Duomid users

I’ve used a Cuben Duo as my solo shelter for years now. I have a Solo XL nest in it for buggy nights. I do own other shelters but the Duo is my standard go to. Highly recommended. I’m 5′ 11″ and sleep on a Neo Air. The Duo fits fine even on a low pitch though I find the Solo XL nest a bit smaller than it could be.

For the past year I was considering they Duomid or even the Solomid XL.  I ended up going with the Zpacks Altaplex. One of the advantages I saw in going with any of the MLD’s however  would be being able to pitch it in a storm and not worry which way the wind blows. The Altaplex however has to be oriented in such a way that the wind doesn’t enter the storm door (due to it’s design not having a zipper) and cause a ruckus. I liked the weight savings with the hybrid double/single wall shelter as opposed to the Duomid. If I wasn’t wanting an inner, I would have probably gone with the MLD. Just some food for thought…

In the last 4+ years I’ve used a MLD cricket and an mld duomid. This past year I MYOG’d two different pyramids. Both being smaller length and width wise than both duomid and cricket (pretending it was fully enclosed). I am only 5′ 6″ so this doesn’t really mean much to you…

If you use both poles and set them up to opposite corners rather than opposite long sides, sleeping diagonally, it greatly increases the amount of space available lengthwise. This may not be the optimal storm proof setup but in milder conditions would really open things up.

Philip, which weight of cuben fiber are you using? I know it’s awfully more expensive than the silnylon, but it’s all just going to cost more here in Canada anyways.

Thanks Alex and Eric.  Lots of good points to consider.

I have the standard 0.75 oz DCF Duo. I don’t care for silnylon shelters due to the condensation and misting properties of that fabric. Cuben is the way to go.

To quote a famous philosopher, “it is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.”

I’m kind of late to the discussion, but yes, I have settled on a 2P pyramid with a  lightweight bivy as The Perfect Shelter System.  (The lightweight bivy is to act as a groundsheet, to keep the bugs and wombats out of your sleeping bag, and to allow easier cowboy camping in nice weather.)  It’s a palace for one, yet can hold two in a pinch, and it will cover 95% of the conditions that you will ever encounter.

The original DuoMid is probably superior to the DuoMid XL in my opinion (I have both) in that the peak is low enough that you can just use a pole jack or convenient rock with your trek pole rather than fussing about strapping your hiking poles together.  That being said, the asymmetrical pole positioning of the XL does make it more comfortable for one person- it has more unbroken space without the pole in the exact center.  So, pick your preference.