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MLD duomid vs MLD grace duo tarp
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Home › Forums › Gear Forums › Gear (General) › MLD duomid vs MLD grace duo tarp
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Aug 14, 2011 at 10:27 am #1278008
I was wondering if anyone had any insight or experience about these two shelters. I am looking for the shelter that offers the most versatility for different seasons and the fastest pitch. Can the grace tarp handle snow like the duomid? I want to use one of these on the PCT. I know there are other lighter options but I would like to have a one shelter does it all kind of thing. Which one does it all? I also like MLD for their awesome quality.
Aug 14, 2011 at 12:24 pm #1769238can't speak directly to the duo tarp, but can the duo mid
it's a pretty fast pitch, stake out the four corners (keeping everything parallel), put in you trekking pole (or poles if your using an inverted v setup) adjusted to the correct height, stake out the front/rear- done
if your expecting high winds or snow, there are additional tie outs
the duomid you can add the inner for bug country (also gives you a bathtub bottom), only adds a couple of minutes to setup time
the duomid performs well in both wind and snow (don't get me wrong it's not a "bomber" 4 season mountaineering tent, but for less extreme conditions very capable)
for solo use you get a lot of room w/ the duo mid, including room to stash gear and cook, for duo use considerably less roomy
Aug 14, 2011 at 12:59 pm #1769243Would it be safe to use an alcohol stove in the duomid? I witnessed approximately 10-12 inch flames shooting out of my stove the other week when it got dark out. I probably won't get the inner because I would like to use my bivy with it and for the nights when I won't need a shelter on the PCT. Would the perimeter bug net be worth the extra money? Or would it just get in the way and not be very effective? Would it also hinder low pitch setups?
Aug 14, 2011 at 1:05 pm #1769245It's never totally safe to use an alcohol stove (or any fire maker) inside a tent. Some probably do that, but you must make the decision/take the risk for yourself.
Aug 14, 2011 at 1:09 pm #1769246I'm sure it's been done, I'd exercise caution doing it
the perimeter netting I think would be fine for three season stuff, guys that have it find it a real pain in the winter- I use mine year round so I nixed that option
bivy would be great in the duomid, give you a lot of room :) it has several tie offs inside so if you have bug netting w/ yours easy to tie off
Aug 14, 2011 at 1:27 pm #1769253Yeah I think I will cook outside the shelter a couple feet, just in case. Well thanks for the input. I'm going to get a duomid! :D Seems like I can get more use out of it over the tarp.
Aug 19, 2011 at 12:18 am #1771002Mike,
What is the problem with bug netting in the winter? I have one on order with the netting option since I do mostly 3 season trips. Still, I want the versatility to go in the winter. What to you do about bugs in the summer?Aug 19, 2011 at 5:46 am #1771026–
Aug 19, 2011 at 5:49 am #1771027from what some folks have said, it (netting) gets frozen into the snow/ice making it difficult to take the tent down (w/o ripping the netting)
I have the inner tent for summer use- it's the shelter I use when hiking w/ my wife; for solo trips I got a solo trailstar that I use w/ a bivy
I know several folks that use the Duomid solo opt for the single inner tent- giving them a fair bit of room to store their gear outside the inner
there may be a way to roll the netting out of the way for winter use???????
Mike
Aug 19, 2011 at 5:50 am #1771028looks like Josh beat me to the punch :)
Aug 19, 2011 at 5:56 am #1771031–
Aug 19, 2011 at 6:11 am #1771037yeah that's definitely a possibility
I wonder what kind of weight penalty a guy would see w/ removable perimeter netting- some small pieces of velcro strategically placed around??????
the netting is clearly the lightest option for three season use (if you have bugs to deal w/)- it's just that it does present a problem into that fourth season
Aug 19, 2011 at 6:45 am #1771042…I do recall reading quite some time ago that one could temporarily attach a strip of perimeter netting using a thin bead of silicone, which would peel off at the end of the summer/bug season for snow use. Again, I have no experience with this but it might be worth an experiment with some scraps. If it works it might be an ideal solution for you 'mid folks.
Aug 19, 2011 at 7:12 am #1771053I have a pyramid that I use during bug season. Maybe 2 inch gap all around the perimeter.
It seems like the bugs don't find that path into the tent. Any bugs that get in tend to congregate at the peak of the tent, trying to get out.
Not perfect and I don't go where there are huge numbers of mosquitoes but it sort of works.
The other solution is a 4 foot circle of bug netting – 2 ounces – I just sort of drape it over my head end when I'm in my sleeping bag. I can also wear it around camp.
Aug 19, 2011 at 8:27 am #1771073It pitches really fast. I can do it in under 90 seconds. It is just simplicity personified. I just used it recently in bug infested Banff (with a bivy, however):
Aug 19, 2011 at 9:17 am #1771089cause you never know who'll show up inside your shelter
Aug 19, 2011 at 12:01 pm #1771142Holy….
Perimeter bug netting didn't work for me. Crawlers still got underneath the netting, not to mention a couple of field mice.
Aug 19, 2011 at 5:46 pm #1771237That's huge! I guess be sure to have a club handy when in a duomid!
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