MLD Solomid Pro DCF – 7.2 oz

[dirtbag]

Yeah.. hope more then the 45, agree.  thats one thing im waiting on..

 

[Monte Masterson]

The Pro nets are now available under “Add Options”. A DCF Solomid Pro with a DCF Pro inner weighs 13 oz without stakes and lines….has to be the lightest 2 skin tent of them all!

[dirtbag]

Looks so nice, lol.

[dirtbag]

Hard for me to justify. I swore off DCF tarps and tents a while ago now.  Im down 100% with Silpoly.  The negligible weight savings and extra pack space make my decision that much easier… for me. Thats my personal preference..  Its tempting to grab this and try it out.. but Im not so sure its that much of a difference, size wise and weight wise of what I already have… ughhhh.

I might grab one and see what i think.. and who knows? Can always drop it on gear swap and give someone a sweet deal, lol.

[Monte Masterson]

Correction: DCF Solomid Pro and DCF Pro inner together weigh 14 oz not 13 oz. It’ still the lightest double wall tent out there.

If I had plenty of money and didn’t care about being stealthy, the .5 DCF Solomid Pro would be my choice; that’s knowing full well the lifespan would be maybe half of the Silpoly. The OD green silpoly color is absolutely perfect by the way.

I’m just going to keep using my old school Solomid and MYOG half pyramid inner. It would be nice to shed 3 oz weight with the silpoly Solomid Pro and have an asymmetrical design that allows far more space behind the 1 pole, but mine’s already paid for, and I can sometimes get caught out in some powerful thunderstorms here in the Central States, so having a beefier silpoly on a mid that pitches lower to the ground is safer. I’ve been in some scares with the Solomid and when all of its guyouts are properly deployed I’ll argue it’s the most wind worthy 1 person trekking pole tent of them all. Certainly doesn’t have near the livable space of a 2 pole X-Mid or Dipole however. Again, footprint is only 48″ wide. If I didn’t already have the Solomid I would order a silpoly Solomid Pro with DCF Pro inner.

Of course the Solomid and Cricket Pros are getting a buzz on Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/1s8ptbq/mld_solomid_pro_and_cricket_pro_released_today/

 

[Charlie Brenneman]

If my math is right, there is about ~17-15″ of head and foot height at the ends of 72-76″ pads and ~24-17″ side height for 20-25″ pads, and about 12″ vestibule space. That’s assuming it’s pitched to the ground so a little bit more room when pitched higher. Not bad but in winds I have found that the sloping walls collapse more than I’d like. Admittedly, I did have an older symmetrical Mid that was about 102×62 so it was smaller dimensions for both the length and sleep side.

The Dipole when pitched tight doesn’t move at all and none of the walls even come close to touching you. If comparing just the tarp weights, assuming guylines and seam seal added to the Solomid Pro, it’s about 12oz vs 19oz. That’s a big jump, and if weight was top priority I’d go with the Solomid Pro for tarp only adventures. However, for now I’m willing to pay the penalty of the Dipole for more livability, better wind protection, and easier ventilation for basically an identical footprint 94×60 (5640) vs 108×51 (5508). Perhaps, I’ll wait for the discounted sale from Dirtbag, ha!

[dirtbag]

Haaaaa!  Well as per email exchange with MLD,  the innernet is approximately 45 inches tall,  room enough to sleep in.

Its small but he does specify on the listing.  It might not be for you!!  Its good for SUL and fast packing,  a place to spend little time and sleep with good protection in 3 / 3+ season, mostly below tree line.

The video shows him laying and sitting up in it, with what appears to be PlENTY of room, especially for a 5’10 person like “yours truly”,  given it is pitched about 5 or 6 inches off the ground, guess its about 50 inches.   I wonder what it would be like to drop it lower to the ground say at the 46 or 47 inch height, especially if NOT using an inflatable pad?

[Terran]

It looks like the DCF and the bug skirt are being offered on all of the MLD mids. The main difference I see in the pro is that it’s slightly smaller than the XL with perhaps a higher floor. I like the bug skirt. It should hold back a little drift as well as bugs. I think the simplicity of a mid should work well for DCF. Not far from the price of an HMG mid. Having the absolute lightest might be good for bragging rights but he’s correct.  It’s probably not for me

 

[Terran]

The pro inner net has 7″ high sides on the floor and is approximately 44″ high.

The Inner net on the XL has 4-5″ sides on the floor and is approximately 48″ high.

[Adam]

Innernet dimensions are 2 inches shorter, and 4 inches wider than the SMD Serenity Net. Bathtubbing is arguably better on the MLD with 7 inches all round.

I think those dimensions will definitely be more useful for me at 178cm tall. I’m far more likely to brush the sides rather than the ends of the net in my Serenity (which only happens briefly while in the process of sitting up).

I also find the short bathtub sides, while never having presented an issue so far, slightly disconcerting and I have to be conscious of them to make sure I don’t flatten them with an object inside the net tent (sometimes). So the MLD is better here.

If the height is 45inches then that is a match. The weight is a match.

[Monte Masterson]

The way I see it, the silpoly Solomid Pro/DCF Pro innernet combination is best for a few good reasons: 1) DCF pro inner knocks off 3.5 oz for an extra 80 dollars whereas a DCF fly reduces the weight by 3.9 oz for an extra 170 dollars, that’s 22.85 USD per oz vs 43.56 USD per oz. 2) Silpoly fly will have a longer lifespan. 3) Silpoly Solmid Pro is far stealthier than shiny DCF. I know a lot of people couldn’t care less about color, but for others it’s huge.

That combo weighs 17.9 oz without stakes, lines or stuff sacks for 500 USD. It’s the perfect Goldilocks size between the too small Solomid and the towering skyscraper Solomid XL (that needs a jack).  Please dear God stop me from buying this tent!

[dirtbag]

Im so close…

@Adam.. I think for your size.. its a Gooooooo!!!

Being 5’10 ,  I think this could work for me. And I agree 100% with you Monte. The stealthy color of Silpoly is game changer.. and the DcF innernet is brilliant.  17.9 ounces..  AND,  I just happen to love single pole mid style shelters..  AND the modularity of the system leaves one with many options.. while taking minimal pack space at the same time.

[dirtbag]

I hope this is it!! Might be perfect size/ combo for me..  I went with a few slight custom modifications..   4 – 5 weeks out..

[Terran]

I was going to come here to say Ron will do custom. Prices aren’t bad. I’m looking at a larger mid with two doors. What customizations are you having done?

[dirtbag]

Door toggles on Both doors so option to open them both.  Loop at top of vent so I can tie off guy line from there.  So same as on other style mids. Also,  remove the bug net from the vent,  that’s definitely not needed.

And on the innernet.. an 18 inch zipper length wise along the back side opposite the door side.. between the bathtub floor and bug net.

so the Mods on the actual MID may offset weight.. the 18 inch zipper on the bug net will obviously add something on.. but Im ok with that.

[bjc]

I hadn’t planned on any new major gear purchases this year but this new shelter is testing my resolve. I like the silpoly for all kinds of reasons but having moved to Vermont the dcf might handle the rain better? That’s my only reason for maybe the dcf version.

[dirtbag]

I think the silpoly will be just perfect, even in Vermont.  You can always do the dcf floor on the innernet if u wanna go that route.

[Terran]

Thanks Dirt.

Ron has been very fast to respond. His website undersells his tents. I sometimes search for details. Then I take a leap of faith knowing he’s honest and puts out a good product. So far I haven’t made any big purchases from MLD.

I’m looking at a Supermid without a liner. Using my bivy. First to save money. Also for versatility. I could set it out over objects. I have a big dog that I take on short trips. I need a little more room. If I do it, I’m going to have him add a second entrance with another top vent. It sounds like he’s done it before.

 

So same as on other style mids.

So really something I don’t need to address with the larger mid? There’s toggles for both doors? I can tie off at the vent?

As far as mesh. I’ve heard the top vent  can be more of an exit than an entrance for our flying friends. IDK. Weight savings would be minimal. Mostly redundant with an inner net. I may send Ron another email. He doesn’t seem to mind answering, but it keeps him from more important matters.

 

[dirtbag]

Well I had a solomid XL and sold it. I still have Duomid XL.  They both have toggles on both sides for both doors to open and top peak loop for a guyline.  Pretty sure thats all standard except for the new pro model.. as per my email with Ron.  The bug net mesh in the vent is kinda silly if u ask me.. exactly.. without it I think its a good exit not so much entrance for frequent fliers.  Also,  I plan to use the inner net tent or my bivy.. or if its cooler enough out, nothing at all and no bugs around. So I asked to not have it on there.  And yeah,  I have never had any problems with MLD products or customer service at all, EVER!

[Terran]

Two way zipper?

[dirtbag]

Huh? Me?

[Terran]

Anybody actually. Can the door be unzipped from the top for ventilation?

[dirtbag]

Ahh good one. I dont think so. Not on any of mine that I already had/have.  I think if its pitched a few inches off ground,  that is usually enough ventilation needed.  But I think those bigger mids do get pitched right down low on the ground..

[Terran]

He doesn’t mention a two way zipper. I don’t see it mentioned in any reviews. It seems it’s just a matter of adding a second slider. I’ll see what he says. It would be nice. Get a nice cross breeze.

[Monte Masterson]

I think Ron has finally developed the right size and design 1P pyramid. It won’t be large enough for those who want the livable space of a Dipole, X-Mid or Duplex, and I get it, but their footprint widths are also 60″, 65″ and 93″ (with vestibules) respectively. The Solomid Pro on the other hand is only 51″ wide.

It goes without saying that a 2 trekking pole tent provides considerably more usable space than a single apex mid (of similar size), but the 1 pole has big advantages such as easier set up, less weight and the fact that the pyramid is still the most wind worthy trekking pole tent design of them all. Ryan explained awhile back (in another thread) how for every foot gained in height, the forces of wind go up exponentially. Then you can see why nothing can match the pyramid’s shape when it comes to being storm worthy….less surface area with ascent. It also has an optimal slope and panel angles. You just have to accept the compromise, which is that it’s not going to be as roomy as your X-Mid, however if you’re more of a hiker instead of a camper and a small footprint is paramount, I don’t see how you could beat the Solomid Pro. The asymmetrical shape and extra 3″ width over the Solomid makes it far more livable and provides much more room for an inner behind 1 trekking pole.

I was wrong when I said on page 1 that the Pyroamm 1 or Solomid XL inner would work with the Solomid Pro. They will fit but the 4.5″ bathtub floor isn’t high enough compared to the 7″ Solomid Pro inner. I forgot that the Pro is designed to pitch higher off the ground. The extra 2.5″ bathtub height could be the difference between getting wet and staying dry in blowing sideways rains.

[Author]

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