Bivy tent suggestions that wont break the bank

[JackOfAllTrades]

Ok, here's my Columbus 2 man Bivy tent. Which really is just a mesh bug tent with floor and a rain fly. Unfortunately the fly can't be used without the under tent. But... I might employ a family seamstress soon to rectify that.  It's very similar to, (other than color and weighs less), as: http://www.camping-gear-outlet.com/camping-gear-121636.html

[uncoolperson]

I'm pretty happy with my eureka spitfire, weighs something like 2.5 lbs, bug netting and all that good stuff... and you can usually find them about $60.

[Wanttohuntmore]

spent 5 nights 2008 early archery elk in a military goretex bivy sack.  Worked well, but the rain/sleet the last 3 nights made it pretty damp inside due to humidity from breathing.  Definitely air it out if you can during the day.  For my clothes, just kept them in garbage bags next to the bivy.  I've also purchased some $5 tube tents mentioned above.  They are orange plastic, you can get them at Sportco, and they should work well for a short trip.  Bring some tape for repairs if needed.

Before I bought the military bivy, I built a goretex/sil-cloth bivy from some plans at Seattle Fabric.  The goretex I purchased was military goretex that I picked up for cheap.  I over built this too, and it works well, only negative was the opening in the plans was a mid entry opening.  It's kind of a pain getting in and out of, but once inside has much more room than the military sack.

Next project is a teepee tarp tent.  Still trying to figure out a low cost material/light weight.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Anyone have experience with the US Army sleep system (Something tells me 'yes'), Specifically the Bivy sack that is part of it?

-Steve

[Special T]

http://www.rei.com/category/4500665   
I have an older Outdoor research similar to the alpine... it is essentially a one man tent... I have also used the hammock and tarp and like it best given 2 prerequisites. 1 plenty of trees to tie to 2 the bugs are too bad... I used my OR bivi for 2 months while guiding Boy-scouts hiking and climbing it keeps the bugs out and you dry.... Light and stupid easy to set up...

[CastleRocker]

Anyone have experience with the US Army sleep system (Something tells me 'yes'), Specifically the Bivy sack that is part of it?

-Steve

Yep.  I posted that some time ago on this thread.  They work great in conjunction with a tarp.  I like to be able to hang them out to air dry when you are not sleeping in them.  They are heavy, but can be "field stripped" if the weather is going to be good.  Personally, we pack the whole thing, every time, and it has saved us more than once.   Weather is what it is.  Be ready for anything when in the high country.

We are currently building some more of our "bucket camps" to hike in this summer.  Anything out past the 10 mile mark, I don't want to take the military bivy system in and back out (with the meat hopefully).  I'd rather make a hiking/scouting trip in around July/August and bury our camp.  Just a word of advice if you do that; make sure you don't have ANY scent of food where you bury it, or Mr. Bear WILL dig it up and destroy it.  They can smell Mountain House that is sealed in a zip-lock, then wrapped in a tarp, put in a bucket with a rubber seal, and the top taped on, AND buried a foot underground!

I'm looking for a good used Kifaru, or something like it.  A friend has one and it weighs next to nothing.

[ridgefire]

i picked up a big agnes seedhouse sl1 with the footprint both unused for 160.00 great 3 season tent that weighs under 3 lbs

[deadyote]

A buddy of mine has about 4 of the miltary bivy sacks and he gave me one for when I hunt high buck.  Worked really well, very light, and easy to use.  It was dry then, so how well it kept me dry was still a concern.  The question was answered when I went camping this Memorial day weekend.  If you weren't around, it was WET!!  I have a nice pack that is waterproof and I kept my sleeping bag and pillow in the bivy.  After 5 days and nights of rain, my stuff was still bone dry.  I am more than pleased with the performance.  The only issue is that the lid over your head is held closed with a piece of velcro.  I move around a lot at night and once or twice I opened the lid and got rained on.  My wife is pretty handy with the needle and tread and is gong to sew a couple buttons on it for me.  We'll see if that helps.  Ask around and there is most likely a military guy who has one or can get you one from the base.  Hope this works.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Thanx Deadyote,  I actually picked one up off of Evilbay the other day. Don't have it yet, but if it proves as good as my other bivy, then I'll get another for the other son.

-Steve

[Tim]

google sixmoon designs,they have graet light wieght stuff

[archery288]

I picked this bivy tent up last year.. Very well constructed and very lightweight.. Talk about being simple to set up, and it packs extremely small as well.. I was able to fit it inside my Badlands 2800 along with food, sleeping bag, clothes, etc..  You can find them on eBay cheaper then on the northface website.. I bought mine for $140 shipped

http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-gear/backpack-bivy.html

[JackOfAllTrades]

That's a pretty nice unit there. Right at about 2 pounds. Definately get you out of the weather more than just a Bivy Sack.

-Steve

[saylean]

Nice...I really appreciate all the info on this. I will update the thread once I get a product.

Cheers~!

[JackOfAllTrades]

So.. Just on Craigs List this weekend, an MSR Minimalist tarp with stuff sack and foot print. $40. I wanted it, but didn't get back into town quick enough.  No, not good enough for those of you that don't like crawly bugs.  But a good shelter from the rain and dew if you're on the ground or in a hammock. Kickin myself for missing out on this one. Ounces of good shelter.

-Steve

[chevysquid]

I've used a cheap little $20 dome tent I bought probably 15 years ago.  It's just barely big enough for me to stretch out in, weighs about 3 lbs, and is pretty small in the stuff pouch.