In the gray area between the bivy, the flat tarp, and a one-person tent, you also have a bunch of different shaped tarps. These range from floorless tents without poles to tarps that are sewn together to give a specific shape when pitched. Examples of these:
MSR. Take a look at the Twin Peaks and Missing Link: http://www.msrcorp.com/tents/fastlight.asp
Outdoor Research Pocket Shelters: http://www.outdoorresearch.com/home/category/home/shelter/shelter_pocket
Black Diamond Beta Light: http://www.bdel.com/gear/beta_light.php
Sierra Designs Origami Tarp: http://www.sierradesigns.com/tarps.display.php?id=527
Or their Origami 2 lightweight: http://www.sierradesigns.com/tarps.display.php?id=526
GoLite Hut 1 http://www.golite.com/product/productdetail.aspx?p=SH6014&s=1
Or Hut 2: http://www.golite.com/product/productdetail.aspx?p=SH6015&s=1
I'm sure there are others. These are just the ones I remember looking into prior to finding my Trekkers Tarp. Oh, don't forget about the Cabela's Hunter's Bivy.
I have enjoyed the trips where I used my Bivy. But with a bivy, all you can really do comfortably is lay in it. With single-person tent, you may be able to sit up a little bit. That's fine if you're alone, but what if you are traveling with others and you're hit with a spell of cruddy weather?
Since I discovered hammock/tarp camping last year, I'd have to say that a tarp is the key to the most versatile and lightweight setup out there. Like skammer said, the tarp can be rigged high or low, depending on weather. I know if things get too wet or too cold, I can rig the Trekkers Tarp on the ground. Not only does it have enough room for me to sit up comfortably, I can take another two people into it to hang out, possibly more if I open up the one side in its lean-to configuration. And if you travel with another person who uses a tarp, you have the option of rigging both tarps together to form a lightweight megastructure.
MSR. Take a look at the Twin Peaks and Missing Link: http://www.msrcorp.com/tents/fastlight.asp
Outdoor Research Pocket Shelters: http://www.outdoorresearch.com/home/category/home/shelter/shelter_pocket
Black Diamond Beta Light: http://www.bdel.com/gear/beta_light.php
Sierra Designs Origami Tarp: http://www.sierradesigns.com/tarps.display.php?id=527
Or their Origami 2 lightweight: http://www.sierradesigns.com/tarps.display.php?id=526
GoLite Hut 1 http://www.golite.com/product/productdetail.aspx?p=SH6014&s=1
Or Hut 2: http://www.golite.com/product/productdetail.aspx?p=SH6015&s=1
I'm sure there are others. These are just the ones I remember looking into prior to finding my Trekkers Tarp. Oh, don't forget about the Cabela's Hunter's Bivy.
I have enjoyed the trips where I used my Bivy. But with a bivy, all you can really do comfortably is lay in it. With single-person tent, you may be able to sit up a little bit. That's fine if you're alone, but what if you are traveling with others and you're hit with a spell of cruddy weather?
Since I discovered hammock/tarp camping last year, I'd have to say that a tarp is the key to the most versatile and lightweight setup out there. Like skammer said, the tarp can be rigged high or low, depending on weather. I know if things get too wet or too cold, I can rig the Trekkers Tarp on the ground. Not only does it have enough room for me to sit up comfortably, I can take another two people into it to hang out, possibly more if I open up the one side in its lean-to configuration. And if you travel with another person who uses a tarp, you have the option of rigging both tarps together to form a lightweight megastructure.
