Utopia shelter

We have been testing a shelter the past few months that meets most of those requirements except it is a two person. Public information should be available in the next couple weeks. Contact me via PM if you would like more information.

Thanks, PM sent. 2-person might be of interest if the cost, weight and pack size penalty isn't too great.

For everyone reading this, I should add that I'm not in a rush: unless the gear is fairly inexpensive, I probably won't be able to afford to buy immediately; and anyhow, I'm unlikely to need it before the end of this year. Rather, I'm just trying to research a reasonably lightweight shelter and sleep system which should, in theory, be able to provide a modicum of comfort in the vast majority of weather/terrain combinations.

Figured I ought to start by researching the shelter, and then the sleep/insulation system will follow.

Some might say it makes more sense to have several shelter systems and to choose which to bring depending upon the expected weather/terrain, but I'd at least like to explore the option of having one system which I could bring everywhere (even if it means a small weight/size penalty) and which is flexible enough to handle everything I'm likely to encounter wherever I am.

Hm, this might tick the boxes: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/alpinehammock/the-alpine-hammock

Will have to wait and see whether it makes it into production though, I guess, and whether it lives up to its promises.

Other options I've looked at are things like the Hilleberg Akto, the Hennessy Hammock and so on. All impressive bits of gear, but none of them quite ideal.

have seen video of a Hilleberg Akto being erected in 80 mph wind, but the Soulo may be better for snow shedding. I prefer hammock most of the time (have a Hennessy), but they are useless above tree line in winter.

I could be reading it wrong but if you do want a shelter that can hang you are looking at one that is primarily designed as a hammock that can also work as a bivvy/tent.
For example the one at kickstarter, but as it is with other shelters you can do that , they are not all that good (IE comfortable) on ground.
Doable yes, but imagine beign inside something like that a full day under rain…(what happens when you need to cook or go out and it is still raining?)
Conversely , you are not going to hang an Akto.
Of course I have not seen the SeekOutside upcoming shelter so maybe that will change the status quo.
Franco
BTW, Golite had the Utopia but not your utopia

Paul – thanks for your comment about the Hennessy. I understand they provide very good shelter when hung, even in high winds (especially with a third party tarp), but what would you say is the maximum wind they can withstand when pitched on the ground in the open?

Franco – exactly.

At the moment, the Akto plus the Akto Inner Mesh accessory, is looking like the best bet for meeting all my mandatory criteria and most of the bonus criteria. (Probably there are other manufacturers with equivalent systems; I'm still researching.) However, if it were possible to get all that functionality AND the ability to hang it as a hammock, that would be fantastic, even if it added another 50% or so to the packed weight of the system.

If you exclude your last 3 criteria this would seem to fit the bill…

Nah, no skylight ;)

I think the Shangri-la 2 comes fairly close to what you’re asking. As sold by GoLite it’s heavy for a one-man tent, about 50oz. But a big part of that weight is attributable to the absurdly heavy bugnet inner. You can have John at BearPaw Designs make you a much lighter inner and end up with total weight of 35 or 36 ounces. Still on the heavy side for a one-man ultralight tent, but you’re not going to get true ultralight given all your requirements.

The Shangri-la with inner costs just $150 (at least right now) and the custom inner you could get from Bearpaw would be less than that, so cost is not too bad.

Here’s link showing custom inner John made for Shangri-la 2:
Custom SL2 inner (This inner doesn’t have bathtub floor but you can have him build it with whatever bathtub you want, as well as many other options. . . )

assuming hanging off trees is not a MUST then it seems you have 2 well established ways to go:

1) 2 walled/hybrid small tents – Akto or Terranova Laser line (ultra/photon etc) are great options. They are sturdy, quote light, hold up well in weather, can be erected in the rain no problem. I think also tarptent scarp is in there (not sure but i think you can erect it without getting rain inside). Obviously all of these are not pure mountaineering tents so can only stand reasonable snowload – but seem to work really well for many people (google for some reviews…mostly from Europe

2) another option could be an MLD trailstar + something like the ookworks inner nest. that will give you the bombproof TS shelter (essentially a shaped tarp that is known for being very weather proof) and an inner that will keep the water/bugs away

Mike

Lots of helpful suggestions here; thanks!