Shangri-La 3 versus Luxe Mini Peak: which to choose?

[darrenleroy]

I've been doing some research into the Shangri-La 3 and the Luxe Mini Peak, Both seem like popular choices with those backpackers who want a light tent with the versatility of a tarp and plenty of headroom. BackpackingLight.co.uk compares the LMP to the SL3 and it comes out favourably but the site only sells the LMP so I can't be sure a little bit of bias is creeping in unconsciously. Here's the comparison:

A good question and one which everyone who is aware of the SL3 is bound to ask at some time or other. I've used a SL3 for many years so I feel I can give my honest comparison as follows.

• The Golite SL3 shelter (only) is a fantastic product and lighter by about 180gms. However it is awkward to get the hexagonal pitch right first time, especially in a high wind, whereas this simple rectangular base of the Mini Peak makes swift pitching considerably simpler.
• The Golite SL3 hexagonal shape helps shed high winds very effectively, however there's more useable floor space in the Mini Peak II.
• Currently Golite are supplying a full inner nest inclusive, but there's no Golite option of a solo nest for the shelter (something customers have been requesting for many years) so having one included within the price, which is spacious enough for one the taller person is excellent.
• The Golite SL3 with duo inner nest weighs a total of 1.97kg (inc 365gm pole) - The Mini Peak with solo nest (and optional 314gm pole) weighs 1.794kg.
• The hydrostatic head of the Golite SL3 is 3000mm (nest) and 1200mm (shelter) - The Mini Peak is 4000mm (nest) and 1500mm (shelter)
• The Golite SL3 has a footprint area of 5.5sqm - The Mini Peak 5.25sqm
• Golite include an adjustable pole, however many of our customers save weight and use the backpackinglight extender with walking poles as the main support. Exactly the same option is available here.
• The bottom line is that the Golite SL3 currently retails in the region of £250 more, which is approximately three times the Mini Peak II and it weighs fractionally more, which indicates what a perfect value for money item this is for the solo traveller.

So I throw it out there to my BCUK buddies. Does anyone have an experience of both of these tents or does anyone have anything to report on their individual tent be it a LMP or SL3? Both look like excellent choices but the considerably lower price of the LMP is grabbing all the attention. How can it be so much cheaper?

Would I be wise to buy one of these and if so what do you think? I currently use a DD Tarp and an ex-army Goretex bivvy bag with two extendable poles from RV Ops. I need to re-weight this set up to see how it compares to the roughly 2kg mark of both tents.

Your wisdom please...

 

[treadlightly]

I have no experience of the Luxe but do own a SL3. I just have the outer which I erect with a walking staff when out and use a lightweight ground sheet. Outer only is under 800g IIRC. Can't fault it as a backpacking tent. Roomy, lightweight, good in wind and easy to put up and take down. Guess where i bought it from? Backpacking Light.

The luxe looks very good too, cheaper and with that single nest, maybe more versatile. i would also trust Bob's assessment.

 

[kiltedpict]

Having owned a hex 3 and seen the luxe, I think the luxe wins- better value for money and I think more usable space inside.

As far as I recall Golite no longer supply the UK, hence why Bob doesn't sell them anymore- nothing to do with bias I can assure you.

I've been buying stuff from Bob for a long time and finally got to meet him an chat a bit on the TGO challenge last month- he was testing a new tent (telemark) but he said he wished he had the mini peak with him.

Like Treadlightly, I rate Bob's knowledge and experience highly indeed.

I already have a DuoMid from MLD from the states, otherwise I'd buy the mini peak II

 

[widu13]

I've not used the Go-Lite but I do have the Minipeak, and I'm very impressed with it. There's reviews of both on here so have a dig around.

 

[darrenleroy]

I have no experience of the Luxe but do own a SL3. I just have the outer which I erect with a walking staff when out and use a lightweight ground sheet. Outer only is under 800g IIRC. Can't fault it as a backpacking tent. Roomy, lightweight, good in wind and easy to put up and take down. Guess where i bought it from? Backpacking Light.

The luxe looks very good too, cheaper and with that single nest, maybe more versatile. i would also trust Bob's assessment.

I wasn't aware Bob sold the SL3 in the past and now knowing Golite don't sell that tent in the UK it makes more sense. Thanks everyone for backing what Bob says on the BPL website. Looks like it's the Luxe Mini Peak then...

 

[widu13]

Golite have withdrawn from the International marketplace. Their products can still be purchased via a reshipper.

 

[rg598]

I have been using the Shangri-La 3 for for some time now, and I love it. Here is my review of the tent: http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/2013/02/golite-shangri-la-3-tent-review.html

 

[darrenleroy]

I have been using the Shangri-La 3 for for some time now, and I love it. Here is my review of the tent: http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/2013/02/golite-shangri-la-3-tent-review.html

Nice review with some illuminating comments and answers below. Thanks.

PS how can I follow your blog? I don't want to sign up to google or yahoo. Can I email you my email and get notifications in my in box?

 

[rg598]

Nice review with some illuminating comments and answers below. Thanks.

PS how can I follow your blog? I don't want to sign up to google or yahoo. Can I email you my email and get notifications in my in box?

Thanks.

You can follow the blog a number of ways. I have a few boxes for it on the side of the blog. Facebook is probably the easiest one, but if you click "subscribe" it will give you a few options for readers. Unfortunately, I don't have an email notification tool.

 

[Andy BB]

Nice write-up on both the 3 & 5. For our American cousins, Seekoutside are offering to supply and fit a chimney jack in any tent for sensible money(you supply the tent), and it seems the Shangri-La 5 is the favoured recipient.

 

[Johnnyboy1971]

I dropped on a Shangri-la 5 last year and after a good amount of use now I must say its brilliant. Packs down to a decent size and loads of room in it. I do think the 3 would have suited me better with a slightly smaller footprint. I was fortunate that mine came fitted with a stovejack and stove.
I have heard good things too about the MegahornII

 

[rg598]

I know a lot of people have used the Titanium Goat stove and jack to good effect on the SL 5: http://www.titaniumgoat.com/products.html It makes for a relatively lightweight set up.

 

[kmac]

Darren - did you get the Lux? Being the owner of a Golite Shangri-la 3 I would agree with the points on the backpaking light website expect perhaps the one about the Go-lite being hard to pitch - its not. But maybe the retangular shape is even easier to pitch? For those wanting a solo interior for their Go-lite there has been one available for some time now from Ookworks. http://www.oookworks.com/oooknest_mesh.html The guy can make up inners for any tent for a price.

 

[Andy BB]

Darren - did you get the Lux? Being the owner of a Golite Shangri-la 3 I would agree with the points on the backpaking light website expect perhaps the one about the Go-lite being hard to pitch - its not. But maybe the retangular shape is even easier to pitch? For those wanting a solo interior for their Go-lite there has been one available for some time now from Ookworks. http://www.oookworks.com/oooknest_mesh.html The guy can make up inners for any tent for a price.

Anothr option for an inner "nest" is here http://seekoutside.com/products/liners-and-nests/

 

[darrenleroy]

I didn't get the Luxe yet because on doing some more research I came across the Tarptent Scarp 1 review on blogpackinglight:

http://blogpackinglight.wordpress.com/2013/01/04/tarptent-scarp-1-long-term-review/

And then I became confused. Robin, who runs the site recommends the Scarp 1 as his tent of choice as an all-round lightweight tent.

No I just don't know what to buy. I don't have the money for both. Any recommendations?

 

[theoctagon]

I haven't owned or tried any of the three shelters on your list so I don't really have too much to offer, I have read good things about all three of them though so i'm sure whichever you pick will serve you well. The Scarp 1 looks good at handling big weather and heavy snow when used with the optional crossing poles.

If you haven't already have a look at Martin Rye's blog, he uses the SL3 quite a lot and rates it.

From the original two you mention I think it'd be the SL3 for me, between the SL3 and the Scarp? I'm not sure either!

If you're considering the Scarp 1 It'd be worth dropping Henry an email before you order as I think an updated version is due to be released some time in the near future.

Let us know how you get on!


Matt

 

[theoctagon]

PS Have you considered a Trailstar?

 

[darrenleroy]

Stop confusing me! Well I have a DD tarp which has served me through thick and thin. What is the benefit of the Trailstar?

Thanks for the link by the way. I love those pics. So serene.

 

[darrenleroy]

The more I look at the Trailstar the more I like it. I love my DD but the Trailstar is lighter with more pitching options. If money were no object I'd buy the silnylon version tomorrow.

 

[ex-member BareThrills]

And then I became confused. Robin, who runs the site recommends the Scarp 1

1.3kg seems heavy to me for such a small shelter. thats about the same my SL5 with pole (outer only).