The Sil-Shelter really is half-tent, half-tarp. It comes with one curved pole so the back looks like a tunnel tent. However a trekking pole is needed for the front end, as with a tarp. Some variation in the pitch at the door is possible with two trekking poles – open up the door and use a pole to support each side – but not overall. The inside is cavernous with easily enough room for two people plus all their gear. There’s good headroom too. The Sil-Shelter is easy to pitch, though I did find the curved pole had to be bent so much to clip it in place that I was worried it might crack. The pegs supplied are on the short side and I suggest replacing some with longer ones.
The big unsupported sides and the single guyline at the front mean that stability in the wind isn’t that good. Adding a second guyline at the front plus side guylines would improve stability but I don’t think a shelter this shape could ever be really wind resistant so it’s best used on sheltered sites.
First published: May 2013
