Winter Shelter: Duomid vs Solomid XL

Excuse me for the shameless self plug, but you might consider our new Beyond TimberLine 2 or Lil Bug Out Shelter. Our tents , even our larger ones are used a lot in the winter. I expect the BT-2 to handle snow loading very well.

http://seekoutside.com
http://store.seekoutside.com/bt-2/

Thanks

+1 for the plug.

I have the Lil Bug Out and it is a winter fortress. Very cool and innovative hybrid pyramid/tipi design.

See Dave Chenault's review here:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/lil-bugout-shelter-chenault.html

Thanks for the heads up on the SeekOutside shelters. What is the major differences between the Lil'Bug Out and the BT-2?

Any one have some experience with the Solomid XL?

Hi Wolf,

To answer your main questions- I think the key difference in using the SoloMid Xl vs a DuoMid in your area and intended conditions it may boil down to only a slight weight vs space decision. If you are going really winter light or need a slightly smaller footprint or will be using it solo other times of the year then the SoloMidXL is plenty. The DuoMid is a bit nicer for full winter if you might spend more time in the shelter or have a bit more gear to sort out. Snow, storm protection, condensation is about the same between the two. I might lean to the DuoMid for the room and ease of off setting a single pole pole slightly to the front vs two inverted poles if mainly for winter.

Thanks

—

Quote of the Day:

“Good manners sometimes means simply putting up with other people’s bad manners.”
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Thanks so much, Ron, for taking the time to provide some information on the duomid vs solo xl. It seems like I have some thinking to do. I thought about the two pole set up being a bit inconvenient on snow, especially with my addiction to pacer poles (I need an intervention). Two of those crazy handles probably wouldn't sit well together in the top of the mid.

I just wanted to say that I have been using Duomid for 1.5 years now and like it better and better. I have used it in desert, in rainforest and on the mountain. The simplicity and amount of space are great. With some practice I am now setting up Duomid faster than most freestanding tents (just had a real life test). I would also bet Duomid against most 3-season tents in the wind. I recently got a solo inner and thinking about getting a duo for backpacking with my wife. The workmanship and quality is top notch. Great shelter.

Anton, do you have the Cuben or Sil?

I'm thinking about getting the sil for winter.

The major difference is versatility, size and simplicity.

The Lil Bug Out can accomplish almost anything needed sans large stand up tent in one configuration or another. With the Lil Bug Out, it is conceivable you could take a family of four, and run two base and three part vestibules, and still be able to camp in small places where ever needed using it as two two person plus tents. If bugs are an issue use a nest insert. Want more room and a common area, add the tarp connector in the center and it will sleep four and have a common area. Cold weather and want a to use a wood stove ? Run the stove in the center. Lightweight backpack trip for two ? Go back to the base and vestibule. Uneven ground and needing cover ? Use the base as a tarp. The Lil Bug out will do almost everything you need in one configuration or another, and it will do almost all of it very well.

The Beyond Timberline two, has some flexibility but not expandability. It is a one or two person tent, that will work well in that regard, and also has some adaptability of pitch to suit the environment at hand. It is a bit smaller than the smallest Lil Bug Out configuration , but still very capable. It is really optimized around just different use cases.

Both are built very well, and many of the features are the same, they just go about it differently.

Thanks
Kevin

I have a silnylon Duomid and the solo inner is silnylon as well. Bright yellow looks very nice and generally helps to lift up the mood inside the tent :)

https://picasaweb.google.com/109605876067630099332/WindRivers2013?noredirect=1#5921875317672227954

https://picasaweb.google.com/109605876067630099332/VancouverIsland2013?noredirect=1#5899625926571629698

https://picasaweb.google.com/109605876067630099332/SummitToSea2014?noredirect=1#6039896072877876722

(although it's way warm on the mountain in the last image)

Much appreciated!

I will be using it winter only (or when consistently below about 40*F) so insects will not be a problem.

That is my planned use too, Bob. I was thinking either a Duomid or a Solomid XL in yellow syl. As of now, I prefer more open tarps outside anything but more mid-winter conditions.

It was really nice to be able to see Anton's photos to get a feel for the dimensions. My dog is also similar in size to Anton's. I spent many a winter night in the Bibler Eldorado, and while it was a solid little cocoon I want something with a little more space.

I also agree that it is better to have the brighter color, especially in winter – it does indeed brighten the mood!

There's something about my body chemistry that makes me a bug magnet, so the Zpacks Duplex is for the other seasons. Otherwise I get eaten alive…

Had a good laugh :)

Thought to myself "wait, what dog, I don't have a dog!" Then remembered: I walked out a border collie puppy lost in the Wind River range. In the couple of days we spent together got quite attached to her too. She was reunited with the owner a few days later.

Ah, great looking dog, and glad to hear you got it back to its owners.

Made a good prop for the tent photos!

I can't comment on the difference between the Duomid and the Solomid XL, but I have used the Trailstar and the Duomid. Bot are excellent shelters, indeed. I used the Trailstar a few years ago on a long walk (summer) and was very happy with its perfomance.

I have just returned from a month on the trail with the Duomid (silnylon), and I am very impressed. I'd say I now prefer the Duomid becuase of its smaller footprint, steep walls, door and vent, 4-season ready. I use it maily for solo use and enjoy having the extra space. MLD is known for excellent design and workmanship. I am now interested in getting a cuben version.

Whichever you choose, don't forget good sturdy stakes. Read Skurka on this last point. I agree with him.

Good luck,
Mike

That's a pretty good endorsement!

Planning to use the Easton aluminum pegs non-snow and deadman wood sticks for snow.

You might also be interested in snow stakes by lawsonequipment.com