Gossamer Gear SpinnShelter™ View Larger Image

Product Description

THE SPINNSHELTER™ IS IN STOCK.

Simply put, the Gossamer Gear SpinnShelter™ is the lightest weight, full protection waterproof shelter available on the market today. It provides an unbelievable 4.9 sq. ft. (.5 sq. m.) of floor space per ounce of waterproof shelter! Our commitment to creating cutting edge ultralight gear led us to start experimenting with super-light spinnaker cloth several years ago. We tested a number of different spinnaker fabrics, and found considerable variation in characteristics. We have been making the G5 pack out of spinnaker fabric since 2002. We started testing shelters around the same time, and while the fabrics were adequate for hiking in the arid west, our development team was reluctant to introduce a shelter for wider distribution that had less-than-stellar performance in real-world wind and rain conditions.

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Setup size is flexible, diagram represents the standard button-down configuration

We discovered through exhaustive research that a fabric did exist that was strong enough to handle in-field, real world wind stress and offered complete waterproof properties equal to that of silnylon, all at a significant reduction in weight. SpinnShelter™ fabric is made in Europe and was originally designed to the exacting standards for use in the most recent America’s Cup Yacht race. The shelter design itself originated from the desire to have full coverage when needed, combined with the versatility that you’d expect from using a tarp for shelter, delivered using ultralight but uncompromising fabric. The design was honed over time using in-field experience to ensure the benefits of protection and versatility were maximized with a minimum weight penalty. The results are astounding, and response has been phenomenal.

The SpinnShelter™ has a computer-designed catenary ridgeline, for optimum pitch and tension with minimum fabric stress, and to minimize flapping in winds. The front doors can be pitched open, one side closed to provide a windbreak, with a beak on the open side to provide additional overhang, or fully enclosed as a vestibule. For meal breaks in inclement weather, the SpinnShelter™ can be set up as a lean-to or fly. The sides of the shelter can be pitched to the ground for severe weather and breezy conditions, or with line to allow better ventilation in humid conditions. The peak height allows an average hiker to sit up in the shelter. The latest version of the SpinnShelter™ has been redesigned with a single rear door. The older models had two rear doors, like the front. The new rear door does not provide a beak or vestibule but is flush with the rear sidewalls of the tarp. This configuration makes it much easier to achieve a taut pitch.

To save weight, the SpinnShelter™ is designed to set up with trekking poles. The poles do not need to be adjustable, though the use of poles shorter than 115 cm. will affect your ability to set up at a minimum ridge height. The User Manual covers techniques for installing a duct tape "stop" on a pole and the use of a clove hitch to use a tall pole for the short end of the shelter. Backpackers who don't use trekking poles may select a set of aluminum or carbon fiber tent poles to use with the tent. Eight stakes is the minimum number of stakes recommended for most setups. For additional stake downs along the sides, you may choose to carry additional stakes. With the weight of titanium stakes, it makes sense not to cut it closer than you need to for the anticipated conditions on your trip.

The SpinnShelter™ is also designed to work with the optional Bug Canopy. The Gossamer Gear Bug Canopy was designed to provide effective protection from flying bugs and to a lesser degree crawling bugs with a minimum weight penalty. At 3 oz. (85 g.) , the Bug Canopy can be easily added to your SpinnShelter™ and will form a small enclosure from the middle of your sleeping bag up over your head and out towards the front door. The design is simple but effective; you will attach the Bug Canopy to five attachment points already sewn into your Spinnshelter™ which will create a canopy over your head and will keep pesky bugs at bay so you can eat, read or sleep in peace.

Hundreds of hours of field testing have resulted in details you will appreciate. There are tie-outs on the inside of the ridgeline, for attaching a light, or a line to dry damp clothing. The hook and loop ties for the front doors are reversed, so that if you have a dot of hook or loop on your Photon light, you can stick it onto one side or the other to illuminate your vestibule. The tie-outs are designed to effectively spread stresses to the fabric. Key areas are reinforced with 70 denier coated ripstop nylon.

While some people have reported good results with leaving their SpinnShelter™ unsealed, for maximum protection we recommend sealing the main seams with either Silnet or a homemade concoction of silicon sealant and mineral spirits.

For more detailed instructions on use, download the User Manual and the Basic Knots document. See Warranty for important information.

Recommended Uses

3 season backcountry shelter for sub-alpine use. May be used in alpine conditions by experienced/expert ultralight alpine hikers. Will shed light snow.

2009 SETUP VIDEO

Additional Photos

Full protection pitch (sides to ground) showing catenary ridgeline

One door pitched as a windbreak

Elevated pitch for additional room and ventilation

Spinnshelter set up as a lean-to for taking a break in inclement weather

Profile showing front overhang

Partial closure of a front door to create a 'beak'