Skyscape X floor dimensions

122cm x 262cm

Thank you
but I have this document and
the width at the foot is not mentioned but Ron mailed it to me, it is 36"

I'm not sure if SMD changed anything with the newest version of the X, but I just measured the foot end of mine, and accounting for a slight drop of the "bathtub" it's just under 30" on the inside.

I liked the design of the X and what I felt was easier entry/exit; more storm worthiness; and less effort to pitch (less stakes), but I think either is a great choice. In this price range why not consider the Soloplex too?

If the issue here is “Skyscape X vs Hexamid”… the question you need to ask yourself is:

Do I want an easier to setup shelter and a lighter weight shelter? If so the Hexamid is the answer.

Do I want a shelter with greater weather protection? If so the Skyscape X is the answer.

I have a few thousand miles with both of these shelters… those two questions really do sum up the real answer on which too chose.

+John Abela
HikeLighter.Com
facebook.com/hikelighter
@hikelighter

First thank you for your answers, it is really useful to read different opinions and American points of view

To Art,
so I do not know if Ron has changed something in the width, anyway 30" at the foot will still fit
as for the Solplex, that is an interesting tent but the width is only 30" head to foot that is not enough and I am afraid the door could flap because there is no zipper

To John,
I am sure you know these tents very well, but I would say the Skyscape is easier to set up because there are only 5 pegs, there are 10 for the Hexamid solo plus (in a rocky ground it could be a hard job!)
the skyscape X is lighter .15 + 5 pegs versus .16 + 10 pegs
No?

the problem with cuben shelter is that it is so expensive that you are afraid of buying the wrong one!

read you soon!

If you review my Solo SUL/XUL Fully Enclosed Shelter Comparison spreadsheet you will see that the Heximid (including the solo, solo-plus, and solplex) have a lighter TSW than the Skyscape X.

As for the SMDSX being easier to setup because it has less stakes… well yeah, it does have less stakes, but, it also an an internal apex spreader bar that requires WAAAAAY more effort to setup than the single pole of the hexamid shelters – which is unquestionably the easiest fully enclosed solo shelter that exists in regards to setting up.

In the end, ease of setup plays (or should play) very little part in the decision making process of either of these shelters. I still refer back to my post about on what should be the deciding factors.

I must say the hexamid solo is stupid easy to setup, the one pole design, and the non stretch cuben material make it go up quick.

I agree with John on all points and I've only set up the "X" one time. I had the Hexamid last summer, was hoping for something with a smaller footprint, but have not arrived there yet. I can see the spreader bar is going to be the slow point in set up for the "X". In buying the "X", I went off mostly John's reveiw of it.
Duane

I would just like to add that it is rare that I use all 10 stakes when setting up my Hexamid Solo plus. I really only use 6. And as others mentioned, it is very easy to set up.

I have a hexamid but went for the tarp option with separate hexanet inner (which was available for the standard hexamid at the time I bought it and I get along fine with it).

The reaon for this for me was I wanted the capacity to separate the equivalent of fly-sheet and inner. I want to do this for times when the shelter is very wet and especially where it is wet externally from rain, but also internally in times of heavy condensation which, whilst it can often be managed, will be inevitable on occasion with this type of shelter.

What is the impact with the Skyscape X (or the regular net floor hexamid) from not being able to separate inner and out when wet externally from rain and internally from condensation?

What strategies do users have to manage this and minimise impacts of getting the inner and groundsheet wet when packing away? and so the inner is all dry and not still wet when set up the next night (especially if rain is continuous)?

I own a Hexamid long which is a fast and easy pitch. For me I am more focused on weather protection than set up speed. The difference in time is not an issue. Have looked at the Skyscape x for a while but have hesitated wondering if there is enough head room for a 6 footer without the mesh encroaching too much.

which is unquestionably the easiest fully enclosed solo shelter that exists in regards to setting up

I still haven't seen anyone setting up another shelter in 50 sec as I have done with the Moment and Contrail.
No doubt that shelter is easy to do but I question the unquestionably…

well…

to refer to John's deciding factors, I will say I want a shelter with greater weather protection,
the Hexamid does not go close to the ground and even with the beak it must be windy inside

Good point Franco.
Duane

Definitely breezy in the Hexamid which is fine unless it's really cold. I just used it on the A.T. last weekend. The cold one night – mid 20's and 25mph winds – was more of an issue than the rain for the next 2 nights. I stayed completely dry. It is a great set up but I think I will look for something else I can use for more cold/wind protection in the late fall/winter.

Respectfully, ask yourself why you carry a shelter in the first place?

From what do you want shelter?

from bugs?

from weather?

from observation by others?

from the world in general?

Personally, I prefer to sleep out under the sky whenever possible. My shelter is purely for weather protection. Which shelter and how robust it has to be depend on where I'm going and what weather extremes I can reasonably expect to encounter. I am willing to take whatever time is required to properly place and erect that shelter.

My sleeping bag and head net or insect repellant keep most of the bugs off of me. The microfiber shell on my sleeping bag and/or my wind shirt keeps the wind and anything it carries away. No tent is a fort; four legged critters can easily rip through any shelter I could reasonably carry, and I'm not doing anything that I need to keep hidden from others nearby. If it offends you, look somewhere else!

YMMV

But that mean ol' Henry Shires won't make one. So I'll just get the regular Moment DW.