MLD Solomid Pro DCF – 7.2 oz

[Monte Masterson]

Coming soon. A bit smaller than the Solomid XL and has a #3 zipper instead of a #8. Also features lighter linelocks that use 1.8 mm line. The sides are a bit high off the ground but with the 7 oz Pro innernet (DCF floor) it might provide adequate coverage. A silpoly Solomid Pro (10.3 oz)  and smaller polyester Cricket Pro (9 oz) are also in the works.

[Brad W]

That is nice. I like the silpoly version. Being able to pitch these a quite a ways off the ground seems to be a plus for uneven terrain.

[dirtbag]

I want the Silpoly version but its not on the site yet. .  I dig that brown color too!

[Dan @ Durston Gear]

Whoa nice. That’s a big change for MLD to go from #8 to #3 (and to 0.5oz DCF). Looks great.

[Matthew / BPL]

Yeah silpoly would probably be my choice for packability. I really like how it slides effortlessly into an oversize stuff sack rather than carefully folding dcf. I’m sharing that here because this is such a simple shelter and for me it makes sense to have the shelter in a material that is simpler to use.

I think I’d be most interested in a silpoly Solomid Pro with the skirt if that combination is available.

[Monte Masterson]

I’m waiting to see the dimensions of the new mids and the Pro innernet. I don’t think Ron is a fan of .5 DCF, but he probably realizes that in order to get the weight down to what’s competitive with other tents it’s a necessity.

[Dan]

That looks like a great upgrade.

How useful is that bug skirt? It seems like it would require a lot of effort to seal it against the ground all the way around. If you will end up bringing a bevy or inner anyway, why carry the extra weight of the skirt?

[Adam]

I have a skirt on a large Oware Mid. It works well as long as you have the door zipped up. You can of course tuck it under a ground sheet but in practicality I haven’t needed to stress about that, yet.

If I had a full sized inner for it, it would be redundant. But without the inner its a nice stop-gap and peace of mind for conditions where you might rarely encounter bug pressure and thus can leave the inner behind.

My other thoughts are that for trips to places where mosquitos are rather dangerous… eg Malaria in sub Saharan Africa, having the perimeter netting on the Solomid Pro, as well as the inner net gives an extra layer of protection. Reduces the influx of mosquitos that make it to the inner net, where if you brush up against it, you are at risk. This could be while you are asleep, naked because its still hot and humid overnight. It also could mean that you could cook inside the tent (+/- rain) with some protection with the door zipped up, but outside of the inner net, again if bug pressure is high. Not idea not having the door of the fly closed due to fumes etc, but possible perhaps for short cooking sessions to get you by. Also means in the night if you need to be organised with your gear that’s sitting in the vestible, fewer mosquitos can then make it inside your inner net that you then have to deal with. If for some reason the zipper fails on your inner net while you are in the middle of the Congo, you have some backup with the perimeter netting. While setting up in the pouring rain, once you have your fly up, you can get inside and start to be protected also from mosquitos (after doing the usual careful check for any lingerers).

The main downside in this kind of scenario that I can think of, is that ventilation in such conditions is also paramount. If its not actually raining, you want as much air-flow as possible (and, even if it is raining). The perimeter netting reduces airflow, no getting around that. I guess you could sew on some small loops of cord to the edge seam to try and blouse up the perimeter netting, though that’s a pain to take up and put down each night that you want it (or not). Perhaps Ron could add this as an option? But at least then you have a bit more choice.

Not clear from the video of the Cricket Pro will also get a perimeter net option or not… would require larger pieces at the beak of course, but I think its possible to do; not too dissimilar to netting patterns on say Hexamid.

Perimeter netting, while cutting ventilation, does increase warmth a little, and cut down somewhat (not perfect of course) on blown rain especially when pitched up. The netting on my Oware Mid does get soaked through in rain as it rains off and wicks down the mesh, adding to the wetness burden. I guess now that I think about it that always annoys me but then my Mid is Silnylon so its soaked anyway and must weigh double when wet in its stuff sack.

[dirtbag]

Will be available next week on MLD website.. for anyone interested..

[Brad W]

The bug skirt looks good for flying bugs, but for ticks, ants, etc. I think I would just go without and use a light bug bivy with it.

[dirtbag]

Yeah I would skip it. Im curious what the inner net dimensions will be..

[Monte Masterson]

The Solomid Pro probably isn’t much larger than the discontinued Solomid, but it does feature an offset design which provides more room behind the pole (when using just 1 pole and not 2 pole inverted V jack). But I’m still not sure a true symmetrical innernet like MLD offers is ideal. Seems like an offset or half pyramid inner would fit better with the Solomid Pro. I had the original Solomid inner (87″ X 28″) and found it totally unworkable with my original Solomid. I ended up having to make my own half pyramid innernet for the it (below) much like the SMD Serenity Net but 12 inches longer. Maybe the new Pro inner will fit better with the Solomid Pro.

[dirtbag]

That’s nice Monte. I have and actually like the SMD Serenity net and use it alone and/or with the Gatewood Cape..  it works.  When I sit up I kinda brush the back end a bit and I assume that’s unavoidable in that style single pole shelter,  honestly I have come to terms with it and accept it,  it really does not bother me or deter me at all. In fact,  that set up is my favorite for full protection.. however,  I am always looking for something that might impress and work for me,  while if possible, saving a little weight AND pack space at the same time.  In all honesty,   SMD Gatewood Cape with Serenity Net might be hard to beat. I had the Solomid XL and Net and sold that off as I preferred the Gatewood Cape and Serenity over it..  MAYBE the Solomid Pro will be it?

[dirtbag]

On that note.. I also love the SMD inner net has a small Zipper on the inside, opposite the door, along where the netting and bathtub floor meet.. so you can unzip and reach out behind the netting to that extra space under the tarp..  if you want to utilize that space for something..

[Adam]

I’ve been mainly using the Gatewood Cape + Serenity net for solo trips the last few years and find it works well for me. So I’m also interested to see how these new MLD combos work out. At least on weight spec so far weight will be in front.

The video mentions 7oz for DCF floor inner? On the Solomid XL inner going to silpoly adds an ounce so I would expect similar, eg ~8oz.

There might be a little more height in the Solomid/Cricket Pro if the pole is set to 130cm.

Then its just up to the floor dimensions.

The mid wins on set up simplicity with a simple rectangle and min four stakes required.

The Cricket Pro from the video looks a little easier to set up than the standard Cricket… no front pole required for a good pitch?

[Monte Masterson]

To be clear, MLD’s symmetrical innernets work fine when you’re using 2 poles with V jack, but if you only carry 1 trekking pole like I do the fit’s not so good, The Solomid Pro being a tad wider than the original Solomid and asymmetrically shaped will of course provide more space for an inner behind the pole, but it will still be limited (using 1 pole).

Another thing I don’t like about 2 poles with a mid is that it’s not only trickier to set up, but you also have the added weight of the jack. But for those who go that route another inner that would marry up with the Solomid Pro is the Liteway Pyraomm 1. It’s 93″ long, 34″ wide and 45″ tall. Weighs 9.3 oz and has a 20D silpoly floor. However it’s nearly as expensive as MLD’s DCF Pro inner will be. https://liteway.equipment/shelters/pyraomm-solo-mesh

[dirtbag]

Me… Waiting for It to be listed on website 

[Monte Masterson]

Under the replies on YouTube Ron writes that the 20D silpoly used on the new Solomid Pro and Cricket Pro are lighter than the 20D on his other mids. I was wondering how he got the weight down that low when my original 20D silpoly Solomid (not the XL) weighs 13.4 oz before seam seal. I think the discontinued Solomid might also go lower to the ground along the sides, which would of course increase the weight a little.

Ron has a funny reply to someone who throws shade at what they call his lackluster video presentation…golden! Watch the video on YouTube and you can see all the replies.

[Monte Masterson]

https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/solomid-pro-cricket-pro/

It’s up. Solomid Pro measures 51″ X 108″ and 50″ tall. In DCF .5 weighs 6.5 oz (435 USD) and 10.4 oz in silpoly (265 USD). I see the Cricket Pro is also available in DCF and it weighs 5.3 oz at $365, silpoy Cricket Pro weighs 9.1 oz and 185 USD.

[dirtbag]

So its definitely longer and slightly wider then my Gatewood Cape and Serenity net tent..  I think the height is basically the same though.. looking at dimensions of the net tents also.

[Monte Masterson]

I don’t see any specific Solomid Pro innernet on MLD site yet, only what they’ve had for the Solomid XL, and that inner would fit with the Solomid Pro if you use 2 poles.

The Pro is 3″ wider than the old Solomid and the same length, although it’s 2″ shorter length than the Solomid XL and 3″ narrower. The height is maybe an inch or 2 higher the original Solomid, however the asymmetrical shape has advantages over the symmetrical original. Nevertheless, when I set up the original I bet it’s more bomber in a storm.

[dirtbag]

[dirtbag]

Its not listed with the other nets.. and its not listed for sale separately.. yet?

[dirtbag]

Yeah I think your original is more bomber since it probably can be staked right down to ground.. the door entrance..  I dont know if the Pro version can be? Pretty sure the XL can ..

[Monte Masterson]

The original is probably a little stronger in ferocious winds because the apex is right in the middle of the tent and hence a little more stable (from a physics perspective). It’s hard to deal with but I accept the center pole because of the small 48″ X 108″ footprint and the fact that the 50″ height (3″ off ground along perimeter) isn’t too high like the Solomid XL and therefore doesn’t require a jack. The XL is too big for my tastes, however Ron discontinued the Solomid due to lack of demand. People wanted something larger. The Solomid Pro looks to be a good compromise between the original Solomid and the Solomid XL, and with the better asymmetrical shape than the Solomid.

Thanks for the Solomid Pro inner dimensions dirtbag. The length is short but Ron makes up for it with the 7″ bathtub height, which is needed with a mid that pitches that high off the ground. The higher bathtub height on the ends will increase headspace. Doesn’t say how tall the inners are and I hope they’re more than the traditional 45″.

 

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