Mountain Laurel Designs - DUOMID ™ | 5.7X9.2

I absolutely love my Cirriform for 3 season use. While it can handle some winter it wouldn't be my first choice as a dedicated winter shelter. The number of stakes it takes and the complex geometry makes setup more complicated than other shelters in winter. I know you said you're not concerned about snow loading, but due to it's shallow walls that make it great in wind it's only ok at snow loading. Personally at 5'10" I can sit up in my Cirriform unless I've really slammed it to the ground in storm mode, but it's certainly not roomy. Granted in winter if you're willing to take the time you can always dig down and make the living space much larger. I have the older version with a larger vestibule so I can easily cook in it. I'm not sure how easy that would be in the current design. [Cirriform in the snow.](https://www.imgur.com/a/q82lfZe) Personally I use a MLD Duomid for winter, but I don't think that's going to be cheap to get to Canada and I'm far more worried about snow loading where I'm at.

To be honest my main reason for going with the Duomid over an X-mid is that it's a time tested design that has served people well in extreme conditions. I will say I do enjoy digging out the base of the Duomid which I can do since I just lash my two trekking poles together to get the height needed. A traditional mid will also do better in high winds which doesn't seem like you're too concerned about. [Here's some Duomid pictures if you're interested.](https://www.imgur.com/a/cUwDSYj)

I don't have enough experience to recommend this to OP since I'm only out for a few days at a time and not in the same part of the world, but I do use the Duomid in winter. How difficult it is to stake out depends on the type of snow you're dealing with. In loose sugar like snow it can be a bit of a pain. Large anchors and stomping out a platform and letting it set up helps. Where I'm at in the Sierra the snow is generally wet enough that it's extremely easy. Using a snow basket on the pole is enough to keep it from sinking in my experience, but again that will depend on the snow consistency. [MLD Duomid Pictures](https://www.imgur.com/a/kJnfuKZ)

Thanks, I'm pretty happy with it. It prevents any sliding around, can be used during the day to sit on, and acts as my backup pad as well once folded over.

The Duplex is too heavy? It’s much lighter than any other tent you or anyone else has mentioned in the thread. Anyhow, for your use case, I would recommend a pyramid-style shelter - MLD being the best. Pegging the shelter is essential, free-standing or not. If you learn the big-rock/little rock method you will be able to pitch any shelter anywhere.

We have, and like, 2 1P tents: * TarpTent Moment DW, non-freestanding, single hoop/tunnel design, quite stormworthy (with "solid interior"), very fast pitch, 2 doors + 2 small vestibules. As I type this, my wife is currently using it on a solo backpacking trip. Optional 2nd (arch) pole for snow loads. Take paracord loops for anchors when camping on slabs. * MLD DuoMid (silpoly), floorless 'mid shelter. As with all 'mid shelters, stormworthiness depends on the pitch. I endorse having both a stormworthy 2-wall tent and a floorless single-wall 'mid for mountain trips. Several of my mountaineering buds use Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 for their 1-person tent, and a few others have tiny single-wall freestanding ledge tents, e.g., Black Diamond Firstlight, which are too cramped for me. Another bud has TarpTent Notch 1 (trekking pole tent) which is similar to Moment DW, a bit light but not quite as stormworthy and considerably longer pitch time. IMO, the extra weight of the Moment DW is worth the extra protection for high mountains.

I've done a fair bit of touring using a 'mid shelter, first an OG MegaMid, then a MegaLight. (I've also used MLD 'mid shelters for backpacking and climbing.) A 'mid shelter is the most weight/space efficient ski touring shelter (other than a snow cave), but it has limitations in very stormy conditions It is thus a viable choice if you limit your tours to days with good (i.e., non-stormy) weather forecasts. A few tips re snow camping with a 'mid shelter: * We usually dug a square hole 2 or 3 feet (i.e., up to 1 meter) deep and erected the 'mid shelter centered over the hole. We made the hole roughly 1 foot (30cm) or so smaller on each of the 4 edges than the 'mid shelter perimeter. For example, for a BD MegaSnow with a footprint is 106" x 106", we would dig a square hold around 94" x 94". Be sure that you have a center pole long enough to do this. * To avoid having the centerpole stabbing the snow and sinking, place the bottom of the center pole on something with flat surface of some sort to disperse the load. I've used several things for this, including an avy shovel blade with the handle removed. * Bring loops of paracord and girth hitch them to the shelter's stake tie outs. IME, skis and ice axes work best for stakes. An alternative is to anchor with deadman, which come in different forms, e.g., a buried stuff bag full of snow. 'Mid shelters have more load on the tie outs than a freestanding tent, and thus snow stakes sometimes work in firm snow but sometimes easily pull out. * Many people use two ski poles strapped together to make a center pole. Although that works, we usually preferred a dedicated center pole, e.g., BD CF pole which comes with the BD MegaLight and MegaSnow. You may need to make a pole jack of some sort if you dig the square hole as described above. * You can cook inside a 'mid shelter, which is a nice feature, but be certain to have ample gaps in the side of the tent to allow fresh air to enter the tent, and open the top vent as wide as possible. * Because 'mid-shelters are single-wall, expect condensation issues. Some days will be worse than others. On cold nights, the condensation may freeze on the shelter walls. On warmer nights, when the condensation is in liquid state, bring a ChamWow (or Amazon knockoff) to wipe the condensation. * Prepare your backpack such that you can strap a wet 'mid shelter on the outside of the pack.

This would be my choice for those conditions.

I'd get a Taiji over the Star River if you are buying a Chinese tent. Much stronger. If you can afford it though, I'd get a mid (Duomid, Pyraomm Duo) if you use trekking poles, or a Scarp if you don't. Not sure of your budget however.

I became a tarp/bivy convert 4 years ago. Tarps have the best ventilation options. Period. They're generally less expensive and lighter than tents. Silpoly is the best balance of cost and weight. You can choose your own adventure with a bivy (or three): \-Breathable fabric for wind and light rain. Borah Gear UL bivy is the best out there, and he will custom make an extra-tall if you need. This is my goto. \-all mesh for SE Asia. (MLD or Borah) \-winter bivy for winter/alpine (MSR) **You could carry a tarp and all three bivies and still come out \~500g lighter than the Portal 2, and probably about the same price.** If a flat tarp isn't your speed, seriously consider a Duomid-XL tent from MLD, which alone is a fully capable 4-season shelter. Mids handle wind really well, and have a lot of benefits of a tarp (versatility, ventilation) with a little more structure, protection, and space for gear and relaxing. Add a fitted mesh inner (solomid XL size) or mesh bivy for bugs, and a winter bivy sack for high altitude. For about the same price as portal you're 400g lighter. That's significant

If weight is your primary consideration, then get a mid like an MLD Duomid and a solid inner for it from someone like BPWD. But you said you prefer freestanding or close to it and that plus strong wind and snow loading capability make it hard for something to be truly ultralight. I'd look at something like the Big Sky Chinook or Revolution, or maybe a Hilleberg Akto.

Tak może w skrócie bo chyba nie przekonam. MLd Duomid'a używałem 5 lat w Skandynawii w warunkach złych albo gorszych, nigdy nie było większego problemu z pitchem. Sugeruje poczytać Skurkę który pioniersko przeszedł całą Alaskę - Yukon i jaki namiot zabrał, czy Swamiego który przeszedł prawdopodobnie wszystko co jest ciekawego na tej planecie (nawet nie przesadzam).. Jak w takich warunkach było ok to w każdych europejskich jest ok. Ad. Aerodynamika, tak coś jak Trailstar z nisko ustawionymi ścianami byłby jeszcze lepszy ale ma otwarte wejście i nie jest tak efektywny wagowo. Piramidki są najlepszym wyjściem chyba że chce się pełnoprawny schron atomowy to wtedy DD Xmid jeszcze wchodzi w grę ale nie do bikepackingu bo potrzeba 2 kijków. https://andrewskurka.com/shelter-comparison-mids-high-route-tent/ https://andrewskurka.com/about-andrew-skurka/ https://www.thehikinglife.com/2017/12/reveiw-mountain-laurel-designs-solomid-xl/ https://www.thehikinglife.com/2020/02/the-long-crossing-of-norways-lofoten-islands/ Ad. waga całości, masz w głowie nastawienie tradycyjne, twoja waga bazowa nie powinna przekraczać 6-7kg (plus woda i żarcie). Oczywiście obczajka bikepacking.com i co ludzie biorą na rejsy wskazana. Przykładowo zestaw toreb w które powinno wejść wszystko bez plecaka! to ok 880 gramów (Wayward Riders Louise DP Harness 160g + MLD 12L 34g; Rockgeist Barjam 220g + MLD ULTRA X 200 HANDLEBAR DOUBLE END 15L 115g; Full frame bag custom Triglav 8L ?? 345g?;) 10kg czy 25kg na plecach to nieporozumienie. Przykładowa kurtka na skandynawie to 135g Rockfront Rain Hoody rozm.S plus Windy Wendy od Cumulusa 50g. Zacznij budować na bazie template'u od Skurki i wyznacz sobie CEL wagowy i nie opowiadaj że 200g na namiocie nie ma znaczenia bo z tym nastawieniem kończysz z 25kg na plecach. Powodzenia! https://andrewskurka.com/backpacking-gear-list-template-checklist-3-season/

It depends is the answer to your question, which I know is no help so I will offer advice on the three tents I have used, Firstly they are all trekking pole tents, so if you’re not a fan or don’t fancy single skin tents skip this post. They all have the advantage of being light but can without some care suffer condensation and without the second skin this is easier to come in contact with. On to the tents: Six Moon Lunar Solo, cheaper, great tent, very stealth, green and compact. Ultimately too small for my six foot frame and kit, Zpacks duplex, 100% waterproof, great tent, never failed, loads of room, stupid light. Cons PRICE, large foot print and not stealth colours (always a bit concerned about being moved on, although in three years I never have). MLD Duomid, space, colour (I have green) adaptability for pitching,size. Bomb proof, modular Cons for me I can’t really think of any, Hope this helps, my thoughts are my own.

Do you use trekking poles? If you do, mids are a great lightweight option that stand up well in wind. MLD make the duomid XL that will fit 2 people and still have a vestibule even with the inner attached. They’re sold with the inners here in the uk, https://thegearcottage.com/collections/brands

why not a mid? duomid + floor would be a great option