Tent review: Mountain Hardwear Muir Trai l

“my new tent worked pretty good. i got to test in in some snow. 4 - 5 inches had fallen by the time i broke it down in the morning. not much in the way of winds (5 mph with 10-15 mph gusts at most). it is plenty large for one person 6' 2". it held me and every piece of gear i had with me, including pack. plenty of room in the vestibule for boots and cooking (there are handy little elastic bands for holding the door back while cooking in vestibule). it would work easily for me and my wife with some gear space in the tent. the vestibule would be full with packs and boots for two(maybe to the point of entry and exit be partiall blocked). so alternative pack storage method would be needed (tarp or hang from tree with rain cover on). it shed the snow fairly well but not completely. i laid in my bag and listen to the snow sliding off it for quite sometime before day break. when i went out to get my food bag, there was some snow on the top that hadn't been sliding off. i adjusted the fly tension and it slid off. laying back in my sleeping bag and warming water, i could once again hear the snow sliding off. after i was packed and ready to break down my tent i climbed out to see a little snow had accumulated on the top again (you can see it as it covers the window in the roof). i once again tightened up the fly sheet and it slid off. pretty good tent, no condensation build up in the tent with the roof panel zipped 1/3 open at the top and about 4 inches at the bottom and the top of the door left open about an inch. some condensation did gather inside the fly on the top. the vestibule is good sized. tensioning the fly is made easy because of the clips and buckles. i used two guylines as well as stakes on every spot provided on tent base.
even with snow accumulated on the tent, there was no apparent sagging from the inside. the fly sheet never appeared to be getting closer to the tent body (there is about 2 inches of space between them) and internal space in the tent never seemed to be diminishing. it seems to be VERY strong. after one use, i like it alot. wouldn't call it a full blown 4 season mountaineering tent by any means, but it could handle most any situation i see around here (blue ridge mountains of virginia). even heavy snow if properly guyed and you don't mind getting out and adjusting fly tension.”

“I hate to ask-
How much?”

“retail $315, i found it online for $235 at alpenglow adventure sports. they don't have it listed on their sale tents list anymore though.”

“I bought The Kiva-
Taking it for the second time this weekend-looks like rain-no floor
Hmmm-”

“Baume, just about any tent will collect a certain amount of snow so I don't think it's a big deal really. Every tent I ever owned did. Sounds like you got a good deal.”

“I have a Muir Trail and I like it a lot. Very well built.”

“Anybody want to buy a Muir Trail I will sell mine for 200 bucks. Only used twice. If interested email @ lzxray@yahoo.com
Great tent it just didnt meet my needs.”

“How much does it weigh?

lzxray do you have a lay-away plan ???? LOL!!!”

“6 lbs. 10 oz. if you leave the stuff sack home. also, because of its wedge shape, i could only sit up near the door. this was not a problem with just me in the tent. getting in and out was also very easy.the muir trail.

solitary hiker or lzxray, have either of you been in windy conditions with this tent?”

“yeah I took it into 55 mph gusts with sustained 25mph winds. I was on the ridge of san gorgonio mt. 11499 ft. kinda rattled in the gusts. Make sure you put the rear into the wind. I dont think i would take it into that extreme wind again.




Still sellin for 200 bucks with footprint.”

“lxzray,
Did you have the guy lines out? I haven't had this tent out in high wind but if that ratty Kelty Zen could stand up to the thundershower and winds of LR99 and the winds at Anvil Camp LR00, then the Muir Trail will certainly do it and more. BTY, that's a damn good price with the footprint. Someone should buy it.”

“yeah i had it guyed out pretty good. i never had to adjust the fly either i just pulled it real tight before i got in and snow built up, the wind blew, but no sagging.”