Recommendations on bivy tent

[82ndreddevil]

Looking for any ideas you guys have on bivy tents. Wanting something below 4 pounds and moderately priced. I appreciate any feedback.

 

[jmden]

TarpTent Rainbow--an actual one person tent, two in a tight sqeeze, as just over 2lbs for a pretty good price and made of very lightweight, tough material that I know a thing or two about.

One potential issue is the floor is also quite lightweight and doesn't have a very high water resistant rating. Take a large garbage can sac, cut along the sides to the bottom seam, unfold it and, presto, instant, cheap floor saver. Still be careful with this floor.

Most of the other lightweight tents aren't much better in this category in terms of durability of the floor, but most will have higher water resistant rating (measure in mm of 'hydrostatic head'---essentially the water column height [pressure] where the fabric just starts to have a bit of water seep through.

 

[Firetec]

I use a Big Anges Fly Creek 2 man. It is small for two but great for one and runs as light as most bivs. I also know guys who run just a tarp.

 

[Shane Lindsey]

You could always make your own.
Thru-Hiker: Gear and Resources for Long Distance Hikers

I like the idea of this, just need to find the time. I did some hiking with a friend. I thought I was going light, then I looked at all his "home made" gear. My pack was 40 lbs, his was 20 lbs. This was an overnighter in Dec.

Shane

 

[Tim in Washington]

I like my Kifaru Super Tarp
Tim

 

[jmden]

The TarpTent Double Rainbow (for 2) is also quite a bit less than 3 lbs and has a door on each side (side entrances are almost always easier to get in and out of than end entrances in small tents) and a vestibule on each side. Especially if used for solo trips the double vestibles will get a huge amount of covered storage space.

 

[82ndreddevil]

Thanks guys for the info. I'm looking into these brands

 

[jmden]

Can be very nice to have a floor and bug proofing design. I've had bugs crawling around on me in single digit weather in my floorless shelter. I don't like 'em in my home or in my shelter while on the trail or hunting. Just me. No doubt you can go lighter without these amenities, however. Just depends what important to you.

 

[RockChucker30]

I've got a LBO from Seek Outside. It's pretty dang cool. I can use it as a tarp or a tarp with a vestibule to make it fully enclosed, and I can put a nest in it to keep all bugs out. I can also pitch it with another base tarp and a connector tarp to make it into a 4-6 man shelter that is wood stove capable.

This link is to a spin photo that shows the modularity pretty well.

Lil Bug Out Shelter

 

[jmden]

I've got a LBO from Seek Outside. It's pretty dang cool. I can use it as a tarp or a tarp with a vestibule to make it fully enclosed, and I can put a nest in it to keep all bugs out. I can also pitch it with another base tarp and a connector tarp to make it into a 4-6 man shelter that is wood stove capable.

This link is to a spin photo that shows the modularity pretty well.

Lil Bug Out Shelter

Does that design incorporate a floor with the bug netting to keep crawling bugs out?

 

[mtnwrunner]

Also check out Terra Nova tents. Good reviews and seem to be well regarded. I am looking at the Solar Competition 2 for this falls hunting trips.

Randy

 

[jmden]

Also check out Terra Nova tents. Good reviews and seem to be well regarded. I am looking at the Solar Competition 2 for this falls hunting trips.

Randy

Randy,

The Rainbow and Rainbow 2 Tarptents can be freestanding if you use your trekking poles to do so, just so you know, if that's something you need to do (it is, as I recall). Much less $ and US made as well. See vid: Tarptent Ultralight Shelters Scroll down and hit the grey video tab.

 

[82ndreddevil]

Under most circumstances I do like the simplicity of these tarp shelters. I do think that I need something more like a bivy since this hunt is in an area loaded with rattle snakes. I'd hate to have one curl up around my head during the night.

 

[mtnwrunner]

Randy,

The Rainbow and Rainbow 2 Tarptents can be freestanding if you use your trekking poles to do so, just so you know, if that's something you need to do (it is, as I recall). Much less $ and US made as well. See vid: Tarptent Ultralight Shelters Scroll down and hit the grey video tab.

Yeah, I keep looking at those also. One of my issues with using your trekking poles with a tent set up is that I sometimes like to leave my tent pitched and take off hunting---I hate to leave the poles behind. I've got a tarptent contrail now and I'd like to have something a little bigger, and freestanding. Here is a photo of a typical setup for me using the contrail.

Randy