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Shall I just go to Alpkit or what?
I currently have 5 tarps and 2 bivvy bags. I don't think a "go to" exists 😊
I've still got that Outdoor Research Alpine bivvy that I recall trying to sell to you a while back. I'm glad you didn't have it because it is a very nice piece of kit although I suspect it's a bit Gucci compared to most bags. If I was looking for a bivvy, I'd look at the OR stuff.
I'm trying (and so far failing) to justify the cost of a OR Interstellar.
DD for tarps, just pick the size and weight you want!
Right, after having seen my Paypal credit balance I'm going stick with my army surplus bivi for my upcoming trip, but I could do with a second tarp.
As with Colin, I don't think there is a "go to", depends on what you want. One/two person? Ultralightweight? Cheap and cheerful? Plain or shaped?
Around 2.5x1.5m is probably the smallest realistic size for a one person flat tarp. So the Alpkit Rig3.5 or the Rab Siltarp from the above link.
If you want a shaped tarp then the SMD Gatewood is worth considering - I don't get to use mine because my wife grabs it! Amazingly it weighs the same as the Alpkit Rig3.5
Gatewood and Trekkertent Cuben Fibre tarp.
Bivy bag - if you are using a tarp just get the lightest one that will deal with damp ground.
Seems like everything light and affordable is out of stock.
The Siltarp 1 would be ideal, only available in yellow though which isn't very stealthy...
Rab Ridge raider...cause midge.
Made some more mesh vents in it so it was less boil in a bag.
Also take a wee bit of ground sheet along to stand/sit on.
Seems the OEX bivi is quite similar to the Alpkit Hunka, and probably cheaper.
FB group joined, ta.
Thoughts on the OEX Expedition Tarp? How is that pentagonal shape? Looks like it only goes up one way, but that's probably all I'd do with it. Could be done with only one stick too perhaps.
I've got a Vango Trek Tarp that weighs 474g; just weighed it on the kitchen scales, that's with bag and guys attached.
Green too.
I've also got the older style OEX black tarp; about 980g, but it's enormous.
Oh, the OEX expedition tarp is a thing with poles and is 1kg apparently.
Shit, need one for weekend after next - everything looks sold out. Anyone know of any stock at all of small lightweight tarps?
I've got a lightweight tent - 900grams or so. Can a tarp/bivvy setup beat this by enough to make the cost/compromises worth it?
Well that's a can of worms, but it comes down to preference. Tarp/bivi isn't necessarily lighter, but might be more flexible, might be more spacious, might be nicer 'outdoor' feeling.
What do you want it for? A bit more info would be useful.
@martinhutch - the Gatewood plus the bivy bag (Borah Gear) plus carbon fibre pole and pegs comes to 570g, cost is about £320 - £165 for the tarp, £100 for the bivy, £55 for pole and pegs. Could make things cheaper by hacking an old tent for spares and using whatever pegs you have about, probably adds 30g and saves the £55
Just looking for the potential to be lighter, more compact in terms of packability for 2/3 season nights out. I probably appreciate the advantages of tents too much, though.
Always with an eye on the conditions I yo-yo between single tent or bivvy/tarp,but it always has to be midge proof,they will fly miles past everyone else to feast on me 🙁
What do you want it for?
Sleeping under...? In this particular instance it would be a walking trip but probably bikepacking in future. Solo.
@martinhutch the problem I've found with tents (of which I have been a fan) is pitching them requires a decent amount of pretty level firm ground which may be in short supply. Tarp/bivi should give you more options.
In stock and cheap.
Also needed a bivvy quick last week and went with the MSR E Bivvy, which is very light and seemed to do the job.
Vango trek tarp is £39 with pole and pegs from Blacks.