MLD Patrol Shelter coverage?

Check out these threads, might give you an idea.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=55395

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=43202

Edit to add: I've also seen a pic of a patrol shelter with an umbrella covering most of the front entrance.

I used the patrol shelter for a few years. I only pitched it when it was raining or a chance of rain. I used it with a bug bivy (summer spring early fall) and a bristlecone bivy in late fall and winter. I would say to use it without a bivy could possibly be done, depending on the wind and amount of rain and how low of a pitch you used. I would personally prefer it with a lightweight bivy, that's just from my experience with it.

Craig,

Being just under your height I can chime in…

It is one of the shelters that gives plenty of room for me, even with my big feet! In rain, if pitched to the ground, you can make it work just fine without a bivy. In wind-driven or heavy (think splattering) rain, I recommend an umbrella placed in the vestibule to keep you dry.

I rarely go without a bug bivy/innernet due to fire ants, etc here in FL, and this shelter is nice.

Craig, I just posted this yesterday regarding my one time experience with the PS and rain: "The protection of the PS will surprise you. Although I have used one for several years I had never used it inheavy rain until last summer. It rained for about five hours with a significant portion very heavy. I rolled my bivy out for cover but as it turned out I would have stayed dry without it."

If pitched to the ground, then yes. Although at your height you may not be able to crawl under it. Pitched high with some sideways rain and you will need a bivy. However, there is a two person version that would require no bivy to be sure.

I haven't used the Patrol Shelter but I used a Spinnshelter for a few years, and my recollection from when I was thinking about replacing it with the PS is that the dimensions are basically identical. I'm 5'11 and I never had any trouble staying dry in the Spinnshelter despite some nasty weather. I'd say a bivy isn't required. If you are worried about rain spray coming in the front opening, you can hang your raincoat from your trekking pole. I did that in the Spinnshelter if I didn't want to close the doors.

Regarding getting in and out of the Patrol when pitched tight to the ground, you do have unhook one corner line to get in and out, but not a problem once you get used to it.

Not necessary when pitched high.

At first I thought I was going to miss the door on my Spinnshelter, but once I got used to it, I'm fine.

I rarely pitch it that low and can usually crawl under.

Its sounding smaller than what I'm looking for…
Sometimes hard to find that personal line between light and stupid light. I've never cared for needing a bivy to stay dry in a shelter. It may be light, but also adds another layer of complexity…

If you want to forego the bivy, have you thought about a Grace Duo instead of the Patrol Shelter? Not much difference in weight (additional 0.8oz), $10 cheaper and more coverage.

I'm taller than you, and I've had no problem getting in and out when pitched tight. I use the method described by Steven. I thank Steven and others for helping me choose the Patrol Shelter. It's the ultimate shaped minimalist tarp IMO. If i wanted more coverage, i would choose a pyramid of some sorts.

Short or tall cut the front corner guy line as long as it takes to provide easy ingress and egress. The line lock position allows easy adjustment from inside. Better than a zipper in my opinion. Matt Edwards and Steven as well describe this in their respective threads spread around the web.