Too many shelter options-I need to focus!

Plan on being tired, and having the easiest, faster to set up shelter you can. At worst it gives you more time to relax.

Sell some of them and the choice will be easier next time. :-)

I also vote for the smaller footprint/ease of setup.

Been in a similar dilemma regarding weight vs. ease vs. footprint. I am finding that nominal weight savings are pretty much negated (for me) with the energy expended finding sights/setting up the lighter and larger footprint – esp. in inclement weather, solo, and tired.

Like many a UL'er, I suppose its the rebound effect of going to the edge and pulling back some. Now some may say its blasphemy, but again for me, an extra 5oz or so is pretty negligible when your pack weight is UL in the first place. When I'm looking at 6 lbs base or 6.4 lbs I really don't notice the difference.

Nicholas-well said, I really enjoy tarps but you are right ease of set up and smaller footprint make things so much easier after a long day of trekking at high altitudes.

Chris- I really do like options for my hiking trips–I could never sell my BPL Nano or Sublite-Sil….Never! Maybe the old school DLG..

Does it really take you >10 minutes to setup a tarp? Practice a little and you should be able to easily get that to under 5. Besides the sierras is an ideal place for a tarp. The great weather means you hardly ever actually need a shelter. Just set up the bug net on its own for a super quick setup and great views.

Carrying 3/4 lb less is nice as well.

I much prefer the lighter weight and greater flexibility of a tarp/nettent setup. The footprint is definitely a draw back. Many nights in oregon I had to hike into the dark to find a spot. Much easier in the sierras as there is much less under brush, so many more spots that will fit the tarp. When necessary you can always stake tight to the ground and with a steaper peak to shrink the footprint. Costs some space and headroom, but works if to squeeze into a tight spot.

I sold my Contrail & got a Moment for ease of setup and wind worthiness reasons. The Moment is VERY easy to set up, even easier than the Contrail.

It's that ease of setup in inclement weather (or when I'm dog tired) that makes me love the Moment at the end of the day, not to mention its vestibule for sheltering my pack and cooking in bad weather – both at the same time.

Tarp all the way, I like to use a regular bivy,(TiGoat) when it isn't hot and the bugs are not an issue. Then you can just sleep under the stars, when condtions allow you to do so, and then there's no need to set up anything.

Get rid of the bug nets and the nano is the lightest and most versatile shelter in you collection. You live in calif, so bugs are not an issue IMO :)

Nia, I do practice setting up my tarp in the backyard-(under 10 minutes)..But when I am out in woods it always takes much longer to set it up–different site, uneven ground,branches in the way,fatigue,ETC,ETC!!No body is perfect. I really do enjoy my tarp but for my 90 mile trip coming up I think I will go with the TT Sublite-Sil…I will sacrifice a few extra Oz for ease of up set up and convenience..I will bring a Equinox ground cloth just in case conditions are right so that I can sleep under the stars.
Mosquitoes should be winding down this time of year but I bet they are still out there in numbers- "The little worthless bastards"

I would challenge the "quickness" of tent vs tarp. How many times do you really need the tarp when hiking in the Sierras. If no tarp needed then the tent takes longer to set up. This was primary reason I switched to tarp/bivy – speed.

Greg, The Sublite-Sil can easily be set up in under two minutes—Stake out the four corners then insert your trekking poles….So easy a cave man can do it. After 7-days at 15 miles a day—That's all I want to do plus eat my meal……I might be crazy but I still might just bring my Nano tarp to use in a storm are for shade in the afternoon (nap time)…At 5.5 oz why not?