Floorless Shelter Help

Posted by: LukeW

Floorless Shelter Help - 02/19/08 12:10 AM

Does anybody have any experience w/ SilNylon floorless shelters. I want to try one but the only issue I see is a possible lack of wind resistance. If anybody has any input I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks
Posted by: phat

Re: Floorless Shelter Help - 02/19/08 12:17 AM


Lots of us here have used floorless shelters. When staked down on the bottom they're really not any less wind resistant than a floored tent of comparable shape... I.E. anything decent and properly
pitched will serve you well 3 season. Would I take a floorless tarp onto a glacier in a 100 km/h wind and snow situation.. no... - that'd be bibler bombshelter time... but then again I don't do that. so gimme my tarps and hammocks in the summer, and the winters of my discount tent... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: LukeW

Re: Floorless Shelter Help - 02/19/08 12:26 AM

Thanks <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: leadfoot

Re: Floorless Shelter Help - 02/19/08 03:55 AM

I've used the old style Virga tarptent which is floorless. I've sat in that thing during some horrendous rains and high winds. Some spray would get in but I learned to pull down on the winward side and lower the pole for a more weather resisitant shelter. You can cut tyvek or plastic to the size you want for a ground cloth (floor) and then easy to replace when the time comes.

Give it a try. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: dla

Re: Floorless Shelter Help - 02/19/08 01:23 PM

I use a GoLite Lair 2 tarp. I've used it in moderate wind with rain and did fine. Just don't want to pitch the openning into the weather, otherwise I can't see it as an issue. It is nice not to be concerned about the mud on your boots, or dog hair, etc.

Since the Lair 2 is essentially a tarp staked to the ground, I would imagine that it would be very noisy in heavy wind. But I don't think it would come apart as the Sil-nylon seems stronger that PU-coated nylon. But I've never used it in heavy winds to find out.