Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape

The Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape is a dual-purpose piece: a lightweight rain poncho that converts into a trekking-pole-supported pyramid shelter for one person, made from 15D silicone-coated polyester ripstop. At 310 g it's the lightest shelter in Six Moon Designs' tarp lineup covered here, and the trade-off shows in its lower 1,800 mm waterproof rating versus the 3,000 mm HH of the brand's dedicated tarps, reflecting the lighter fabric needed to double as rain gear. Pitched, it covers 3.2 m² with a 114 cm peak height and a single J-shaped door secured with a YKK #3 zipper, plus one interior pocket for small items. Unlike other Six Moon Designs tarps, guylines aren't included, so factor that in alongside the six stakes also needed. As a floorless, non-freestanding design, it offers no built-in floor or bug protection. A shelter for weight-conscious thru-hikers who like one item doing double duty as rain protection while walking and shelter at camp, accepting a lower waterproof rating and missing accessories as the cost of that versatility.