Approaching 4lb barrier….need feedback on modded MLD Poncho Tarp Specifically

What about the Gatewood Cape? 11 oz and no bivy needed and its your rain gear. Its about 0.5 oz heavier than your cub den, but since you can drop the rain gear, it might save weight in the long run.

I guess I've been on the CF kick lately and hadn't considered the Gatewood cape.

According to my calculations the Cape weighs:
11.6oz w/ guy lines & I don't carry stakes (says no stakes inc in the 11oz weight, I assume no guy lines either)

I'd still need a bug bivy head net (3oz?).

That puts me to 14.6 for that shelter setup & rain gear vs:

Bear Pawk Wilderness Cub Den 1.5 @ 10.8 w/ guy lines + 5.36 modified Driduck Jacket=
16.6 oz

So I guess you're correct, I'd save ~2oz but would lose the nicety of having dedicated rain jacket and shelter w/ full bug enclosure and I thought I heard the gatewood leads to internal condensation? Any truth to that?

Would have to weigh whether the cost of the Cape would be worth the weight savings and pros vs. cons.

Now if someone would make a gatewood cape out of cuben already! :p

Also, looks at the pics of the Cape being worn with a pack… I'm rocking a GG Murmur these days, I wonder if the back of the cape would be too long for my height. No clue how tall the model is on their website, but the pack he is wearing seems to be bigger than my Murmur.

Now if someone would make a gatewood cape out of cuben already! :p

No freaking kidding! I continue to be amazed that no one has stepped in to fill this very obvious hole in the dam. I ask our favorite gear makers quarterly or so if they have plans to do this but no one is stepping up.

….Seems like there are some things I'd need to live with if I went with a Cape for that extra coverage over a poncho/tarp:

http://forum.tgomagazine.co.uk/forum/thread/gatewood-cape

– Condensation when u wake up in the morning in the shelter and that turns into wet underside when u wear it in cape mode

– Better rain protection than a poncho, but more trapping of moisture inside.

All things to weigh/consider. :)

Weighs a few measly grams and it wouldn't take more than a few minutes in the morning to soak up and wring out the condensation from a night's sleep. I use mine stuffed in my kitchen kit to prevent things from clanking around and making me crazy.

EDIT: Mine weighs 15.7 grams and I haven't cut it in half yet. At 12"x22" even half is probably overkill for mopping condensation.

I just wanted to correct something, my bug headnet (Coghlan's cheap-o) is .69 ounces on my scale, listed at .5ounces here (http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/coghlans_no-see-um_headnet.html).

So that's a big difference between the 3 ounces you are thinking it will be, unless this item doesn't work for your needs (which I doubt trying for sub 4lb).

11.6oz (gatewood) + .69 (mesh headnet) = 12.29

vs.

Bear Pawk Wilderness Cub Den 1.5 @ 10.8 w/ guy lines + 5.36 modified Driduck Jacket=
16.6 oz

or you mean you want a bug bivy?

I always have a bandana on me (love it for so many things), so I could use that.

I guess I meant a bug bivy, sorry. Either full body or half body (not sure how well these work). Going from a fully enclosed shelter to a headnet would be rough.

I realize by going from dedicated rain jacket to poncho and from full bug enclosure to bug bivy of sorts there will be some compromise and discomfort, but I guess I'm not willing to go fully "hardcore" yet? I still am carrying a Neoair Short afterall, haha.

So I guess my grand idea of a MLD Poncho/Tarp w/ beak isn't so grand afterall? *Sniff, sniff* :p

I have used my Gatewood in wet situations and yes there is condensation, but not an issue at all. I never had dripping water as it pitches in a pyramid so most moisture runs to the ground.

The Gatewood is well ventilated so it suffers no more condensation than any other shelter. Lets face it, when it rains, every hard surface is wet, including the underside of a well ventilated shelter.

It does protect well from wind blown rain, but a rectangular tarp can be pitched for good rain protection as well. It is hard to get in and out of a rect poncho tarp when pitched this way though.
The Gatewood on the other hand is easier to get in and out of as you end up with a real zippered door and you can actually sit up in a Gatewood, something that is hard to do in a rect poncho pitched tight and low. You pay for this because the Gatewood is bigger and heavier.

If you are worried about putting it on while it is wet in the rain, yes, you will get wet, but no more wet than you soon would be from condensation in any rain gear anyway, so that isn't really an issue.

I gave up on the fight to stay dry in the rain and moved towards being reasonably warm and comfortable when damp. Accepting the dampness makes hiking in the rain enjoyable. In fact, that was a damp, but enjoyable hike we did last month.

And Bryce, you've seen how high I pitch my Monk tarp(5X9) in an a-frame in fair weather, but I also am prepared to re-pitch it and drop 3 sides to the ground should the wind-blown rain be an issue. Having the extra tie points on the Monk make for some tight bombproof protection. It's not roomy, but it's the price I pay to keep the weight down. Besides, is roominess important when you sleep?

Anyway, if I expect a wet trip, I'd vote for the Gatewood, or even better, your Cub Den and stay with the rect poncho tarp if the forecast is only a little chance of rain.

MLD Cuben Poncho 4.40oz
Suluk46 CR Bivy 2.9oz

There's 7.3oz for a complete shelter. add a half ounce bug net and compete protection for 8oz.

"If you are worried about putting it on while it is wet in the rain, yes, you will get wet, but no more wet than you soon would be from condensation in any rain gear anyway, so that isn't really an issue."

I am wondering if this is true. I was very, very happy with the breathability of my DriDucks while hiking in the rain. I was only slightly damp underneath. With non-breathable silnylon it would be much worse I'd think unless there was a lot of daylight to vent (regular poncho), and if not, a lot of condensation (Gatewood cape?).

@Robert, I thought of Steve's Bivy and even his .33 CF Tarp, but knowing how light my .51CF shelter is, I'd be awful p_ssed if I spent all that $ and then beat up/tore the bivy. Plus, I'm trying to maintain as much usable space vs. my current Cube Den 1.5 as possible. A bivy protects my quilt, but doesn't help me cook out of the rain or give me rain-free livable space. Heck, I'd already be giving up the wonderful perimeter bug netting of the Cub Den 1.5. Tough to give up the shelter from the rain, but such may be life if going to 4lbs.

I was thinking if I made the beak large enough it would give me great rain coverage (approaching the gatewood?) and be lighter than a poncho/tarp plus bivy (say Tigoat bivy that is a little more durable).

Still thinking, keep it coming. :)

I set up my golite poncho tarp in the rain in my backyard, and experienced very little dampness on my bag. A little damp in my feet area where it touched the wall of the tarp. I wasn't using a bivy. But my head and feet were touching the walls of the tarp.

When I did the same set up on a rainy day in the Redwoods, my bag got super wet on the feet and head, but I was using it in poncho mode, so it seemed to have gone past its "waterproofness". I was also using my bivy. I wonder if being in contact with the walls of silnylon will eventually wet out whatever is touching it. I wonder if cuben does the same.

It probably wasn't a wetting out issue as much as condensation that formed on the inside of the tarp.

It sounds like the sleeping bag got wet from condensation inside the bivy sack, not the sil poncho tarp. Usually, I keep my bivy as open as possible under my poncho tarp. After several years, I've to have a problem with the GoLite Poncho wetting out.

I often hear about the problems that others I've camped with have with water leaking.
My inspection found that it was always condensation.

When I told one person that it was just condensation, she said "call it what you want, but my tent shouldn't be leaking like that" and asked if waterproofing spray would fix it:-(

Regarding wetness in a bivy, I always try to suspend the top of my bivy a little above my sleeping bag/quilt. This, in theory anyway, should reduce condensation significantly.

"I often hear about the problems that others I've camped with have with water leaking. My inspection found that it was always condensation. "

Steven – Yes, that's been my experience when friends and other campers have asked me about leaks. Some other favorites:

Q: This stove doesn't work. It wouldn't boil water.
Me: Did you use a lid?

Q: My 0 degree sleeping bag didn't keep me warm in 60 degree weather.
Me: Did you use a sleeping pad??

That said, I did buy a 4-season tent once that was not properly coated. It was very easy to demonstrate.

The Gatewood can be pitched high or low to suit the conditions. I have propped the hood up like a chimney and it helps. It uses 6 stakes and the guy line is built in. For the "high" pitch you need 6" or so loops. Larks head to the tie-outs and close the loop with a taut line hitch for adjusting.

Any enclosed shelter is going to get condensation at times. Ventilation helps. I have this theory that ground moisture adds to it, so a larger ground cloth may reduce that, particularly when pitched on grass (the shelter, not the hiker). And yeah, you have to keep your sleeping gear off the walls. +1 on a sponge, bandana, or synthetic towel for mopping up.

If you are wearing a poncho or cape, the backpack helps keep it off your upper body, improving ventilation too. A cord belt helps in wind. With the Gatewood, you can unzip the front for more ventilation. Your backpack stays dry, including the straps and back pad, so you don't have a cold wet thing to wear the next morning. Windshirts and ponchos go together well. Ponchos aren't very pretty — not smooth and tailored like a welded seam ArcTeryx shell. You're not going to be in the catalog or on the cover of Backpacker mag, so get over it :)

"I have this theory that ground moisture adds to it, so a larger ground cloth may reduce that, particularly when pitched on grass (the shelter, not the hiker)."

Dale, I think that's true, especially with more vegetation/grass under the groundcloth. The moisture directly under the groundcloth condenses on the underside of the groundcloth but any grass next to it still must be producing moisture that has to go somewhere.

One thing to remember – just because you have the Gatewood along doesn't mean you need to sleep in it. I've put it up because it MIGHT rain and then, because I enjoy sleeping under the stars, slept next to it. I knew that if it did start to rain it would only take a couple of seconds to relocate to under the Gatewood and zip it up. If rain is unlikely on a given night don't even bother putting up the Gatewood and you'll have no condensation dripping on you.

The Gatewood isn't going to keep bugs away from you so you're really only putting it up because of weather. When Dale mentioned the "High" pitch I had to smile…I think I have 14" lines on each of my tie-outs on the Gatewood. At the angle of the tarp that gives me almost 6" of clearance all around. I do like my ventilation!

4.4oz -> 8ft x 8ft .51 CF Tarp
6.0oz -> Bug Shelter w/ CF Floor
5.35 -> DriDucks (modded)

15.75oz in bug season
9.75oz out of bug season

Pros: 2nd lightest overall. Pretty good coverage from rain and living space, dedicated rain jacket

Cons: Doesn't give full bug-free living quarters.

4.4oz -> MLD CF Poncho/Tarp
6.8oz -> TiGoat Bivy w/ full bug neeting hood
3.0oz -> Wind Shirt

14.2oz in bug season
7.4oz out of bug season

Pros: 1st lightest overall. Poncho is multi-use to save weight.
Cons: Least coverage from rain, smallest living quarters, Jack of all trades, neither best rain coverage or usability while hiking (worried about scrambling over rocks.)

11oz -> Gatewood Cape
6oz -> Bug Shelter

Pros -> good rain coverage, multi-use item to save weight

Cons -> smaller living quarters, unsure if bug shelter can be fitted inside, most difficult to hike with with extra material.

17oz -> in bug season
11oz -> out of bug season

6oz -> MLD Poncho/Tarp w/ beak (estimated)
6oz -> Bug Shelter w/ CF Floor
3oz -> Wind Shirt

15oz -> in bug season
9oz -> out of bug season

Pros: better rain coverage that regular poncho/tarp, more bugfree living space if u can find a bug shelter that fits.

Cons: no dedicated rain jacket, not the biggest living quarters, Jack of all trades, neither best rain coverage or usability while hiking (worried about scrambling over rocks.)

10.8oz -> Bearpaw Cub Den 1.5
5.36oz -> DriDucks (modded)

16.16oz -> in bug season
16.16oz -> out of bug season

Pros -> awesome rain coverage, dedicated rain jacket
Cons -> other options are lighter, really lose out during non-bug season.

The big CF tarp and Driducks seems to be best combo of overall lightness, shelter rain coverage, hiking ease, bug-free living space and ability to only carry what you need. And depending on how small a tarp you think you can get away with w/ out a bivy, you could potentiall save more. I just sized a tarp that is as big as my Rap-Way Tarp. I def don't need a bivy with that, and it has awesome rain protection.

I love your pros and cons. I think I've decided to start getting away from poncho tarps. Since I would need a 3oz windshirt anyway, might as well just do a driducks/clubden cuben kind of thing.

Just more expensive… that's another con.

Are there such things out there these day (in size large?) If so that makes the poncho/tarp an even lighter option. But yeah, in terms of usability and lightness, the dedicated rain jacket and tarp plus bug shelter looks decent. Trying to research how small a tarp people have gotten away with in heavy rain w/out a bivy now.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/montbell_tachyon_anorak_dynamo_wind_pants.html