Stone Glacier Skyair ULT testing and review **Update 12/17**

[Josh Boyd]

I've been using a Stone Glacier Skyair shelter system this summer as a starting point of a review. I have in my possession for testing, the full set up which consists of the tarp body, vestibule, footprint, and the mesh insert. When this shelter was announced this winter I started wondering how it would stack up to other light weight shelters in my arsenal and how far into the inclement weather I could use it this fall. So far I've had it in some stiff winds, moderate down pours, wet brush, and thick mosquitoes. The next part of the test will be to use this in the backcountry of Montana and Wyoming chasing bugling bulls where fatigue and less-than-ideal conditions will expose any potential limitations of this system.
Please use this thread to ask questions, request additional information, and post up personal experience with the Skyair.

***Update 12/17/19*** Josh's review is complete here.

 

[HankBC]

Looks like a decent amount of room inside. If you run it without the vestibule do you find the rain coming through the peak area if it’s driving?

Seems like a fancy colored super tarp, but a good looking light shelter none the less.


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[Josh Boyd]

Looks like a decent amount of room inside. If you run it without the vestibule do you find the rain coming through the peak area if it’s driving?

Seems like a fancy colored super tarp, but a good looking light shelter none the less.


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It is definitely light and really packable. I think the Supertarp is a little taller in the foot area giving it a little more room. I’d like to try out a Supertarp to see how it compares.

I have not used it in driving rain without the vestibule but it’s my educated guess that you would want it on in those conditions.


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[robby denning]

Cool, been waiting on this one Josh. How much does it weigh with the set up that you have? And what is the mesh insert for? Bugs?


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[Primitive_in_GA]

That's a nice setup!

 

[Josh Boyd]

Cool, been waiting on this one Josh. How much does it weigh with the set up that you have? And what is the mesh insert for? Bugs?


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Robby,
The main body, vestibule, ground sheet, and 10 stakes come in at 1.32 pounds. The mesh insert is a silnylon floor with a bug net upper. It weighs 0.70 pounds. It is a must have if you are headed to bug country.

As a side note on weight I've added an additional 4 MSR Groundhog stakes to the kit for more staking options (the shelter comes with 6). I have also left out the weight of the trekking poles as readers can factor in the weight of their personal pair of poles for a total shelter weight.

 

[Katera33]

Robby,
The main body, vestibule, ground sheet, and 10 stakes come in at 1.32 pounds. The mesh insert is a silnylon floor with a bug net upper. It weighs 0.70 pounds. It is a must have if you are headed to bug country.

As a side note on weight I've added an additional 4 MSR Groundhog stakes to the kit for more staking options (the shelter comes with 6). I have also left out the weight of the trekking poles as readers can factor in the weight of their personal pair of poles for a total shelter weight.

View attachment 117773

Nice setup! Thanks for sharing

 

[junior]

Im liking mine but have just had it set up in the yard a few times to figure it out before season. I do wish they had provided suggestions for how tall to run your trekking poles on each end. I know the idea is to have some flexibility to pitch higher or lower but a general reference would be nice. Also wish there was another loop on either side for second guy out points. Do they recommend seam sealing at all or is it not necessary?

 

[MT_Wyatt]

Im liking mine but have just had it set up in the yard a few times to figure it out before season. I do wish they had provided suggestions for how tall to run your trekking poles on each end. I know the idea is to have some flexibility to pitch higher or lower but a general reference would be nice. Also wish there was another loop on either side for second guy out points. Do they recommend seam sealing at all or is it not necessary?

Google the Slingfin video on the “splitwing” shelter - they give pole length recommendations (I don’t remember what they are off the top of my head). Totally agree that their should be pole length written on something with the shelter - I’m going to sharpie them onto a tag or something. Really you just need to have the height measurement for pitching it with the neat.


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[junior]

nice thanks wyatt. their website looks like it says 105-120cm. They also give a tutorial for setup.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

110 cm for vestibule/bug net pitch height.

100 cm for low/wide, up to 130 cm for tall pitch when solo.

 

[Matt W.]

I wish the mesh insert had a bathtub style floor, say 6-8" up... Any issues with rain and wind?

 

[Josh Boyd]

I wish the mesh insert had a bathtub style floor, say 6-8" up... Any issues with rain and wind?

A bathtub floor would add to the overall weight but would bring a little more peace of mind in a nasty storm. I’ve not had any issues with water getting in but a heavy wind tends to blow the mesh walls inward. If they were wet it wouldn’t be fun. But so far I’ve stayed dry in mine. Except the one time I rolled onto my bladder bite valve in the middle of the night....


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[Charlottes]

SG makes good stuff, glad to see they are branching out from bags

 

[THBZN]

SG makes good stuff, glad to see they are branching out from bags

This is the company that builds their tent/tarps: https://www.slingfin.com/products/splitwing-ul-tarp They put the SG logo on them. Sling Fin has been in the tent game a long time. They make good stuff. The SlingFin Portal tent could be a great 3 season hunting tent setup. 3 lbs. 4 oz i think....

 

[mort9687]

Great review, just curious if you have tried it compared to the kifaru supertarp?

 

[Josh Boyd]

Great review, just curious if you have tried it compared to the kifaru supertarp?

I have not had a chance to use a Supertarp. I'd be interested in comparing one after spending a ton of nights in the Skyair.

 

[jmoots]

So, it's exactly the same as the SplitWing?

 

[TheShootist]

So, it's exactly the same as the SplitWing?

Yes but in blue!


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[RJC]

You weren't joking....it's literally the same exact thing with the same exact accessories.