-lightweight
-wind and rain protection
-space to cook (with appropriate ventilation)
-space for wet gear
The shelters that I currently have access to which are most likely to meet the criteria are;
-Integral Designs Silshelter
-GoLite Shangria La 3
-Hilleberg Atko
Integral Designs Silshelter
The Silshelter is a shaped tarp weighing (350 gms on my scales) that has been available for a while and is recognised for its wind protection and its suitability for lightweight hiking. The latest version of the shelter appears to have overcome some of the design issues of the rear end of the shelter by moving the neoprene cup to the rear wall as shown in the accompanying photograph. This enables either the use of a pole inside the shelter or as shown a section of a Carbon Fiber trekking pole to be used as a support at the rear allowing improved tensioning of the ridge line, as well, this arrangement allows the rear of the shelter to raised providing airflow helping to reduce condensation inside the shelter.

The front of the shelter retains its simple cross over closure system which allows air flow as well as closure in inclement weather but the centre pole at the front has always restricted access. However,a suggestion on a forum at BPL.com has helped to change the way thinking about the front of the shelter. Two pacer poles, can be placed to form a triangle which is used to support the apex of the shelter as well providing a pole free entry as pictured. A similar system has been adopted by Henry Shires with his Tarptent Sublite tent.

These changes make this a shelter one of my options for the planned summer trip above the Arctic Circle in Sweden.
GoLite Shangri La 3
I have used the Shangri La 3 in Skåne and the benefits of the shelter is the internal space within the shelter (especially if you are solo) and the pyramid shape provides an ideal wind shedding design making it ideal for exposed tree less environments. My observations about the shelter are that it provides a number of choices regarding set up which include;
-Can be staked close to the ground or raised for for more ventilation,
-Can be raised on one side one staked to the ground on the other,
-Can be pitched such that the door are left open for viewing the surrounds,
-A bugnet can be used to protect from bugs this can be the heavy Golite inner, a Six Moon Designs Serenity shelter or a home made bug net.
However, it is heavy (710 gms without the centre pole and stakes) and requires a circular space of a approximately 3 metres in diameter, which can be difficult in forested areas but will be easier in open spaces.

Hilleberg Atko
The Hilleberg Atko provides a secure haven for sleeping as well as a vestibule for wet gear and cooking. The benefits of such a shelter is stability in windy damp exposed areas which are the most likely conditions in Lapland. The disadvantages of the shelter apart from the weight (1380 gm) there is a limit to the visibility from the entry when compared to a tarp and bivy, there can be condensation issues in the shelter (site location can reduce this of course)

Comparisons
Silshelter
350 gms + 6 stakes (2 Easton Alloy 22.5 cm + 4 16 cm Easton Alloy + 6 Ti skewers) Requires Walking poles + CF Pole (for rear) + Poly Cro ground sheet (100 gms) Total weight range between 833 & 1298 grams, depending on bivy used.
Shangri La 3
710 gms + 6 stakes (3 Easton Alloy 22.5 cm + 3 16 cm Easton Alloy + 6 Ti skewers) Requires Walking poles (stability in high winds may be an issue) Poly Cro sheet (100 gms). Total weight range between 1191 & 1656 grams, depending on bivy used.
Atko
1380 gms + 6 stakes (4 Easton Alloy 22.5 cm + 2 16 cm Easton Alloy + 4 Ti skewers) Total weight 1467 gms
Decision
At this stage I have not made a final decision, however, I am inclined towards the silshelter combined with a bivy, possible combinations and weights are given below
Sil Shelter and BPL.com Vapor Bivy: 635 gms (lightweight bivy with bug protection)
Sil Shelter and Integral Designs Micro Bivy: 860 gms (weather resistant bivy no bug protection)
Sil Shelter and Integral Designs Event Crysallis Bivy: 1100 gms (bivy provides full weather protection with bug protection and could be used without shelter)
All of which are lighter than the Atko.
Curious to know if the Silshelter and Bivy will withstand the wind as well as the Akto? I am looking at getting an Akto but am concerned about the condensation issue that I have heard can be extreme.
ReplyDeleteThanks Family guy for your comment, I suppose there is only one way to find out : ) . The silshelter has always been recognised as a wind worthy shelter I remember reading comments on BPL.com about it a while ago, my preference is to use a silshelter and ensure that its is well pegged and guy out to ensure that it is not blowin in the wind. I am hoping that I can check its storm worthiness before heading north.
ReplyDeleteYes I have had condensation in the Atko, but no worse than when camped near a beach in October using a tarp and bivy, there was a lot of condensation on the tarp, much to my surprise. I think this was caused by the moist sea air and the temperature difference under and above the tarp along with little breeze. The bivy was dry as expected. I would expect to get condensation on a silshelter as well in such an environment.
Nielsen, is there a way to contact you through PM or shall I post a question here - specifically about the Crysallis.
ReplyDeleteMy e-mail - outdoorapproach@yahoo.ca
Thanks,
I don't know if you already settled definitely on a shelter, though I was reading that the wind speeds up in Lapland are increasing over the last years, at times you will face speeds of 30m/s, so I don't know if the Sil shelter will stand that safely. If in your shoes I would go for the Akto, as I believe it will be more storm worthy than the Sil Shelter.
ReplyDeleteThanks Hendrik
ReplyDeleteHad not heard about the wind speeds but have moved on a little with regard to shelters. I have sold the Atko and purchased a Hilleberg Soulo for this and other future trips so given your comments on wind speed I may have made a wise choice.
How do you like the Soulo? Any commentary?
ReplyDeleteAre you keeping the Silshelter and bivvies?
Hi Family Guy
ReplyDeleteThanks for your messages.
I love the Soulo for the particular purpose I want to use it for, Lapland and other trips in exposed environments. I would not use it for weekend trip in Southern Sweden as it is too heavy (this is its only weakness in my view) I will be able to provide an extended commentary on the Soulo in mid July when I return from Lapland.
I still have the Silshelter, have sold the Crysallis because I was not happy with the outer layer over the netting, ideally I would like it to have been removable. I have just come back from a 2 day trip with my unishelter and I do not intend to sell it but my Terra Nova Laser Comp weighs about the same. Horses for courses as they say.
Hope you are getting lots of hiking done.