I did the sleeping bag--bivy thing a few years ago. Never again. The bivy barely was bigger than me and my sleeping bag. One snowy cold night I had it zipped all the way and breathed all of the air out of the bivy waking up with a need for air. There was no room for my boots and jacket in there and they got wet. My suggestion is a light weight tent and sleeping bag and you'll be glad you did.

 

ROFLMAO....I could see the panic after this happened...PRIME!

 

Lightweight sleeping systems:
1) Integral designs http://www.integraldesigns.com/
2) Nunatak gear http://www.nunatakusa.com
3) Feathered friends http://www.featheredfriends.com/picasso/bags/SleepingBags.html
4) Western mountaineering http://westernmountaineering.com/
5) Marmot http://marmot.com/
5)

 

I believe the best bivies out there for for staying warm and dry in miserable conditions are from Outdoor Research. I have the Advanced model and it weights about 2 pounds. You don't have to use both poles so that can cut weight. They also have a model called the Fossil and Alpine which weigh just a few ounces less and a few lighters around the pound too. Most ultralight bivies weigh around a pound, but if you want to be comfortable the weight, and the poles are worth it.
It's still half the weight of the lightest tents and tends to be warmer. The only downside is that you don't have anywhere to store your gear, and if you have to hole up in bad weather it is not much fun lying on your back with no space to sit and do anything. For your gear you can take a heavyweight garbage bag to cover your pack and a few shopping bags for your boots and other gear.

 

Go with a tent. So many people get on here and read all this stuff about stay out in a bivy or with just a tarp and sleeping bag and think they can do it to. Believe me very few people can actually stay in the high country for an extended period of time with a tarp or bivy sack. You will get very little rest and stay cold and wet. I saw a good example of this in colorado this year. Ran into 3 guys from Wisconsin who had never been to the rockies but had read all about backpack hunting and going lightweight with a tarp. They had been there 4 days and were leaving. they were wet cold hadn't had much sleep at night so had to sleep during the warm part of the day losing hunting time. One good thing is they said they would never come back again. lol

 

Go with a tent. So many people get on here and read all this stuff about stay out in a bivy or with just a tarp and sleeping bag and think they can do it to. Believe me very few people can actually stay in the high country for an extended period of time with a tarp or bivy sack. You will get very little rest and stay cold and wet. I saw a good example of this in colorado this year. Ran into 3 guys from Wisconsin who had never been to the rockies but had read all about backpack hunting and going lightweight with a tarp. They had been there 4 days and were leaving. they were wet cold hadn't had much sleep at night so had to sleep during the warm part of the day losing hunting time. One good thing is they said they would never come back again. lol

Well said

The Clarks jungle hammock look like it would fit your needs perfectly. much better than sleeping on the ground.
http://www.junglehammock.com/

Not! Refer to ZYX's comments above

What would be the advantage? I have only ever used front opening tents.

Big advantage to side opening for 2 guys or more, otherwise not an issue IMO

I've been bivying for 25 years in multiple states many times a year. With the lightweight tent options now, a tent is a no brainer. The only time a bivy sack is worth the effort is in conjunction with a tarp- especially with a down bag. Extended use of the bivy/ down combo will get your bag damp from the inside out and lessen its effectiveness. I did the bivy sack thing for years but have moved to a much better setup- lightweight tent. Many good options depending on how tall you are. The Hilleberg "Akto" is the best there is. I currently use an older version "Cloudburst" Henry Shires Tarptent but there are other good ones. My shorter buddy has that Fly Creek and likes it- doesn't fit me well [6'3"]

I recently tested the GoLite ShangriLa with a UL stove on a 12 day backcountry elk hunt in Co. 76 at 10,450' [ camp was 8 miles in,pics on Bowsite]- and sold it. Its only OK.

As I said plenty of good options but you need to think of your 1)bag, 2) Pad and 3)shelter as a system for it to be most effective. PM me if you want more info.


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The Clarks jungle hammock look like it would fit your needs perfectly. much better than sleeping on the ground.
http://www.junglehammock.com/

 

I went with a bivy in Wyoming, about 10000 feet for muley's, so I figured i'd take my chances with bad weather and take a bivy, I can live with frozen gear and boots the next morning, I could'nt live with waking up 20 times in one night shivering, because the OR gore-tex alpine bivy, I was in was supposed to reasonably manage moisture, this was not the case at all, 15* Marmot Helium bag soaked, miserable night. Zipper open the 6" for ventilation, didnt do much. Luckily for me the next day was just windy and cold, no precipitation. So I could dry out my bag, and not have to head back to the truck. Even the nights without the snow, which allowed me to keep the bag completely open, I'd still have bad condensation issues. Maybe, if I didnt have a down bag it'd been better, but then I'm not saving any weight. I'm selling my OR Alpline, and buying a good solo tent this year.

 

Yeah it's a tough call. I've used just about everything from Bivy sacks, tents and backpacking hammocks. The tent is always the safe bet but if you know the weather is going to be good I much prefer the hammock. Just don't use the hammock in cold weather, you'll freeze no matter how warm your bag is.

 

I have heard that about hammocks....whats tough is you dont know what weather you will have in Sept in Idaho....

 

Go-Light ShangriLa 3 floorless teepee...right around 2lbs all up.
Western Mountaneering Antelope 5* down filled Gore shelled bag...sub 3lbs
Exped Synmat 9 deluxe sleeping pad...2.5lbs.

I can save weight with a lighter pad ,but the Synmat insulates well from the ground up and is pretty comphy.With the rig listed above plus my Kifaru LongHunter it wieghs less than 15lbs.Not UL for sure, but pretty light IMO.

The GoLight can be modified with a stove jack and a small wood stove can be added.This is what I plan on doing for a winter project.Stove wieghs in at 2.5 to 3lbs.

 

For all you guys that want ultralight gear and an insulated pad... Exped is coming out with an insulated pad in March with an r-rating of 4.5 that's 2.5" thick and weighs only 16 oz.! There's nothing out there that even comes close. That's 1 oz. heavier then the Neo Air and you don't freeze if temps drop. I can't wait till I can buy one.

 

Get ahold of hardcorehunter...he's your go to guy on this.

 

I've done the backcountry camping stuff and have just about given all that up. I don't sleep well at 11k feet anyway, unless I've been hunting for 3+ days already, it's 70 degrees out, and the sun is shining on me.:wink:

But if I was to do any of it again, I'd go with the small tent versus a bivy. I'm 6'6" and I like my space. If there's even the remote chance of any adverse weather, you'll be glad you took the tent. And I would say that there's a pretty good chance of adverse weather anywhere in the mountains in Sept.

 

I've done the bivy sack before also, and got rid of it. There are light systems out there. I have a discontinued North Face tent that fastpacks, which means the fly will fasten to the ground cloth, and you can leave the tent at home. About 2 pounds and a lot more room than a sack.

 

From all the horror stories I've heard on bivy's there's no way I'd buy one...I'd go with a good, lightweight 1 or 2 man tent. I've never been in a bivy but I dont think I could hack sleeping in one of those things.

 

I have hunted elk in Idaho in mid Sep twice. Each time we had some days in the 70's and woke up with a foot of snow on the ground. I was cold at times in a nice tent. I would never do a bivy. There are some big animals out there that like to eat meat. :teeth:

 

. There are some big animals out there that like to eat meat. :teeth:

and they can smell pork product a mile away!!!!!!!!!!!!!hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!

 

I have a friend that does bivy's and tarp here in Idaho and he seems to do OK with it. I prefer the tent option. I have a Marmot EOS1P and it is OK, But I would prefer a 2 person so I have room for some gear that I would like to keep dry if we get rain. One thing to think about is there are a few days that it seems every mosquito, bee and fly has you in its sight. On my tent the mesh I can use without the rain fly, that seems to help if it is real hot or you are in an area with a lot of bugs. Here is my tent on a spring bear hunt here in Idaho.

 

Thoughts on a tints like these...

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/...p/4264,3234A_Sierra-Designs-Vapor-Light-Tent-Extra-Large-2-Person-3-Season.html

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/...st.com/p/4264,2929A_Big-Agnes-Seedhouse-2-Tent-2-Person-3-Season-Footprint.html

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/4264,3237J_Kelty-Crestone-Tent-2-Person-3-Season.html

 

Thoughts on a tints like these...

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/...p/4264,3234A_Sierra-Designs-Vapor-Light-Tent-Extra-Large-2-Person-3-Season.html thumbs up- SD makes some good stuff, not UL though

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/...st.com/p/4264,2929A_Big-Agnes-Seedhouse-2-Tent-2-Person-3-Season-Footprint.html Not UL and its short, [use-able floorspace wise] I think you can do better

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/4264,3237J_Kelty-Crestone-Tent-2-Person-3-Season.html

Too heavy for this design, There are lighter versions of this tent-about 3#-made by other

 

What do you think about tents that open to the side as opposed to the front?

 

What would be the advantage? I have only ever used front opening tents.

 

I like it because I don't have to climb over my stuff when I am getting in and out. Is there going to be two of you in there? If so I would recommend one that has the opening on both sides so you each can get in and out without climbing over your self when getting out. Here is a link to the 2 person tent that caught my eye.

http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/tentdetail.cfm/BIG1030

Here is a matrix to look at all of the options
http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/3Stenttable.cfm?orderby=manufacturer

 

I know a bivy isn't for me. I used a light weight 2 man tent two years ago while my buddy used a tarp. After an all night rain he looked pretty tired the next morning. When we changed camp locations opted for his light weight tent.

 

I live in Idaho and I tried the bivy thing too. Used the OR Goretex sack and it just couldn't breath enough. Every morning I'd wake up with a nice layer of condensation on the inside of the bag. Now I hunt with an ultralight 1-man tent that opens on the side like Brock was talking about. I think it's key to have room inside for gear and cooking, etc. Also, if the weather turns really nasty and you can't hunt, spending 24hrs in a bivy is pretty lame. My tent is a Sierra Designs. I'll try to dig up a pic.

 

I am interested in hearing on this topic. Hopefully I will draw an elk tag here in NM, it will be a different style for coming from Texas but I don't think it has the wild temp. swings like Montana or Idaho.

 

Here is the tent I have shown without the rain fly, which is cool on a warm starry night. http://www.o2gearshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1&language=en&currency=USD&products_id=12367&zmam=55982562&zmas=1&zmac=1&zmap=12367

You can find it cheaper elsewhere but this site has the specs. Just shy of 3#.

Also, go with a closed-cell foam pad vs. an inflatable for cold weather camping and take a synthetic sleeping bag for wet weather but down for dry. :thumbs_up

 

I forgot to ask. Are you hunting solo or with a partner? If you have a partner are you okay with sharing a tent? If so, you are talking about having the ability to have a MUCH larger and more comfortable tent with a vestibule that nearly equals the tent size (two to three times the size of what you would have if going solo with a 3-3.5 lb. ultra-light tent). My hunting partner and I share a Hilleberg Nalo GT 4-man. With a packed weight of 7 lbs., enough room for 6 guys to sleep if you wanted (or every piece of gear you own to stay under cover) and being a true 4-season tent that's actually going to keep you warm WHEN the weather gets bad, you can't really beat it. Also, if you guys wanted to be a little closer and save 1 lb. you could always go with the 3-man Nalo GT. Lol

After your first hunt if you actually stay in the backcountry for more then a few days (most give up), you will realize that having space and comfort while staying ultralight is the key to long term success. A few guys are tough enough to truly go ultralight for 10 days plus (ie. tarp or bivy) and they save maybe 1-2 lbs. over me with regards to shelter, bag, and pad. Good for them. I'm pretty tough but it wasn't for me and good luck to those guys when it rains or snows for your entire hunt. Lol

 

I forgot to ask. Are you hunting solo or with a partner? If you have a partner are you okay with sharing a tent? If so, you are talking about having the ability to have a MUCH larger and more comfortable tent with a vestibule that nearly equals the tent size (two to three times the size of what you would if going solo with a 3-3.5 lb. ultra-light tent). My hunting partner and I share a Hilleberg Nalo GT 4-man. With a packed weight of 7 lbs., enough room for 6 guys to sleep if you wanted (or every piece of gear you own to stay under cover) and being a true 4-season tent that's actually going to keep you warm WHEN the weather gets bad, you can't really beat it.

There will at least 3 of us.

The guide will be using a bivy..not sure I want to go that route..especially after alot of reading here and elsewhere.
Thank you all for the info....


This site needs a Western Bowhunting section........

 

TTT for rodney482 :thumbs_up

 

My setup is a bivy and tarp, and requires trekking poles if you plan to pitch above treeline.

I use a Titanium Goat Raven XL Bivy with the full net hood option. It's larger than thier Ptarmigan Bivy and is cut big for winter bags, but works perfect for a 3 season bag if you like a little more space. 7.9 oz

http://www.titaniumgoat.com/Bivy.html

I use a custom Oware Tarp cut to 8'X8', and it's the perfect amount of space for me and my gear. With seam sealing and my guylines (Kelty Triptease) attached, it's 14 oz

http://www.owareusa.com/

For my sleeping bag, I use a 35* Western Mountaineering Caribou MF long, that weighs 23.6 oz. It's a very conservativley rated bag. I've slept soundly in it on a night that got down to 19 degrees in the Beartooth Wilderness of MT with only a light baselayer on.

http://www.westernmountaineering.co...ndex.cfm?section=Products&page=Sleeping Bags&cat=Microfiber Series&ContentId=23

My pad is a Therma Rest neoair medium that weighs 12.6 oz. I used it on the above 19* night and had no issues at all.

http://www.cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/mattresses/fast-and-light/neoair/product

For stakes, I use 8 Vargo Titanium, and they weigh 2.3 oz

All total this shelter system weighs 26.2 oz, and my sleep system weighs 36.2 oz. I don't count the weight of my trekking poles as they're used throughout the day and will be with me regardless, but for those that want to know they are Black Diamond Contour Ellipticals and weight 20 oz together.

This system has kept me warm and dry for a total of 16 nights (13 above treeline) in the harsh Beartooth Wilderness of Montana. I've been hailed on multiple times, snowed on twice, and experienced gale force winds multiple times as well and this combination has remained solid. I see no reason for a tent, and when it's bad outside, being able to look out and see the view at all times is a heck of a lot better than staring at a tent wall.

 

My setup is a bivy and tarp, and requires trekking poles if you plan to pitch above treeline.

I use a Titanium Goat Raven XL Bivy with the full net hood option. It's larger than thier Ptarmigan Bivy and is cut big for winter bags, but works perfect for a 3 season bag if you like a little more space. 7.9 oz

http://www.titaniumgoat.com/Bivy.html

I use a custom Oware Tarp cut to 8'X8', and it's the perfect amount of space for me and my gear. With seam sealing and my guylines (Kelty Triptease) attached, it's 14 oz

http://www.owareusa.com/

For my sleeping bag, I use a 35* Western Mountaineering Caribou MF long, that weighs 23.6 oz. It's a very conservativley rated bag. I've slept soundly in it on a night that got down to 19 degrees in the Beartooth Wilderness of MT with only a light baselayer on.

http://www.westernmountaineering.co...ndex.cfm?section=Products&page=Sleeping Bags&cat=Microfiber Series&ContentId=23

My pad is a Therma Rest neoair medium that weighs 12.6 oz. I used it on the above 19* night and had no issues at all.

http://www.cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/mattresses/fast-and-light/neoair/product

For stakes, I use 8 Vargo Titanium, and they weigh 2.3 oz

All total this shelter system weighs 26.2 oz, and my sleep system weighs 36.2 oz. I don't count the weight of my trekking poles as they're used throughout the day and will be with me regardless, but for those that want to know they are Black Diamond Contour Ellipticals and weight 20 oz together.

This system has kept me warm and dry for a total of 16 nights (13 above treeline) in the harsh Beartooth Wilderness of Montana. I've been hailed on multiple times, snowed on twice, and experienced gale force winds multiple times as well and this combination has remained solid. I see no reason for a tent, and when it's bad outside, being able to look out and see the view at all times is a heck of a lot better than staring at a tent wall.

View attachment 944290

See... This guy is much tougher then me. He proves you can go very light. I tried it and obviously it wasn't for me.

I don't know about the trekking poles though. What were you hunting? I have never felt the need to pack mine with me on an elk hunt. I know a lot of guys do. Sounds like you have to strap your bow to your pack or have a sling when packing in. That wouldn't work for me, then again, I'm not negotiating too many cliffs.

 

i bought a bivy sack for elkhunting in idaho but ended up returning it for a big agnes sl1. i like to have the extra room of the tent and it isnt much heavier than my bivy sack was. there is enough room under the tents rainfly that you can put your pack and boots and what not under to keep it dry over night and cook your food there as well.