Looking for a doubled walled “bivy” style tent

Robert, you can get dedicated straight poles for flat/shaped tarps, just like you can get flexy poles for hoop tents. Trekking poles are simply a method of saving weight. Unlike hoop tents, straight poles can be fabricated/improvised in the field.

"needs something that doesn't need trekking poles to set up?"

No shelter NEEDS trekking poles, you can use other poles if you don't carry trekking poles.

And I've toured extensively on a bike and used a variety of tents, including an old 7 pound Vaude 2-man tent with poles, and an REI Quarterdome T2. I didn't have problems carrying the poles for either shelter.

Pretty much any shelter will work if you want it to.

As far as the OP's initial post — perhaps just a tarp and bug tent would work for you. Use just the bug tent and enjoy the sky on the clear nights, set up the tarp when rain is in the forecast. While you'd want poles for 'emergency' use, you could easily tie off the ends of the tarp to trees in the southwest and not need poles most of the time, if ever, depending on where you camp.

And you could do it for around $300 or less and less than 2 pounds.

the dedicated poles are quite flimsy, and sink into the ground. I used them on a spintwinn and a wild oasis, and they aren't very strong. being that there just regular tent poles. regular tent poles get their strength from being bent, and the fabric supporting them.

but it generally the same in ever tent fourm, it jumps straight to TT, and shaped tarps.

Woah, where did this Sierra Designs Stash 1 tent come from? It looks pretty good. I wish it were clips instead of sleeves for the poles, but I think I can live with that if it meets my needs and retails for 190 bucks.

It says 2011. Does this mean that I'm not going to find any actual reviews on it?

Pretty much any shelter will work if you want it to.

As far as the OP's initial post — perhaps just a tarp and bug tent would work for you. Use just the bug tent and enjoy the sky on the clear nights, set up the tarp when rain is in the forecast. While you'd want poles for 'emergency' use, you could easily tie off the ends of the tarp to trees in the southwest and not need poles most of the time, if ever, depending on where you camp.

Has this not been suggested yet? I held off because it seemed too obvious. No poles are required. It's double or single wall. The amount of wind protection it offers depends on how you have the net tent constructed.

As far as dedicated poles go, that totally depends on which poles you get. I have a 6 foot carbon fiber pole that wouldn't visibly deflect if you hung several hundreds pounds from from it. Something between that flexy pole and my pole might be more appropriate.

I guess I'm not entirely opposed to the idea of a minimalist bivy plus a tarp, but it's never really been my preference. I guess I've always leaned towards tents, double walled (because of the humid southwest) and free standing because I've been in areas where it's nearly impossible to stake stuff down (had to tie guy lines to rocks in New Mexico one night). But now that I'm looking at non-freestanding stuff, I guess I could be open to the bivy+tarp approach.

I'll be honest, though. I've owned 2 Nemo tents, still have my Losi 3P for trips with the wife (she likes elbow room) and am heavily leaning towards the Gogo EX. It kind of falls into what I'm looking for spec-wise, and would pack super small with no pole size to worry about, though I'm thinking about making a frame bag that would take care of the pole issue…

A TiGoat bivy is less expensive than a net tent and weighs about half as much. Combine the TiGoat bivy with a 8×10 silnylon tarp, ti stakes for the sides, Groundhogs or Eastons for the peaks, and a polycro groundsheet can weigh about 2 pounds. You could have everything for about $200.

If you want room to roam around while keeping out the bugs, then you'll want a net tent. The Bearpaw Net 2 would give you a lot of space, but you will also get a lot closer to your 3 pound limit.

Use your bike as one pole and use your front wheel for the other, or pick up sticks along the way….when you can't find suitable trees.