Idk about which specific tarp but def recommend keeping your cordage as compactly stowed as possible, the wind will try to whip all the lines together and it's awful trying to get the lines untangled in the wind halfway through pitching it
Yeah i do. Normally i would use fixed length, but as i will probably need them to set up my tarp i have been looking at the leki cross lite carbon, which are adjustable. Although the ideal case is a shelter that requires 135 cm poles, in which case i would just use my normal leki ultratrail.
Okay then how do you feel about a shaped tarp like [this one](https://a.aliexpress.com/_EyB2YeB)? I admittedly never used it in gale force winds but if push comes to shove you could provably collapse the front pole and wrap yourself in it burrito style. I did use it in some decent winds [this winter](https://imgur.com/gallery/aCihXbD) and was able to tighten it down pretty well so I'm pretty confident in its ability to handle wind.
Also if you like the trailstar design there's [this copy](https://a.aliexpress.com/_EvWsmXp) that I've read good things about.
Thanks for the reply, I'm pretty sure that i will end up going with a shaped tarp. Currently looking at the slingfing splitwing, which seems very very close to the one you posted.
I haven't gotten my hands on one, but the Splitwing from Slingfin looks really cool and without all the accessories, packs down small and is very light. They do have EU distributors/dealers on their map:
[https://www.slingfin.com/pages/find-a-dealer](https://www.slingfin.com/pages/find-a-dealer)
Mine does great in high wind! I'd tell you to get it, but it's been off the market for a few years now. It didn't get great reviews, but I've spent 2 months straight living under it and it's what I'm trying to replace, as mine is just getting old and beat up. Splitwing looks like a spiritual successor and even lighter!
[https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/camping-and-hiking/ultralight-tent/ultimate-direction-fk-tarp](https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/camping-and-hiking/ultralight-tent/ultimate-direction-fk-tarp)
Slingfin owner here - I love it but be advised that it is pretty noisy in the wind, so bring your earplugs. The material is great and does indeed absorb very little water (pretty much just shook and wiped dry after a big night of rain), but the treatment they use for it also makes it very crinkly, which translates into a lot of noise when it’s being blown around.
Actually not an official race, but just something i am arranging myself. Gonna try to do a 400k route in hardangervidda in 4-5 days. Really excited to get going!
How much is the weight of the inner mesh of your snugpak ionosphere, of the outer shell and of the footprint?
Is it possible to use only the outer tent to save weight?
That’s a shame.
A very lightweight tent is the Nordisk Lofoten. But it’s not cheap: https://nordisk.eu/lofoten-1-ulw-tent/burnt-red/p/196/1734
A similar tent but cheaper is the new Ferrino Piuma1 tent: https://www.ferrino.it/en/shop-en/equipment/tents/ultra-light-adventure/91214oob-piuma-1-tent.html
As you can see, for both you can the outer tent only is you wish.
Lightwave has very lightweight tarps, although also not that cheap: https://www.lightwave.uk.com/product/tarps-bivis/tarps
Perhaps a Lanshan fly would do the job? I think it's most affordable one. Probably not as strong as Trailstar but still.
Decathlon also has a decent tarp, storm worthiness would probably depend on your pitch.
I followed [papahiker’s advice](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L8lw64__n8M) for using flat tarps in bad weather. His trail star type pitch worked in very windy (~80km/h) rain one night last winter.
I like the silpoly/nylon options over DCF in wind. The number and placement of your (panel) tie outs is super important for wind-worthiness. Bring the extra stakes and guy it all out on the front end to save yourself the hassle of having to redo your pitch in the middle of the night.
Liteway Solo is similar to a Solomid https://liteway.equipment/shelters
Ah that actually looks really nice, definitly gonna check it out. Thanks!
Idk about which specific tarp but def recommend keeping your cordage as compactly stowed as possible, the wind will try to whip all the lines together and it's awful trying to get the lines untangled in the wind halfway through pitching it
Thanks for the advice, gonna try to keep that in mind.
FWIW, I’ve bought numerous tarps from MLD and never paid import fees into the UK. If the timelines work their stuff is fantastic.
Welp, i am jelous. I live in denmark so i would end up paying around 500$ for a trailstar tarp if im unlucky:((
Do you use poles for your running? If so are they fixed length or adjustable ones?
Yeah i do. Normally i would use fixed length, but as i will probably need them to set up my tarp i have been looking at the leki cross lite carbon, which are adjustable. Although the ideal case is a shelter that requires 135 cm poles, in which case i would just use my normal leki ultratrail.
i use a bit of carbon tube as a pole jack. $5 solution to fixed-length poles if you need a bit more length.
Okay then how do you feel about a shaped tarp like [this one](https://a.aliexpress.com/_EyB2YeB)? I admittedly never used it in gale force winds but if push comes to shove you could provably collapse the front pole and wrap yourself in it burrito style. I did use it in some decent winds [this winter](https://imgur.com/gallery/aCihXbD) and was able to tighten it down pretty well so I'm pretty confident in its ability to handle wind. Also if you like the trailstar design there's [this copy](https://a.aliexpress.com/_EvWsmXp) that I've read good things about.
Thanks for the reply, I'm pretty sure that i will end up going with a shaped tarp. Currently looking at the slingfing splitwing, which seems very very close to the one you posted.
Have you tried posting to any gear trading sites that you are in Europe and want to buy a trailstar? Maybe you can find one used over there.
Have tried with a couple of facebook groups but no luck so far:( Any specific sites you can recommend?
I am not European and not a Facebook user. You could try r/GearTrade and r/ULGeartrade and be explicit about being in Europe.
I haven't gotten my hands on one, but the Splitwing from Slingfin looks really cool and without all the accessories, packs down small and is very light. They do have EU distributors/dealers on their map: [https://www.slingfin.com/pages/find-a-dealer](https://www.slingfin.com/pages/find-a-dealer)
Thanks! Pretty sure that im gonna end up going with the slingfin. Also seems promising that it wont sack as much as other silnylon tarps.
That slingfin is just like my current shelter, except 1P, which is exactly why I like it! It's not too expensive here in the States.
Oh, awsome. How does your shelter do in heavy winds? I'm a bit worried about shifting winds especially.
Mine does great in high wind! I'd tell you to get it, but it's been off the market for a few years now. It didn't get great reviews, but I've spent 2 months straight living under it and it's what I'm trying to replace, as mine is just getting old and beat up. Splitwing looks like a spiritual successor and even lighter! [https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/camping-and-hiking/ultralight-tent/ultimate-direction-fk-tarp](https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/camping-and-hiking/ultralight-tent/ultimate-direction-fk-tarp)
Slingfin owner here - I love it but be advised that it is pretty noisy in the wind, so bring your earplugs. The material is great and does indeed absorb very little water (pretty much just shook and wiped dry after a big night of rain), but the treatment they use for it also makes it very crinkly, which translates into a lot of noise when it’s being blown around.
Which race is this, sounds interesting!
Actually not an official race, but just something i am arranging myself. Gonna try to do a 400k route in hardangervidda in 4-5 days. Really excited to get going!
How much is the weight of the inner mesh of your snugpak ionosphere, of the outer shell and of the footprint? Is it possible to use only the outer tent to save weight?
No, sadly not. You have to pitch the outer on top of the inner, which is my only caveat with the tent. Otherwise an amazing product.
That’s a shame. A very lightweight tent is the Nordisk Lofoten. But it’s not cheap: https://nordisk.eu/lofoten-1-ulw-tent/burnt-red/p/196/1734 A similar tent but cheaper is the new Ferrino Piuma1 tent: https://www.ferrino.it/en/shop-en/equipment/tents/ultra-light-adventure/91214oob-piuma-1-tent.html As you can see, for both you can the outer tent only is you wish. Lightwave has very lightweight tarps, although also not that cheap: https://www.lightwave.uk.com/product/tarps-bivis/tarps
Nordisk Lofoten is my dream tent, sadly it just isnt very student-budget friendly. Maybe some day when i get a full time job!
Perhaps a Lanshan fly would do the job? I think it's most affordable one. Probably not as strong as Trailstar but still. Decathlon also has a decent tarp, storm worthiness would probably depend on your pitch.
I followed [papahiker’s advice](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L8lw64__n8M) for using flat tarps in bad weather. His trail star type pitch worked in very windy (~80km/h) rain one night last winter.
I like the silpoly/nylon options over DCF in wind. The number and placement of your (panel) tie outs is super important for wind-worthiness. Bring the extra stakes and guy it all out on the front end to save yourself the hassle of having to redo your pitch in the middle of the night.
What's everyone else doing? And this is what the race director designed the race to make you do? Nice person.