Bivy tents?

[BowsnLabs]

I have an Integral Designs Salathe bivy.  I've spent 3 weeks (three trips) in CO in this above 10K ft in early September and I can highly recommend it.  I would recommend a tarp if the weather is forecast to be wet but generally that time of year you don't have to worry too much about rain (or snow)...if you're lucky.  

As others have said, if you don't mind carrying lightweight 2-person that is nice too, but it is also nice to be able to lay your bivy out under the stars and fall asleep.  I almost never zip it all the way closed if the weather is dry.

[finkm1]

Just got a sale flyer from Cabelas. They have a Trekker bivy tent in the bargain cave for $29.99.

[Knotter]

I have the integral designs microbivy + a tarp if it gets real nasty.  My whole sleep setup comes in at just over 4 lbs  and cost $450 cdn.   Would you consider a bivy sack?

THe microbivy in pretty simple bivy sack.  No extras - just a big e-vent chocolate bar wrapper with a draw cord.

for what its worth you only carry the tent when you go in and out of the spot so it might be worth it to have the comfort of a tent.  Depends on the type of hunt you plan to do.  If you can place the tent centrally in the hunting area as such that you can get back to camp every night the tent would work.  If you're roaming long distances and you want to go light - the bivy sack is the way to go. -my preference is to roam.

[Kevin Hansen]

Originally posted by Karl Kortemeier:
Check out Kifaru or SeekOutside shelters.  They both have small bivy style tarps that are bomb proof. Their stuff is expensive, but it will last a very long time, and it is made in the USA. I have a 6 man seekoutside tipi and thier breakaway tarp for solo stuff.  I have Kifaru's parastove that fits inside the breakaway tarp.  It is a bit more weight (I cook on it so no stove), but there is nothing like having a hard day hunting then starting up the stove and basking in heat in your t shirt while your wet clothes dry out.  I don't think I can ever go back to a standard tent after a small heated bivy shelter.

Agree X10! I know the price tag of most of the Kifaru gear is more than your stated range, but the Kifaru gear is well worth it. Initially I wasn't sold on a floorless shelter...until I tried one. Now I would never go back to a shelter with a floor. Also, as Karl stated, having the warmth of a stove at the start and end of each day is a HUGE plus. I don't think you would ever regret going the Kifaru route...bomb proof, USA made, continual product R&D, great customer service. They have lots of different shelter options.Check them out at:  www.kifaru.net

[gvdocholiday]

This is the setup I plan on getting.  I like how the inner next segment makes a square inside the tarp.  

I plan to get a stove hole insert from TiGoat and install it in the Vestibule area.  Will be a great shelter when during the buggy months with the inner wedge nest and a great shelter during the non buggy months with the use of the stove.  Plus it's size to weight ratio is excellent.

   Nemo Pentalite 4

[Glunt]

That 1 man in the Cabelas flyer is basically disposable.  A buddy used one on a high country muley hunt a couple years ago and it was done after 3 days.

If a guy was only going once, the price is right, but be prepared for a couple 2:00AM repair sessions in the wind and rain.

[monterey]

Kinda of to the side of the original thread, but if you do decide to use a tarp of any kind, this is a great reference on the various configurations possible.   http://www.equipped.org/tarp-shelters.pdf

[wvtradbow]

Here's another good guy to deal with,I had him modify a GoLite 5,great products at a good price..  http://www.bearpawwd.com/index.html

[Ranger44]

Ranger 44,
I have had that tent for about 10 years it has aluminum poles and I believe the information when I bought the tent says 1 pound 8 ounces, I replaced the original stakes with some titanium ones.
I could be mistaken but I am pretty sure that is correct?

Tater, I wish I had read your specs first before reading mine and I would feel a lot better.     Mine says 2 pounds 12 oz.  LOL  Now I am going to have to go weigh it.  The titanium stakes would cut some weight.

[Shane C]

I have the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1. Weighs in at 2.3oz online. Will have to check actual weight when I get home plus footprint. After research between a bivy and and an actual tent I went with a tent. Too claustraphobic in a bivy. At least for me.
I got it as a gift for Christmas so I haven't actually used it yet but all the reviews I've seen for it are great. Definitely looking forward to giving it a try. Don't buy one full price because I know you can find a sale at REI or somewhere between now and this fall.

[Tim in Wa.]

Kifaru Para Tarp would be within you're budget and at 11 oz. its hard to beat,even better would be a Super Tarp little more $ but later when you have more $ you can ad an annex and stove.Once you have a heated shelter there is no going back
Tim

[anw0625]

What "gvdocholiday" said the nemo tents are top notch!  The only big difference with them than BA is a little more head room.

[Glunt]

I like alot of the stuff at that Bearpaw link.  Turns out they are 10 miles from me.

[fnshtr]

I had commented earlier about the Eureka Solataire bivy... a good, inexpensive choice for one person. I also mentioned taking a tarp along for a little room for inclement weather.

After reading this thread, I started looking around and found a Mountain Hardwear tent like one poster suggested. I found one called the Drifter 3 (3 person tent) and bought it.

I really like the "pitch light option"... that is; using only the footprint and the fly for a light two man set up. My son and I will be using it come September (elk). Used in the pitch light mode it only weighs 3 lb. 13 oz. with enough room for our bows/quiver/arrows/boots/packs... and enough room to sit up in and cook if necessary. For less than $200 we are set.

Isn't this a great place for info.???????

Thanks for all the comments.