Need recommendation for a 4 person pyramid

[Richard S]

I’ve had a Black Diamond Megamid for over 40 years. I’ve only used it a dozen or so times. I last used it (in September 2025) for a “meal” shelter during a canoe trip in Grand Teton National Park. The urethane coating is getting very sticky & I thought I would upgrade to a modern version (probably more canoe camping with grandkids in my future). There are two pyramids I am considering: MSR Front Range (silnylon/polyurethane) and Black Diamond Mega Light (polyester ripstop). The BD tent in polyester ripstop is relatively new (the “old” version used silnylon). The only current (<2 years) reviews of the BD tent mention it getting stretched out and, as a result, not pitching well. I would prefer a taunt pitch that doesn’t sag when wet. Does anyone have personal experience with the current (polyester ripstop) BD Mega Light tent – or an opinion of polyester ripstop versus silNylon/polyurethane. I really don’t want another “sticky” pyramid shelter (since I already have one). TIA.

 

[Richard S]

Correction: My current, 40+ year old, pyramid is blue and white & has a Chouinard label (not Black Diamond).

[Greg Pehrson]

Richard, you might find this article on recoating a Chouinard pyramid interesting; Nick (the author) is a long-time member here: https://popupbackpacker.com/resurrection-my-chouinard-pyramid-rises-from-the-dead/#google_vignette

[Richard S]

Thanks! I read the article and his tent is the same as mine. I’ll have to consider re-coating mine. I’m still interested in anybody’s perspective of the new fabrics mentioned in my original post.

[dirtbag]

I have a  black Diamond highlite 3p tent.  It is made from that blue polyester,  pretty sure its same as the megalite.  I have had my tent in some pretty legit,  serious snow and wind storms.  It never sagged or stretched at all. Not sure how the mid handles and what not..

[Erik G]

I have a MLD Supermid and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it. It pitches drum tight and is extremely sturdy, and any sag that develops as a result of temperature or moisture is easily rectified by a quick adjustment of guylines and/or center pole.  30 seconds to walk around the tent and snug lines up before hitting the sack. We’ve encountered some really nasty weather in the Sierra and the Supermid just shrugged it right off. I’ve never understood the gripe of silnylon sagging in comparison to the advantages. In fact I find the stretch to largely be an advantage as it accommodates tighter pitches over a wider range of site variables (uneven ground, imperfect stake placement, tying off to rocks/roots/etc).

I also really like the look of the SlingFin Cinder Cone – I haven’t used one but I do have their NFT made from the same fabric, and it’s pretty great. SlingFin is well known for their quality materials and construction, and the Cinder Cone has some unique ventilation and pitching features. If they had the mesh inner when I was looking (which they do now), I may well have opted for it over the Supermid. Can’t beat the tried-and-true reliability of the Supermid though.

[David Hartley]

I purchased the SlingFin Cinder Cone, along with the inner, and the bathtub floor this past summer after our long-time Big Agnes Yahmanite 5 (aka Go-Lite Shangri-La 5) started to fail. Unfortunately I have not had a chance to use it yet so I have no comment yet on how it does in rain and wind. However, after a few set ups in the yard – it looks to be very well made. According to their website, one thing SlingFin does in the Cinder Cone is sew polyester webbing into the vertical corner seams to eliminate bias stretch.

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