Mountain Laurel Designs SoloMid Cuben

[John Frederick Anderson]

MLD SoloMid Cuben Review

I like my SoloMid, especially the weight, but it is a compromise, but a compromise that specialist equipment requires the user to understand and live with.
I have the yellow cuben version I bought as I go out on my own, and it can be easily seen for safety.
Mine weighs 296g with tie outs and line locks, which are staying and are really easy to use. I use Golite Y stakes and only need six for the shelter.
The construction is first rate, I have used mine for about six nights over a couple of years, and it pitches tight as a drum. The zipper functions well, just remember to close the clasp before you do the zip!! I use Pacer Poles and have to put a rubber grommet on the bottom of the poles to pitch the shelter, with the handles on the ground.
It was a learning curve how to pitch it, but once practiced, site location remains the greatest challenge.
I have a Golite Hex 3, which I use for two people, and the SoloMid is my high mountain solo shelter of choice. I've had it in high winds, thunderstorms with hail, and felt secure inside. The ventilation is good, and I've never had condensation issues, even in storms.
I can cook in the Hex, but only tried once in the SoloMid, and wouldn't recommend it. I go cook less now, so it isn't an issue for me anymore.
If I was doing a really long journey I might pick a bigger shelter, but for a few days it is just right for me.

[Seth Brewer]

I used a white cuben solomid on my 2011 NOBO A.T. thru-hike and was very pleased with its performance. It was just as good looking the last day of my trip as it was the first. I had it on a mountain top in constant 40 mph winds with the titanium stakes covered in rock piles and it held up without incident. I love that it doesn't stretch like silnylon when it gets wet. Take care of the zipper, and as with all ultralight cuben gear try and be purposeful and thought out in your pitching locations and packing habits. MLD gear is the best and this excellent tarp is no exception. I'm 6'1" and started with a 25" x 77" NeoAir in an MLD XL Superlight bivy clipped under the tent and did fine. It handles most all weather very well, and in humid weather if you set it up 5-6 inches off the ground you'll get much less condensation than everyone else will.

[b willi jones]

another fantastic product from MLD. ive had a 2 person tunnel tent from fairydown, and an MSR Hubba, but this cuben Solomid from MLD is something else…

i use hiking poles from Leki, so didnt see the point in having a tent that has its own poles, it made sense right from the start. saving weight there was good, but the weight saving with the cuben is also nice, and in my opinion, worth the extra price.

i have found it easy and fast to pitch, just make sure of your angles. you can pitch a few inches off the ground and get a lot less condensation in the morning… ive never had an issue.

it may be overkill, but i also used this in conjunction with a bivy, just for options and extra protection from the elements and bugs… the weather is very unpredictable here in NZ.

this is a very well made and thought out shelter for the light weight solo traveller.

thanks MLD

[Author]

Posts