MLD Cricket Review

MyHatGandhi

Trail Blazer
Dooes anyone know if the Cuben version would be as difficult to pitch as a DCF Trailstar or is it easier like a Solomid?

I've only used DCF version so can't compare, but I don't have any issues pitching it to the ground, and with a very taut pitch which managed a 50mph+ storm (weather summary said gusts of up to 70mph) when testing, and 40-50mph winds when I was exposed up pen-y-fan.

There's not much flexibility (or I haven't worked it all out yet) but it's enough for my needs since I only really need a low, medium or high pitch. I like that it stays taut through the night.

The only issue for me so far is that I haven't mastered the door. It's usually very high and narrow, or low and narrow... both with too much flex, although the wind facing side (back) is rock solid.

Takes me about 5-10 minutes to pitch and adjust, depending on my urgency.
 

Dave V

Moderator
Staff member
I've only used DCF version so can't compare, but I don't have any issues pitching it to the ground, and with a very taut pitch which managed a 50mph+ storm (weather summary said gusts of up to 70mph) when testing, and 40-50mph winds when I was exposed up pen-y-fan.

There's not much flexibility (or I haven't worked it all out yet) but it's enough for my needs since I only really need a low, medium or high pitch. I like that it stays taut through the night.

The only issue for me so far is that I haven't mastered the door. It's usually very high and narrow, or low and narrow... both with too much flex, although the wind facing side (back) is rock solid.

Takes me about 5-10 minutes to pitch and adjust, depending on my urgency.

Thats good to know. Do you have any pics you could post to show the various pitches. I know a few people have been interested with the cuben version.
 

MyHatGandhi

Trail Blazer
Thats good to know. Do you have any pics you could post to show the various pitches. I know a few people have been interested with the cuben version.
Edit: My mistake, this is a trailstar not a cricket. I missundersood! Call it baby brain...

I don't really have tons of pictures but here's a few. It includes some of my really early ones as well. Like I said, I can easily get it to the ground, or leave ventilation, and I can easily get the back and sides taut. But the bloody door!

https://imgur.com/gallery/LwrlV5P

Edit: I've done an open pitch in the past which was ok, but no pictures. I promise to take more next season!
For those wondering why its often empty, I didn't bother putting stuff in for practice pitches, and taking pictures of the inside when I was wild camping didn't cross my mind :thumbsup:
 
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Shewie

Chief Slackpacker
Staff member
I missundersood guys :angelic::angelic:

Its a trailstar! That's what I was talking about all along! Oooops.

If it's any consolation I find the door on the sil version to be the trickiest part to get under good tension, it usually looks okay but in bad weather it's the part that flaps and cracks occasionally
 

MyHatGandhi

Trail Blazer
If it's any consolation I find the door on the sil version to be the trickiest part to get under good tension, it usually looks okay but in bad weather it's the part that flaps and cracks occasionally

That's really good to know. I suspect (ok ok, we know its true) that DCF makes it even harder than the sil since there's little give, but if it's difficult on the sil version too, I can chill a bit more.
 
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