Shelter for the Tall/Shaving weight

http://www.tarptent.com/notch.html

I'd stay with tarptent. He has exceptional customer service and is actually doing a good job supporting both himself and the community without compromises.

I have tried all three tents. At 6 feet with similar sleeping gear the LHG solo is definitely too short. The Solong 6 or the Hex long would work fine for 6' 3".

I am not sure if Zpacks is offering the long any more. It is not listed on the site anymore, and was not available the last couple of months that it was listed. I think the main difference n the long vs. the solo plus was the additional pole supports on the ends of the long to give a little more lift at the head and Feet. I think Joe can add those to any tent (I know it is a listed option on the duplex – so I am assuming it could be added to any). At your height – I would look into the twin or duplex (both have 7'6" bathtub floors) – as well as both offering the width to sleep diagonal if needed for only an added 2 ounces.

I am 6'4" and actually just emailed Joe about this yesterday – but inquiring about the solo plus. He explained the advantages the duplex would offer at a minimal weight gain. Still split between which to get – but I have been nothing but impressed with my zpacks products, as well as communication and customer service, so I know that I will be purchasing a shelter from zpacks. But, to be fair to the other companies you listed, I don't have any experience with them – they may be equally as good to deal with.

I had the ZPacks solo Hex tent last summer. At 6' and depending on proper setup, at times I could have my head touching the tent. A slight adjustment in my angle in my sb would solve that or redoing the staking job. Not enough to bother me. With the longer version and the pull outs, that should be solved, even with the plain solo. I ordered the Solplex last weekend, sounds like a wider version of that may be in the works, weight between the Solplex and Duplex I believe when Joe replied back to me. I would ask him to make a long Hex, wait time is at 4 weeks now, so get er done.
Duane

The difference with the Hexamid Long was NOT just the end pole supports. The whole cut of the tent was different in order to make use of the end poles, and it isn't possible to use it without those poles. In other words, it was a 3-pole tent, not a 1-pole tent with extra lift from a couple of poles. On the other ZPacks tents, you can make use of end poles to get a little extra head and foot room, but it is nothing like the amount of extra space you get with the Long.
The Long was a much underappreciated tent in my opinion.

You should take a look at the Lightheart Gear SoLong 6. I'm 6'4" and found the tent to be a great size – my only complaint is that it was a bit low at the head/foot and with the silnylon if it was wet would sag a little, wasn't an issue for me but concerned me. I just got Gen over at Yama Mountain Gear to extend a Cirriform SW tent by 13" (8' 6" overall now) for a very reasonable price, I haven't got it yet so I can't comment but I think his design will eliminate the concerns I had about the SoLong 6 and be lighter overall. Granted the YMG is almost double the cost of the LHG SoLong 6, but the YMG is also cuben canopy.

Sorry, I was not aware of all of the differences in the long. Now I want to see one, especially since I sleep on an inflatable. I remember looking at it a few months ago online, but I didn't really pay attention to the spec's. I just recently started researching getting new tent and really comparing – and it is no longer on the site.

The Long is no longer on the site but you can still view its page here: http://www.zpacks.com/shelter/hexamid_long.shtml

I know it's not on the OP's list of potential shelters but I'm 6'3" and am comfortable in the Hexamid Twin, even when I have to share it with one of my kids.

I've had this shelter in some heavy rain and it held up fine albeit with some serious condensation. I've yet to have it in a serious wind storm so I can't speak to how it will handle those conditions.

I went from a DR to a Rainbow w/carbon arch pole. Under 32oz with extra stakes, heavy seam seal and extra lines. Roomy and easy setup.

Gen at YMG makes longer tent/tarps. I have a Terraform that he added six inches to. Very good length for me in a 6'6" bag.

Most cottage manufacturers will do custom work if you ask ( a pay a little extra).

-James

I second Gen at Yama Mountain Gear. I have the Cirriform in cuben that I got from whalen e a few months back. He had 4-6" (can't remember exactly) added to it so it's nice and long now. Superb work and VERY quick turnaround, usually within the week, even for custom stuff.

" The mat height/thickness might make a difference in a tent with sloping sidewalls/netting."

Yes most of the time that does indeed make the difference , however with the Notch works the other way.

I am 5'8" but I have over 1 foot of fully usable floor left. (I am on top of an Exped7)
At around 26 oz it is heavier than some but I think it offers better coverage and easier set up than most.
franco@tarptent

Troy…you are right in every way about Henry Shires…I love my double rainbow…just wanting to grab a solo shelter at a light weight bonus.

Thank You John for your reply…I'll throw out the solo and throw in the solong 6 for consideration.

Thank you for the input Kevin. I'm going to look at the duplex. It looks like the Hexamid might be a little tight and I am not interested in brushing my head or feet on the ends of every night.

Very good info thank you again for the input.

Duane I saw the lead times and definitely the reason I am trying to get my shelter sorted so I don't have a time crunch to use it and test it heavily. My concern with the Hexamid is addressed in your response. With a delicate shelter I don't want to be ripping or tearing netting with added stress or pressure to the edges if I have to squeeze in. I have looked at the solplex too but you have curious again and I will revisit.

I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my questions.

Joshua…excellent input. I hand't looked at YAMA before. Thank you for introducing me to them.

Cat tarp with a custom Xlong net tent? I like the flexibility of not having to bring/use netting all the time.

Everyone that provided input I truly appreciate it and you gave me plenty of alternatives to my original line of thinking. This is exactly why this place is so great. And to those that steered me towards YAMA….I love finding new stuff (new to me) so what a treat. Now I have some serious deciding to do between the Solong 6, Zpacks Duplex, and the YAMA tents.

Good stuff everyone….happy trails.

Sold on Cuben?

If not, both the Moment and Notch will fit your 6'3" length, even on a 3" pad.

I've never been in a Yama tent, but the Duplex and SoLong6 give you a ton of space for the weight. There's some expense there if in cuben of course. I think you would be very happy with either.

Ryan

Sorry to be late to the party but I am 6 ft 5 and have played with a lot of shelters that have been mentioned in the thread. I had a Hexamid Long, and it was an absolute Palace!!!

With that said I spent most of last year in the Cirraform from Yama, actually stock length worked really well even in some nasty weather on the JMT. I used a Borah Gear Bivy with my EE quilt

or an HMG Ultamid when I wanted more livable space

I just received a Zpacks Duplex which I must say is an amazing shelter if you are looking for an enclosed tent (I plan to use it with my 8 year old this summer) I have only set this up in the park, but quality is right on par with everything else that comes from Joe and team, alway top notch

If the enclosed shelter is not mandatory one other thing to think about is the new MLD Solmid XL this thing is huge on livable space while still keeping a smaller foot print I do not have many nights under this thing, as it was just released but I have spent a couple of nights and it is solid probably going to be my go to this year

I plan to either use the Borah Bivy or an Sea to summit nano pyramid net for bugs. the other opportunity is to maybe have BPWD build a custom inner net with a floor if necessary. That way you can use whatever components the weather calls for.

I have seen the Lightheart stuff and again nice shelters. You really can not go wrong with any of your choices.

If you have any specific questions about the how any of these shelters compare please shoot me a PM,

Best,

Jeff

"If not, both the Moment and Notch will fit your 6'3" length, even on a 3" pad."

Dave,

While both the Moment and Notch list a length of 84" (7') one would easily assume that it would fit someone of 6'4" or 6'3" without issue. Sadly, the answer for me is no – At 6'4" I find myself barely fitting in tents 90" long (such as my Nemo Moki) – I'm a [mostly] stomach and side sleeper, so on my back, toes pointed up without moving sure I fit. However I move, I stretch out, I lay on my stomach and point my toes downward, I use a small pillow that adds another 2-3" to my height/length also likely and sometimes I even throw an arm above my head. So with all my stretching, toe pointing and the loft of my sleeping bag (Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32F) I find myself rubbing all over tents even 90" in length and I've woken up many times with the foot/head of my sleeping bag being a bit damp because of this. Maybe this is just an issue for me? maybe others experience it too.

The first tent that actually fit me well without any rubbing issues was the LHG SoLong 6 at 100" long. Due to the design of the SoLong 6 (lower head/foot clearance) I decided to have Gen extend a Cirriform SW by 13" to be 102" long overall because 8'5" seems like a more even number. Maybe it's overkill but I know for sure now I wont have an issue and the price to extend it was super reasonable imho. This also gives me a little more tolerance in both height/length should I ever want to use my larger winter bag (Marmot CMQ -40F) and just some space in general to store my pack/etc at the foot of [inside] my tent should I want to, etc. YMMV, food for thought.