Solo shelter options

[Franco Darioli]

For some reason every time I read comments from hammock cult members, I think of this line from Monty Python " I suffered for my music, and now it's your turn" (Neil Innes , 1976)
Not obvious, but Monty Python use to mock and ham a lot too.
Franco

[BlackHatGuy]

"Ultralight is great, but I'm not going to hike far even with a ten pound pack if I don't sleep. So I'll settle for just 'light' and be happier for it."

My sentiments exactly. I love my hammock, and sleep much better in it than I ever have on the ground. I toss and turn on the ground and wake up throughout the night (not sleepless, just restless). In my hammock, I climb in, adjust my quilt, adjust my feet (to the footbox), adjust my pillow, and go to sleep. And I don't wake up til morning. And I don't toss and turn at all.

I also love my MLD cuben hex tarp. At night, before dozing off, I can gaze at the moon and bright stars for a bit. I can see them translucently through the tarp. Something I can't do with a sil tarp.

[George Matthews]

Hi Aaron,

"I'm looking into a minimalist solo shelter to use on bike tours and extended backpacks. Something along the lines of the ubiquitous tarp-bivy combination."

My favorite tarp bivy combo is MLD Sil Pro Poncho and BPL Vapr bivy. Combo works well for me.

[Nick Gatel]

Aaron,

Some food for thought…

First of all, there are some really light weight sectional poles you can use in lieu of trekking poles. Check of GG, MLD, TarpTent, etc.

I have a Wild Oasis, just like the Gatewood, but not a poncho. I really don't like it that much. Too confining.

Most common combo for me is a MLD Silnylon Pro Poncho/Tarp and a MLD Soul Bivy Side Zip. The bivy is needed, because the tarp does not provide as much coverage as other options. But doesn't rain a lot where I live, and I use this combo the most.

But what I like best for a shelter is an 8 X 10 tarp. With this size you really don't need a bivy, it provides great coverage and room for on person, and can easliy accomodate two people.

I recently bought a GG SpinnTwinn and really like it. I have just ordered a Marmot Essence jacket, and this combo is about the same weight as my poncho/tarp and bivy set-up. I think I may be using the SpinnTwinn more and more.

[David Stancil]

I can't believe that no one has really done an in depth look at the Grand Trunk Nano 7 hammock. It is 9' x 4', 6.7oz, holds 300lbs, and costs 70$. I just ordered mine yesterday along with their tree slings (which seem heavy but convenient until I come up with a lighter solution). No bug net but that can be rigged for a lot less weight if you DIY, and I have been looking at the Spinntwinn Cuben Fiber tarp which is 8×10 for I think 8 oz. So if you are in an area without a bug problem or shoulder season stuff you could have a rig for about 22oz and it's comfortable (I'm guessing, haven't gotten to test it out but even BPL hasn't done a review on it). Just my 2 cents. Has anyone had experience with it?

[Andrew King]

I have a Nano 7 and have taken it out a few times. Without suspension it weighs 5oz, pretty impressive. I retrofitted with amsteel whoopie slings and polyester tree hugger straps for a total weight of around 8oz. It's a very serviceable hammock, but perhaps a little smallish. You do give up some comfort. For my SUL long miles adventures, it will be my go-to hammock. I also have an MLD cuben hex tarp. Plenty of coverage for 6.4oz, and I love the integrated line-locs. Combine that with my 12.5oz 2/3 length down underquilt for bottom side warmth and that's a pretty light setup. Nano 7 and Te-wa underquilt in foreground of picture, also shown with an Ultra 20 top quilt. The weather did not require any tarps that trip. Hanging and stargazing is the best.

[Curt Peterson]

Pretty impressive setup! That's about 27 oz for hammock, suspension, tarp, and underquilt, right? Hard to come up with many shelter+pad setups that compete with that on weight – let alone comfort.

You should send that pic and description to Grand Trunk!

[Andrew King]

Yes, that's pretty much the total weight. Add maybe another 2 oz for titanium skewer stakes and tarp guylines and that's it. This system does rely on you either having a ccf pad for the foot/lower leg area because of the shortened length underquilt, or some hangers will use their packs just like with ground sleepers who use torso length pads. I always have a ccf pad along for pack frame support/sit pad anyhow, so I didn't count that in the total, but in the interest of full disclosure …

I did post this photo with comments on the Grand Trunk Facebook page a couple months back. They were having a promo/contest, asking people to post there. I ended up getting another free Nano 7 from them for that post. :-)

BTW, I also have the Grand Trunk UL hammock, which is much roomier. That weighs in at 12oz total, with a similarly configured suspension. Lots of options available to dial in your comfort vs weight. There are also hammock bug netting solutions available for around 7.5 oz from Warbonnet.

[Thomas Burns]

The discussion of hammocks has been quite useful, IMO, so I've started another G-Spot thread where ya'll can discuss the relative merits of hammocks, vs. Tarp/bivies, vs. tarptents.

[Author]

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