Posted by Jody Grigg on March 20, 2007 at 12:25 PM
Looking to travel light this summer and was wondering what your thoughts are on a Bivy Sack vs. 1 Person Tent. Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions given.
Jody: im a ultralight camper and dont mind a bit of pain, so ive always gone bivy. But for anyone asking, i highly recommend 1 person tent--it will add little etra weight/space, and the added comfort will more than make up for it. As i get older, that is the way im trending!
Posted by David Svilar on March 20, 2007 at 2:54 PM
Bivy sack. If clautrophobia (sp?) is an issue get one with a single pole that will lift the sack off your face and allow you to read a book or tinker with photo gear. With a bivy sack you no longer have to look for a campsite, just throw down wherever it looks good - assuming you have a good pad.
Posted by Mark Stahlke on March 20, 2007 at 3:08 PM
Hi Jody,
I've used both a 1 person tent and a bivy. I prefer the bivy for its light weight, easy set up, and small footprint. Look for one with a hoop at the head end.
If you choose to go with a 1 person tent, pay attention to the height. If you can't sit up comfortably in it, it's just an oversized bivy.
With either of these you need to think about a secondary shelter. Someplace to get out of the weather and keep your gear out of the weather. Waiting out a thunderstorm in a bivy or 1 person tent is no fun at all. A lightweight tarp and a couple of cheap aluminum pole sections from a surplus store give you an increadibly versatile shelter.
Cheers,
Posted by Laurent Baig on March 20, 2007 at 8:07 PM
I've got the BD bivy that's flammable but 1 lb. I liked it. A little cramped when I tossed my pack in, but comfy enough otherwise.
Posted by Scott Borger on March 21, 2007 at 12:59 AM
I really like ultralight gear, so I have a bias toward structured bivy sacks. I have a Black Diamond (used to be Bibler) Tripod Bivy. It is a 4 season bivy made out of ToddTex, which is very light and very durable (like a super tough gore tex xcr). It is also completely waterproof with taped seams throughout. I highly recommend it, but I don't recommend trying to sleep with your gear inside of it. To protect my pack/gear from the elements (and perhaps critters), I made a custom triangular tarp sack with grommets to stake it down. I used seam sealer to make sure that every aspect of it is waterproof. The bivy and the tarp are each about the size of a loaf of bread. That said, I recommend the bivy with a small covering to protect your gear. Also, if you get the black diamond bivy, understand that the regular size is awfully short. I'm 6'2 and I just fit in the "long" version.
I've posted some pics for reference.
Posted by Scott Borger on March 21, 2007 at 1:02 AM
Reference pic #1: the tarp sack.
Posted by Scott Borger on March 21, 2007 at 1:04 AM
Bivy sack: size compared to an insulated Nalgene holder (about the size of a Nalgene)
Posted by Scott Borger on March 21, 2007 at 10:09 AM
I took a different ultralight route than either a bivy or a tent. I purchased a Black Diamond Megamid "shelter" which is basically a floorless pyramid tent. It has a huge volume for its weight and can shelter three persons plus their packs in a pinch. For one person it is a luxury accommodation. There are also smaller floorless shelters available that are even lighter.
Of course there are disadvantages to a floorless design if you are in serious creepy-crawly country, but I find the absence of a permanently attached floor to be an advantage in many situations. I like the ability to set up an "alfresco" camp and then pitch the shelter right over the top of it if bad weather threatens. I like the ability to pitch the shelter over small rocks or shrubs as opposed to having to find or create a totally clear piece of ground for a tentsite. I like the ability to (carefully!) cook inside the shelter if necessary. I like the ability to pitch my shelter in a rainstorm while inside it and also trench from inside if rain gets out of hand. You get the idea.
I admit I have had no experience using a floorless shelter in snow, but there are plenty of posts on equipment review sites that talk of good success in snow. I recommend that you consider adding a floorless shelter to your list of ultralight shelter options.
Discussion
10 repliesJody
I've used both a 1 person tent and a bivy. I prefer the bivy for its light weight, easy set up, and small footprint. Look for one with a hoop at the head end.
If you choose to go with a 1 person tent, pay attention to the height. If you can't sit up comfortably in it, it's just an oversized bivy.
With either of these you need to think about a secondary shelter. Someplace to get out of the weather and keep your gear out of the weather. Waiting out a thunderstorm in a bivy or 1 person tent is no fun at all. A lightweight tarp and a couple of cheap aluminum pole sections from a surplus store give you an increadibly versatile shelter.
Cheers,
I've posted some pics for reference.
Of course there are disadvantages to a floorless design if you are in serious creepy-crawly country, but I find the absence of a permanently attached floor to be an advantage in many situations. I like the ability to set up an "alfresco" camp and then pitch the shelter right over the top of it if bad weather threatens. I like the ability to pitch the shelter over small rocks or shrubs as opposed to having to find or create a totally clear piece of ground for a tentsite. I like the ability to (carefully!) cook inside the shelter if necessary. I like the ability to pitch my shelter in a rainstorm while inside it and also trench from inside if rain gets out of hand. You get the idea.
I admit I have had no experience using a floorless shelter in snow, but there are plenty of posts on equipment review sites that talk of good success in snow. I recommend that you consider adding a floorless shelter to your list of ultralight shelter options.