Overview: Mountain Laurel Designs SoloMid XL

Over the previous two years, I’ve used the Mountain Laurel Designs SoloMid XL in a variety of environments around the globe. Testing grounds have included Bolivia’s Altiplano and Cordillera Actual, a number of journeys in Tasmania’s rugged Southwest Wilderness, Wyoming’s Wind River Vary, and Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Listed below are my impressions of the shelter:

Specs (as per Mountain Laurel Designs Web site)

Worth:  $440

Weight:  13.5 oz (Observe: That is the load of the present SoloMid XL. My mannequin is just a few years outdated, and weighs in at slightly below 12 oz).

Measurement:

• 9.2′ x 4’5″ / 2.85 m x 1.37 m (Observe: My older model is 2 inches shorter at 9′ even)
• 40 + sq ft | 3.7 sq m

Materials: 

• 0.75 Cuben Fiber (Observe: MLD additionally provide a 0.5 cuben model, which saves about an oz. and a half. Nevertheless, for my part, the negligible weight saving isn’t well worth the sacrifice in sturdiness. Go together with the 0.75 cuben or the very inexpensive silynylon model ($265)).

Choices:

• Innernet: I additionally personal the SoloMid Silnylon Innernet (10 oz / 283 gr) which I’ve used on a bunch of in a single day hikes, however have but to tackle a multi-week journey. It could be a superb sanity saving choice for locations like Scotland, Alaska and New Zealand throughout bug season. In any other case, I want the numerous weight saving of a easy polycro or tyvek groundsheet (1.5 oz). Alternatively, if I’m climbing in an surroundings which is kind of uncovered, windy, chilly and/or the chance exists to do lots of cowboy tenting, I’ll typically mix the SoloMid XL with a light-weight bivy (7 oz – MLD Superlight or Katabatic Bristlecone).

MLD SoloMid XL | Arthur Vary Traverse, Tasmania, 2015.

Design

I just like the small footprint of the Solomid XL, and have discovered the setup to be simple and quick, (lower than a minute); an actual boon when climbing in inclement circumstances. Different factors of word:

• High Peak Vent: I all the time maintain this open. However I’m not likely positive it makes that a lot distinction with reference to minimizing condensation. Talking of which……

• Condensation – Like all single wall shelters, condensation might be a difficulty with the SoloMid XL in sure environments. This may be mitigated to various levels by savvy campsite choice and leaving some area beneath the edges of the tent for elevated air flow (see Pitching under). In three season circumstances when rain is unlikely, I’ll typically go away the doorways both partially, half or absolutely open. This may be accomplished both by rolling up the edges and/or guying out the nook of one of many doorways.

• Head Room – I’m 6’1″ and might sit up with head room to spare, although if I’m coming from a mendacity down place, my head does contact the edges of the shelter on the way in which up. This significantly holds true if I’m utilizing an inflatable mat such because the Therm-a-rest NeoAir Xlite or XTherm.

(L to R) Yama Mountain Gear Cirriform Tarp and MLD SoloMid XL on the Cordillera Actual Traverse | Bolivia, August, 2017.

• Overhead gear hold loops: Very helpful for further headspace if you end up utilizing a bivy.

• Dimensions: I’ve discovered the SoloMid XL to be a really perfect dimension for each me and my gear. Nevertheless, regardless of the “XL” on the finish of the identify, the SoloMid XL isn’t an enormous shelter. Certainly, personally talking, I wouldn’t need to go any smaller (i.e. the common sized model). On that word, I can’t agree with MLD’s declare concerning the common SoloMid being large enough “for you and all of your gear…..even if you happen to’re ‘6’5″.” Positive it will all match, however for taller of us, it will be somewhat on the tight aspect. Until you might be shorter than 5’9″, I might suggest going with the XL over the Common dimension. It’s just one oz heavier and prices $10 extra.

(Observe: As talked about within the Specs part, the brand new Solomid XL is 9’2″, versus my older mannequin which is 9′ even. It is a good transfer by MLD, and for my part, the additional area/size is well worth the slight weight enhance).

MLD SoloMid XL | Sajama Nationwide Park, Bolivia, 2017 (Observe: Journey report nonetheless to return)

Pitching

In most circumstances, I’ll set it up with quick 6 in /15 cm adjustable guylines on the corners and aspect tie-out factors. If excessive winds are on the playing cards, I’ll batten down the hatches, and peg the corners on to the bottom.

One or Two Pole setup?: The vast majority of the time I’ll use the one trekking pole setup referenced on the MLD web site. Nevertheless, when climbing in excessive circumstances, I’ve discovered that the 2 pole inverted V configuration offers notably extra stability in excessive winds. This was undoubtedly the case throughout my current 400 mile (643 km) route throughout Bolivia’s Altiplano, and regardless of not often being a “trekking pole hiker”, I used to be glad I made the choice to take a few poles alongside, as an alternative of the same old one.

Pole Measurement?: If utilizing one pole, I’ve discovered a 140 cm mannequin barely offset at most extension does the trick. Nevertheless, in case you are using the 2 pole arrange, you’ll want to carry the 0.4 oz, six-inch pole jacks as properly (included with the shelter).

MLD SoloMid XL at sundown on the Altiplano Route (Observe: Journey report nonetheless to return) | Bolivia, September, 2017.

Efficiency

Thumbs up. Since early 2015, I’ve taken the SoloMid XL into some difficult environments (e.g. West Coast and Arthur Vary in Tasmania; Fall journey in Wyoming’s Wind River Vary; Bolivia’s Altiplano and Cordillera Actual) and have persistently discovered it to shed excessive wind and heavy rain very successfully.

With reference to snow loading, as with all Pyramid tent, snow will ultimately accumulate on the perimeter of the shelter, thereby lowering the quantity of area across the ends the place your face and ft are located. If it turns into a difficulty, there’s nothing for it however to offer it a periodic taptap when mandatory.

Yours actually and the SoloMid XL on the Wind River Excessive Route, WY | Late September 2016 (picture courtesy of Greg “Malto” Gressel).

Sturdiness

After greater than two years of utilization, the 0.75 cuben materials remains to be in nice form. The one factor I might word is the zipper, which on my most up-to-date hike on the Altiplano in Bolivia, was periodically getting caught. I attribute this to a mix of the sandstorms I used to be commonly encountering (i.e. grime and grit caught between the zipper’s tooth), in addition to the cumulative stress on the supplies from many nights out within the boonies. Upon returning residence I gave it a clear and utilized some zipper care lube, which looks as if it did the trick.

Worth for Cash

Something manufactured from cuben fiber isn’t going to be low-cost. That mentioned, in comparison with different cuben shelters available on the market, the $440 MLD SoloMid XL (0.75 cuben) is comparatively inexpensive. It’s properly constructed, sports activities high quality supplies, is made within the US, and most significantly, does what it’s purported to out within the discipline. I might say that it represents good worth for cash. Nevertheless, if the value tag nonetheless appears a bit steep, contemplate choosing the $265 silnylon model, which is just 3.5 oz heavier than the cuben model.

MLD SoloMid XL on the Ausangate Circuit | Peru, August, 2017.

Conclusion

The Mountain Laurel Designs SoloMid XL is a wonderful choice for minimalist hikers that take pleasure in venturing into difficult environments. The supplies, design, and workmanship are all top-notch, and it holds up like a champ when the weather are raging. Certainly, with reference to storm worthiness-to-weight ratio, I don’t assume there are lots of shelters to match it. I count on I’ll proceed to make use of it for the foreseeable future, nevertheless, I’ll most likely upsize to the extra spacious MLD DuoMid for future winter excursions.

Disclosure: I used to be given the MLD SoloMid XL freed from cost. I used to be beneath no obligation to put in writing a overview of the product, and the opinions expressed are my very own.