MSR Twin Sisters - Question for Jason Livy

Jason, or anyone who is using the MSR Twin Sisters, where are the vents? How big are they and are they meshed backed? Finally, is the door mesh backed?

Thanks,

I have a TPeaks from several years ago. I think it's now gone to SIicon-impregnated nylon and more recent versions are lighter than mine, which I think is urethane-coated.

There are two mesh-backed vents at both peaks and they are held open with very small hoops.

The door is not backed by mesh.

It is marginally larger that Black Diamond Betamid. It was advertised as being particularly suited for ski-touring.

The Twin Sisters is similar, and more clearly designed for winter use.

I find that Twin Peaks is a very stable tent in wind, and is very suitable for winter IF snow is available for sealing the margins at ground level.

Thanks John. The pictures suggest only one vent but I cannot believe that MSR would leave one out. I sent them an e-mail four days ago but no response.

You know what I would like to see? Zippered snow flaps that can be removed and replaced with zippered netting for summer use. Unfortunately they did not ask me.

The zippers you suggest for snow flaps would be subject to a relatively high amount of debris and might therefore fail. They would also add significant weight.

Only saying the downside to your suggestion. I've had some fairly negative experience with customer-service email, from companies that are otherwise careful and responsive. Maybe you ought to call them or something.

I have discontinued Mountain Hardwear tent with netting scrim around edges. Am not totally convinced of its utility, though its net door has been fairly well appreciated.

Also, just keeping doors closed would be same as offering netting on doors.

In hot weather, and strong sun, of course. keeping door zipped would be uncomfortable. I don't ultimately know the answer to all this.

One key however, when you shut door, or screen, is to kill all the buggers that infiltrate before they bite.

We're now thankfully past bug season until May or June.

Ah yes - the search for the perfect shelter continues.

If not zippers, maybe velcro <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

To be frank - I am tired of cramped solo shelters. Something like this, with the option to house another or use alone is appealing. Palatial weather proof space that doesn't weigh much......

I did look at the Golite line of similar shelters and the Alpahmids from Oware. I think that Mountain Laurel Designs is coming out with a few new tarp shelters but I suspect the cost might be prohibitive (at least for me).

Frankly, after a fair bit using a 2.5 pound solo biviy tent, and the 1-pound ID SilShelter, I've come to prefer the three-pound Hex-3, or Shangri-La 3, even for much, though not all, solo uses.

I like the extra space, and it's also good for two people. The Black Diamond Megamid is larger, lighter and cheaper, though I'm not sure it's absolutely better.

The Twin Peaks is a very good shelter, warmer in winter due to lesser volume, but it's a bit small with the two poles.

Did you look at MSR's Twing tarp? Not knowing exactly what you want, and not having any recent personal experience with tarps (I really like my Hubba), I'm not sure if this would be of any interest to you. However, it's closed in the back, open in the front, and looks to have good side coverage.

Velcro? Frozen velcro sucks, I've not had much success with it. As for the miners tent/pyramid tent/tipee, whatever - I know a guy that got a Sierra Designs Oragami 2 UL. I am very jealous of this shelter. I'd get one, but my wife would make me move into it (I have enough shelters- in her opinion). You might look at the Oragami. It is very well made and costs a fraction of the other brands. In my opinion this type shelter is too hot for warm weather use - especially if you add bug netting. I really think this is a cool to cold season design due to its restricted airflow. And though it may not be an all season tent, I think it performs exceptionally well in its element. I did not imagine that such a tall shelter could handle strong winds so well - that was what impressed me the most.

There is one vent and it's located on the back of the shelter towards the top "peak". It is mesh backed and can be sealed shut if needed. The door has a double zipper which allows the user to have a small slit to allow condensation to leave. With it has high as it is, and the steep walls, condensation isn't as big a deal as in a geodesic tent with rounded walls.