A review of the MLD (Mountain Laurel Designs) Cricket tarp and innernet, both in DCF, after completion of my Appalachian Trail 2021 NOBO thru hike. email/PP: robert@lehays.com
I was surprised by how large it really is, and how roomy I think this is one of the best gear review videos that I have seen (and I have seen quite a few) well thought out with considerations for us viewers. If you took out all the "whatevers", this could be a professional product video. ML are you listening 👏👏👏
Simple design definitely makes for quick and easy setup. I have the Tarptent Notch Li which is pretty similar except it has triangular openings at each ends. Setup is about the same. Looks like yours survived the thru hike in great shape!
Your passing comment about condensation was the one report I watched this vid for. When I do a long distance hike I want the lightest rig necessary. My enjoyment is hiking not camping. The one comment consistent from two or three man Zpacks (duplex or triplex) users is condensation and moisture splashing in. This tarp tent setup gives the ventilation needed without sacrificing too much else and looks dry in comparison. After all the Appalachian Mountains are a temperate rainforest! Very helpful clip Rob. And you have a fall back job this Christmas with your 5 Star Santa Claus beard!
Been very happy with mine, used If several times above the tree line here in Norway. I got the green sil nylon one and use a Borah bivy inside. Only a weekend warrior so don’t need to worry about condensation most of the time, but sleeping by a lake I could feel some condensation spray on my face at night when the wind picked up. In the woods with all the ticks I’d be tempted by the inner net If I’d be out for a longer period of time. I did not feel the price of the sil nylon Cricket was bad at all considering the cost of manufacture and quality of the product.
Thank you ER! FYI, I was very fortunate and was able to stay with the Frechette's in South Paris, Maine. They still have your picture on the bulletin board in their hallway! Very, very nice people!
I’m considering this tarp. I’m trying to go lighter on my backpacking and switched from a 4 pound tent to a 1 pound tarp from six moons designs. Just recently tried it out for the second outing and very discouraged about the sil sag. Seems like this tarp would solve the problem.
Thanks for this review! What is your usual length of the center trekking pole? On MLD:s website the height is 140cm and my current hiking poles max out at 132cm. Any chance the Cricket could work with 132cm or do I need to switch poles or use a pole jack?
Wow, thanks for this review , I have the zpacks plexamid, and it is light as heck , but have had condensation issues in the past , I really liked that u mentioned 0 condensation , I may go to this mountain laurel designs system , I really like and I do like the cammo also , my plex is camo , but they quit carrying the cammo fabric, do u think u could get your pack in the screen section ? And I also like the option of taking out the screen so u could only have tarp for colder bug free months , thanks for review , my plex is really a condensation monster , the single reason I I don't like , but it is stupid light
The only way I could get my pack into the screen section would be to put it underneath my legs at night.... which I did a few times when I wanted to elevate my legs. Thank you for the question and for following along, it's appreciated!
I'm planning to hike the A.T. in 2026 after I retire in the end of 2025. I decided to go the hammock route and recently purchased one. Were there times you thought "thank goodness I have the tent and not a hammock? I like your tent, however with my back, it's easier for me to climb into a hammock instead of laying on the ground. What did you use for sleeping on? An inflatable mattress? With this tent and the open end, were there any nights that you couldn't avoid rain blowing in on you? Really enjoyed your videos every day and really happy you're doing all these post videos now. Thanks!
I saw a fair number of people using hammocks... On the Appalachian Trail I can't see it ever being a real issue about finding a spot... There's plenty of trees to hang from. I didn't use an inflatable pad, I just used a closed cell foam pad from Nemo - which I cut down to torso length. Although the Inflatables are very comfortable I toss and turn a lot at night and they just don't work well for me. I never really had an issue with rain coming in. It just took a little bit of thought before setting up, making sure you're in a good spot and face the opening away from the wind. Thank you for your comment and following along, it's appreciated! Have fun on your thru-hike!
Interesting video, thanks. It would have been nice if you didn't cut the part of you entering the tarp. Its important for viewers to see how easy (or hard) this is as they will most likely buy it to use it. Maybe you can re-edit the video and put back that part of you entering the tarp. Thanks again.
Thanks for the review! I’ve been following your hike, and was hoping that you would review your sleep system. I’ve had numerous condensation issues with top name brand tents and was looking to change my sleep setup. After watching your review I ordered the exact setup you have. Thanks!!! Hike on
Thank you for this very in depth video. Do you know if either of the MLD bug bivys fit under the tarp? If so, did you consider that as an option and why did you rule it out?
I carried the mountain laurel designs Superlight bivy for the first month or so and used it a few times. My issue with it was condensation...when using it the foot box of my sleeping bag would be very damp in the morning.... which in hindsight makes sense since I was zipped right up inside it and moisture couldn't escape. That's when I switched over to just using the innernet. I just sold the bivy online...
best review i've seen on the Cricket! i want to make the Cricket my next shelter. my only concern is at 6' tall, sleeping on a 3" torso length pad, with my pack under my feet will i have a wet head or footbox?
Without the innernet I really don't think it would be an issue...If you have the innernet though it might be a little tight for you. Best of luck on whatever you decide!
My thought was - if you primarily plan on staying at shelter locations you may want a bigger tarp or tent in order to be more comfortable. The cricket tarp is great for stealth camping since you can pick a fairly small footprint area. Thank you for watching and following along, I appreciate it!
You can certainly use it at designated campsites, I did several times. I only mention that if you are planning on staying (mostly) at designated campsites you may be better off with a larger shelter for comfort reasons. The cricket tarp has a small footprint which makes it ideal for tighter spots. Thanks for following along, I appreciate it!
I camp mostly in New England on the AT. A lot of the designated campsites you are in aren’t the best for a two man tent(rocks,roots etc). I saw somewhere that the owner of Mld says this is his favorite AT tent. I would think a small footprint would be ideal. I use a lunar solo which is kinda similar to cricket but with doors. I like the fact the cricket has no zippers to fail.
I like the idea of a tarp, but there are many tramps that have wooden platforms that you have to use to protect the vegetation, and they gave me so much trouble with my old non-freestanding tent, (looking at you, Overland Track) that I don't think I will be a able to go that option. At least not without a hammer and nails. The lightness is tempting though.
Although I didn't end up using them on this trip I carried some small eye hooks that can be screwed into the tent platforms if needed. Really small and didn't weigh much at all... I used them before when I had a zpacks duplex and they seemed to work pretty good.
