang the shelter from an overhead branch (no poles at all!) or set the center pole off to one side at a bit of an angle, it would free up more of that central area under the peak for three.

You could always order it and try it out. From what I've seen, if it didn't work out and you ended up selling it, you'd probably have a line of folks beating down your door for it.

Hope that helps.

I think you can do it but it would be a squeeze. Better for 2. You are right; the Trailstar is a star when it comes to weather protection, but keep in mind that in lock-down mode the walls come down at an angle and reduce usable space. You will gain space by pitching higher. Also, the center pole support will mean that two people will have to be on one side. I think it's better for 2 and gear. maybe add a solo tarp to make a sleeping space at the door…like an awning??? I lived in the Trailstar for a month and a half and could not find fault with the shelter. Mike

Presuming you're also around 6', I think you'll be fine. Pitch a mid-panel up as the door and you'll have enough room and weather protection. You will have to angle the center pole, with two on one side and one on the other. If pitched off a top cord slung over a branch life will be easy.

+1 to the comments above.

The Trailstar is really for 2 people + gear, although you can fit 3 under it if it isn't pitched low. You could use the Trailstar for two and add in a 5×8 flat tarp for the third. That'd be big enough to sleep under and the third person can easily keep their gear under the TS. THis could be a good thing if you have enough room in a campsite.

Following a certain E Mail I decided to edit my post.
I thought that I made it pretty clear that the drawing I posted was not accurate (it actually had to do with the way the pentagon was squashed by my printer to fit the page…)
and the main intention was to encourage folk to do some basic sketches before they decide if they fit in a shelter or not.
Franco

Hi,

It is a huge shelter for two large adults and OK for two plus a small child or dog.

The TrailStar can fit three but it would be tight for much camp lounging, etc. and may not be suited for a 3 person family setup.

If three adults were making a fast and light run into the back country for a weekend for a peak climb, etc. then no problem cramming in for a night- you would be fairly well protected but not have much living space. Also a good possibility for three when the weekend weather forecast is great and you plan to DWR bivy cowboy but you want a reasonable and safe backup plan at minimal weight.

Below is a diagram to proper proportions and in the most common TrailStar set up shape with a second pole at a front corner to make the pentagon shape slightly top pointed. There are many pitch options and some lengthen or shorten various sides in relation to the ground depending on how high a side or corner is off the ground – thus the notation of 6.8' / 7' on two sides.

In this shape the sides 2-3 and 4-5 are steeper than some other set up options creating more livable space. In this set up all the space in the top half area has a lot of head room.

The pads are proportioned to a 20 X 72 pad. Different folks like more or less room than others but you get a sense of what can be done for 2 vs 3 people.

Summary:
• Giant tarp for two with more protection than a regular duo tarp for the same weight in Silnylon.
• Three can work if you are OK being very tight.

So, I just got back from a 5 day/4 night stint completing the HST with a couple of buddies. We opted to take just the trailstar and 2 ti-goat bivys to offer some splash protection in the event of thunder showers. We didnt end up getting any rain, but I did set up the shelter on two of the nights when it looked possible.

I angled the trekking pole over and slept right in the center of the shelter. The other guys bivied up and took the sides. It worked well, with room for all of our gear up near the top and down by the door.

For reference, I am 6'4" and the other guys were right around 6'.

If you don't already have a Trailstar, you might want to consider the Big Trailstar. Easily enough room for you, your boys, and your gear.

Hi guys,

Sorry for digging out this old thread. My girlfriend and I use a duo quilt – so we have to sleep next to each other w/o a pole seperating us. Is it possible to sleep in a Trailstar as a couple using a duo quilt?

Thanks!
Theo

Yes Theo, my wife and I do it all the time. I bring an extra pole (3 total) and set up the inside as an inverted V. 135-140 cm is about right for the pole length. It works great – even more room than normal because you can sit up in the center.

I've been considering this recently. Andrew, do you set up the poles tips up or handles up and do you use anything to hold them together at the top?

Handles up – you want the tips to dig into the ground for stability. I don't use anything to attach the handles, I just carefully stack them so they stay in place. There must be a clever way to interlock their straps but I haven't figured it out yet. It works fine as is.

Is it also possible with only one pair of trekking poles (e.g. by tilting one of the poles or something?). My gf doesn't use poles and it'd be annoying to carry one extra for no further reason.

Use your trek poles inside, and just buy a single UL carbon tarp pole for the door?
Or use a stick.

Tie the door off to a tree.

Indeed

Though where I mostly camp, trees are rare and so are sticks

Yes, it is possible to cant one pole, but it is less stable. Use a strong pole.