I've been doing a bit of research lately about a shelter purchase for some upcoming backpacking trips. I've previously never compared ultralight options, as I'm just now re-evaluating a lot of my gear and making changes. Of what I've seen so far, my interest has fallen primarily to a set up of:

GG SpinnTwinn Tarp + Alpinlite Bug Shelter 1.0
---vs.---
ZPacks Hexamid Solo Tarp + Hexanet Solo Bug Shelter

If my math is right, the GG setup comes in at ~19oz and the Zpacks quotes theirs at 10.9oz. The ZPacks is undoubtedly lighter, but also $135 more costly than the alternative. I've read some great reviews on both. Any recommendations for someone just starting out (even if it's a setup other than these 2)? The shape is quite different between these, does one have an advantage over the other in terms of resistance to heavy winds/rains? The SpinnTwinn seems so open - I feel like I'd be fairly exposed to rain etc. I have zero experience setting up a tarp and choosing a correct pitch, and I've read many times that greater skill/experience with setup is the key to preventing most bad weather issues. I'd say for the most-part I'm a 3-season hiker, and Yosemite/Zion are the next two trips I have coming up pretty soon.

" The SpinnTwinn seems so open - I feel like I'd be fairly exposed to rain etc. I have zero experience setting up a tarp and choosing a correct pitch, and I've read many times that greater skill/experience with setup is the key to preventing most bad weather issues. "

Honestly, Ryan, you'll pick up the skills and judgement to properly pitch your tarp in no time. Its a lot easier than you think. The SpinnTwinn is pretty big so you can pitch it high and have the views and the breeze or pitch it low and weather the storms. I've stayed dry in some nasty weather in my SpinnTwinn. I can't comment on the hexamid as I've only seen one in person once in passing. I think you can't go wrong with either choice, but I'll let someone else chime in. Also this is BPL so I know you'll get lots of other suggestions. Another thing they may or may not need to be considered is with a lot of options there will be a few week wait for your order to be shipped to your house.

Since you opened up the floor for other options I'll just point out that for 19oz you could get an IMMENSE pyramid tent- check MLD's website. A 2P Duomid is 16oz; a Speedmid is 18oz; and the really-big Supermid is 24oz. Inner bugnets/floors are available for all of them (with extra weight) if you're going into commando-mosquito territory. They are easy to set up- like, novice easy. I've decided that I'm a pyramid guy and I'll shortly be selling all of my other tents. If you want a jack-of-all-trades tent they are hard to beat. They are roomy, have high headroom, and if staked and guyed out correctly can handle wind and snow incredibly well. Antarctic explorers have used pyramids.

You are going to pay for lightness, either with price and/or size. I use a Tarptent Sublite 19 oz complete when bugs are out or chance of rain low or MLD Solomid 16 oz complete with ground cloth and stakes when bugs are not a problem but weather may be. I did not care for the Hexamid solo during a full moon and windy night at Big Bend Texas, I switched to the Sublite after the first night. I had to try a few shelters, many packs and several shoes before I found the items that worked for me. A Sublite Sil may have been the tent for me if I could only have one. IMHO tarps + bivys or bug inners add up to single wall tents very quickly but can be more versatile. I like a very quick easy setup also.

I've owned both at one time or another. I still own the Hex, both in the tarp version and the tent version (with beak). It's disadvantage is that it sets up in only one way, but it sets up in that way in no time at all.

Consider getting the Hexamid in the "tent" version, which has the bug netting included as the side wall and floor of the shelter. (Get it with the beak.) Adding an internal bug net makes setup far too complicated, especially in times of bad weather.

I have to disagree with the previous poster about the performance of the Hex in high winds. It's aerodynamic design and 8/9 stakeout points make it extraordinarily effective in the wind -- especially if you set it up with the back of the tent into the wind.

It's more expensive, certainly, but it's incredibly light and well constructed to your specifications by hand by Joe(and his wife?) at zPacks. It's also easy to repair on the fly mailing tape or duct tape sticks to Cuben very well. Also, the bug netting makes a remarkably and surprisingly resilient floor. Any holes in the bug net are easily repaired with a couple of stitches. (I had to do that once because of the ember from a nearby fire. Should have set up farther away.)

During non-bug seasons, I use the Hex tarp. The nice thing about the one-setup design is that it goes up in a minute or two -- and with only one trekking pole. If it's getting dark, you'll appreciate the ease with which it goes up.

You'll have to wait for anything you get from zPacks, but it's certainly worth the wait. Joe at zPacks really seems to treat every order as if it were the only order he has, each in its turn. The guy really cares about his customers.

Good luck. Have fun.

Stargazer

Check out the Skyscape Series at Sixmoondesigns, There Sil Nylon version is 24oz at $225, or $450 for 16oz Cuben v.

http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/tents.html

I have a Lunar Duo from SMD and they make quality stuff


Gossamer Gear "The One" I would recommend it but it is currently out of stock.

http://gossamergear.com/shelters/shelters.html

Thanks for the input, this is helpful stuff. I've looked before at the Sublite and some of the MLD options, they look pretty good too. I guess one of the biggest factors is how quickly I'll be able to order and have the item shipped, since I'm getting close now to an early August trip I'd like to have this for. I've noticed several sites are back-ordered.

As a follow-up, maybe something I should have asked outright, how much do I really need to be prepared for full bug protection right away? I'll be in Yosemite in August, then Zion in September and Big Sur/Redwoods in November. I plan to do a lot of trips within this next year in the Pacific Southwest (likely Sierras and the desert for the mostpart). I thinking if I could get way with just a tent/tarp for now, and worry about adding bug solution down the road I could potentially save some $$$

I love the spintwinn as a standalone shelter--sleek, lots of coverage and light. I use a bivy inside.

I wouldn't bother with full bug protection unless the bugs were going to be very heavy.

"I'll be in Yosemite in August, then Zion in September and Big Sur/Redwoods in November. I plan to do a lot of trips within this next year in the Pacific Southwest (likely Sierras and the desert for the mostpart). I thinking if I could get way with just a tent/tarp for now, and worry about adding bug solution down the road I could potentially save some $$$"



For neither of the first three would I consider it a priority to bring a net tent. You have to work pretty hard to find biting bugs in the desert, period. (If you have spidenoia, that's another matter.) The Sierras can be bad in early summer, but otherwise for me no netting is needed.

If you like the Hexamid but don't want to wait, check out the Cub Den from Bear Paw Wilderness Designs. Very similar design, much cheaper and will ship out much quicker. I don't own one, but am considering getting one