Ok, just before I push the button and wait 3 months for a Cuban MLD Solomid, thought I would check the collective (Stu) for advice/opinions

Brief is for a light floorless single skin, single person shelter that can be used for biving or on a campsite. Solomid seems to forfill all that but downside is needs 2 poles, although apparently you can get away with one if you offset it.

Did briefly look at Locus Gear Khufu, but cuban version stitched and not seam sealed and if I got collared for duty it be an extra £150

Anybody got any other thoughts?

Any reason for Cuban Malc?

Its more transparent, more difficult to pitch and twice the price

I have a Trailstar for more rugged use, just want something really light weight for 1 nighters. Agree Silnylon would be cheaper, but in my experience with the Trailstar it seems to go baggy when wet and also suffers badly from condensation (is that right, or is it when you touch it when wet water comes through? Either way you can get wet). Never had either of these problems with the Lair but your right it could be tricky to pitch.

Plus it appeals to my geeky nature

Cuban not set in stone though.

I'm no expert but my thoughts go like this -

But thoughts about your specfic questions are:

While Cuben is light it packs about 30% - 50% bigger than Sil' so I'd firstly decide whether weight or packsize is the real concern, for me it's packsize. Secondly, as Chew says, Cuben is pretty much see through so I'd question whether that's a good thing on a public campsite You're right about Sil' stretching when it gets wet but it's the ability stretch / give that lets you get a tight pitch in the first place, if your shelter has adjusters on the edge then it should be possible to tighten the thing from inside. I tend to think of the stretch as a benefit rather than a drawback

suffers badly from condensation (is that right, or is it when you touch it when wet water comes through? Either way you can get wet). Never had either of these problems with the Lair but your right it could be tricky to pitch.

Red Herring I'm afraid ... neither are breathable but your Lair had a peak vent and your Trailstar doesn't. The vent will be the reason why the Lair doesn't suffer rather than the material.

The Solomid looks really good (I like 'mids) and the quality will be top notch but if I were spending my own money I'd go Sil' ... on paper it just makes more sense to me.

Sil': 440g £110 + packs smaller
Cuben: 298g £200

I'd also be taking a look at the SMD Gatewood Cape 312g £118 and the SMD Wild Oasis (bug proof) 369g £153 ... both available in the EU so no charges to pay.

However ... there's no getting away from the Cuben geek factor

See I knew you would be along to set me right Stu You might just have talked me back into a silnylon shelter,

My silnylon choice was Khufu. Seems to solve limitations of Solomid (designed for 1 pole, slightly wider, better vent and both doors can be tied back) but at a price and import duty could be nasty.

Hadn't thought of SMD, quite like the look of that wild oasis.

Who is it that stocks SMD in europe? :)

Who is it that stocks SMD in europe? :)

http://www.arklight-design.com/

Cheers, or perhaps, merci!

To this casual observer, what was wrong with the Lair?

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Ian wrote:To this casual observer, what was wrong with the Lair?

I am getting too old to crawl in and out the small door. Need something with a bigger zipped entry. I note the new version now has a full length zip. I also wanted something with a bit more enclosed for the occasional campsite

Just ordered the Solomid.........in silnylon. Stu' s argument about pack size and a mate telling me I was quibbling over weight of a couple of Mars Bars swung it.

There will proberbly be a post in 3months asking how to seam seal a tarp tent