Tarp and Bivy Set Up

[Benjblt]

I'm looking to get a tarp and bivy set up. I like the versatility of setups like that but my longtime stance has been that a light weight tent accomplishes most of what a tarp/bivy setup does and probably better. I have a tarptent double rainbow Li that weighs legitemately 31 oz. That's 50 inches wide on the interior. . . but ... I'm bored. So I'm seeking advice. Here's my criteria/thought process regarding the benefits of a the tarp/bivy setup. I want more of an enclosed shell for a tarp. . not really an open faced tarp. I want speed and efficiency. I want to save space in my pack. I'd be using the setup for situations where I'm more than likely going on a day hunt or I'm hunting with camp on my back and want to camp right where I'm at when it's dark. I also want something that has a smaller footprint then my Tarptent. The double rainbow is close to 100"x100" (not perfectly square, this includes vestibules).

I'd like the set up to be about 20 oz. One thing about the Tarptent Double Rainbow Li that I have and other DCF tents and tarps, it seems they take up more space than silpoly or nylon. . . oh yeah, I'd like the a silypoly or DCF tarp. I'd prefer not to have silnylon. I hate the sag that nylon gets with moisture. That said, I wouldn't completely eliminate the options for silnylon. I did order the SG Sky Air ULT but it seems like it would be a touch more complicated to set up, poor head room, it's silnylon, and a pain to get in and out of. I do like how small it compacts and I would run it with the vestibule and tarp along with the bivy. I paid $188 for that setup so fairly economical. It's about 15 oz. Add a liteweight bivy and your about about 22 oz.

I was looking at the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 1, it's only 8 oz but it's $479 so a little more than I want to spend but simple and light. I've also heard about some quality issues. Then I discovered Mountain Laurel Designs and the SoloMid XL. I'd probably go Silpoly for price and space savings. I also like that the pole is off center some so it gives you more room outside of the vestibule.

With these tipis I also like the idea that you can quickly set them up in a storm and maybe even crouch behind the trekking pole and glass, vs the SG Sky Air ULT where that's not an option at all.

I'd couple the tarp with the the Borah Bivy Argon 67 Ultra Light Bivy with side zip (Standard/Wide). This is a 5.7 oz bivy. I'm only 5' 8" tall and I use a 25" pad. This with the MLD SoloMid would be over 22 oz though. Would the MLD SoloMid have an attachment point so I can keep the bivy bugnet off me?

Any thoughts or better options? What do think of hte Borah Bivy coupled with the MLD SoloMid XL? Does it accomplish what I want? Is there something better or cheaper?

 

[BBob]

For my tarp I use the Tarptent Notch fly and an MLD UL bug bivy. I’m at something like 15oz with stakes and guy lines for that combo. Mets your enclosed requirement, and you can use it as a full tent when needed.

FWIW I didn’t read your whole post so take it for what it is

 

[Benjblt]

For my tarp I use the Tarptent Notch fly and an MLD UL bug bivy. I’m at something like 15oz with stakes and guy lines for that combo. Mets your enclosed requirement, and you can use it as a full tent when needed.

FWIW I didn’t read your whole post so take it for what it is

It was a long post. I don't blame you. I wonder if you can buy the fly on it's own.

I'm not trying to call you out but the Tarptent website lists the fly as almost 16oz. Am I reading that wrong? Did you weigh yours?

"Notch polyester fly; with struts and apex lines: 15.9 oz / 451 g"

 

[BBob]

Did you weigh yours?

Yes, all of my stuff is weighed and confirmed. That’s the polyester nylon you have listed, mine is DCF. My LighterPack list shows it at 9oz.

Actually I lied. 15oz for tarp, guy lines and bivy but does not include stakes.

 

[justinspicher]

I just use a tarp, no bivy. I get way too hot and start to sweat and then don’t sleep if I am in a bivy. I’d rather just lower my tarp than use a bivy. It is a risk to do, if you expect any sort of moisture, but I am willing to take that risk to have one less thing to pack and unpack, especially if it gets wet.

 

[Bubblehide]

Have you looked at Zpacks tents. I went through pretty much the same as you; I ended up with a Zpacks single person tent. I will likely be buying their new 2 person for when I want more room, longer trips or have a buddy tagging along.

 

[jonnyviceroy]

I use the exact Bivy you mentioned and just lay it out at night. If I think there could be weather I will typically pitch my x mid fly. You can buy the fly only from durston that is incredibly easy and quick to setup. Also lighter than a majority of others out there and is about $140 and 14 ounces with stakes bag and everything if I can remember correctly. I’ve loved this setup and would highly recommend.

 

[Ajsomp]

I’m rocking a hyperlite splash bivy and gossamer gear tarp which I can use with each other or without. It’s my first season with both so jury is still out.

 

[Tanner]

I have spent a lot of nights under a simple Hilleberg Tarp UL10 with no bivvy, just a closed cell foam pad, my inflatable, and a synthetic bag. I can’t like bivvies for the sweat factor. But the Hille tarp can be pitched in such a variety of ways to cover different weather, terrain, and sleeping situations, in addition to being an excellent place to sit out a rain storm… that I don’t ever really take it out of pack anymore.

 

[b.hunts]

I use the peax origami tarp with a borah Bivy. Cowboy camp with just the bivy and pitch the tarp if I think we might encounter some weather. I like the Peax tarp because it can be pitched as a semi-enclosed floorless shelter and also a variety of tarp configurations throughout the day. I cowboy camp 60% of the time and sleep under the tarp the rest of the time. It’s nice to spread out my gear underneath the tarp and keep it out of the elements. Set up and tear down is like 5 minutes.

 

[rogerdoger]

I am going to try the Warbonnet Puptarp this year, sets up with poles or hangs from trees, also has doors. Comes in Silpoly and is pretty light.

 

[robertmpalmquist]

I use the set up you’re talking about. Sky air ult with borah bivy. I use the long wide, I’m 6’2”. The tarp, vestibule, bivy, stakes, and guy line and I’m at under 20oz. Don’t use stuff sacks. Just shove it all in your pack. I took this out on a 10 day mule deer hunt. I was great. And super light. If the weather didn’t call for any chance of weather I just used the bivy. Super simple.

 

[Wacko]

I will say there is nothing more versatile than a flat tarp for shelter. They are also multi use items as you can use it for shade, glassing tarp, get out of the rain / wind tarp, etc. The issue is you have to know a bunch of ways to set it up. Once you know a few you can set up a shelter in whatever space you have available. It can be fully enclosed, or partially closed, or open like Tanners, or flown high enough you can stand under it or sit in a chair.

Tarp size and weight are up to you and your skillset with one. Smaller = lighter...but you have to know what you are doing if there is going to be weather. Set ups with trekking poles are easy and you probably carry them anyway. You can also use trees, brush, etc.

A square tarp IMHO has more versatility for set ups, but rectangles are good too. A 10x10 is a palace for 1 but you can get 2 in it too.

MLD's super monk tarp in dcf weighs - 5-6.5 oz depending on dcf material, and is about the smallest I would go at 5.7' x 9'

Hyperlite Mountain Gears flat tarp in 8.6'x8.6' is supposed to weigh ~ 11 oz

Once you know how to set some up they don't take any longer than a tent. If you want to explore set ups youtube is your friend...papahiker gives lots of options with all sizes of tarps for instance.

Good luck.

 

[Dave0317]

If I’m using a shaped tarp/flooreless tent, I don’t feel the need for a separate bivy inside. I like a bivy for splash and blowing precipitation when using a flat tarp though.

Bivy and flat tarp combo is still probably the lightest option, even though some tents are super light these days. And cheaper if cost is a concern.
You can get a 7x9 Borah tarp and their bivy for a combined weight of just under 16 ounces. And, you don’t have to bring both. So in warmer conditions with less concern about blowing rain, you could bring one or the other and save even more weight.

The other thing is, lots of people assume trekking poles are a given. I found I was not using them for anything other than shelter set up.
So if I leave those behind, I save another pound.

Flat tarps can be set up without trekking poles, as long as you have a free nearby. But most shaped tarps and floorless tents require trekking poles to be used.

 

[Benjblt]

Have you looked at Zpacks tents. I went through pretty much the same as you; I ended up with a Zpacks single person tent. I will likely be buying their new 2 person for when I want more room, longer trips or have a buddy tagging along.

Yes. I looked at the solo and it might be a better option really. It is expensive though.

 

[Benjblt]

I use the exact Bivy you mentioned and just lay it out at night. If I think there could be weather I will typically pitch my x mid fly. You can buy the fly only from durston that is incredibly easy and quick to setup. Also lighter than a majority of others out there and is about $140 and 14 ounces with stakes bag and everything if I can remember correctly. I’ve loved this setup and would highly recommend.

That's a good tip. I can't tell how much the DCF version is but the silpoly definately is affordable.

 

[Bubblehide]

Yes. I looked at the solo and it might be a better option really. It is expensive though.

The issue with all the single pole tents is sitting up room, or sitting up and not hitting the inside wall-cieling. I have an old 3 pole model. I actually have plenty of room, and my pack can be in the foot end without being a bother, or in the vestibule type area, standing up. It's a bit heavier then their new models, but it is very compact. But yes, Zpacks tents are costly. I also have a smaller DCF tarp, perfect for gassing or pitching above and across the door giving me tons of room to sit inside the tent while cooking outside. If it's raining or going to rain, I set it up this way.

 

[bowhuntercoop]

I’ve gone back and forth over the years and my go to is a borah tarp and their ultralight bivy. Normally pitch the tarp at my base camp and keep gear outta the sun, sometimes sleep under it, sometimes just in the bivy. Less then a lb for the entire set up is hard to beat.