spend my money on a good tarp or a good bivy???

I'm a little bigger than you, 6'6" and 260, but I use the Gossamer Gear SpinnTwinn http://www.gossamergear.com/cgi-bin/gossamergear/Spinn-Twinn.html. I am adding beaks on either end, however (see Ray Jardine style) as I still get a little rain splatter because I'm so tall. It runs $175 though, so you may need to look at other options.

The Patrol Shelter by Mountain Laurel Designs is also an option, http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=35&products_id=76&osCsid=4fc4470d8cb8a284d41d637bf150dc24, but again, it runs about $140.

You could always make a SilNylon tarp or even, if you're really daring, a Tyvex tarp to see if you like it before buying. Same goes for the bivy. Making a cheap version before you buy is always a good idea as the bivies are expensive too.

Check with Mikeinfhaz for a tarp and look at the BPL/Oware drawstring tarps.

I got good deals on a used Oware tarp and bivy on the Gear Swap, keep a sharp eye out.

By the way, is that a HH in your avatar? How do you like it with your height? I gave it a shot too, as well as about 6 other manufacturers, and found that none were long enough. I also didn't like my legs bowing backwards against my knees or the lack of any place to shelter a pack.

James, it is the Ultralite Explorer and I found it very comfortable to sleep in except that camping in northern MN one needs the insulation below you pretty much year round.

The tarp on it extends over the ends of the hammock leaving enough room to carabiner the pack under the tarp off the end of one side… I did slide the tarp a little off-center and it provided enough coverage for the pack.

Additionally, it was nice to keep everything off the ground when camping with the hammock.

BTW, I do have it posted for sale in gear swap as I'm using that money to get a tarp and bivy…

Jeremy

James, the Claytor Jungle hammock might fit you. Its 10' long.

I also can make a tarp for ya, Jeremy, but it takes a week or 10 days if you can wait a little, I can make one to fit your needs. What color(s) do you like?
It would be best of both worlds… affordable first, quality too. For the bivy, the TiGoat Ptarmigan might work. Its very nice for the money.

Would you fit under a Gatewood cape? If so, most people would say that you don't need a bivy. $135.

Michael, thanks for the offer on making the tarp… I'll pm you and we can discuss offline.

I did check into the Cape and talk to Ron at SMD about it. It sounds like I would need to raise it up to fit my height thus having probably 4-6" opening under the sides. Which would put me back at needing a bivy again. Thanks for the input!!

Instead spend your money on a good TarpTent Contrail or similar single-wall, floored shelter.

They are light, airy and easy to pitch. You will be better sheltered from rain and wind and ESPECIALLY flying bugs & creepy crawlies.

Eric

Hard to say for certain, and it depends on your pack weight goals.

I hate bivies that condensate badly, so for me, a highly breathable bivy is key. I have bivies with tops made of eVENT and Pertex Quantum. The PQ version requires a full coverage tarp, while the eVENT version does not.

If you need a full setup for $150 you are going to be hard pressed to get a complete setup of any quality.

In theory, if you get a slightly larger, high quality tarp, you could survive without any bivy, so perhaps that's your answer.

If the numbers work out, a Ptarmigan Bivy and a Mike Stivers tarp would be your best bet.

"In theory, if you get a slightly larger, high quality tarp, you could survive without any bivy, so perhaps that's your answer."
good call Jason.
I think with your budget you'd be hard pressed to find a tarp tent. If a 7' wide 10' long tarp (from me) doesnt work, youre in worse weather that I want to be in!

Michael, I sent you a PM… not sure if you got it, but either way send me an email with some more details… gray is good for me and after doing a little more forum searching, it looks like that's what you've done in the past. Price? Catenary? Trapezoidal? Do you have any pictures of tarps you've made in the past including seams, tie-outs, number of tie-outs, etc.?? Thanks!

jeremygus (at) gmail (dot) com