Publisher’s Gear Guide

#3 AquaGuard on mine. Yes, I know… But still working.

I do not use that shelter often on the Plateau, where a #5 slider needs replacement every few seasons.

Are the rbhdesigns Vapor Mitt https://www.rbhdesigns.com/collections/gloves/products/ultralight-mitt  a piece of gear that you still use OR did they “fall out” of your favor?

Ryan….Does your Senchi Designs Wren Hoodie fit per your body sizing and do you have any things you would have changed after receive the hoodie?

Ryan, any particular reason to pick the Khufu over the Duomid? Or over the Middus 2P? Or whatever else is similar

Ryan, my Duomid has definitely developed a saggy hem and it’s no longer really a rectangle at the base. I wouldn’t say it started out that way though. Do you think this stretch is due to imprecise construction or choosing imperfect fabric, or does this even happen on your Khufu? I’ve attributed it just to heavy use, but wondering if other dcf pyramids don’t get a floppy hem.

Interesting. Hard to imagine how the bias could be anything other than fibers parallel with and perpendicular to the edge hems right? Aren’t all DCF shelters the same in the regard? So that would leave us with low fiber density. Back to what you said before about using pieces that should be thrown away? Seems like we need to get Ron Bell in here to defend his DCF construction.

Not debating any individual perceptions above, just adding some points on DCF  shelter and Pyramid Panel Design.
1:  Every major DCF pyramid maker (mld, zpacks, hyperlight, locus, etc.) orients the DCF weave the same –  90/180 along the weave across the bottom and vertical to the peak for the least stretch or creep over time.   No curves across the bottom edge. Nothing else makes sense for large Mid sides. Yes, some non-pyramid style  DCF tent  orient some smaller panels a bit off the 90/180, but not often or by much.
2: The curves along the diagonals may be very slightly different between companies but that does not change the bottom edges tightness.
3:  MLD uses a full 1″ bonding on those four main diagonally curved seams and then adds  a 3/4″ overtape of DCF backed tape oriented/cut along the DCF weave to limit any stretch along the diagonal.  That’s as good as it gets and is far better than a sewn seam with a regular type hot seam seal only tape that can stretch and certainly far better than a bonded only seam without any stretch limiting overtape.

Some general DCF Notes.
1: DCF can and eventually will stretch along the 90/180. It’s usually small and a result of:
1: Age – Over time repeated use, stuffing, staking,  wind stress, etc. can stretch it a bit. It does not take much stretch of DCF to show a bit along that edge, but not really a  functional  problem unless its really bad. More likely the shelter will reach the end of its service life before the stretch is the biggest issue.
2: Heat – Heat can soften the DCF mylar and permit stretch in any direction. A DCF shelter  left pitched in  the hot sun, especially the  parts  near  hot ground can get quite warm.  DCF and higher than regular hot summer air ambient  heat don’t mix too well.
3 Stress – Either from pitching it overly tight and leaving it pitched for a long time or just the total number of pitches over many many days of use.  It will wear out some day
4: DCF life span is about 50% of a high quality Silnylon.  About 200 days for .75/.8 style well-built DCF shelter  VS 400+ for silnylon if taken care of, stored well and not stressed / over heated.

5: We find that DCF  .75/.8 fabric reject is  very very  low now vs 5 or 10yrs ago.  The .5 version is more.

I’ll say it again, the MLD .75 Grace Duo tarp I owned was far and away the most meticulously crafted shelter I have ever seen.  It should one day be in a museum.  It was that magnificent.

Yes, #8, duh, I knew that

Ryan, do you ever use an inner with your Khufu?