pondering over ordering either the standard trailstar, or the solo trailstar, as most of my walks are solo do i need all of that space? does the solo stand up to our wet and windy conditions as well as the biggy?
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 I've looked at and around a Trailstar but not the 'solo' version, or Cricket tent as it might be called.
Some discussion here:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=40235
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I seem to remember seeing a comment from MLD (Facebook??) that they would have a look at the possibilities of producing a "Solo" Trailstar with a smaller footprint/less internal space, but if that will happen or when, I don't know. From what I can see from their website, the Cricket will not have the same weather protection as the Trailstar.
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 There was a solo Trailstar available when I ordered my full size version last April, just checked now and Ron has just renamed it the Cricket, same tarp same spec.
I think for the sake of 180g or so then the extra space of the Trailstar has to be a bonus whichever way you look at it.
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 would a solomid would be worth considering instead if you want a small footprint? i have one and have used it in approx 30mph winds with no problem - its surprisingly stable due to the two pole configuration and there is enough space for me and my gear, though some people would find it too small. it's also got a door which i personally like! though in heavy rain it could be a slight problem. that said, i am also quite interested in the trailstar for use with my partner and our dog. i have also got the solo inner net for the summer but i usually use a polycro groundsheet and a bivvy bag with it. i'm going to use it on the two moors way in two weeks time and then on the southern uplands way in april after which i will have a better feel for it, but so far i really, really like it - its very light! unfortunately, OM wont let me post pics of the inner for some reason to give you an idea of the size.
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You don't really need to look for a small footprint area with the Trailstar though as you just pitch it up over the top of the obstruction/heather/bush/rock, as long as there's an area to lie down then job's a good un. The Duomid is appreantly the more fussy of the two and it needs a beter pitching area.
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true dat! (sorry, ive been watching breaking bad on heavy rotation!  ) yeah, fair point about the trailstar's footprint, though i still like the fact i can nearly always find a quiet, stealthy pitch for the solomid with relative ease, something i particularly appreciate after a long day on an ldp for example.
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 "BOMBER PROOF ALPINE PROTECTION" = Trailstar. The Solo - Cricket - doesn't get this description and I think this is a tacit acknowledgement that the Cricket will not be as stormproof. Just looking at it - it hasn't got the all round - downtotheground - set-up that the Trailstar has. My preference would be the Trailstar - if I was choosing between that and the Cricket. And, yes, the space under the Trailstar is a real bonus when compared to the Cricket, or, any small tent. It's great to spread you gear out and to be able to cook inside the Trailstar. (You don't even need a pee bottle - but, that's too much information  .) As has been said on this thread and the Cuben Trailstar thread, the footprint size is not as big an issue as may appear: just pitch over any obstacle. For this reason also, I would suggest going with a groundcover + bivy rather than an inner. Sean at Oookworks does a custom inner for the Trailstar, but it will limit the pitching possibilities. I know I'd love a Cuben Trailstar, but when it's blowing a hoolie and the ground is uneven etc., I think it may be too fussy to put up in comparision to the silnylon Trailstar. Ron Bell has acknowledged this. But, ......if I was buying Trailstar now.... I'd be tempted with the Cuben version, despite the pitching of - which will take more practice.
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| Edited: 18/01/12 15:57 |
As has been said on this thread and the Cuben Trailstar thread, the footprint size is not as big an issue as may appear: just pitch over any obstacle. For this reason also, I would suggest going with a groundcover + bivy rather than an inner. Sean at Oookworks does a custom inner for the Trailstar, but it will limit the pitching possibilities.
Ta for the mention  I'd just like to confirm that the inner does limit the pitching possibilities, although I'm not entirely sure how much of a deal breaker that actually is for a lot of folk. I've never had any real problems finding somewhere to pitch the SL3 (similar footprint) and sleep two people in it. Horses for courses. Some folk like bivy bags - some don't. The inner is what it is - designed for folk who like the TrailStar, but don't like bivys. Like me.
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I agree, Mrs Nesbit. Not a deal breaker. Horses for courses. If I were to think about the places I've pitched my Trailstar I could probably have used an inner without much problem on most occasions. It is purely my preference to use a bivy.
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 The Cricket tarp is basically a Solomid with a beak instead of the front door panel. Ron realised there was confusion, so stopped calling it a 'Solo' Trailstar. Ron never 'acknowledged' to me that the Cuben was 'too fussy' to pitch. All he said was that it would have a bit of a learning curve compared to the Sil version. During our emails, i said that the 'bad' weather capability was more important to me than wether it was Cuben or Sil. After discussing it with him, i went for the Cuben. And it was on special offer.
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I would say Seans inner looks more practical than the Bearpaws inner.
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Pics and an Ibbotson'esque review when it lands please Mike How many weeks since the order went in?
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Only 5. And MLD was shut over xmas for 2 weeks.
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5's not bad, must be nearly half way there by now My 13 week wait for my sil version was a killer
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This is usually MLD's quiet time, so i'm hoping it could be soon. 
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I was a lucky sod. I ordered the autumnal brown version on a Sunday afternoon and it arrived the following Friday. Must have been a cancelled order or something, but I didn't complain.
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I hope it arrives soon Mike - I'll need to practice pitching it before the Spring campaign in Scotland.
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As soon as it arrives, you'll be the first to know, ed.
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