Im going Tarp Bivy this year. Give me you tips and tricks

[Jake Larsen]

Don’t use the tiny Linelocs if expecting any kind of weather, the Lineloc 3’s are still pretty light and haven’t ever had any issues with them loosening or letting go.

I always had good luck with taut-line hitches instead of any sort of lineloc.


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[Beendare]

Im definitely open to more criticism and options. Great thread so far.

@Bearsears, my apologies if my comments came across as a criticism.

 

[Jake Larsen]

A floorless canopy shelter is a great middle ground between a tarp and a double wall tent, whether trekking pole-supported or freestanding. You don't have to fiddle around with different tarp setups and they use material more efficiently so they're actually lighter than a flat tarp that covers equivalent area. I own the Slingfin Splitwing and the Black Diamond Beta Lite 2P. I use a bug bivy under the first one when I need it and the second has perimeter mosquito netting, which is nice because it unlocks the total floor area under the tent.

This is good advice to OP. Tarptent also makes some great floorless canopys. Or a Kifaru Supertarp. For early season CO, run and gun as light and simple as possible, it’d be a solid option. If it was me, I probably wouldn’t even use the bivy in that scenario, but something like the OR Helium would be a good choice. Basically just a bug barrier, or some extra juice if the temps start dropping. If the sky is clear, you wouldn’t even need to setup the canopy.


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[Bearsears]

@Bearsears, my apologies if my comments came across as a criticism.

Not at all. I appreciated your comments

 

[Bearsears]

This is good advice to OP. Tarptent also makes some great floorless canopys. Or a Kifaru Supertarp. For early season CO, run and gun as light and simple as possible, it’d be a solid option. If it was me, I probably wouldn’t even use the bivy in that scenario, but something like the OR Helium would be a good choice. Basically just a bug barrier, or some extra juice if the temps start dropping. If the sky is clear, you wouldn’t even need to setup the canopy.


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I addressed this in my previous longer post. I have floorless canopy (Seek Outside Eolus) and Ive used it extensively both with an inner nest, bivy, and just tyvek. If you reread that post youll see why Im considering taking a tarp instead and what bivy Im taking and why.

 

[tttoadman]

I see some discussion on guylines. I have 24" long loops on all my small shelters. You can choke around a log or a big rock with ease. in good weather, I can set up nice and high for comfort.

 

[rclouse79]

I used flat tarps a lot of trips and thought they were awesome. After my first tarp trip with truly unfavorable weather conditions I ended up selling most of the tarps I had. If you carry trekking poles the Durston mid x 1 would be hard to beat in my opinion. Leave the nest at home if it is outside tick season and you have a very lightweight storm worthy shelter.
Regardless of the type of tarp or tarp-tent, my tip would be to put a heavy rock on the stakes so they don’t pull out in the wind. I would also make sure your bivy sac is well vented. It doesn’t matter if it keeps water out if you are soaking it from the inside.
I tried a trip where I left the tarp and home and slept in a regular bivy. There was no rain and I woke up soaked and cold. I sold it immediately. I had Borah Gear make a custom bivy with a 3 inch wide piece of bug netting running down the middle. It gives protection from bugs and critters as well as any rain that might blow in under your tarp. The best part is zero condensation.

 

[Bcoonce117]

When I run this setup I’m usually on the move with camp on my back. So I will bring the largest pack I own for extra cubic inches of space. I deflate my pad and just start stuffing my sleep system in the bottom of my pack. (Sleeping bag, bivy, sleeping pad, and tarp) this provides filler to the bottom of my bag and makes it to where I roll camp up in 5 minutes and I’m ready to get on the move againS I typically only camp like this during archery season then opt for a larger shelter once the temps start dropping or weather is forecasted. I will say I’ve slept under my tarp in some heavy rain and woke up the next day completely dry.

 

[Walkstoomuch]

I’ve had condensation issues with the pinion bivy. I purchased an MLD bug bivy last year and have been dry since. I have only used the bivy and tarp setup in good weather when solo and the weight savings has been worth it. In regards to tips all I can offer is that site selection is the more of an issue than I considered.

 

[Bearsears]

When I run this setup I’m usually on the move with camp on my back. So I will bring the largest pack I own for extra cubic inches of space. I deflate my pad and just start stuffing my sleep system in the bottom of my pack. (Sleeping bag, bivy, sleeping pad, and tarp) this provides filler to the bottom of my bag and makes it to where I roll camp up in 5 minutes and I’m ready to get on the move againS I typically only camp like this during archery season then opt for a larger shelter once the temps start dropping or weather is forecasted. I will say I’ve slept under my tarp in some heavy rain and woke up the next day completely dry.

This is precisely the advantage I see to a tarp bivy setup in archery season chasing down elk. Gone in five minutes just stuffing everything in the pack as one.

 

[philcox]

I’ve used the DST on a number of backcountry trips. It’s a versatile tarp. I have had several bivy’s, the latest being a Borah Gear model. I bring it but hope not to sleep in it, I always wake up with a damp sleeping bag…. If you pitch the DST ‘nose down’ with a second pole it is more weather proof. I now use the Eolus because it has better storm worthiness for a similar weight. View attachment 718930

I just ordered a borahgear, are you saying they pool water? I am not exactly sure I read the comment correct.

 

[Phaseolus]

I just ordered a borahgear, are you saying they pool water? I am not exactly sure I read the comment correct.

I wake up damp because it doesn’t breathe as well, it’s not as bad as my old Outdoor Research goretex bivy but still is a problem. I’m guessing my body respires, or puts off a bit more moisture overnight than some other people do.

 

[hoosierhunter11]

My dad and I will be running around CO with an archery and muzzleloader elk tag from 9/13-9/22. We have two options... a Seek Outside DST and a REI 4P tent. We aren't setting up any type of base camp and rather day hunting lots of different areas until we get on elk. Once we do we plan on using the DST + Katabatic Pinon bivys. If it turns out that this is an epic failure I'll hump the 4P tent into the mountains.

I learned A LOT from posts on this thread about preferred configurations of the DST. Thanks for all of the info! I imagine we'll cowboy camp under the stars if the tarp isn't needed. I'll report back post-hunt on how this worked out for us.

 

[Bearsears]

So after a lot of thought, this thread, and playing with the different DST setups, Ive changed my mind and setup a bit.
Mostly I was never really stoked about any of the pitches of the DST and my main goal is to be fast and efficient, not dicking with different pitches or having to adjust for different wind directions. The pro to having the DST was quick shelter or shade during the day.

Now Im going to do a bit of a hybrid setup. I bought a Durston X-mid 1p fly, Im still taking my KG Pinion Bivy, and Im taking a Seek Outside Gunnison tarp Ive already used extensively.

Weights as follows:
Bivy 7.8oz
Durston Xmid 17.3oz
Seek Tarp 8 oz
All in 33.1oz no stakes

Taking the weight of the bivy out (because it would go regardless), the xmid and tarp weigh 25.8oz which coincidentally is the same weight as the Eolus Ive packed for years.

My plan and the advantages I see to this setup is ultimate versatility with minimal weight penalty. I can cowboy camp in just the bivy, get under the tarp in the bivy in really small spots like a deer bed or if showers come in at night, or I can hunker down in really bad weather in the Xmid. I will also have the tarp for mid day showers or glassing sessions etc. Im pretty excited to try this out. I really think its a fair trade off for 2lbs. Feel free to rip it apart if you want to. Im always trying to learn more.

 

[ajbailey21]

I'm in similar position this year. Drew a tag in a fairly rugged and steep unit so been looking at every way to get my pack weight down. My base weight without food/water is 31 lbs now. Shelter has been a piece of that, I have a lot of options, including a Durston 1P which has been my go to. I have decided to try out tarp and bivy to save about 10 ounces. I have a SkyAir ULT and Katabatic Pinon. I have a jimmy tarp too but SkyAir is lighter and easier. After reading this I am little nervous about it, but will bring the Durston in the truck just in case.

 

[Wrangler13]

I’ve been using an HMG mid 1. At 20oz all in it is hard to justify bringing the tarp and bivy (16oz together) unless the forecast is great and I’ll just cowboy in the bivy and not need to set the tarp up.

 

[ajbailey21]

I’ve been using an HMG mid 1. At 20oz all in it is hard to justify bringing the tarp and bivy (16oz together) unless the forecast is great and I’ll just cowboy in the bivy and not need to set the tarp up.
View attachment 750654

After all the money I’ve spent on different options I should/could have just bought one DCF shelter and been done with it.


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[Bearsears]

After all the money I’ve spent on different options I should/could have just bought one DCF shelter and been done with it.


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Me too lol