Bivy bag and tarp what do you recommend?

[TomC103]

I need a new sleep system and I am interested in a bivvy however I don't think I will have enough space to be comfortable so I was thinking a tarp but I don't use hiking poles so I don't know what to do. I don't usually camp in woods. Please help

 

[copper_head]

Well if you don't camp much in the woods then a tent is your best option really. Lots of options depending on your budget, my hiking tent is a Wild Country Zephyros 2 which I'd happily recommend.

I like bivvi's too but use it in conjunction with a small tarp (suspended from my walking poles), that said I just have a modded ex-army one. Hooped bivvi's are more like very small tents.

 

[TomC103]

Gelert solo one man tent or alpkit hunka?

 

[santaman2000]

Why do you need hiking poles? I've never used them and have used a tarp regularly.

 

[copper_head]

Not owned either but the Hunka is pretty highly regarded, but I'd get the Hunka XL. Only seen the Gelert in a camping shop, its tiny, can't comment on the quality.

 

[copper_head]

Why do you need hiking poles? I've never used them and have used a tarp regularly.

To suspend the tarp from if there's no trees (op said he doesn't camp in the woods), any old poles would do but I hike with walking poles...

 

[TomC103]

Ok thanks copper_head and Santaman2000 what do you use instead?

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

IPK Shelter is good enough for a groundsheet with bivvy, tarp and I use a DD Travel hammock - bivvy bag within this on the ground - as it has the midge net built in.

 

[boatman]

Just a bivvy bag and a mat if you feel luxurious. I have wondered about an umbrella recently which if self-supporting might be handy.
My bag is a Trekmate bought for £15 from TK-Max

 

[santaman2000]

Ok thanks copper_head and Santaman2000 what do you use instead?

Sorry I missed the bit where you don't camp in the woods.

I usually either tied it to trees or cut poles on site. Not really applicable in your situation.

 

[gabrielsdad]

Bivvy poles are cheap and light compared to a tent. Id go for the bivvy and tarp to stay out of the elements. Bivvy poles are about £10-15.
But if your sleeping on open ground (if you are). Do you want every dog walker and farmer etc Seeing you asleep? If not a tent is the way to go.

 

[TomC103]

Thanks everyone I think I'm going for a bivy bag and a tarp. What tarp do you recommend? Thanks

 

[copper_head]

You don't need a massive tarp if your using a bivvi, maybe consider a poncho or basha depends on your needs really. Or a good all rounder is the DD 3x3m.

TW poncho tarp is good.

 

[MikeLA]

Was going to recommend a fox basha Until I checked out the latest prices. Wow those have gone up.

So go with Copperhead recommendation or surplus poncho

 

[mountaingoat1]

In my experience, spending to get a nice bivy meant not needing a tarp to take up extra space and weight in my pack. A friend recommended an Outdoor Reserach bivy and I have been happy with the purchase.

 

[NGM6456]

You don't really need both a bivi bag and a tarp in my experience; a bivi bag is an unnecessary expense if the tarp keeps you dry the bivi bag is obsolete. You can get sleeping bags with water repellent uppers so there is no really need for a bivi imho.

 

[ozzy1977]

I use the US modular bivvy bag, with one of the sleeping bags, a thermarest, issue basha over me and IPK sheet on the floor. I do have the choice of a DD 4x4 but its too big for sneeky camping

 

[ozzy1977]

The bivvy bag is a good idea when a heavy dew or frost is expected

 

[boney gumbo mcgee]

I usually take a bivvy and tarp. I use a british army dpm goretex bivvy you can pick them up fairly cheaply now. If I think the weather is going to be fine I just use the bivvy. I use a Nomad siliconised tarp which I have had no issues with.

 

[Haggis]

I can't seriously recommend any, but I am looking at a Hilleberg bivanorak and Hilleberg 10 XP tarp for myself. Both are lightweight, but supposedly very durable. They should be just the thing for my knapsack, and me of course.

Bivvy Bag http://www.campsaver.com/bivanorak-minimalist-shelter

Tarp http://www.campsaver.com/tarp-10-xp-shelter