Tarp review from UK

[alliecat]

I just came across this review (pdf) of the MLD Trailstar shelter. The review is by Colin Ibbotson, who is probably one of the lightest of the LW walkers in the UK. It's an interesting review for us here in Tas because the conditions that Colin deals with are very similar to what we face here in Tas - wet, windy, and cold. This makes Colin's take on tarps much more relevant to Tas than most of the stuff you read from US.

Just to tantalise you, here's Colin's summary:
"This is the lightest, largest, most storm-proof sub 1kg shelter I have ever used or seen, and quite possibly on the planet. Stability is so good that I cannot think of any other shelter even at up to three times its weight that could match it. At a cost of only £112 including p&p this is just an absolute bargain for the UK environment."

Cheers,
Alliecat

[Maelgwn]

Agree it looks pretty bomber.

BUT I can't imagine living without a sewn in floor in Tassie ?

[under10kg]

Looks great for a tarp. I notice the total pack weight 756 gms with pegs and groundsheet.
I think I will stick with my moment tarp tent at around 800gms.
Total Bug proofed, better venting and you can sit up inside but less room for 2.

[Franco]

I like those catenarry curves very much, nice design.
Snow Peak has had that for many years now (without the "vestibule")
http://www.snowpeak.com/back/tarps/penta.html
but it is hardly ever mentioned.
As pointed out above, here we tend to need insect protection so a net becomes more of a necessity than a luxury.
Some will tolerate the fly and a bivy only but I would expect that most prefer to have a larger enclosed environment.

Still it shows that certain lightweight shelters are more weather worthy than most think.

Franco

[Nuts]

I have a few different tepee designs that are similar (Sierra Designs, Golite, Bear and now a hilleberg 'yurt' that can be used as an enclosed tepee). I likem! They cant really be placed in the same category as a light one person tent or a 'heavy' two person. There is little else that gives such a huge area for so little weight. Guess you need to 'deal' with the bugs but i'd imagine a bivy tarp combo would be lighter still (two or more) than any tent... Im not sure with this one whether the vestibule is so necessary? Wouldnt really add to the capacity (though provides a nice entry, I would prefer a zip if the wind direction changed).

Ive heard concerns about wind resistance and snow loading with 'tepee' style shelters but these things are incredibly strong. We had one survive a roaring night and then a snowdump that bent the tip of a walking pole (all that was holding it up) to 45 degrees. The shelter got smaller to a point then the snow started to build up the sides. It needed the door open for condensation and airflow but become nice n warm thru the night...