Grace Solo and Serenity Shelter.

I've FINALLY decided. It was a close call but I went with the MLD Grace and Serenity (both in silnylon). I chose them over the Echo I because of 1) price and 2) 75% of my backpacking is with my fiancé, 25% is solo or with buddies. I just couldn't justify buying a full blown, cuben fiber shelter system when I would only use it roughly 30-45 days a year. I don't really backpack or camp during the winter and when I do, there's definitely not enough room to set up a shelter like the Echo I.

I appreciate all the help from everyone. Now all I have to worry about is how slow the 6-8 weeks is going to go by before I have my hands on some MLD goodness. One good thing, at least my stakes and cuben fiber stuff sacks will be here soon. =)

If 25% of your hiking equates to 30-45 days a year, that's pretty awesome.

Are you sure you don't want the MLD Patrol shelter instead of the Grace?

>If 25% of your hiking equates to 30-45 days a year, that's pretty awesome.

No kidding! That's a total of 120-180 days of hiking/camping to some degree each year!

Well I say 25% equals 30-45 days a year because I'll be going solo for 32-35 days on the CT this summer plus the Bob Open and then next year the JMT, the Montana section of the CDT and…if possible, the Wilderness Classic. The lady won't be joining me on those trips. And then you have to count climbing trips with the guys to Vedauwoo, RMNP, and the South Platte. But for a lot of those, I take the "heavy" tent.

As for the Patrol Shelter, I just felt there are a few more options with the Grace.

My first love is climbing so I spend A LOT of time from April-October in tents.

Just on the serenity shelter – I have this same combo. Having being a tarptent user and just trying this combo for the first time, I have a set up question. The tarp is great, and there is no problems here, it's more the inner. I see it can be set up with either stakes or bungee but no matter what I try I just can't seem to have a nice, stretched out, taut pitch and nothing that looks like the photos on the MLD website.

How are those of you with the serenity setting it up to give maximum interior room?

Thanks

I've always use stakes when using the Serenity with my Grace tarp, and generally speaking I get a reasonably taut pitch.

Just to complicate things, as someone else mentioned it: the Patrol Shelter and Serenity Shelter combination works very well.

I recently purchased a cuben Patrol shleter that I use with a mesh inner.

Although I am also a fan of simpler rectangular tarps, I like the simplicity of the more enclosed shelters when dealing with either cold or blowing rain/snow.

The Patrol is amazingly warm in the winter when pitched with three sides to the ground and the beak just a 12" or less off the ground. I can place my pack under the beak and get even more protection from the elemnts.
When pitched this low, I still have a good two feet of space above my face so I don't feel cramped.

This kind of coverage can also be attained with a Grace or other tarps, but require some additional items.
I've hung a cape from one end and/or picthed against a bush or boulder with my other tarps in adverse conditions.

The Patrol simplifies this with the closed foot and the beak.
The Patrol is really easy to setup or as easy as a tarp can be and it can be pitched high for ventilation in hot summer conditions.

Thanks for the photos. So I gather stakes are the way to go. Just a quick couple of other questions:

– What height do you set your poles at front and back for a standard pitch?
– Do you use the clips under the tarp? All three?
– How do you tie the bungee at front and back to the poles?

Thanks

I typically set the front pole at about 45 or 46 inches; the rear somewhat lower, but typicaly about 36 inches to start. I will of course lower the poles for nasty weather. The lowest I can get my LT4 pole is 33 inches, but the optional fixed length rear pole is 29 inches long. I prefer this for really nasty weather.

I always connect to the poles when using the Serenity with the Grace tarp as this seems to be only way to achieve a taut pitch. Most times I do not use the ridgeline clips, but once in a while I'll hook up to the centre clip.

When using the MLD bug bivy with the Grace, the ridgeline clips work very well.

I don't recall doing anything special to hook the bungy to the poles: I believe I just loop it around and tie a hitch of some sort – nothing scientific.

I picked up an MLD Solo Serenity after a very confined buggy bivy experience last year. It arrived just before a quick overnight this weekend and although no bugs would be around I figured it’s fun to play with new gear.  The Serenity is HUGE as far as interior room versus a Borah.  I think the solid back wall will provide great rain protection. One thing that is bothersome is entry and exit! How do I get into the Serenity without performing a contortionist maneuver? For reference I am 6 foot tall on a good day. Maybe just more practice, but my bivy is easier to get into.  Any tips or tricks? Thanks

I sit in the front entrance and turn on my butt to get my legs into the shelter first. But if I don’t keep up with my yoga it can be annoying! I’m 6′ 1″.