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)

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.

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.

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

Better wind and snow-shedding because of the steeper walls. (But the Durston option is probably fine if you're in a bunch of trees.)

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.