Lighter shelter option than Zpacks for 6’4″ hiker

You might consider the Lighthearetgear SoLong. Weighs 32 oz so not as light as ZPacks. but a half pound less than the Rainbow. It would definitely be long enough for you. Pocket tarp will be too short.

https://www.lightheartgear.com/collections/tents/products/lightheart-solong-6-sil-poly-fabric

I just bought this one at close out sleeps two for $303 instead of 1 person I think video says you will fit fine. Have not used it yet but I think is an awesome idea, tarp and bug net together.

Ultamid 4

This is the one I got for 303

https://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/products/ultamid-4-half-insert

@ Liz you got the half insert for $303 but the OP would still have to purchase the shaped tarp, yes?

@ the OP, if the cost of CF is outside your budget and you want an insert plus tarp solution, I think the only systems to evaluate are the shaped silnylon tarps plus a net tent with silnylon bathtub floor.

For example, Mountain Laurel Designs sells the Grace Tarp for $140 @ 11 oz and the Serenity BugNet shelter insert for $155 @ 10.5 oz. Is about 1/2 that of your rainbow. I love the ease of set up and storm worthiness of the system. It is also long enough for me at 6’2″ with room to spare. The front entry takes some getting used to, especially if you have to get up more than once during the night. I think the various bugnet bivies would also mitigate the critters you are concerned with using a bivy open ups a whole new style of camping with our without a tarp over your head.

You can also get nettents that fit under silnylon pyramid tarps from MLD, Six Moons Designs and others.

@ Bruce, yeah I need a tarp and bugnet combo. I am okay to go CF no probs as long as the tarp/net tent combo doesn’t go over 599$

Ta for the info!

The Tarptent Aeon Li is $535 and will fit you. (about 500g with pegs)

Out of stock right now but anothe batch should be out soon.

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/camping-and-hiking/ultralight-tent/tarptent-aeon-li

@ Franco
Looks perfect for the OP. Perhaps I shall sell my trusty silnylon Rainbow and get one.

A Seat-to-Summit Nano-net under a Silonylone Mountain Laurel Designs Trailstar would fit you no problem. But if you think the net not substantial enough for your critters, any number of half-nets with floors would work as well.

My vote is for the upcoming, revised Notch Li at only 3 oz. more than the AEON Li but double walled and far better if caught in dusty wind or a freak snowstorm.

(See this site for Ryan’s not-so-nice experience in a snowstorm in the AEON Li.)

I’m a 6’2″ Aeon Li owner, and I can confirm that it fits all your requirements.

One comment I’d add is that side sleepers need significantly less length, so if you’re a side sleeper you have more options.   When I don’t need bug protection, I often use the original Zpacks Hexamid tarp design (similar to the current Pocket Tarp), and it’s fine on my side but there’s not enough room to stretch out fully on my back.

If you always need bug protection though, I think a shelter with integrated bug netting is going to be a more efficient use of space & weight than a tarp with separate bug protection insert.

After reading all these comments I am keen on an Aeon. No new ones are being released by the time I would be finished with my trip Soni have advertised a WANTED in the gearswap section

Ta everyone

mik,  I will not be using mine until around June when I need bug protection, so I’d sell you mine.  I can replace it when they are in stock again.  The advantage for me is that Henry is apparently introducing some modifications in the next batch, which he’s being coy about – but I’m hoping he may make the struts more easily removable to make it more packable.  So it’s worthwhile for me to get the upgrade if it doesn’t cost me much.

Mine was bought May last year, it cost me $545 including shipping.   It has about 15 nights on it, still in perfect condition.    I’d sell it for $520 net to me, i.e. add on whatever it costs to ship it to you in Oz – you probably know the best shipping method.   Send me a PM if that works for you.

Am I making this up? I thought I read somewhere that Yama will extend the length of the Cirriform? I could be wrong though. Could be worth looking into though.

On another note, the MLD Solomid XL got an update in length and width to accomodate up to 6’6, according to the product page.

With the bug inner, the MLD Solomid XL is 779g plus stakes.
(Mik is after bug protection too)

The Aeon is a fine shelter but after checking one out irl, at 6’3”, it seemed like it would be a bit more cramped than what I’d care for, especially during a rainstorm.

I bought a Protrail and am very happy with it, condensation inherent to a single wall shelter and the sagginess inherent to silnylon being my only two real complaints.   Other than that, it’s dangerously close to being my perfect shelter.

People will complain about front entry shelters, but when you’re tall, the few moments you spend crawling in and out of are imo a small inconvenience to not have the fabric of the shelter inches away from my face which is what I experience sleeping in a mid.

If you want DCF, then you could opt for a MLD Grace solo/duo paired with a serenity net.

Here’s a 6’4″ guy in the Aeon Li.

The ZPacks Altaplex has just been re-released today (Feb 12th) 16.1 oz (457g) designed to fit hikers up to 6’6″.

. My Quest for The Perfect Tent .