Wouldn't a bug bivy work?

Bug bivys are probably the easiest option, but I'd like a bit more bug-free space. I'm also trying to make it work for 2 people. I've got a SMD serenity shelter that would most likely work for solo use, but if the girlfriend wants to come along....

T-Funk: I don't see the need for a floor with the Trailstar. Well exceptions would be places with ABSURD ant problems like Southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, etc...but thats a different story. Just let the mesh drape to the ground, and if there is an issue with bugs being able to sneak in an air gap, just weight the loose mesh down with shoes and spare gear.

"Just let the mesh drape to the ground, and if there is an issue with bugs being able to sneak in an air gap, just weight the loose mesh down with shoes and spare gear."

The Trail Star is pretty big - you would need a lot of gear to do that!

+1 SMD Serenity Bug Net- 7oz, groundsheet and bugnet, variable pitching in a tipi tarp.
I use mine in my ShangriLa 3, which I bought before the Trailstar came out, but I'm sure it would work just as good. When my wife comes along, I sleep in my bivy and she gets the Serenity (and the DAM!!).
I hope this helps.
cheers,
fred

Edited by fredfoto on 06/08/2010 14:59:38 MDT.

Anyone tried the Simblissity Inner Peace bug net with a Trailstar? http://simblissity.net/images/inner%20peace/ip-occupant-up.jpg

Looks like a much cheaper option than a SMD one, but not as much living space either!

Funny that John says you can use the SMD bugnetting when others say you can't use the MLD, but the MLD looks nearly identical....

Edited by vaporjourney on 07/25/2010 20:40:29 MDT.

Another interesting review http://www.stevenhorner.com/?p=1003. Comments specifically on performance Vs Atko and Duomid.

I haven't had much chance to use my Duomid yet, but may consider changing to a TS, as strong wind performance is a biggie for me.

That's a really nice review!

One of the things that I've noticed is the relatively large discrepancy in weight for the Trailstar between MLD's website and every other measurement. MLD claims 15 oz, but the shelter usually comes to around 18-20 ounces with guylines, stuff sack, and seam sealing. Stakes will add another 3-5 ounces.

In order to get it down to 15 ounces, you couldn't seam seal it, have no guylines, no stuff sack, and cut off the linelocs!

Granted, seam sealing and guylines are variables so it's hard to list a weight for those, but I still think 15 ounces is a little too low.

The weight breakdown of mine:
Seamsealed shelter in silnylon stuffsack: 18 ounces
Guylines: 0.75 ounces
Stakes: 4 ounces

All in all, its still a low weight considering the protected space you get, versatility, and bombproofness.

Jason, did you see the thread describing how you can set up the Trailstar as a Mid? You don't get a nice zippered entry and have to squeeze in and out of the side, but it works perfectly well. You end up with a 7x7 Mid, whereas the real Duomid is about 9x5.

Edited by T.L. on 10/01/2010 16:45:25 MDT.

Travis - yes I did see the set up thread thanks. That sized mid would be fine for me as I am hiking solo.

My sealed Duomid with guylines weighs in at 20 oz with pegs as extra. It was about 18.5 oz before guylines and sealing, so again a bit heavier than expected.

I ordered a duomid but am pretty certain I want to change that to a trailstar. I thought it was too big, but finding more pictures and reviews online, I don't think it is. I hike and camp near a lot of sierra alpine lakes, space occasionally is cramped between the rocks, but a tarp can go between the rocks. I wanted this as a winter tent, but do far more three-season hiking and they both look pretty good for winter time use.

So ... any reason not to cancel and change my order? Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Can't go wrong with either, Brian.

That said, there is a simple elegance to the Trailstar that I like.

I, too, thought the TS was too big but it really isn't in all but the tightest woods or alpine environments. There will be spots where the Duo would fit better, but I believe you'll be fine with the TS.

I have the TS in yellow but would go with grey if I were to do it again. The yellow is awesome in the morning but the bugs are absolutely drawn to the color and you'll be sharing your space with a lot of them. I go with a Borah net bivy if hiking alone and use the Oookworks TS bug inner if hiking with a partner. Not cheap and not particularly light, but utilizes all of the space of the TS. http://oookworks.com/2OookStar.html

Edited by smeier on 10/05/2012 12:52:24 MDT.

I would stay with the DuoMid order. More usable space and head room. If you were above treeline camping then maybe the TS would be the better choice, but for everything else, I would choose the Duomid.

As much as I hate to agree with a socialist, I'd also stick with the Duomid. I've had both (still own a Trailstar), and I think the Duomid is the better overall choice.

I appreciate the replies. Unfortunately, there's no consensus. I will consider the bugs fondness for yellow. I had not thought of that and, especially with the Trailstar's lack of doors, it could be a big deal. Probably just need to buy both at somepoint. Ron at MLD assured me I have time to think about it, so I'll do just that. That ookworks inner does look nice. It'd be a prerequisite to getting my wife to fall asleep under a doorless, floorless tarp.

I'm opting for the Trailstar myself. I love the versatility of it, and, honestly, I want the fun (and challenge) of seeing what it can do. If it doesn't work out I'll go back to a tent...like the Duomid.

I have owned both. Only have Tstar currently. I would probably go for the Duo unless high wind performance is the most important thing for you.

One thing to note is that if you are using a Duomid for two people, with an inner net, it takes up most of the shelter and you end up with a very small vestibule. The Duomid is pretty tight for two people IMHO and when you open the door in the rain one of you is going to get a bit wet.

"As much as I hate to agree with a socialist"

LOL!

Jason, can I ask why you only have a Tstar now but recommend a duo? Wind on the coast here is sometimes a concern. That said, I think the duo or tstar will handle what we get. it will be a solo tent for the most part. How high is a standard pitch ceiling in the Tstar?

Hi Brian. New Zealand can be very windy and my local area spectacularly so. My experience with the Duomid in high winds was that the centre pole really flexed a lot and the sides deflected in. The pole issue can be fixed by binding two trekking poles together or using a proper tent pole. Then if you get it well pegged down it isn't going anywhere.

However, I figured for the same weight as a Duomid I could get better high wind performance for camping above the bush line. I am planning on using a Hexamid for summer camping and camping in the bush. If you don't need absolute maximum wind performance I think the Duomid is a nicer day to day shelter.

One final note though I have just received a picture on my Twitter feed of a Doumid's zip clasp failing in strong winds.

https://twitter.com/Tramplite/status/254145602437398528/photo/1

Edited by jephoto on 10/05/2012 15:10:07 MDT.