MLD Solomid XL .74 DCF or SMD Deschutes DCF?

Also, if you have any experience using the Deschutes DCF in snow/winter, please chime in!

My basic understanding of the different shapes is that the steeper walls of the SoloMid will shed snow better and the flatter walls of the Deschutes will shed wind better.  Additionally the Deschutes cannot be pitched all the way to the ground, the door is always at least 12 inches raised even in the lowest configuration.  The SoloMid can be pitched nearly flush to the ground.

Overall the SoloMid is a better winter shelter.  I would also look at the DuoMid as it’s nearly the same weight/cost for much more space.

I know this doesn’t help you but I’ve been curious is the Deschutes is bigger than a Hexamid solo? Is it closer in size to Hexamid Solo Plus?

If you’re finding the Hexamid Solo too cramped, I suggest looking at dual trekking pole designs. All of these single pole design aren’t that different in how they feel because they all have headroom tapering to  a single high point. Adding a second pole adds a ton of living space for what can be no weight gain or even a weight savings in some instances. A single pole mid with a single offset peak is counter-intuitively about the worse case scenario for efficient use of materials (e.g. poor volume:surface area ratio).

Have the Deschutes DCF (though haven’t used it in snow/winter) and while it is uber-light (approx 8.5 oz after having LineLoc 3’s added), I do feel a bit cramped.  I’m 6ft.  At 5′ 10″, I don’t know that you would feel much different.

I have a Deschutes tarp in silnylon and a MLD Solomid XL in their 20D silnylon (weighs just over 14oz in this fabric). In general, the Deschutes tarp has more useable interior room for gear and moving around and such; however, the Solomid XL has more room when lying down (head and feet are not as close to the walls in the Solomid XL). The Solomid XL would do better in wind. It has a great cat cut and can be pitched to the ground. It’s hard to get the Deschutes’ beak pitched low.

I have the lunar solo which I believe has the same outer dimensions as the deschutes. If that is the case there is no way I would use it in the winter / snow, the door opening will not pitch low enough and with a little wind you will have spindrift over everything inside your tent even if the wind is not directly blowing the snow in. I did this one time and will never do it again.

I have a solomid and duomid and would have not have a second thought winter camping in them in any place below tree line. Above tree line would take some thought, site planning, and skill if there will be high winds / high snow loads.

I suggest a Duomid in Sil if you are going to use it in snow.  You’ll appreciate the bigger size and snow sheds off Sil better than DCF.