Bivy? Or tent?

[SarcasmPhD]

Par for the course, like most of us, I'm trying to keep my pack around 40 lbs. This will be my first elk hunt. I'm considering either the Snugpak Ionsphere bivy. Or, a (1) man tent like the Kelty Salida, Teton Sports quick tent, Alps Lynx or Alps Zephyr. The bivy weighs around 2.5 lbs. Whereas the tents all come in between 3.5 - 4 lbs.

I like the compactness of the bivy, it's easy to set up/take down and the weight factor is huge. I'm not claustrophobic, so that isn't an issue. The convenience, room, and better conditions to be in should the weather turn bad, the tent is definitely the way to go. One positive of the Kelty Salida is when it's packed, it's flat and square. As opposed to, a long, tube like most tents pack.

Which one would you call home in the backcountry....bivy? Tent?

Thanks in advanced.

[Raghorn_Reaper]

My opinion is that with the weights on some of the newer tents, tarps and teepee's, there is no need for a bivy. You probably need to be ok with a floorless shelter though. I have a SEEK Outside BT-2 and it weighs in at 2# and packs down to about 8" X 8". This is a 2 man tent and can be outfitted with a small ti stove. It goes up super quick and you can lighten it if you decide to ditch the center pole and tie it up or use a stick. A lot more versatility than a bivy sack and lighter than a regular tent.

[Ghost]

Im going to probably be on the opposite of most everyone else, one thing I wont skimp on is a tent, I pack a 4 person tent when my girlfriend and I go back packing, at 8lbs its worth the extra weight to have the comfort and room, there is enough room to hang 2 lines to dry out clothing. I my pack weighs around 55lbs for a 5 day trip, I could get lighter with higher quality pack, bag and pad, but Im cheap, like they say, the cheaper you are the tougher you have to be

[Ponyboy_jonas]

I own a Kelty Salida tent and I have had no problems with it so far. It also very easy to set up and pretty light for backpacking.

[Ridge Ghost]

With a bivy you will want to add a tarp to your set-up to do an adequate job of keeping you and your gear out of the elements. By the time you add the tarp, you are up to similar total weight as a tent anyway, so I recommend just going with the tent.

[SarcasmPhD]

I own a Kelty Salida tent and I have had no problems with it so far. It also very easy to set up and pretty light for backpacking.

That is great to know. Thank you!

[Huntrgathr]

I've gone back and forth on this. I always enjoyed the extra space and gear protection of my tent but the bivy option drops POUNDS. Now I bivy at least 80% of the time. I think your weight assumptions are a little high. My bivy sack weighs ounces. My tent with stakes is 3.2# and there are carbon pole, one man tents that come in right at 2 pounds. For a long time I enjoyed the extra space and weather protection of the tent and I still use it in foul weather. The bivy takes some getting used to and definitely adds a lot of " roughing it" points. Either way, sealing out the bugs is a big deal for me. Ants, mosquitoes , beetles , ticks, etc. will really affect your sleep quality. My advice if you're new to bivy hunting is to go with an ultralight 1-man tent and if it feels totally comfortable, then try the bivy sack or tarp/tepee setup.

[zpd307]

I just bought a big agnes fly creek ul 3. plenty of space for a single person and 2lbs12ozs. best of both worlds!

[JimKirk]

bivys are fast and great in good weather but i agree the lightweight tents are the way to go if it really starts raining. from a friend that used a tarp on the pct- they suck in bad weather if it rains continually for a few days. now the teepee wood stove tents are super nice but thats a different catagory and may not be necessary for september elk hunting. in addition to big agnes, tarptent makes some liteweight shelters that are a little pricy but don't break the bank. http://www.tarptent.com/index.html

[Elkduds]

Jim, thanks for the link. Really innovative ultralight tents, my wallet is trying to escape my pocket

[zpd307]

fyi, I lucked out and found one on craigslist, new, for half off!!!!

[elk.addict]

I just bought a big agnes fly creek ul 3. plenty of space for a single person and 2lbs12ozs. best of both worlds!

That weight is just the footprint and tarp, right? I have the Copper Spur UL3 and used the footprint/tarp configuration to save weight. Pretty nice option in the fall (bugs are a problem otherwise), I just wished the tarp would extend further on the backside (opposite side of vestibule). I found it very important to setup the vestibule end into the wind. Maybe the Flycreek has more coverage, though - I'm not sure.

[Trophyhill]

My tent, bag and pad are less than 6 lbs. When it rains I love my tent.

[zpd307]

I just bought a big agnes fly creek ul 3. plenty of space for a single person and 2lbs12ozs. best of both worlds!

That weight is just the footprint and tarp, right? I have the Copper Spur UL3 and used the footprint/tarp configuration to save weight. Pretty nice option in the fall (bugs are a problem otherwise), I just wished the tarp would extend further on the backside (opposite side of vestibule). I found it very important to setup the vestibule end into the wind. Maybe the Flycreek has more coverage, though - I'm not sure.

that is their claimed trail ready weight. the material of the tent and fly is very thin. the poles are even smaller in diameter than my older cabelas xpg 2, the guy lines are super thin. the poles are all one piece with 2 built in hubs. I haven't weighed it yet, but it blew my xpg tent out of the water in regards to weight, which trail ready was 5.2 lbs. the best part is that my feet and head don't touch the walls like the xpg. and the ba has plenty of space along the side to put your gear inside instead of under the fly. the fly does touch all the way around. 2 people would be tight but comfortable. with 3 adults, you better be good friends

[Brendan]

I have a TiGoat bivy and a Cuben fiber tarp that weighs about 1lb, a 1-2 person tent that weighs 3.5 lbs, and then a Kifaru Sawtooth with stove that weighs close to 7 lbs. All depends on the weather, if I'm solo, or if its a day trip that turns into an overnight. For almost no extra weight, I can't see myself ever using a bivy and not having my tarp along...

[_rj_]

I use a Kifaru ParaTarp year round if I'm alone.