Gear Review: Black Diamond Mega Light Tent and Mega Bug

Whether we’re car camping or backpacking, our Black Diamond Megamid is the shelter I reach for first (apparently they changed the name to Mega Light Tent, but we’ve had this shelter for 20 years, and it was called Megamid until very recently I think!).

At less than 3 pounds, it’s fairly light, especially for a shelter that comfortably sleeps four.  I like gear that has enough bells and whistles to make things simple and comfortable, but not so many that it’s distracting and adds unnecessary weight.  The Megamid fits the bill.

(Edit: I said the Megamid comfortably sleeps four.  If you’re backpacking and it’s pouring and you need to pull all of your gear inside, I’d say four is doable and three is much more comfortable!)

I have weathered more than a few storms in this shelter, and it has never let me down.  We owned the previous version for many years, and only recently upgraded to the new, lighter version.  It’s easy for one person to set up:  lay it down square, stake the four corners, and raise the pole in the middle.  We removed the loops of cordage that were attached when we bought it in favor of some straight pieces that could be more easily adjusted (using a truckers’ or a taught-line hitch).  We often stake out the sides once we’ve raised it to our desired height.  This adds just a bit of space for those sleeping on the edges.

Technically speaking, I like the Megamid for its simplicity.  I like the option to leave the tent pole at home and use my trekking poles instead (just make sure you bring the small fabric piece that the trekking pole handles fit into!).  There are no extras on it, and the zipper is burly.  I like that’s it’s light and packs into a stuff sack that’s smaller than a volleyball.

In less technical terms, I like it because air flows through and it doesn’t smell inside after a week on trail.  I like that I can sit up in my sleeping bag without hitting my head.

The one possible drawback to the Megamid is that it doesn’t have a floor or screens.  I generally like this because of the air flow mentioned above, and I usually don’t miss those things, as we have very few buggy places in Colorado.  I can imagine that in the Southeast one would want a bug screen, though, and we’ve wished for it near some Colorado lakes.

A few years ago, Black Diamond solved this by creating a separate item called the Mega Bug.  We purchased this and have used it many times, mostly when car camping.  With this addition, you have the added advantage of having a tent floor.  If nothing else, this keeps your gear from getting dirty and keeps thing contained.  It’s really for bug protection, though, because really, is there anything worse than bugs swarming around you when you’re trying to rest?!  

Sometimes we use the Megalight Tent and the Mega Bug together.  They’re made for that and if set up properly it’s a great system.  Often we use one or the other.  If it’s hot and we need shade or protection from rain or snow, we set up the Megalight Tent.  If the stars are out and so are the bugs, the Mega Bug alone provides our shelter.

I highly recommend both of these!