Mid vs. Hex vs. Tipi

I really like the shape of my SL3 since it can also be pitched as a smaller rectangle, but when fitting more than two people a big square mid is nice.

Lawson, can you define each so we all know.

Mid: Black Diamond Megalight, MLD Supermid, Oware Mid

Hex: GoLite Shangra-La 3 aka Hex 3

Tipi: Kifaru, Seek Outside, and Ti-Goat

The Duomid's headroom is a real strength, but as is so often the case with these things it is also a potential weakness i.e. in high winds.

I think mids are fantastic for up to moderate winds, but if the wind really gets up there is no potential for a low storm pitch.

I am really liking the Trailstar as it can be pitched high for space and low for high winds.

I'm partial to Tipi's :) I have a 9 ft tall proto in my yard and yesterday the winds were whipping and it was fine even though it wasn't pitched that well. I'm partial to slightly steeper pitch as well to maximize space.

I agree mids use space better for absolute sleeping, and a tipi will have some extra space, but the extra space is good for gear storage and a bit of move around room.

mids or hex's are probably more materially efficient as well, but not by much once accessories are accounted for.

"I am really liking the Trailstar as it can be pitched high for space and low for high winds" But then one gives up snow load….

Further to this thread, does the MLD Speedmid have the best features of each–steeper walls than say the trailstar and better wind shedding than a typical pyramid? Or is it a jack of all, master of none shelter?

I like my Shangri La 3 a lot, it's becoming my go-to shelter. Providing all-season shelter for 2 men with equipmient at only 23oz offers an excellent amount of square footage per ounce, with plenty of comfortable sitting room. Though i've only pitched it in the yard overnight a few times and taken a couple afternoon lunch-naps on beach hikes/picnics and havent gotten it out into the back country yet really.

My intent is to use it with a pair of solo net-tents, at 7-9oz a piece(can't decide between Zpacks, SMD, Bearpaw). Instead fo one big 1lb net/tub, Each hiker carries his own inner net and is responsible for keeping his own space clean or making his own mess. No mixing up gear. In fair weather the SL3 can be pitched with only 1 trekking pole to save time and convenience of having to lash two together.

As far as hex, mid, tipi? Just get one. You'll love it! For two, perhaps the square "mid" footprint might be the most efficient, but once you get into larger ones, the perimeter shape becomes less important and you'll have plenty of useful internal space.

"I am really liking the Trailstar as it can be pitched high for space and low for high winds" But then one gives up snow load….

Very good point. Not an issue for me, but high winds are. It's high winds where I think the Tstar seems to excel. The few nights I have used mine have been dead calm, but all reports I have read have been excellent. I live in a very windy area and only have to walk 15 minutes to find a very windy pitch, so I hope to do a test soon.

Given that Lawson's the one asking, I wouldn't be surprised if this thread is a bit of market research for the next Mountainfitter tarp ;)

(Not that I'm complaining, just being a little silly :))

Whenever my hiking partner and I are expecting really bad weather, an extended amount of time above treeline, or during the peak of bug season we carry a Golite Shangri-la 5. We usually have 3 dogs with us too so this gives us plenty of room for us, the dogs and all our gear. I like the versatility of being able to bring the floor, the netting, or neither. It is quick and easy to set up, and it sheds the weather very well. I do have to use guylines with tensioners though because of the silnylon. Condensation has been an issue from time to time as well if we are really battened down. Yes, it is a little heavy, but not too bad for 5 of us.

>>"Given that Lawson's the one asking, I wouldn't be surprised if this thread is a bit of market research for the next Mountainfitter tarp ;)""

I must of forgot the disclosure :) Imagine if the Native Americans would of had cuben fiber tipi's?? I doubt there would of ever been a "last stand"

I prefer a mid, mostly for ease of setup. With a hex like the Hex 3 or SL-3, I've always found it a bit fiddly to get the corners just right without having the floor or nest staked out first. Not a huge deal, just a lot of staking, adjusting guylines, moving stakes, adjusting guylines again, etc.

Never used a tipi.

Granted I'm a bit biased and have a lot of practice , but I can pitch a big tipi in 5 – 7 minutes. As long as you get the first couple stakes right, the rest is just pulling the side taught and staking then putting in the pole. I wouldn't expect someone that just bought one to be so fast, but after a few setups I think it is reasonable.

I'm interested to see what you come up with Lawson.

I'm looking for a mid-type shelter – something that will protect me from the elements (4 season) and still be LW for when I'm scared to brave life in under my Hexamid.

I have to say that the price and weight are a bigger factor to me than the shape. I could do with a mid, hex, or tipi. A tipi sounds the coolest. "Yeah, off into my tipi!" Sorry, that's all I've got.

Just to throw a wrench in this. This was not market research on behalf of Lawson, though he is good at it. It was an intro for someone else to talk about their stuff, pretty blatant I thought.

> Just to throw a wrench in this. This was not market research on behalf of Lawson,
> though he is good at it. It was an intro for someone else to talk about their stuff,
> pretty blatant I thought.

I figure that given that Lawson has taken the time to figure out how to build shaped Cuben tarps, he's more likely to make rather than buy his next shelter… but if enough people pestered him, I wouldn't be surprised if he productized another one. After all, his current tarps have gotten good reviews so far, so why not?

That said, I wasn't accusing Lawson, I was teasing him — and if this thread DOES inspire him to develop a cool new product that people actually want, then it's a fringe benefit. If not, it's still an interesting discussion.

I know you weren't giving me a hard time. I really was just asking to start a topic since I really like this vs. that type of topics but I have two shelters in the works and both of them use one of these designs so extra feedback is always good..

> I have two shelters in the works and both of them use one of these designs so extra
> feedback is always good..

Ah, ha! Gotcha ;)

Just kidding… but I am looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled discussion… :)