Best DIY shelter?

[Geoffrey]

Hi all I am looking for help with picking a new piece of gear to carry. I currently carry a US military poncho, nice ripstop, great gear, but a little big and a little heavy.

I am wondering if anyone has experience with different plastic sheets that can be used for a nice shelter. Just something light that I can fold up small and carry in my day pack to make an easy shelter.

Let me know what you like.

Geoffrey.

 

[leon-1]

I think that you will find that the majority will come back with a hoochie of some sort.

Issued basha's are a cheaper alternative, have a look and see what the Canadian forces are using for shelters (I don't know what they currently use) as we tend to find in the UK that is as good a place to start as any

 

[Geoffrey]

Thanks.

Geoffrey.

 

[Great Pebble]

You'll be hard pushed to find anything smaller/lighter than a US Poncho I'd have thought.

 

[RovingArcher]

You'll be hard pushed to find anything smaller/lighter than a US Poncho I'd have thought.

I was thinking the same exact thing. Versatile, tough and lite weight. Though, I still want a basha.

 

[alick]

I dont know of any types of plastic sheet that could match the flexibility+strength+packable character of ripstop nylon. Plastic's especially bad at folding up because it is sheet not woven material.

I can't think of a better way to get small and light than to get a tarp or bothy shelter type bag in lightweight silicon proof nylon.

I don't know the US army poncho but you could look at carrying the flyshhet off a hennesssy lightweight hammock on it's own, or a lightweight basha like the one I got by Kathmandu trekking (from soldier of fortune).

cheers

 

[tomtom]

i have heard of some people keeping space blankets as one time emergancy shealters! or a survival bag cut open.. both as rather bright in colour!

 

[TheViking]

I have an army poncho, pretty big, 200x165 cm. Folded together and rolled up, it takes up almost zero space. A bit heavy though.

 

[arctic hobo]

i have heard of some people keeping space blankets as one time emergancy shealters! or a survival bag cut open.. both as rather bright in colour!

You can buy OG survival bags They're fine but expect to be wet in the morning (condensation).

 

[Ed]

you could look at carrying the flyshhet off a hennesssy lightweight hammock on it's own,

The Hex fly is a massive 10' by 12' or something like that..... that should keep you and your kit dry.

Personally though I'm a poncho shelter man :biggthump

Ed

 

[dchinell]

I think there's a big difference between coated ripstop and silnylon. In my experience, silnylon is much lighter, more flexible, more durable (the waterproofness, that is), and packs smaller.

Plus you don't have to fold it up. You can't. All you can do is stuff it into a bag.

If that's not enough, you can get ponchos made of spinnaker cloth.

Bear

 

[mercury]

The new UK issue basha is lighter than the old one and ISTR bigger too, also it has loops on the corners and no hood to fiddle with

 

[Hoodoo]

Well, for something you might want to use in a survival situation, it's hard to beat the all weather space blanket or an 8 x 10 poly tarp. I have no problem building a fire to keep warm right in front of either of these. If you accidently burn a hole in one, you are not out a whole lot. And they stand up better to sparks than nylon. The all weather blanket is required gear for my day pack. And if I get stuck out overnight, I know I will have a dandy sheter to spend the night in right next to a good fire. From a bushcraft perspective, nylon has never appealed to me, whether it's nylon tents, tarps or clothing. For backpacking, it's wonderful!

 

[Geoffrey]

hoodoo what do you use for a blanket? I have a US military wool blanket would that be good for bush stuff?

Thanks.

 

[Hoodoo]

I've found military wool blankets to be pretty poor. I have a wool blanket that I've had for god only knows how long and I can't recall where I got it but it's fluffy. If you are serious about using a wool blanket, find one that's fluffy, not flat. I carry a cotton military sleeping bag cover and sometimes use a fleece blanket inside. This protects the fleece from sparks and it is lighter to carry than a wool blanket.

 

[Squidders]

I have an ex issue wool blanket that's (I think) brilliant... it's huge and fairly thick. I tend to use it on the floor of my tent(s) as it takes a lot of the ground chill out... I can't get mats to cover the entire floor area.

Also, on cold days around a fire, I have been known to wrap up in it. I have also used it to lay on with friends on summers days at the local park whilst having picnic.

For sleeping on/in I would say it's a little itchy though so go with what Hoodoo said.

As for the tarp, I have a basha and a poncho and I would say that both are light enough for me not to worry about carrying. I think the poncho is ripstop but it's light and doesn't take any room in my pack. How light were you thinking? If you could give an idea, that would help.

Cheers

Joe