Bkeller

Tent or Tarp & Bivy?

I have an ultra light tent that works great, packs down small, etc. But there is something that just seems cool about being able to plop down anywhere, set up the A-Frame and be done.

Thoughts, experiences, horror stories

Do you have some other crazy set up ive never heard of?

T.J.

i have a solo tent but i like the idea of a bivy. never used one tho. super light and packs down to nothing. i hear condensation is a huge problem in most of them so you will wake up with a wet sleeping bag. my biggest issue with a bivy is the price. you get less and costs as much or more than a nice back packing tent.

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Passion Over Fashion

Bkeller

I have heard the stories about condensation as well, however I found some MSS Gortex bivys that the US military uses, and they run pretty cheap (like 60$) on surplus websites. Im prolly gonna pick one up later this week.

The reviews I have read said that the Gortex ones dont have the condensation issue that the silnylon ones have.

cifex

Considered a Hennesy Hammock?

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Bkeller

I had thought about a hammock, but my only concern with that would be what if you dont have suitable trees to hook up too? The tarp I can set up on anything with trekking poles, and the bivy i can plop down anywhere.

cifex

I see. Didn't look at your location.

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jumbosrule

Lifetime backpacker here. I've used both and the bivy is nice when the conditions are absolutely perfect. I live in Texas and the mosquitoes are terrible at certain times during the year. I'm much more comfortable in a tent most of the time.