A Casual Poll: Your Fave Go-to 3 season Solo Shelter

Tarptent Notch

Weights:
w/innernet: ? listed 26oz total
fly plus stuff sack, Zpacks cuben Solo floor, cuben stake bag, and 5 stakes: 594g/20.95oz

Uses two trekking poles for support.

Tested by weather: all 4 seasons in SE US since August 2012, so everything except subzero temps and snow. Hot summer to single digits, rain, winds to ~25mph sustained. Condensation really only an issue recently at those single digit temps where it had a layer of ice over the interior surface, and started "snowing" inside when touched.

Nights: ? 50+

Improvements: think they already added guyouts over the poles, and have an inner with walls available. Wouldn't mind more Velcro on the end pieces which can be rolled back and used as vents, though that's more an observation that they don't seal up than a complaint-it's a "tarp"tent, after all…

MSR Hubba (green fly)

3 lbs. with everything (except stuff sacks which I don't carry)

Weather: Just about everything except a snow load. Heavy rains, horrendous bugs, swampy/wet ground, high winds, sleet…

Nights: ~25

Improvements: I'm going to add a zipper to back mesh wall to access small rear vestibule (big enough for a pack/shoes). I want to extend the fly on the back vestibule/overhangh by about 10" so it can completely seal against the ground.

Heavy by BPL standards, but a robust, easy, durable tent. My favorite solo shelter if I'm expecting any weather short of snowstorms.

That said, I probably only even use a shelter 20% of the time, tops.

A 10×8 sil nylon tarp

1. the tarp weighs 15 oz. the weight of guy lines and stakes in very dependent on what you want to do with it. It has 23 tie out points, 5 on each side and 3 center tie outs. You can get it tighter than any other shelter if you carry enough cord and stakes.

2. I tie off to trees, boulders, whatever. You can use poles with it as well.

3. I've tarped in some storms and heavy rain and it's fine. Idunno about very high winds with rain though. I'm going to yosemite this weekend so I'll give it a real test.

4. Not very many because I almost always cowboy camp if I can. I set up a shelter 10-20% of the time.

5. some kind of detachable door(s) for using as an a-frame would be nice.

6. I use my tarp for it's versatility, not it's weight savings (there are no weight savings.) I like it's versatility. I can set it up high as a canopy or pitch a more storm proof set up. Of course in extended bad weather you need to pitch it low every time and it's versatility is less. Flat tarps are a lot of fun to play with, there are hundreds of potential configurations that you can look up or discover for yourself.

1) Weight: 6oz for the tarp+1.5 for stakes, I use a CCF pad cut to the size of my neoair as a ground pad and for backpack support (I think 2.5-3oz)

2) Sets up with: either two adjustable poles or one semi adjustable and a 1oz carbon pole from zpacks

3) Its seen a good range of weather from serious rain storms to early winter snow, I've never done anything silly though like pitching it on a ridge for instance

4) nights used: 100 + trail nights out, although I often will pitch it just in case and cowboy camp

5) Improvements–this is one of the few pieces of gear I've had that I've spent about zero time thinking about how to improve it. That said, you'll see this shelter on gear swap a lot lately because Joe just came out with the ultimate 3 season backpacking shelter, the zpacks duplex. As a solo shelter, its a minimalists dream. As a shelter for two, it could be a touch bigger. At 6'2" I've gotten a little wet in a serious storm sharing it with a partner. I'd love to see zpacks come out with their take on a winter worthy mid, but at that point we're not even talking about the same type of shelter.

6) other comments: I want a duplex since it offers more space and better protection for only 20oz, but I doubt I would sell this to fund it. Its just too good at 6oz to let go of.

My friend, Evan making a fire with the hexamid in the background on a recent trip to olympic, NP.

Seeking more votes…
Cmon All you highly opinionated gear geeks!

Here is a second vote for the Hexamid Twin. I have the "tent" version. 12.5oz includes lines, stakes, stuff sack. I use the Zpacks Twin Poncho/Groundsheet (6.1oz) as a multi-use item and it clips in easily and does great as a groundsheet. I have about 40 nights under the Hexamid. I use two trekking poles for support. It has been through high winds, heavy rain, and snow and done well. A palace for one, OK for one adult and one kid, a bit tight for 2 adult males. Has a large foot print that can be a hassle at designated campsites. Feels a bit "slight" for high winds, so I am very careful with site selection. Struggled with snow loading (surprise September storm). I have added a cuben MLD Duomid for shoulder season and a possible winter camping shelter if I get there.

I love my TT Contrail. Plenty of room for one person, long enough, and pretty weatherproof.

Weight, seam sealed by Henry, complete with 7 MSR Groundhogs and plenty of matching lime green Glowire–1# 14.4 oz.

My BPL 125 cm Stix carbon poles are the exact length such that I can set them as an inverted V for easy entry/exit.

The tent has held up well in several nasty bouts of windy rain and hail. No leaks at all.

I've spent 32 nights in it over several years.

The only improvement needed was to add a long guy line at the front end (Franco made me do it!). That and its stake added an ounce, but it creates the perfect pitch and makes things very taut and stable.

Closed up tight:

Open front, showing the pole confiruration:

MLD Duomid — 640 grams (sealed)
4 stakes — 44 grams
Tyvek ground cloth — 140 grams

Probably about 15 nights so far. Not that I "love" it, but I have not found anything more compelling yet.

A large floorless pyramid allowed me to start eating breakfast w/o getting out of the bag, which is a big deal when it's cold outside (very often in desert environments with large day/night temp difference).

The issues with this tent is difficulty setting up when stakes don't work (rocks) and a relatively large footprint. Also, in a severe thunderstorm with wind I had to worry about rain blown in via the gap between the ground and the tent edge (even though I had tried to get as close to the ground as possible). That same torrential rain I did not seal the seams yet and after a few minutes seams on windward side leaked, learned my lesson, sealed.

I had Duomid in some snow, perhaps a couple of inches of wet heavy snow. It was interesting, even though the tent was not really taut, it did okay. Sealed itself on the sides, some condensation, but really warm, I liked it.

***

For other uses my go to tent is MSR Hubba Hubba. It's around 2kg and is very easy to set up and completely weather proof. Wind resistance is great, as long as you use 2 extra guy lines.

For family camping I also have MSR Mutha Hubba (got it on REI sale) and it's a nice tent as well. A little fussier to set up, but very good in winds. The tent survived a wind storm in Utah where generally non-flying gear (like shoes) was strewn hundreds of meters from camp. I don't want to throw numbers, but I would say may be 70mph gusts? Well, exaggerating a little :)

I would like to get BD Firstlight if it were cheaper and a little sunnier color. The footprint is smaller and the tent is fully enclosed, which is a big deal in desert. A little heavier, though. Setup is a big pain. If they change color, I'll finally get one :)

Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1

This has been my favorite shelter over the past few years. It replaced a TT Moment, and I like it the CS slightly better. I don't go winter mountaineering, but I use it in all four seasons in forested regions.

Weight: 39-41 oz (depends on what stuff stacks I bring and number of stakes, if any)
Poles: manufacturer poles required by design
Nights used: 8-12

Weather:
* 4-5 inches of snow on top, 4 feet underneath, and down to around 9F (see photo on left)
* sheds snow similar to a mid when pitched carefully to do so
* max winds tested were 20-30 mph in open backyard, no issues observed
* Condensation and ventilation are generally not a problem. Three days and two nights of constant drizzle and being in the clouds with temps 40-50F wetted out the fly from condensation the 2nd night, causing some dripping directly on my head through the mesh top of the inner. There was no wind at all to ventilate the tent that night, yet it rained hard enough that I had to keep the fly door closed. I closed the fly vent to change the angle of the fly, and this transferred the drip source to almost over the solid part of the inner.

Improvements:
* An optional inner with solid fabric on the top would be great in cool, humid conditions. Or, maybe a solid cover to put over the inner would do. I plan to make a cover.

* The foot end could use a pole-supporting guyline higher up on the tent.

This coming year, I plan to use my 8×10 silnylon tarp more, along with a MYOG bug bivy. I'll definitely go with the tarp in condensation-prone weather conditions.

MLD Doumid with Duo Inner Net

1. Weight: ~32oz including stakes and lines

2. I usually use one hiking pole to pitch the tent. I also have a carbon fiber pole I use occasionally which weighs around 5.5oz.

3. No serious weather in my area other than rain and I have always remained entirely dry.

4. 30+ Nights out in the tent.

5. I snapped the plastic insert in the top vent but that was probably my fault. I would prefer the gray color to my yellow Duomid but again that’s on me. No suggestions for improvement really.

6. I am a big fan of the Duomid because of the simplicity. I use this tent for both solo trips and when traveling with another person. I like that if I want to drop the weight I can leave the net at home.

I believe he indicated 1 lb 14 oz although the # was somewhat confusing in that regard.

Got it, sorry. Thought it was some sort of inner net that made the difference.

Basic Hexamid Solo (non-netting, no beak version).

Ruta Locura carbon fiber pole.

About 8 ounces for everything.

Has handled rain, sleet, light snow, and wind.

My go to shelter for most 3 season trips the past 2+ years.

I have slept in it about 30 nights — most trips it stays in my pack and I sleep under the stars.

I wouldn't change anything.

Forgive me for stepping outside Cottage Gear parameters, but I freaking love the Fly Creek 1 Platinum.

9/10 BPL'ers agree, Max is too tall for this tent, but I've never had a problem and I have like 2 months of sleep in it.

In 2013 I went from a Big Agnes Copper Spur 1 to a Six Moon Designs Wild Oasis for most of my solo trips. The no-see-um mesh handled the mosquitoes just fine after our big Alberta flood and the following bug hatch. I felt I had at least as much room as the Copper Spur and yet it was more usable space as it was all in the one area with me and not separated in the vestibule. It handled one all-night rain and thunderstorm with no leaking and little splash from the drips coming from the mesh opening. I pitched the tarp higher and made use of the ventilation.
Weight without stakes and lines: 14.3 oz w/stuffsack.
Nights used:6

Depends on bugs but generally I grab my YMG Cuben Cirraofrm/LiteTrailGline/Zpacks Micro line locks(8.4 oz) with 8 ti stakes/cuben stake sack(1.6 oz.) If it is buggy i will bring a Borah Gear side Zip Cuben/M90 bivy at 6.2 Either way I use Ruta Locura Hiking poles… (another 8 oz there)so we are looking at a total of either 10.0 or 16.2 oz in shelter, or if you include my hiking poles 18.0 or 24.2…

I love this set up I used it most of last season, including all 8 nights of my JMT NOBO thru hike Not sure that I would change much as I walk from sun up to sun down and just need shelter for sleep, lots of flexibility, Bivy, Tarp or Both if the weather sucks

I just received a new cuben MLD Solomid XL (I am 6 ft 5) so it is hard to say what i will be taking with me this year.

MLD DuoMid, seam-sealed, using the MLD-supplied guylines: 20.3oz
No inner net nor any such nonsense.
Color: olive brown.
I use a trek pole, but most aren't quite long enough and need a polejack or rock.

Five MSR Grounghog stakes: 2.9oz
I like to keep the door open, and use the fifth stake to hold the door side when doing this. It also doubles as a potty trowel.

Total: 23.2oz

If the weather is going to be windy I bring more stakes (4 more Groundhogs and 3 titanium skewers) for the 12 total possible plus four more guylines, but a mere five Groundhogs work for 90% of my needs.

I wouldn't change a thing, though if I won the lottery I'd probably get a cuben one instead of my current silnylon. If I could only have one shelter this would be the one. It's a palace for one, at less than 1.5 lbs.

I haven't had the problems with rain blowing under the edges as described above, at least solo. And I've had it in some pretty miserable weather. If I tried to cram two people in the DuoMid they would necessarily be closer to the edges and thus presumably more vulnerable, but with one it's solid. And I usually carry a MLD Superlight bivy anyway (5.6oz), as part of my sleep system.

Right now it would be my Zpacks 8.5×11 rectangular cuben tarp. Flexible enough to work with the hammock and if I should go to ground. So I will probably use this 95% of the time in all seasons.

If I were to only ground camp, I'd take the MLD cuben Patrol. But the GG Spinnshelter would be a close second. The Zpacks 8.5×11 would be a very close third for ground camping. I would be perfectly happy with any of the three as well as many other flexible tarp type shelters.

My least favorite shelters have been the freestanding dome types or all in one style tarptent types I've tried, all for the lack of flexibility.

Sometimes you wish you could raise your shelter way up high for ventilation, other times you want to pitch tight to the ground with a very low pitch for extreme cold and/or wind.

All-in-one types often have a fixed footprint that can be difficult to pitch in most terrain.

The three shelters I mentioned do not include poles, I use trekking poles and/or trees.

They are all as perfect as I have found for 3+ seasons. And have all been in extreme weather.

I like the Hexamid tarp with beak and cuben groundsheet. It's 9.8 oz. with bathtub solo groundsheet, guylines and cord locks (would not be there but for the previous owner – that said, they're surprisingly easy to use). I use cf stakes from ruta locura, aluminum Easton nanos, and/or shepherd hooks, so add on 1.5-2 oz. for eight of those.

If there's a chance of cold weather or rain for periods at a time, my silnylon duomid would be my go-to. It's 18.5 oz. before stakes – same configuration as above, possibly with an Oookworks chikkara (sp?) bathtub solo floor. I really like this set up but it's hard not to pack the sub-10-ounce Hexamid.

I have had, used and enjoyed very much a SkyScape Trekker. It was just time to try something new.

Current favorite SMD wild oasis 16 oz with all stake and guys easton stakes 5 six inch 1 nine inch. One trekking pole. 18+ nights two medium rainy nights winds 15-20 mph max I seek sheltered locations. Bought used here on gearswap (thanks Kimberly) wanted to try a tarp, I likes it. Some day I'll put on some tie ups to get the netting out of the way when not needed. I'm happy with it I have two other more bomber solo tents but for three season use it works fine. If I know I may have sand flea/chiggers/ noseeum issues and have to camp in grass or sand I'll take my light heart solo.

Well, I'll give you a vote, but since you said casual, I'll leave off the true weight (because, honestly, I don't weigh stuff unless I sell it, I just don't care that much about it):

Warbonnet Blackbird hammock with zPacks cuben hammock tarp with doors (some old MLD guyline that I love and wish Ron would sell again, and whatever 6 stakes I happen to grab, usually some of those newer Easton full metal jacket stakes, if it's going to be windy or rainy an extra 6 stakes). Maybe 20 or so nights out, including in the rain and snow (down to 4 degrees one crazy trip), some moderate wind. Don't think I'd change anything, it's pretty darned comfortable. Mgfr websites say around 25 oz for the hammock, 8.5 oz for the tarp (without guy lines and stakes). Add six ounces or so for the stakes and guylines, I guess. I don't need poles, but might use them (since I carry them anyway) if I want to elevate one side of the tarp for views.

+3 for the Hexamid Twin Tent. While I have used this with my kids, I now have a Megalight so that will be for family adventures and the Twin is for when I'm solo. I like having the extra space to stretch out in and to keep my gear out of the weather.

I originally bought this as a tarp with the hopes of using it as a modular system by adding a S2S nano mosquito net. Tried it, didn't like it, and decided to K.I.S.S. and sent it back to Zpacks to have the mosquito netting added. The netting added quite a bit of bulk to the shelter but it works great for me.

I've had it out in a few rain storms. A light one in the N. Cascades N.P. and a couple heavier ones on the Wonderland. Paired up with the Zpacks ground sheet, no issues with rain spray. The humidity was very high so it was some of the worst condensation I've ever experienced.

I've haven't had it out in heavy winds so it's untested for me in that regard.

I've owned it less than a year and have other shelters I use from time to time so ~ 12 nights in it.

Pros, lightweight, easy to set up, and palatial for one (I'm 6'3"). Since I use a cuben fiber ground sheet, the mosquito netting adds some added protection from abrasion. I know others complain about picking up debris with the netting but it hasn't been a real problem for me.

Cons, door is low and I'm at an age where my knees creak getting in and out of it.

No buyer's remorse but if I had to make the purchase today, I'd buy the Duplex.

I'll second the choice of the Wild Oasis. It has done all it needed to do, keeping me dry and bug free for around 80 nights. I've weathered plenty of rain and hail as well as a few strong storms in places more exposed than I liked and for what it is, it has done great. When that pencil thin carbon pole starts to flex >6" under the gusts it's time to grab on. This is a real palace compared to the stand alone GTX bivy I used for the previous decade.

shelter w/ lines 14.9oz
mfr cf pole 2.0oz
6 stakes w/ bag 2.5oz
groundsheet 1.6oz
total weight 21.0oz

Add me to the handful of folks using a mass manufactured shelter…

My favorite is a Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1

* its weight as configured, w/ stakes & lines – 2lb 8oz

* whether hiking poles, mfr poles, or sticks are used – manufacturer poles

* whether yours has been truly tested, by weather – some rain, some cold, some clouds and heavy fog. No snow

* a rough est. of how many trail nights out – it's somewhat new to me so 5 nights out at this point.

* your idea on how it could be improved, if poss. – the door is so so when there is weather as the top opening is over the floor (a well documented issue). I'd like that extended somehow just a big. Also – I love the tent but admit I'm not crazy about the front entry – we have an MSR Hubba that is much easier to get in and out of..

* whatever else begs – lots of guy lines to get it really tight but that's kind of the price for lower weight and few poles.