YAMA Stratiform 1P+ first impressions and pictures
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After mulling over a few different tarps and emailing back and forth with Gen from YAMA Mountain Gear, I settled on the Stratiform 1P+. (Used to be called the Stratiform III).
I was looking for a tarp that had the openness and aesthetics of a basic cat tarp, but with a little more protection. I also wanted one with more room than my Echo I. The S1P+ seemed to fit the bill, and gave it a shot.
It arrived Thursday, neatly packaged. I was able to take it out on a trail today and set it up a few times, crawl inside it, and make lunch. I don't feel like writing too much prose, so I'll bullet point some things:
-16.1 ounces on my scale in stuff sack with guy lines cut to the recommended length on YAMA's website.
-This is a very roomy tarp for one. With the right gear you could fit two–tightly–but doable.
-Easy to set up and pitches tautly.
-When set up in "raised" mode, you can darn near walk right in the front.
-Zippered front entry is really roomy and easy to get in/out, even with the pole sitting vertical.
-The rear of the tarp is big enough that you can easily crawl all the way back and still be protected.
-Optional rear beak is nice for a bit more wind/spray protection. Adds less than an ounce.
-Because of its size, you may want to have all six side tieout points anchored if it is windy. That brings the total # of stakes to 12. Calm days you'll only need 6.
-Depending on pitch, it is fine to cook underneath. Just be aware of the risks.
-Both sides of the front beak can be rolled back for views/ventilation.
-If I can, I'm going to try to take it out overnight before the snow melts to see how I like it. Initially, I think that I'll stick with the Trailstar for winter, and this for solo 3-season trips.There are also some newer pictures up on YAMA's website.
Photos? Yes, I'll see if I can dig any up…. :)
It seems to be a fairly rare shelter, so I figured I'd give a bunch of angles to look at.
Dug Shelby ("Rawhide") has a good video here:
The Echo I is really a great shelter. Very well made, durable, well designed, and cool looking.
Ultimately it comes down to size. The Echo I tarp is just small for my liking. If pitched low to shed more wind, there is little headroom and shoulder room. One can make the argument that you really don't need to pitch it low with the solid 1/2 walls on the inner, and that's true. But with the tarp alone, it can get tight, especially when you add in the front pole.
I must note that my tarp comes in much smaller than spec'd on HMG's website. I don't know if they sized up a bit on the Echo I since I got mine, but the front width on mine is only 6' when stretched out flat, and is spec'd at 7'. The rear width is something like 6-8" smaller than spec as well. Length is about right.
The Stratiform is much bigger. Two people can sit side by side in the front, and depending on pitch, one can sit upright nearly halfway back towards the foot end. It reminds me of an elongated Trailstar, especially since I have the optional rear beak installed. It seems very livable.
Downsides to the Stratiform: larger= more weight (but not much), larger footprint, and may have more deflection on the side panels.
This isn't a fabulous comparison shot, but you get some idea of size difference. The Echo beak is attached in this shot.
I'd like to note that I have not had the shelters up side by side yet, and have not spent a night in the Stratiform. For every other aspect but size, the Echo is still a really fabulous setup.
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