Has anyone had any experience with this shelter? Would it be a good choice for my section hike in March from Springer to Fontana? I plan to stay in shelters, but I need something just in case the shelter is full and it’s raining. I have a Marmot tent, but it weighs 6 lbs and I’d like to reduce my pack weight from 40lbs to at least 35lbs and this seems like a good start.
What should I use as a ground cloth in case the ground is wet and muddy where I have to set up?
Thanks!
Sparky
I started with one in 2002 and thought it was pretty good. Simpler to set up than having an 8x10 tarp. Takes a few times to get the hang of getting the front flaps, which overlap, to close properly. I am tall and my feet would often touch the rear of the shelter and cause water to seep through onto my bag and get the foot of my bag damp. I never had to weather a really heavy storm though.
The drawback to any trap is no floor which makes it hard to keep your stuff clean and bugs. I had switched to a hammock (too soon) when the weather warmed up. You do have better ventilation with a tarp so condensation is less of a problem. But that extra ventalation can make cold weather more of a problem in high winds that cut through your sleeping bag.
To be honest I discovered I am more of a tent person than a tarp person. You have to ask yourself if the extra weight of a tent is worth it…especially if you plan to mostly stay in shelters. But whatever you do…do NOT take the 6 lb tent. Buy something that is around 3 or less lbs at least. I’d bet money you would soon replace that 6 lb tent within a week or two of starting your hike. 3lbs may not sound like a lot…but it really is.
Rerun
I just discovered the Six Moons Design Europa tent. Looks like a good deal at 2lbs 4oz and a closeout price of $139. With a groundcloth, the Silshelter would be almost as heavy… I think i’ll give the Europa a shot if they still have one in stock.
Thanks again.
Sparky
Sunrise and Sunset (GA-ME '02) used a Moonbow tarp with floor and bug screen. It weighed about 19 oz. In March, you have to get to a shelter early to get a space. It thins out some by NC state line. Give Moonbow a look. You will have to go to their website they are are found in stores. I have their address somewhere if you can’t find them. Happy Hiking!
Papa Smurf
I used a siltrap on my through in 1999 and found it an excellent deal for the weight. On a long section hike in 2001 I used a sil shelter and found it a good sleeping arrangement. I would recommend you seal all the seams extremely well with seam grip for silcon tarps. If you don’t the seams will leak like a sieve. The fabric is extremely water proff and durable as long a your careful. Using a tarp you will have more bugs but dirt isn’t a big problem if you use a good ground cloth. I like a big sheet of 4 mil plastic or Tyvek if you have it. All total with ground cloth,sil shelter, and Easton Aluminium stakes, my load is about a pound and a half. not a bad deal.
Darth Pac-man
I used the Silshelter for my whole hike in combination with a Bug Bivy, which had a waterproof floor. When it was bug-free I’d just lay my sleeping bag on the collapsed bug-bivy, or sometimes I wouldn’t use the Bug Bivy at all.
I liked the silshelter a lot, and I never got wet in it once. One trick I used to keep the tarp up high near me feet was to take a forked stick and prop it up a bit. Super simple, very effective.
This combo worked great except when it was buggy, and then it was more cramped than ideal. For about the same weight, I think I’ll check out Shire’s Tarptent with the optional sewn-in floor, or the Nomad Lite.
For me, the Silshelter would be a good choice for March on the southern AT.
Colter
Check out the designs @ www.tarptent.com. They have some nice designs (tarps with mesh and floors). Good protection and value compared to others. I have not had any experience yet, but am seriosly considering them.
[yellow tail]
I’ve narrowed the choice down to these two thanks to your comments. I’ve decided against the Silshelter due to the minor problem with the foot area sagging and the trekking pole’s location. I like the design and weight of the Henry Shires Virga shelter(1.5lbs w/ bottom) at $190 and the heavier Six Moon Designs Europa (2.25lbs) at a closeout $135. The only thing I’m worried about with the Virga is the mesh that attaches the floor to the canopy. Is it possible to have water run in under the tarp, through the mesh, and into the shelter getting me wet or does the mesh hold the corners of the floor up a little bit off the ground? That’s really my only concern and I can live with the extra .75lbs of the Europa if the Virga has problems of water running in on you in heavy rains.
Thanks again.
Sparky
In my opinion, improper site selection is one of the biggest errors made by campers/hikers, whether they are in a tarp or tent. If the rain is pounding down and you are in a depression where the water puddles, you are probably going to get wet either way.
Bottom line is to pick a spot with good drainage so that the water won’t run in, floor or not.
If you’re down to the Europa and the tarptent, I guess I’d look at some of the review sites out there. I think the tarptent has a good reputation. Anyone know about the Europa?
Colter
Hi
I hiked from Springer to Fontana Dam last April and used the sil shelter. I would highly recommend it and I did not get wet once, even though I weathered a few nights of heavy rain under it. Use the sil in combination with a piece of tyvek for a ground cloth. I love this shelter in cooler weather when there are no bugs around but I am seriously considering sewing in a sil nylon bottom and adding some no-seum mesh to the doors to inclose this tarp. If this works I think this combination will be the ideal shelter for anytime of the year.
Sue
Sue