Anyone try making their own tent to go really lightweight. I am thinking about making a shelter half style tent out of ripstop nylon with aluminum poles. Has anyone tried making something like this? How did it turn out? Waterproofness? Sturdiness? Strength? Longevity? Thanks in advance.
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Light Weight Tents - DIY
- Thread starter Hoodoo
- Start date
It doesn't get any more lightweight than a good size nylon tarp and a plastic ground cloth. I spent many thunderstorms underneath one and I always carry a mosquito headnet for sleeping (one with hoops in it to keep some space between it and your head while you are sleeping) to keep the bugs away. A good tarp will keep you warm and dry.
I like a nylon tarp with some ties already sewn in. It allows you to rig it in a variety of ways. The ground cloth should be quite a bit smaller than the tarp so the rain doesn't come down the tarp and land on the groundsheet and soak your sleeping bag. If you need 4 walls, I'd probably just buy a good lightweight tent. I have a Northface tadpole that weighs in at around 4 lbs. Although it's listed as a 2 man, it gets a bit cramped with 2 people in there. Used it for several years then went back to the tarp although I occassionally take it car camping.
One of the downsides of the tarp is that it's not a standalone. The tadpole is (now called something else, I believe).
Bivvy bags are interesting but I feel really cramped in them. I rode out an incredible storm once backpacing next to Lake Superior while in a bivvy and didn't much care for it. I like a little room to spread things around. They work for some people though.
------------------
Hoodoo
The low, hoarse purr of the whirling stonethe light-pressd blade,
Diffusing, dropping, sideways-darting, in tiny showers of gold,
Sparkles from the wheel.
Walt Whitman
[This message has been edited by Hoodoo (edited 05-11-2000).]
I like a nylon tarp with some ties already sewn in. It allows you to rig it in a variety of ways. The ground cloth should be quite a bit smaller than the tarp so the rain doesn't come down the tarp and land on the groundsheet and soak your sleeping bag. If you need 4 walls, I'd probably just buy a good lightweight tent. I have a Northface tadpole that weighs in at around 4 lbs. Although it's listed as a 2 man, it gets a bit cramped with 2 people in there. Used it for several years then went back to the tarp although I occassionally take it car camping.
One of the downsides of the tarp is that it's not a standalone. The tadpole is (now called something else, I believe).
Bivvy bags are interesting but I feel really cramped in them. I rode out an incredible storm once backpacing next to Lake Superior while in a bivvy and didn't much care for it. I like a little room to spread things around. They work for some people though.
------------------
Hoodoo
The low, hoarse purr of the whirling stonethe light-pressd blade,
Diffusing, dropping, sideways-darting, in tiny showers of gold,
Sparkles from the wheel.
Walt Whitman
[This message has been edited by Hoodoo (edited 05-11-2000).]
Hoodoo, I tried a Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight CD (3pounds 14 oz) 2 man tent. It is OK, but is bulky.
Tarps work OK, but if blows in at the ends.
With a shelter half each person would carry half the tent, so neither has to give up much space in their pack. Also, more weight could be saved since there would be no floor and you only have to carry half the weight.
Tarps work OK, but if blows in at the ends.
With a shelter half each person would carry half the tent, so neither has to give up much space in their pack. Also, more weight could be saved since there would be no floor and you only have to carry half the weight.
- Joined
- Nov 29, 1999
- Messages
- 632
I have been here
Great posts and discussions going on.
Just thought I'd add my 2 cents on this issue. I use two military style ponchos which I snap together and then put up like an a-frame style tent. I pitch it between two trees (in temperate regions) where the overhead cover (from the trees boughs) augments the shelter. I have used this during all weather conditions. In addition, I use a sleeping bag cover to protect my bag from the ground (used to use a cheap canvas one but now have gore-tex
).
I like the poncho idea since it is a multi-use item... In fact, I like it so much that I don't even own a tent.
------------------
Greg Davenport
http://www.ssurvival.com
Are You Ready For The Challenge?
Are You Ready To Learn The Art Of Wilderness Survival?
Great posts and discussions going on.
Just thought I'd add my 2 cents on this issue. I use two military style ponchos which I snap together and then put up like an a-frame style tent. I pitch it between two trees (in temperate regions) where the overhead cover (from the trees boughs) augments the shelter. I have used this during all weather conditions. In addition, I use a sleeping bag cover to protect my bag from the ground (used to use a cheap canvas one but now have gore-tex
I like the poncho idea since it is a multi-use item... In fact, I like it so much that I don't even own a tent.
------------------
Greg Davenport
http://www.ssurvival.com
Are You Ready For The Challenge?
Are You Ready To Learn The Art Of Wilderness Survival?
I used to have the Sierra Clip too and then sold it to a friend of mine. Very similar to the tadpole.
I've not had problems with wind coming in from the sides or either end. I use a fairly large tarp (8x10 i think) and try to pitch it where cover is favorable. With the extra ties on the tarp I can pitch it in different configurations and block the winds if necessary.
Your method reminds me of my boyscout days when we each carried a half of a puptent. Worked pretty well.
Greg,
I used to have a military poncho years ago and can't remember what happened to it. I really liked it. I think it was rubber coated something or other. Are the ponchos you are talking about nylon? How large are they? I use to combine a small nylon tarp with a nylon poncho (not military style but a commercial one). Took a girlfriend into the Bob Marshall for two weeks with that shelter. Probably why we split.
How do you like the goretex cover? Do you get much condensation with it?
------------------
Hoodoo
The low, hoarse purr of the whirling stonethe light-pressd blade,
Diffusing, dropping, sideways-darting, in tiny showers of gold,
Sparkles from the wheel.
Walt Whitman
I've not had problems with wind coming in from the sides or either end. I use a fairly large tarp (8x10 i think) and try to pitch it where cover is favorable. With the extra ties on the tarp I can pitch it in different configurations and block the winds if necessary.
Your method reminds me of my boyscout days when we each carried a half of a puptent. Worked pretty well.
Greg,
I used to have a military poncho years ago and can't remember what happened to it. I really liked it. I think it was rubber coated something or other. Are the ponchos you are talking about nylon? How large are they? I use to combine a small nylon tarp with a nylon poncho (not military style but a commercial one). Took a girlfriend into the Bob Marshall for two weeks with that shelter. Probably why we split.
How do you like the goretex cover? Do you get much condensation with it?
------------------
Hoodoo
The low, hoarse purr of the whirling stonethe light-pressd blade,
Diffusing, dropping, sideways-darting, in tiny showers of gold,
Sparkles from the wheel.
Walt Whitman
CAman -
Go to:
www.sportsmansguide.com
and check out this item:
EX0C - 28533 - Mil.-style Bivy Shelter, Forest Green
I've had one of these for about three years and ridden out many a storm. You can't beat it for the price. It's not Goretex, or any other wonder fabric for that matter, but for $40 I can't complain. A little condenstation can build up inside if you batten down all the hatches, but I've never got wet inside my bag. Hoodoo is right that bivvy bags are cramped, but when I backpack alone, I'll trade cramped for light.
[This message has been edited by Hazardous (edited 05-12-2000).]
Go to:
www.sportsmansguide.com
and check out this item:
EX0C - 28533 - Mil.-style Bivy Shelter, Forest Green
I've had one of these for about three years and ridden out many a storm. You can't beat it for the price. It's not Goretex, or any other wonder fabric for that matter, but for $40 I can't complain. A little condenstation can build up inside if you batten down all the hatches, but I've never got wet inside my bag. Hoodoo is right that bivvy bags are cramped, but when I backpack alone, I'll trade cramped for light.
[This message has been edited by Hazardous (edited 05-12-2000).]
I made most of my own gear since I am cheap and I felt I could make it cheaper and lighter than I could buy it. Outdoor wilderness fabrics sells 1.1 oz silicone coated ripstop nylon. I have found nothing lighter that is water proof. That is what I made my tent out of. It is a two man tent and weighs 2.036lbs including poles and 12 steel stakes. The pictures did not turn out to good but you can see them at http://ourworld.cs.com/lighthiker
Just click on the tent/gear link
Regards,
Glenn
Just click on the tent/gear link
Regards,
Glenn
Sorry, no drawings. Just some napkin scratchings. The basic idea comes from Henry Shires Tarp Tent idea. I added a floor and raised both sides instead of just one and made awnings or wings over the sides for better weather protection. Henry's orginal design is great as it is. I don't like ants so a bottom was a must. His design is found at http://www.backpacking.net/tarptent/tarpdesign.html
He has tested it and it has performed well.
Regards,
Glenn
He has tested it and it has performed well.
Regards,
Glenn
- Joined
- Nov 29, 1999
- Messages
- 632
Hi Hoodoo,
Sorry I took so long to respond. I just returned from a trip training the USCG Search and Rescue teams on inland wilderness survival.
The Ponchos are a coated nylon. They are a great multi-use item. You can wear them, make tents with them, collect water (with very little improvising) in them, etc. etc. I always carry one. In fact that is what I slept under during the recent trip I went on (two snapped together make for a great tent).
The gore-tex sleeping bag cover is ok but probably not worth the money. I would spend my money on good training instead. I didn't take it on the last trip. However, it isn't a bad idea for use as a bivy bag when going light weight and where the potential of going to ground is a reality.
If anyone is interested... we still have a couple of openings in the July trip (july 22-28, 2000).
------------------
Greg Davenport
http://www.ssurvival.com
Are You Ready For The Challenge?
Are You Ready To Learn The Art Of Wilderness Survival?