SPECIFICATIONS:

• Average Weights:
• Canopy - 17 oz / 1 lb 1 oz
• Canopy, stakes, stuff sacks, & cordage -  21 oz / 1 lb 5 oz
• Nest - 16 oz
• Dimensions:
• Height - 50"
• 7' W X 7' L, slight diamond shape - one diagonal is 6" shorter than the other.
• 49 sq ft
• Large percentage of usable space.  Sitting height above 36" is close to 18 sqft.

• Fabric - 30D Cordura spec ripstop double coated silnylon. Hydrostatic head rating 3000-4000 mm.  

Nest Dimensions:

• 46" wide X 112" long
• 17.9 sqft floor area
• Tensions with linelocs at head and toe, ties to poles at sides.
• Can be pitched separate from canopy with extra cordage and stakes.

PITCHING:

Pitching the Canopy

The Silex is a rough square with a slight diamond shape due to catenary cuts in the central seams.  This makes it very easy to pitch by eye.

The canopy requires a minimum 4 stakes and has an additional 4 stake loops for a total of 8 that can can be used in rough conditions.  Guyout loops are provided for optional guylines.

1. Make sure you have slack in the stakeline cordage.

2. Stake one of the triple seam corners.

3. Pull the other triple seam corner out taut.  Use the first guyout point up from the corner as a setback point.  Mark that location and insert a stake there.  Place the cordage loop for the triple seam corner on that stake.

4. Pull out the two doors and stake, making sure you don't pull the centerline off center (this is easy to do when staking the first door).

5. Insert the poles (make sure to use the pole handle keepers)

6. Check tension and adjust stakes as necessary.  

7. Drive the stakes home and tension the stakeline cordage as necessary.

8. Stake out the guyouts and guyline if needed.

Tips:

• The Silex can be pitched with as few as four stakes.  If you expect rough weather, use beefy, sturdy stakes for these four (such as our Twisted Stakes), and fill in the other stake loops as needed.

• In high winds you can dedicate the downwind door for entry and exit and stake out the upwind door.

• You can double stake the primary stake positions easily by using a short piece of cordage with loops on both ends.  Run this cordage through the stakeline loop, then stake both loops. The stakeline will look like a “Y” if you do this correctly.

• A Tautline Hitch tied on the ends of the vestibule guylines isn’t necessary, but handy to add tension.  The same goes for guylines on the sides. Read “Knots You Should Know” on our website to learn this and other useful knots.

Pitching the Nest

1. The nest attaches with linelocs and cordage at the head and foot.  

2. The middle has toggle and loops at the top and keepers at the bottom that can be connected to the bottom of the poles.

3. To pitch the nest and canopy as one, leave the head and foot and top of the middle connected, but with some slack in the lines.  Pitch the canopy first, then tension the nest and tie out the middle.

4. The nest can be pitched without the canopy.  Stake the head and foot and middle bottom, then use cordage and extra stakes to pull the top middle up with your trekking poles.

SEAM SEALING:  

For best results we recommend seam sealing your tent.  You can do it at home or have us do it for you (adds up to one week)(if we seal the shelter it will be shipped without extra tubes of sealant):

Seam Sealing Service

• We send our shelters with enough seam sealer to seal the entire shelter.  
• Pitch the shelter normally and seal the outside seams.
• The easy way to seal is to run a thin bead of sealant along the seam, then press it in with a finger, wiping the excess on a paper towel.
• Alternatively, you can use an acid brush from a hardware store to spread the sealant.

COMES WITH:

• Shelter canopy
• 6 Stakes
• Stuff Sack
• Seam Sealer (If you don't have us seam seal it.)
• Does not come with poles.  This shelter is intended to pitch with two 120 to 140 cm trekking poles.

FAQ:

A.  The Eolus is better for sleeping two people.  The Eolus has more built in ventilation and can handle condensation slightly better (though the Silex does outstanding when pitched with taller 140 cm poles).  The Silex door opens taller due to its' geometry.  The Silex pitches tighter to the ground, and the Silex will work better as a hot tent due to less draft and the angle of the door panel.

Q.  Why are there D rings on top of the pole pockets?

A.  Because you can pitch the Silex with a tarp ridgeline between two trees instead of with trekking poles.  The ridgelines weigh around an ounce, so this can save weight. (Click to check out a Single Line Tarp Ridgeline)

TOP ACCESSORIES:

• Mountain Mat
• Ground Tarp
• Reflective Guyline
• Twisted Stakes