Unusual tarp/bivy combo

[Daryl and Daryl]

Here's a tarp bivy combo that is a bit different.

The waterproof part of the bivy goes outside of the tarp and the netting top part of the bivy goes under the tarp.

here

[Billy Ray]

but it weighs 1 lb 8 oz !

[alex hansen]

Anyone have field experience with a similar setup?
It seems like if you had a groundsheet under your bivy water might collect and find its way under the tarp. But it seems like a good way to bring a quick and easy bivy for nice nights and a small tarp for those occasional bad weather times.

[Jerry Adams]

That's sort of like bivies with raised area over your face with hoop, for example:
http://www.rei.com/product/747832/outdoor-research-alpine-bivy

Except the raised area over your face has been expanded

The only thing I don't like, is that it wouldn't take much more fabric to have it completely cover the bivy. If there's water on the outside of bivy, it won't breath as good.

[spelt with a t]

How much does the tarp weigh by itself, I wonder.

[Hiking Malto]

This looks like a classic case of a compromise, marginal at everything, great at nothing. There is minimal bug protection, likely condensation from true waterproof lower end of the bivy and heavy by the standards of alternatives without these issue.

[Daryl and Daryl]

Spelt,

If I recall correctly the Sierra Designs website lists the tarp at about 1 pound.

[Dale Wambaugh]

I saw them a while back and my impression was that it seems like a lot of trouble for the coverage. A poncho tarp and more conventional WPB bivy with bug screen would be more versatile, allowing lean-to and full-lenth a-frame pitching options, or no overhead shelter at all in good weather.

Note the similarity to many of the SMD designs, yet it doesn't provide full coverage. If I'm going to drive all those stakes and tweak a shelter into a taut pitch, I might as well get full coverage and be able to move as I please inside. For comparison, my Gatewood Cape is 11oz and far less expensive.

[John S.]

About 1 pound for tarp.

https://www.sierradesigns.com/p-565-asap-tarp.aspx

[James holden]

marketing departments always have to come up with new "ideas" to differentiate em from the competition …

no matter how little sense it makes

;)

[Monty Montana]

I'll go with dale on this: MY Gatewood cape is much lighter (I thought mine weighed 10 oz, though), provides full coverage, and provides ample room for me to move around in. I don't need unusual, pragmatic is more like it!

[Jerry Adams]

On the other hand, innovation is trying out different ideas. Sometimes it doesn't work out so good. Sometimes it will stimulate some other idea.

[Eric Blumensaadt]

This is definitely NOT a good idea for some of teh reasons listed above and others which will make themselves apparent when it is used.

They ran the idea up a flagpole but I doubt if many will salute it.

[James holden]

On the other hand, innovation is trying out different ideas. Sometimes it doesn't work out so good. Sometimes it will stimulate some other idea.

but those fancy "outdoor" companies always try to sell it at $$$$ prices …

real innovation comes from actual use, not marketing departments … thats where feature creep comes in

;)

[Jerry Adams]

"real innovation comes from actual use, not marketing departments … "

+1

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