Tarptents revisted (and seeking advice on minimal shelter for backpacking)

HikingMano

HikingMano

Joined
Sep 2, 2008
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I am looking to get some sort of 1-or-2-person light weight shelter for backpacking here in California (coast, redwoods, sierras). I have narrowed it down to two options:

  1. A tarptent
  2. A bivy to use under an 8x10 Integral Designs Siltarp I already own.

There was some discussion on Tarptents in this old thread from W&SS, but I wanted to start a new one to see if others have had experience with Tarptents since. I'm leaning towards a tarptent because I think I will enjoy having a bit of room; a bivy seems a bit confining to me. I could relax, lounge, read, etc. in a tent while not being pestered by bugs, and I won't feel so locked down if the weather is bad outside.

I've considered other options as well. As of right now, the third option is the REI Half Dome 2 or Quarter Dome T2 since that'll give me more room if the GF wants to come along, albeit at a weight cost. But the Squall 2 offers the same amount of room for under 2lbs... Have also thought about just getting a solo tent. I've considered hammocks, but don't think I'm quite ready to try them out yet.


Ideally, I'm looking to keep whatever I go with under $250... under $200 would be even better of course. I've been thinking about these options in particular:
vs.
  • Mountain Laurel Designs Superlight Bivy (to use under ID Siltarp)
  • Some other bivy


So, do you have any thoughts or experiences you'd like to share on tarptents (or bivies under tarps)?


Thanks in advance :)
 
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If you can find a first edition of Colin Fletchers "The Complete Walker" There was a great amount of "Tarping" info. The second had a little less and the third was just some info on it. I don't know if later editions had brought it back or not.

The biggest obstacle I found was relief from bugs, especially if someone is with you.
 
I'll give that book a look, if I can find it :thumbup:

Yes, the bug relief is the main reason I'm looking at the tarp tents (aside from the built in waterproof tub floor). A bivy would work too...I just think I'd prefer having room. And getting a bivy would eliminate the option of having the GF along. I've toyed with the idea of making my own no-see-um net to string up under my tarp, and getting some kind of waterproof ground cover, but those tarp tents would require less effort on my part, and they seem pretty darn easy to set up.

ETA: Anyone have issues with condensation in using their tarptents?
 
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I have 2 friends who thru-hiked the PCT a few years ago, and used Tarptents the whole way. They were very happy with them. Hard to beat for the weight and convenience. My wife and I, once upon a time, crammed into a Sil-Shelter (by Integral Designs), which is sort of a modified tarp. It worked, but if I had to do it all over again I'd get a Tarptent.
 
raindog, I thought you had the Squall2, from what I read in the other thread? I was just about to PM you today :)

ETA: I see know it was candlelight001...I always get you two confused :D
 
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In New Mexico, I used a bivy, quite a bit. I got tired of hauling my tent. I got away with it there, dry desert, very few insects, dew was never a problem.
Other times and places I've been glad to have relief from mosquitos, and hours of rain. Then, my bivy, even with a tarp, is just too small to hang out. I'm trying to decide how to deal with my dog, a bivy, and a rainy camping trip. Those tent tarps look appealing, especially the bug screen.
 
No problem, happens all the time:p The squall2 would not work at all for my family of 4, even though 2 of those are mini's.:D I have had my eye on the Hogsback, though. 4 person shelter for 4 lbs... yeah, count me in. Just have to get the kids hiking a little farther, then we'll be hitting the backcountry. And you can bet we're not lugging the Coleman 4-person tent we currently have on those ventures!

raindog, I thought you had the Squall2, from what I read in the other thread? I was just about to PM you today

ETA: I see know it was candlelight001...I always get you two confused
Click to expand...
 
raindog101 said:
[...]And you can bet we're not lugging the Coleman 4-person tent we currently have on those ventures!
Click to expand...

Haha, I bet. My girlfriend and I have a Coleman 3-peron tent we use for car-camping, and she loves it because she can stand up (mostly) in it and have all our gear inside. Tons of room...but I'm not about to lug that around...
 
I have two TarpTents and definitely recommend them. They are light, well-made and work great. Given that a bivy is close in weight (depending which one you get) I'd take a tarp tent any day. They are bigger than most light tents, lighter and easier to pitch. Compared to a tarp they keep the bugs out. I did tarp once and where I ended up camping was a bug nightmare. Trying to sleep while getting eaten is no good.

A tarp tent is the perfect balance of weight and function.

Someday I'd like to get the Hogback for the fam.
 
I've been using a poncho/tarp and bivy combo, not luxurious, but 16 oz total, pretty darn svelte :D

this year I sprung for Ron's (MLD) new Solo Trailstar (will still use my bivy), an additional couple of ounces, but will give me a little more room and even a place to cook out of the rain :)

http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=175

he also sells the Cricket which is the same shelter w/ an inner tent, it's getting good reviews
 
I have decided to go with the bivy sack/tarp combination for when I'm doing actual backpacking. Rain or shine, bugs or no bugs, I just don't lounge around in a tent enough to make it worth the weight when I'm backpacking. My only complaint about bivy sacks is that if the weather is nice I don't bother with the tarp. But then I might still need to run a line so that I can pull the bug netting away from my face. Otherwise the mosquitoes will bite you right through it.

For when I'm car camping, I'm happy to bring the 7-man, 20 lb monster family tent that I got on sale from Costco. :D

If I ever do another trip where I'm going to walk in somewhere, set up a tent, and then hang out for a few days, then I'll have to reconsider my decisions. I might also consider a heavier sleep system if I ever get to canoe-camping again.
 
Mike that Cricket looks like another nice tarp tent. :thumbup: Bit out of my range though.

Bulgron, good info on needing to run a line even if using the bivy alone. I forgot that the mosquitoes can still poke ya if the net's on your face.

I have thought about the whole "I won't be hanging out in my shelter often/long enough for a tent to be worth weight" thing. But seeing as I don't have much to spend, I'm leaning towards the most versatile option, which would be the tarptent or a light solo tent. I do envision myself doing trips sometimes where I'll just want to hike out to some spot and just spend a day or two simply relaxing, reading, and just soaking it in. :thumbup:
 
I have, but I think for now I want to stick to a ground based system. I like the idea of being able to set up in open areas that lack suitable trees for stringing up. I'm planning on trying hammock camping at some point though (Eno or other option that won't break the bank), especially since I've learned recently that one can sleep flat if you lie on the diagonal.
 
I missed the part where you already own a 8x10 tarp- a 8x10 tarp for solo use is very spacious (coming from a guy using a 5x8 poncho-tarp! :))

I'd consider simply purchasing an inner "tent" for the tarp- the tarp offers such a wide array of pitches and affords you the opportunity to cook under it during inclement weather

something like this

http://www.bearpawwd.com/shelters_floors/net.html
 
Haha, yeah, I got the 8x10 to have room for two. I had looked at the Silponcho, but was worried that 5x8 would be too small for me. I have a 5x7 space blanket, and it looks like it'd make for a tiny shelter. I bet 8x10 is palatial for one :D

I forgot to put that in the OP, I had been looking at the GoLite Shangri-La Nest (inner) as an option, but I'd prefer the silnylon on this bearpaw one you linked :thumbup::thumbup: The Shangri-la is polyurethane-coated. And it's almost 16oz for the shangri-la one person, vs. 11oz for the one person in 30D silnylon. Definitely more affordable too, at $70-80 vs. dropping $160-230 for a bivy, solo tent, or tarptent. The bearpaw inner with my 8x10 siltarp would come out to around 25oz total.

Something to consider for sure. The only thing I could see being less appealing would be the set up time in tying the inner on and staking it out. And it seems to me the front and back would be a little less protected in a windy and rainy situation. Will look into it more, thanks for the link Mike :thumbup:
 
Just adding that I still have the squall 2, still love it. Bought a Moment also, haven't tried it out yet. For me, having easy setup, somewhere pleasant to run when the bugs come Makes it worth it.
 
Haha, what timing. I decided to go with the Moment earlier today and put in an order :thumbup: I also ordered the liner to help with the condensation and dripping issue for rainy weather.

I'll update this thread after I've used it for a bit :thumbup:

Thanks for the input guys.
 
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