SMD Gatewood Cape versus MLD Sylnylon Pro Poncho

The same comparison I have been thinking of too as my first choice for this UL thing.

I have learned this is little more advanced setup. Great idea to use in sierras due to not so much rain, but when it does rain a little skill in using this to cover person and used for shelter protection would be tricky.

I am sorta leaning to MLD one based on my reading/research.

Can't wait to read more from everybody here.

You'll push it in the Gatewood at your height. Raising it up a bit is a must for you. I'm 6'1" and wouldn't want to be taller for it, and a 2.5" pad will make it even harder.

I can't speak for the MLD.

Love the coverage of the Gatewood, though.

I have the MLD pro poncho, but have never used the gatewood. After researching the two, I found that most people seem to like the coverage of the MLD better when used as a poncho. I really like the hood on my MLD. The reviews I read on the gatewood said it was a pretty tight squeeze length-wise for taller people when used as a shelter. If I remember correctly, the silnylon MLD is 9ft long. I like to pitch mine like one of the pictures on the MLD site. I pitch the foot end to the ground then, and use the tieout on the top to raise the foot end. With this setup I can slide my feet pretty far into the end of the tarp and will have 2-3ft feet to spare at the head end. I'm 5'11"… Let me know if I can help with any other question on the MLD poncho/tarp.

I am 5'11". I have a Gatewood and an MLD Monk tarp(similar to the MLD poncho)

I won't comment on the poncho aspect.

As a shelter:
The Gatewood pitches as a pyramid shelter. By default it is a full coverage shelter, Easy to pitch after a little practice. It is big enough for me with the Serenity net tent inside. Probably roomy enough for 6'2" without a bug net. A high pitch would allow an even taller person, but some rain splash may be an issue in hard rains.

A rectangular tarp poncho has many pitch options, but I know of a few cases where people didn't take the time to learn the various pitch options and pitched a high A-frame in blowing rain and had a horrible nights sleep.

The Gatewood is a no-brainer as a shelter.

A rectangular poncho on the other hand may require some study and practice before you'll want to call it home in bad weather.

I know I have a few pitches I use with my 5×9 tarp depending…

I wonder if I could raise the Gatewood enough to fit in there comfortably with my gear, and not get wet during a storm. Would the Meteor bivy be enough extra protection? If so, I'm leaning towards getting the Gatewood.

Also, the Gatewood Cape is around 9' in length; same as the MLD Pro Poncho. If I'm too tall for the Cape, wouldn't I also be too tall for the Pro Poncho.

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm still having trouble deciding between the two.

Anyone who is 6'2" or taller and has tried both?

I, in fact have used the Metero Bivy in my Gatewood cape and it does give more room as I was able to put my feet against the foot of the shelter giving more head room. The Meteor gave me good protection from rain splash even when I woke up with my feet outside of the shelter:-)

The meteor would be stuffier in heat than the Serenity, but does provide better protection.

I also use the Meteor in my 5×9 tarp and you are correct as far as headroom goes when the 5×9 is pitched half pyramid close to the ground it can be tight.

Again, the Meteor or any other UL bivy, does allow more headroom by allowing you to pitch the foot of the tarp higher, allowing you to slide closer to the foot end.
I know I had some light blowing rain come in on the lower half of the meteor without any detectable wetness inside when pitched this way.