Bivy vs a Single man tent?

A bivy sack is generally a weatherproof cover to a sleeping bag, so it keeps rain off and allows some extra warmth to a sleeping bag. Once you get used to it, it can be OK, but some people don't like the minimum protection of it. About the only time when I use a bivy sack is when I expect the chance of rain to be almost zero, such as in Death Valley National Park.

A small tent typically weighs a little more, and it has more room inside for flopping around. It may also ventilate better. If you decided to wait out a long rain storm, this might be more practical.

I sewed my own bivy sacks, and the lightest one is around 8 ounces. My lightest no-floor tent is more like 12 ounces now. Add 2-3 ounces for a floor.

–B.G.–

not sure yet but just ordered a Marmot Alpinist bivy and for the bad days i will use my Golite poncho tarp to give me some living space with it.this year most of my outings have been in the Marmot Eos 1 and although it is a great light little tent it is a little tent and i think the bivy will open me up to my surroundings more and make me part of the enviroment and thats why i'm there and what i enjoyed the most about hammocking in the past-so to answer your question i cannot, but can say i'm hoping to love the bivy and tarp (if needed) more and will save some good weight in the process- time will tell

Ive been using my modified montbell bag cover
(i added some noseum mesh) instead of a tent
on the last couple of trips and I have to agree
about feeling closer to the surroundings etc.
If I can get away w a bivy I now prefer it over the
tent.

Im also looking into and LMD or SMD poncho tarp

Id really be into a SUL freestanding one wall one person
if it were light enough- for really windy rainy trips tho.

Got a bivy with my tarp. I thought it would be nice because of the net that cover your face for mosquitoes and the when I am too tired to setup my tarp. Used it for 6 nights on the PCT,I didn't like the condensation when you wake up all wet and the droplets are freezing cold, your down sleepingbag also ends up wet, it is very restrictif and not as confy as a 1 person tent. I am considering getting a tarp/bug shelter.

There are a lot of veriables to consider. In cold weather I didn't mind the bivy. I tried to use it in warm weather for bug and dew protection but it felt like I was in a body bag. I ended up crawling out of it in the middle of the night every time. I tried a nice TiGoat bivy a few times, ended up selling it on gear swap.

I need air flow. I hike in high humidity and or heat most of the time. My vote goes for bug net and a tarp. Plus with a modular setup, like my flat tarp and bug net, you can ditch the net for no bugs and pitch the tarp a dozen different ways.

I don't like to hike in the rain so a bigger tarp to hang out in is nice.

It really depends what your definition of IS is. There are tents and there are bivys and they are designed for the conditions you intend to use them. Having stated that almost everything I do in Washington State is alpine, involves an ax and crampons, and my bivys, tents, and tarps reflect that.

This site’s philosophy has been helpful in reducing my load, but I digress, bivys open up sites and opportunities that tents can’t, especially a well made bivy that is waterproof, manages condensation, and has sufficient room for you, but they are more enjoyable in fair weather by themselves. Be that as it may it’s not a choice between a bivy, tent, hammock, or tarp, in the end as one does more one acquires multiple options.

I agree with Scott. It's not a question of either / or – it's a matter of application. Bivy sacks are meant for bivying; tents are meant for camping.

Bivys, by their very nature, are less comfortable. We often see spectacular photos of dramatic bivys, but they are still not typically as comfortable as setting up a good camp site.

But comfort is not always a priority. Sometimes we are attempting to go far or fast, and a light, simple option is best.

I have been using a Brooks Range Rocket Tent for some endeavors over the past year, and it has proven to be a fantastic solution. At 1 lb. 6 oz. it weighs slightly more than a bivy bag, but the space and protection level are worth it to me. It has a small footprint, so it does fit in many places.

It's still not a solution for every situation, but it can be a great solution when you are not sure which to bring – like when you feel you need a bivy, but want a tent.

Cheers,
Don

http://www.brooks-range.com/StoreBox/trpshl/rocket_tent_a2.htm