MK1XL

This little tent is simple, strong, small, super-fast to set up and really works well at high altitudes where it's windy, cold and dry. It was made exactly to my specs since the Integral Designs company in Canada tacked on the options to my liking and left off things I didn't think were very useful. I didn't like the little tunnel vent that would flop around in the wind. To make it more versatile, I had it made with two doors with awnings so it could be better vented in warmer weather. With the doors zipped 1/3 down, the rain doesn't drip inside. It does have to be zipped up pretty tight, however, for wind-driven snow and rain. No single wall is "breatheable" since the waterproof material doesn't allow air/oxygen through. The special membrane only allows water vapor to escape so all single wall tents should be at least partially vented. The color I believe is best for this mountaineering tent is yellow and black. The other color options are dark and drab. I thought the vestibule would be too heavy and would flap too much in the wind so I left that option off. Would I buy this tent again if I had to get another one? Yup

I have used this tent in both summer (hot and humid) and winter climates (snowy and cold). I had my tent made with 2 full-size doors so ventiliation is great and with the bug mesh on the inside. I also had the tunnel vents removed to save a bit of weight.

I have used it in temps to -30F and have also set it up on windy ridges to approximate 40mph winds and am pleased with the tents stability. Heavy snow loads are no problem with this tent either - the snow just slides off and has nowhere to gather. I've had 8" of snow fall on the tent and didn't notice until the morning when i went out for bathroom visit. It is fast and easy to set up - 2 poles to insert in the inside pockets and you're done.

My tent has extra guy-out points added and they are very strong. It is reasonably light and pretty tough - just what i needed for a winter shelter.

All said - this tent is lightweight and tough - perfect for solo winter trips though a bit cozy for 2.

This tent is fairly light (3 lb 14oz) so I tend to use it for a summer tent as well. As said, it is a bit tight for two but for one person with gear there is plenty of room. I think there is a long version and a "regular" version, the regular would be rough if you are over 6' tall, but at 5' 10" it works fine for me. Sets up easy, small footprint, tough material. recommended.

I spent very difficult and scarry night in one of these venerable tents in 1994. Yes, they have been manufactured that long. The tent was set up at 24,300 feet on the NE Ridge of Dhaulagiri I (6th tallest 8,000m peak)and by the time I got up there, it was sitting on that ridge for about a month secured with ice screws. Previous day, two friends from our small group summitted and they had a very difficult time getting down to the lower C3 due to winds. I arrived at C4 in the afternoon and spent the night fighting the ever increasing winds. By about 9 PM the wind got so strong that I started to worry about what would happen if the tent poles broke. I put one piece down suit on, dropped to the floor of the tent and supported the poles with my feet. I spent the next several hours thinking that the next gust will sweep the tent off the ridge and me with it. The poles bent down to just above my face but the tent held. I will never forget the hours spent up there alone with this little tent, because it probably saved my life. Bombproof piece of gear,if you asked me.