Bivy, bugnet or just groundsheet for Cricket tarp

If you want to mostly cowboy camp, take the bivy and only set up the cricket when it starts raining.

If you want to set up the cricket every night, seems like you do not need the bivy with a 20 degree bag and risk getting too warm.

I like to have some groundsheet but have gone on occasion with just the neoair.  I typically take a 1/8 in foam pad for protection of my neoair.  It adds a little extra warmth and can be used around camp as a durable mat too.  At times, I have used a polycryo sheet too.  It’s a little lighter than the foam but not as useful.

I typically just use a head net.  It’s pretty rare for mosquitos to be a huge problem at sleeping time.  They are usually the worst at sunset when you are selecting camp.  Camp selection helps keep the mosquitos away.

Thanks for the response Bruce. I definitely plan to cowboy camp most of the time. The main reason I got the cricket was because I carried my Notch (29 oz) a couple hundred miles without ever setting it up. I hike alone and usually until dark. So sometimes cowboy camping is out of laziness and efficiency, not always stargszing. So I guess what I should be asking is….for someone who likes to cowboy camp and have a fast set up, should a bivy be an essential part of my kit? Keep in mind this is late summer(aug/sep) when bugs aren’t so bad. I’m also curious if I’ll be able to quilt out a 20* bag in a bivy. In the case of a warmer than expected night. Anybody have any experience with that?

matt

<p style=”text-align: left;”>Ben I was thinking I’d use my poncho as ground. 1/8 inch pad is a good idea.  I have a small x-lite, and I’m 6’1. It wasn’t the smartest decision I’ve made going lighter!  Next ones going to be regular for sure.</p>

It doesn’t sound like you really want or need a bivy. I’m not sure about a cuben poncho for a daily groundsheet. I would probably get a polycryo or tyvek groundsheet, and use the S2S nano for bugs as needed. The 1/8″ pad is also a good suggestion if you are okay with the bulk. I carry one to use under my sleeping pad.

Any pics of the new Cricket? The MLD site seems to only show the old version.

The S2S nano is excellent under a tarp – light, good for most bugs out west (except ants) and you can sit up under it easily (if you’re wearing slick clothing like a wind shirt). While cowboy camping, I’ve tried rigging the S2S nano with a trekking pole and it’s a bit fidgety and contrived, so a bivy of some sort might be a better option for lots of cowboying. You could get (or make) a full, bug, or hybrid bivy, depending on the bug, condensation and precipitation resistance you want.

+1 on using polycro under the cuben poncho – it would keep sap off and decreases the wear on the cuben. A small 30×72 polycro sheet would cover where the pad is and weight only one once. Polycro is very light but also it’s slick, so if camping on an incline it results in some overnight slippage of your bivy or pad.