So I’ve narrowed my choice down to these two shelters but have reservations on the lunar solo and condensation also seems hit and miss to get the perfect pitch. Like the look of the mini peak II
I know a few people who have the Lunar Solo and rate it. The Mini Peak is 1500g which is a lot for a single person shelter.
I've the Gatewood Cape which is sort of like the outer only of both the models you mention.
You don't say what usage you are intending or what your priorities are. Can make a big difference to what is recommended.
I have the lunar solo, I'll be using it for 4 nights next week! It's a summer tent for me, due to the high door and mesh inner, I used it in the Galloways at 2300' in April, tbf it was a bloody cold night, but the cold air coming in and only mesh protection internally meant hat pulled down over my chops all night.
I'd have bought the luxe hexpeak V4A to be honest, but at 6'1" I'm a bawhair too tall (Bob at backpackinglight to his credit was really honest about this when I asked)
No condensation issues with the LS, again due to that high door. No issues with pitching either, two rear pegs in, pole in, then 2 front pegs and tightenb, it's dead easy, there's a few good vids on youtube showing it. I read those same folk talking about pitching, I do believ that some folk ar just shite at pitching tents!.
I'm moving over to a Hubba Hubba NX for 2 man duties with the wife, and winter camps, and mibbe keep the LS for summer or try something else.
As an alternative view on the Luxe hexapeak v4 I'm 6'3" and get on with it fine but I always sleep in a fetal position.
It even managed a 10 day tour of Slovenia with both me and my girlfriend with no worries but she is only 5'5" so is pretty easy to fit anywhere.
I've had condensation twice in my LS. Once in a coastal haar and once when everything was covered in mist. I just don't see it as a problem.
I have a lunar solo copy type thing but I went for the one with separate inner and I have a lux mini peak 2 , both good but both very different, mini peak has loads of room, I even got my bike in the porch over night when I stayed on a campsite, its great if you want to sit out a storm and cook , it pitches in seconds too, I much prefer it to the lunar solo type tent but I like my space, but the other one is much lighter and takes up much less room so it depends on your plans with it, unless I'm desperate for space and weight savings I'll always take the lux , in if its forecast decent rain the lux wins again as it's a nicer place to sit out a storm, I put my pad and bag in the sleeping pod and then unclip from the roof and it gives loads of room and somewhere for me to sit
A mate is buying a hex, I'll give it a bash when he gets his, they are supposed to be far better in wind than the solo, but I do really like my wee solo tbh. Dead easy to pitch, really light and packable and loads of space.
@firestarter I do like my space also and that’s what is drawing me to the mini peak II. Just have to wait for it to come into stock again.
Dd hammocks do a similar tent but ive not seen one in the flesh so can't comment on the quality
I have both shelters, had the mini peak a lot longer , yes its heavier etc , but what a great shelter, room to cook if the weathers rubbish and room to drag the bike in at night if needed etc
the lunar is very good at what it does, packs ultra small and weighs nothing , takes time to get it pitched just right , which I don't think I've managed yet ! .. does suffer a bit with condensation but that could be a bad pitch ?? ... either way both shelters are great at what they do
Good to hear from owners of both and the pros and cons of each. Looks like the mini peak II is just what I’m after.
Cheers all.
Had both (but Lunar Solo LE) - the LS is lighter, packs smaller and is better made but the mini peak was perfectly fine and TBH was a lot easier to put up and avoid condensation - the LS takes a bit of practice to pitch properly but is great one you’ve got it right
I don't get the difficulty of pitching, it's very simple.
One thing I really like about the new version LS is the wee receptacle to take pointy end of walking pole in roof, meaning handle is in the ground. This stops the issue of pointy end working it's way into the ground dye to tent being buffeted, resulting in a slack tent.
My (now pretty ancient) LS has a pole receptacle in the roof too, though I've not tried it with a walking pole.
Also, Stu at Bearbones sells a neat nylon disc that prevents the pole disappearing into soft ground. They're orange so easier to find in long grass etc.
(Yeah, I don't get the pitching issues either).
Aye, my bad, I wasn't meaning the old one didn't, just that lots of pyramids don't have this.
Edit - @scotroutes any idea if public showers are open in aviemore ATM?
Sorry - can't think of any. Campsites would be your best bet (for a payment). Otherwise, blag off someone in the area 😉
Aye, I thought so, cheers
