Tarp & Bivy or TarpTent

James – the kinds of areas and seasons in which you'll do the majority of your hiking is something important to consider (and for us to know). Room for gear or a [future?] hiking partner is also something to consider, especially if you only want to have to buy one shelter (though many of us go through at least a few tarps or tents while we figure out what we want/need).

My only experience with the above is with the Gatewood Cape and the Serenity Net shelter that can compliment it. I like them both very much. As you will find if you do some searching (this is a very common question), the Gatewood can be pitched very low eliminating the need for a bivy in many conditions. The Serenity Net (you can find the "older" version in SMD's bargain bin right now) is great for keeping away the bugs whether or not it's used under the 'Cape; of course, it's nice to use just the Net if you enjoy sleeping under the stars when the weather allows. It makes for a nice little system.

I use a bivy and tarp and like this setup. I use it mainly becaus if the weather looks good I can just setupy bivy and cowboy camp. But there is now worry about a light shower or dew. I would highly recommend the katabatic bristlecone bivy to anybody. Great bivy for a good price keep in mind it's made to be used with a tarp. This is because the upper is just a water reppelent not water proof. For the tarp there's a lot of good options I snagged a hmg cuben echo 1 tarp for 140 on sale. Zpacks has good prices for cuben flat tarps. The size you pick has a lot to do with your experience and also the weather you will encounter. Any of the tarptents are also great. I just prefer the freedom and openness of a tarp

I live near the Pisgah forest in Western NC. I will try and do four season camping, but if I wimp out then I will be a three season type guy.

Any worry with the Gatewood of water seeping under and getting in your serenity bug net?

Thanks for the comments so far… keep em' comin'

The Six Moon Designs Skyscape tent, cuben version, is VERY light (10 oz. I think) and uses your walking sticks. It's a great design as well if you decide on the silnylon version.

OTOH I have a TT Moment and love it – 28 oz.

Bivy only sucks when you actually have to get up in bad weather.

Regarding the concern with moisture getting in under a Gatewood Cape.
If you use the SMD Serenity net tent, you have a bathtub floor. It is basically a double wall pyramid shelter.

The combination is pretty storm proof.

I have also used the Shnagri-la 1 with bug bivy and the combination is not only 4 season, you can leave the bivy home for winter trips. The Shangri-la is a bit heavier than the Gatewood, but is roomier and more durable.
You can often find the Shangri-la or it's predecessor Hut-1 used for much less than a $100 US in the States.

hi,

I received a tarptent squall 2.
Is the floor of the squall a one piece or is this a two piece construction sewed together?

thx for feedback.

So it appears that everyone has some good suggestions…

I still feel undecided.

I like the idea of:
1) Gatewood and serinity tent
2) Shangri-la 1 and bivy
3) Lightweight tarp and bivy
4) A tarptent like the TT Moment or SMD Lunar Solo

It appears the waterproof bivy only option doesn't appear to be getting much love.

There's always the weird other option and going with a Hennessy Ultralight Hammock?

SO many good options, can't afford them all, so have to make a choice somehow.

I often use an MLD Monk (spinnaker 5×9 rectangular) tarp with the SMD Meteor bivy. The combination is approximately 1 lb. with stakes and line.

The combination is lighter, more flexible and more comfortable than a waterproof bivy. You can't get much lighter than that and your face will be dry in the rain:-)

If you want better protection, you could add a few onces and go with a 9X9 or 8×10 tarp.

The shaped options like the Shngri-la offers easier setup and bombproof protection, but at a weight cost.
A lighter version of the Shangri-la is the GG Spinnshelter. That is the shelter I usually rely on when nasty weather is in the forecast, Combined with the Meteor bivy for bug protection, extra warmth and as my ground cloth.