Leaving the nest at home...

[Vitals]

So I just picked up a RidgeRest pad to use under my Q-Core this weekend. I want to try using the fly by itself and leaving the nest at home. The weight and bulk of the GoLite Shangri-La 5 is just a little much. How often do some of you feel the nest was needed and you wish you had brought it? I read a lot of people saying they never run into problems with surface water runoff or bugs or even warmth. It seems like it would be a huge weight savings to rarely ever need to bring the nest. What situations have guys wished they brought more than just the fly?

 

[castandblast]

I only bring the nest (SL3) when my kids are along. Never missed it when I'm solo, and really like being able to come in wet/muddy and not have a floor to worry about.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I only bring the nest (SL3) when my kids are along. Never missed it when I'm solo, and really like being able to come in wet/muddy and not have a floor to worry about.

I have the SL5 and only bring the nest when the wife and kids come along. I use a bivy sack and I don't think I'll ever bring the nest for hunting.

 

[dotman]

I only use the nest when the family is along.

 

[Wrongside]

We never use a nest in our floor less shelters and just bring Tyvek or a garbage bag for a ground sheet if it's muddy. Bugs aren't much of an issue here tho.

 

[Vitals]

Thanks guys. Sort of echoing my thoughts about bringing it.

 

[MattB]

After one bad nights with ants here in NorCal, I am not a fan of floorless where they may be an issue.

 

[pacific-23]

Don't own the nest. I bought mine right as the whole restructuring was going on and I was able to pick up the fly sheet only. Can't think of a reason why i would want the nest. I just ordered, a 6'x8', 9 oz silnylon tarp that I will pack along for when it's super wet out. My plan is to roll up in it or sleep on top inside the SL5 and always have it with me away from base camp. Half the weight of my bivy and should hold less moisture as it won't be sealed around me.

 

[Vitals]

Yeah things like ants are what i would worry about. Strange I haven't heard many other people have that problem.

After one bad nights with ants here in NorCal, I am not a fan of floorless where they may be an issue.

 

[dreamingbig]

Buy a nest from seek outside. Fits perfectly in one half of the sl5 and still have the other side as floorless. Can still use with a stove too.

 

[stephen b]

The way you are talking about using it should be perfect. I often in the winter bring a cc foam Ridgerest or z-rest to use under my pad. Works very well.

Love the SL 5- it is my most versatile shelter.

In my SL 5- even though I have the stock nest for it, I have never used it- but may use it at some point.

I have used it every which way besides the stock nest. I have used it- with just tyvek sheet ( small 3'x7' ) with my pad; have used it with a bivy; have used it with a stove; used a solo MLD bug nest; and a 2 person SO nest for my wife and I.

And I have even used it ( SL5) this winter as a hybrid SL5/ Hilleberg shelter by using it with a solid Hilleberg Unna inner.

 

[castandblast]

Do you have a pic of your SO nest in action Stephen?

 

[dreamingbig]

I do at home. The so nest for two is awesome.

 

[husky390]

I believe Luke and Becca are using the SO nest in their video review of the SL-5. Bearpaw wilderness design can make them as well.

 

[colonel00]

The one thing that I have thought about in regards to a smaller nest would be to have the wall that is next to the tent be solid material creating an inner wall to shield from accidentally bumping into or dripping condensation. It might add a little weight but I think it would be nice to have.

 

[colonel00]

Also, I just happened to be looking at the BearPaw site and I see that he is coming out with nests for the GoLite tents specifically it appears. Nothing on the page yet though.

http://bearpawwd.com/shelters_floors/shangrila.html

 

[stephen b]

I believe Luke and Becca are using the SO nest in their video review of the SL-5. Bearpaw wilderness design can make them as well.

Sorry- I do not, as I did not take a pic of it when using it. I could either set it up outside , or inside my house and take a pick if you would like. It fits perfectly and takes up 1/2 of the SL5. And the connection loops of the SL 5 work great with the side connection of the SO nest. SO nest is quite big and it only comes in at 16 oz on my scale- pretty darn good for 2p and how big it is.

 

[stephen b]

Shameless plug-

Now here is the nest you need for a SL 5 for fall/ winter w/o a stove. A SL5 / Hille hybrid!

This is my listing here in classifieds:

 

[luke moffat]

I believe Luke and Becca are using the SO nest in their video review of the SL-5. Bearpaw wilderness design can make them as well.

No we don't use the Seek outside nest in ours. We use one we bought in 2010 from Mount Laurel Designs, but the ones from Bearpaw are cheaper/less expensive, but I haven't seen one personally. I can just attest that the MLD one has held up through years with A LOT more use than most would put their through and its still going strong, so if I had to do it again I'd buy from MLD for sure.

 

[MattB]

Yeah things like ants are what i would worry about. Strange I haven't heard many other people have that problem.

It probably has more to do with where people hunt than anything. I have slept nest-less on a few trips in NorCal wilderness areas with no issues, but I had 1 night that was awful and a friend had another situation with ants to where I think a nest makes good sense. If going nest-less I would camp in spot that are clear of downed/decaying wood.