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Gossamer Gear SpinnShelter

rated 5.0 of 5 stars
photo: Gossamer Gear SpinnShelter tarp/shelter

Ultralight and very weatherproof tarp.

Pros

  • Very light
  • Weatherproof
  • Easy to set up

Cons

  • 40 inches height—could pitch a little higher

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Late to the dance with my Spinnshelter. Got it used on eBay. Weight is 8 ounces on my scale. Can use trekking poles to pitch, sticks, or aftermarket poles.

I bought two used for around 20 bucks. The tarp is made of spinnaker cloth—light and strong. I pitch with Groundhogs—use Groundhogs for everything!!!!

I bought a Dimma Bivy from Borah to hang under it, but one night just slept in my sleeping bag on a ground cloth. The tarp bivy combo was under 20 ounces.

The Spinnshelter has breaks on both ends so you have options for ventilation and weather protection. I have a few bivies so I  can bring the one that fits the weather conditions the best. 
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Setup is very quick. It packs down small. It is a very easy tarp to use.

It rained two out of three days on this trip—dry as a bone. THANKS.

Source: bought it used
Price Paid: $100

I have been using my SpinnShelter for about two years with great success in widely varying conditions from the Smoky Mountains to the Rockies. Nothing I have been able to find compares to the weight/performance ratio of this shelter.

Weighing 9 ounces dry and being compactable to the size of a grapefruit makes this the F-1 Ferrari of one-person tarp shelters. The material it's made from is unbelievably lightweight non-stretch sail fabric which surpasses SilNylon in that it does not sag and is much lighter. It's easy to pitch with poles or between two trees and adjustment is simple.

Being a tarp makes it extremely versatile so that you can either set it up for full coverage like the picture here or open it up for ventilation on any side.

I am a very satisfied customer of Gossamer Gear. They are serious about ultralight backpacking.

Design: Three-season sub-alpine ultralight tarp.
Sleeps: 1
Ease of Setup: Anyone familiar with a tarp will find it simple.
Weight: nine ounces
Price Paid: $195

Greeting,

I have used the SpinnShelter on many backpacking adventures. I believe that it is one of the most advanced designed tarps out there. On nights when the weather (windy conditions) is not so great the full protection tarp shelters perfectly.

I remember on one of my first trips with the tarp everyone around me was amazed at how light it was (only 11.5 oz. with poles). Some even doubted that this would work. But in fact it could easily get lost in my pack. This is a perfect addition to my 5 lbs. and below base weight pack. Also its pitch is set up so that it is fairly easy to achieve a taut set up. This is the perfect way to to enjoy the wilderness.

(since it is a tarp condensation in the shelter is rarely a issue)

Design: three-season tarp
Sleeps: 1
Ease of Setup: farely easy could get difficult in windy conditions
Weight: 11.5 oz.
Price Paid: $195

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Specs

Price MSRP: $195.00
Reviewers Paid: $100.00-$195.00
Product Details from Gossamer Gear »

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