Mountain Laurel Designs TrailStar Shelter Review

The MLD TrailStar has Won 1st Place : Camping Gear of the Year in the TGO Magazine The Great Outdoors Awards event today.

TGO is the leading outdoor magazine in the UK.

The judges of this category were only the editors at the magazine. -Other categories were by popular vote online so we feel extra happy about this one as extra special. http://www.tgomagazine.co.uk/awards/judges/

We can tell you that they get plenty of rough weather and high winds in the UK on the exposed walk areas in the north and that on the 2012 TGO Challenge hike across Scotland many dozens used the TrailStar.

Congratulations Ron. The Trailstar is also great for the conditions we often face in New Zealand. You have bomber wind performance, plus plenty of space to get out of the rain and deal with soaking wet kit. So far mine seems to have come with fine weather attracting coating, but its only a matter of time:).

I wonder if the review is going to be updated, it is almost a year. Seems the rolling reviews must have rolled off a cliff.

I know I’m going to embarrass myself with this one, but I’ve been watching Bear Grylls on TV a touch lately and it got me thinking:

Could I use the TrailStar as a parachute, if I *really* needed a parachute in a pinch?

this assumes I’m caught on the top of a cliff somehow and the best decision is to get down ASAP by some means other than descending like a normal person or “aiming for the bushes.”

While trying to avoid the profanity filter I'll say this…

We have a saying here in SE LA. "When you're up to your _____ in alligators you're gonna run, walk, swim or fly."

My point being, when you are presented with a situation that demands you do whatever you can ASAP to avoid serious injury or worse a person will "try" to survive.

Parachutes have harnesses, multiple shroud lines and steering lines. At most your TrailStar has 10 attachment points for guy lines. All of these would be held in your hands as you attempted your "jump".

Use the proper tool for the job. I doubt that you really want to carry a chute on a hike but an alternative might be a suitable length of climbing rope and gloves to allow for a quick descent.

Party On,

Newton

"I wonder if the review is going to be updated, it is almost a year. Seems the rolling reviews must have rolled off a cliff."

Are you really waiting to hear what they have to say about the Trailstar, Nick?

No need to finish this, other than for formalities sake and honoring what was promised. ;-)

Anyways, this initial review was late to the "party" when it came out almost a year ago.

A smaller and larger version of the TrailStar is now available at mountainlaureldesigns.com

The LittleStar is about 15% smaller and the BigStar is about 30% larger than the standard TrailStar.

BigStar

Wow.

This will be an excellent tarp when out with my grandkids! I can hardly wait!

If you pitch the Big Star as a pyramid,with 4 corners to the ground(as pitched by one of your youtube reviewers,what size shelter will you have?

From the MLD website –

"It is 30% larger than the TrailStar and offers the same sleep space as a 9 X 9 Pyramid Shelter."

A little under 9 X 9 – Each of the 5 lower edges are about 9'.

Ron,
Now that the LittleStar is available, would you be able to compare it to the Cricket Tarp? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each? I really like both, and want to buy one of them . . . I just can't decide which one!

If it matters, I'd be using it as a solo shelter, and I'm only 5' 2".

I'd like to see the review finished. Still rolling?

It's too bad it hasn't been updated. The comments in the thread were overall very positive. Doug Ide posted some very good links that should be read. Unfortunately, there are many blogs that rival some of the BPL reviews these days.

About a year ago I posted the same question, and Eugene replied what else did I need to know… there was ample information on the Web; and he was right.

If you want the best wind-shedding shelter for the weight, buy one. But ignore the posted weight, by the time you seam seal it, add guy lines and substantial stakes it is going to weigh a lot more.

I only take mine when I expect nasty weather, and it meets all my expectations.

May I ask which blogs you are using for light weight backpacking.

Ryan, any chance you could update this review? Recommended? Highly recommended?

pending, 3 plus years.

"May I ask which blogs you are using for light weight backpacking."

There is a list on my website: http://www.popupbackpacker.com

The majority are UK blogs.

They'll be no update here either Nick. Get that bathroom remodel done yet? How about an update on that motorcycle restoration? You are on the same work schedule as BPL. Shoulder some responsibility and stay home and get something done instead of galavanting around.

Happy Easter!

And Happy Easter to you and your family.

Since there won't be any updates on the Trailstar, I might as well update everyone on other stuff.

My wife made me come home for Easter dinner. And I actually made progress on the bathroom — I looked at some pictures of bathrooms on Houzz today while she prepared dinner. Unfortunately I was overwhelmed by the seemingly endless options. Might have to take a few backpacking trips to sort out a solution.

The motorcycle is on hold. The boss says I can't touch it until the house is done. Drats. On my way out of town a couple days ago I stopped by a Yamaha dealer and looked at the big Venture touring bike. Maybe I should just buy a new one for now? Too bad that bike is carbureted. Need to do more research.

The boss is going to make me retire next year so she can supervise me, so the end is near :)

Will she let us get into the desert together while you're on supervision? I think a trip is in order soon.

Weather down here seems to be shifting and shrinking our desert hiking window Nick.

Pick a date and I'll get a kitchen pass. She likes you apparently.

Are there any people that have be using the Trailstar for a few years that could give updates?

p.s., my (updated) laundry room renovations are complete.

Doug