My first ultralight shelter was a TT rainbow, which I loved. I like to have plenty of bug-free space in my tent if needed, and the Rainbow has is in spades. I also like the vestibule, and the "porch mode" it can be set up in, as well as the extra tie-outs for bad weather.

The one thing I'm not as big on is the single-wall aspect (first time I've had it). I did get the liner, but it leaves the back wall exposed still. I'd like to be able to watch the stars in my bag if the weather is nice and bugs are out, which I can't do with the rainbow. Point is, I've been looking into a UL double-wall tent with ample space and I've set my eyes on the new TarpTent Stratospire 1, but I recently noticed the MLD DuoMid & InnerNet, which seems like it might be useful as well. I think it would only be a few ounces lighter (~33 vs 29 oz). Here's how they seem to compare to me:

SS1:
+vestibules
+no pole in living space
+near-vertical sidewalls for more headroom?
+much cheaper overall
-less storm/snow worthy?
-more stakes
-less indoor space (but still good)
-a bit heavier
-New design, maybe less refined?

DuoMid w/ Inner:
+slightly lighter
+more floor space
+better capabilities with storms/wind/snow
+A few less stakes to carry
-no vestibules?
-trekking pole in living space? (I read you could use 2 poles to avoid this. How easy is it to join them?)
-more expensive (~$100)


Questions:
*How much space do they take up at a campsite?
*One nice surprise about TT was that the color of the tents (now I know why they're all the same) makes for very natural light inside the tent. With the DuoMid's bright yellow I'd worry that it would be like my old Eureka tent inside, discolored. Though the color would be good for emergencies too. [EDIT: I didn't see that the Mid comes in multiple colors]


Anything I forgot? Any other suggestions I may not have thought of? Let me know how these shelters have worked out for you, and if there's any idiosyncrasies to each that might be helpful to know.

Looking forward to an interesting discussion :) Thanks in advance!

Edited by backuspaul on 04/25/2012 20:26:32 MDT.

I haven't used a TT stratospire, but I did switch to a Notch from the Duomid. I missed vestibule space in the duomid and really hated the trekking pole in the middle of the tent- sort of killed the amount of useable space, even when it was angled over a few inches. I tried lashing the poles together in the inverted V configuration, but that required a polejack for each pole, and I found the process unnecessarily fiddly.

I recently picked up a notch and I really love it (the smaller version of the stratospires). Poles are outside of your living space, generously sized vestibules, and Henry even added on extra tie-out points since I was concerned with wind performance. I also like that the Notch is modular like the duomid - the innernet clips in and can be removed.

I heard Henry could add tie-out points if requested. Never hurts to have the option of extra structure when you really need it.

I didn't realize you'd need pole jacks to do the inverted-V with poles. That'd probably reduce/remove any weight savings from the DuoMid.

I looked at the notch, but wanted more space to move around easily, and hang out with trailmates if the weather turns to crap. Are the vestibules big enough to fully cover a pack? I have a mid-sized pack (osprey exos 58).

Remember that Henry's tent weights include all guylines and required pegs for set up.

The vestibules on the notch have plenty of space for a pack. For comparison, my biggest pack is a Granite Gear Crown and it fits with room to spare.

I think the stratospire would probably be the better bet if you're looking for more space. If you need a quick shelter to get out of the rain, you can just set up the fly without the inner net and fit 2 people (3 would probably get crowded) to wait out the storm.

Edited by aaronufl on 04/24/2012 22:24:00 MDT.

The Stratospire is a new design so I doubt there is much wind and snow experience.
Do people think the Duomid is better? I suspect the steeper angles of the duomid may give it the edge with snow and the Stratospire might turn out to be better in wind.

I much prefer the space in Ss1, its too early to compare them fully.

I had wondered before how a pyramid shape would do well in wind, but since Mids were reputed to be good for storms, and I'd never even seen one, I didn't look into it too much. I can see how it would be very good for snow.

Now that I think about it, it seems like a tent's capabilities to handle wind and snow would be antithetic to each other.

I don't have a basis of comparison here with the Stratospire, but I find that my Duomid handles extremely well in the wind when firmly pitched to the ground. It has also handled all of the snow I've encountered in it -- but I haven't been able to test it in any more than six inches so far. I've been out in a lot of cold wind, though. No issues.

I've had an MLD Supermid out in extremely harsh winds, to the point where I was holding on to the center pole most of the night, praying to the wind gods to spare me my shelter. They did! The Duomid has a slightly lower profile, so I would expect it to perform even better. I really put the Supermid to the test that night, and now have no worries whatsoever about wind, rain or snow-loading for that matter. The beauty of the pyramid shelter is the (high)space to (low) weight ratio.

If you are under 6', an inner net will work for the Duomid, but they are designed to be single wall shelters that provide ample space at very low weight. You can cook inside of them, dig out the bottom if camping on snow, pitch it high in good weather, low in stormy weather, etc. For a small fee you can get remove-able perimeter netting sewed onto a pyramid shelter, offering the best of both worlds. I've read that plenty of people make an inner net work for them, but for me it wouldn't work and takes away the most beneficial aspect of a 'mid. If you are married to the idea of a 'double wall' tent, the TT might be a better option. If you want something to cover all seasons, and are open to the idea of someday using a single wall shelter, the Duomid is a great choice!

When I first saw a picture of a 'mid with the perimeter netting I was quite attracted to it, and the weight of just the mid would be extremely nice. Though, I've wanted to sleep under the stars every time I stay in my TT Rainbow, but bugs sometimes force me inside on clear nights (though I've gone nights without it when the bugs aren't out).

I feel like the SS1 might have better usable headroom with the offset poles and seemingly straighter walls.

One thing the DuoMid has going for it is 4 season use, which no one has had a chance to test with the SS1 I think. Though you should be able to pitch the fly to the ground for rough weather?

I stumbled upon the Zpacks hexamid (actually I decided to look up "the funny tent with a mesh floor" I had seen last summer). It doesn't really tick any of the boxes I was looking to tick, but the weight savings are so mad it's hard to look away!

are you using this as a one person shelter? if so, the Duomid would have LOTS of room, you could go w/ the single inner tent and have close to half the shelter to store gear, cook, etc

w/ all the tie outs used I find the Duomid very worthy in snow and wind

it does take a little larger footprint than some shelters (price you have to pay for the room); I always pitch using an inverted V- if you have two people you can lash poles together, single you can use lightweight aluminum (or even carbon fiber) pole jacks, not only does this give you more interior room, I believe it makes for a stronger pitch

I've used my SS1 a couple times now. It is too early to comment on use in snow (and I'm not likely to use it in winters), but twice now I've had it out in rain and good strong winds (w/~50mph gusts) and performance was excellent. Interior was a comfortable temp with the standard inner. In fact, I slept like a baby.

Space inside and in the vestibules is lavish for one. Headroom inside is exceptional for me (@5'10"). Staggered poles do allow for straight, vertical walls. This is not an unrefined design by any means. Quite the opposite. The words "innovative" and "unconventional" come to mind. If I was going out to the Alaska-Yukon, I would probably have choosen a tent that brings the words "safe" and "proven" to mind...

My SS1 weighs in seam-sealed at 34.3oz. with all guys and stakes.

The footprint for tent sites is largish for a 1p - if it's crowded, you're going to get dirty looks...probably of envy.

Here's a shot of a first pitch in early spring, NY state: