Bivvy Bag & Tarp recommendations, please

[cycle tramp]

This year I thought I'd try something different. Rather than use a tent for one night's sleeping, I'd use a tarp & bivvy bag.... Which means buying a tarp and bivvy bag anyone got any recommendations?

[mercalia]

well what ever you do you need to make sure you get a big bag for your size - want the option to put in a decent sleeping bag and mat and be able to move around in side - a tall order if you not small

[Heltor Chasca]

I've upgraded to Alpkit's Hunka. Don't ask what I used to use! I've got the smaller one which suits me fine. I just use the tarp from my hammock if it gets wet, but Alpkit do some light, small options.

I also have a small, but heavy tarp by True North. It's ok for canoeing but at the same weight as my one man tent, I don't use it for cycle touring.

With bivouacking I don't think you need a big tarp. Just keep your face and shoulders dry.

[mercalia]

I've upgraded to Alpkit's Hunka. Don't ask what I used to use! I've got the smaller one which suits me fine. I just use the tarp from my hammock if it gets wet, but Alpkit do some light, small options.

I also have a small, but heavy tarp by True North. It's ok for canoeing but at the same weight as my one man tent, I don't use it for cycle touring.

With bivouacking I don't think you need a big tarp. Just keep your face and shoulders dry.

depends on temperature? if cold dew/rain dont want that on you will cool you do. I made a tarp-tent from a Vango Adventure tarp tent extension - got some Vango force 10 poles from Ebay cheap and cut down to the size I want

https://forum.cyclinguk.org/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=57568&p=1053459&hilit=tarp#p1053459

1200 GRMS that include the poles, tarp, cables , skewers ( 8 light weight alloy ) and the 3 bags - one for the poles, one for skewers one for the whole lot.

I dont/wont be using a sleeping bag any more just use my ex army softie thermal jacket and trousers and a very lightv down foot bag pied de elephant from Alpa. The dual purpose jacket means easy to move around in teh bivvy bag and it self dont weight much and can be used as a normal jacket if it get s bit cool

[Gattonero]

I got a BPL "duo tarp" (10x8) that is probably too big for the single user, but as they say "better safe than sorry". Is good to be able to cover both the bike and yourself and is light too. Bought it as "seconds" but does not have any fault

Not a big fan of bivy bags, but I have the SOL Lite as emergency, and have to say that works well. It really does reflect some of the body heat, which can turn a sleepless night into a good rest, and the condensation is minimal. The drawback is that won't leave much room if you're over 6ft or 13st.

[whoof]

I use something very similar to this between two tree with 6 pegs and some paracord.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Camping-Tarp- ... Swt5hYY7er

Less than 500 grams.

[mercalia]

I use something very similar to this between two tree with 6 pegs and some paracord.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Camping-Tarp- ... Swt5hYY7er

Less than 500 grams.

from the advert -
never slept in a hammock would think it wont do your back much good?

[pete75]

Dutch Army Bivvy bag is about as good as it gets. Usually quite a few on Ebya.

[ipswichcycler]

I use something very similar to this between two tree with 6 pegs and some paracord.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Camping-Tarp- ... Swt5hYY7er

Less than 500 grams.

from the advert -
never slept in a hammock would think it wont do your back much good?

You can get asymmetric hammocks that allow you to lay on a diagonal for a much flatter lay. Hammocks can be very comfy

[Heltor Chasca]

I use something very similar to this between two tree with 6 pegs and some paracord.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Camping-Tarp- ... Swt5hYY7er

Less than 500 grams.

from the advert -
never slept in a hammock would think it wont do your back much good?

You can get asymmetric hammocks that allow you to lay on a diagonal for a much flatter lay. Hammocks can be very comfy

Of all the sleep systems I use, my Hennessy hammock is BY FAR the most comfy. Downside is that most U.K. Campsites are fields and the ones that have trees have said to me 'can't coz of a insurance reasons.' Wild camping it is then.

Publicans and campsite owners share the same grump genes.

[mercalia]

has any one with a hammock ever had a bump in the night as one end loosens it self? or tree break?

[whoof]

I use something very similar to this between two tree with 6 pegs and some paracord.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Camping-Tarp- ... Swt5hYY7er

Less than 500 grams.

from the advert -
never slept in a hammock would think it wont do your back much good?

I don't use it with a hammock. I pitch it a lot lower and use a roll mat and sleeping bag.

[mercalia]

any one heard of this tarp -

Kelty Range Camping Tarp

seems to be discontinued but selling on ebay at a reasonable price?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kelty-Range-Camping-Tarp-excludes-poles-860-40815714-/152416112709?hash=item237cb55045:g:4kIAAOSwWTRWza~O

on amazon much more expensive -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kelty-Range-Tarp-Size-Green/dp/B00G6KUUSU

[Sweep]

any one heard of this tarp -

Kelty Range Camping Tarp

seems to be discontinued but selling on ebay at a reasonable price?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kelty-Range-Camping-Tarp-excludes-poles-860-40815714-/152416112709?hash=item237cb55045:g:4kIAAOSwWTRWza~O

on amazon much more expensive -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kelty-Range-Tarp-Size-Green/dp/B00G6KUUSU

I don't think that tarp has any hangers mercalia, which will restrict erection options. On a fast read of that link it seems to recommend that you use two poles. So all in, it's not going to be a lightweight or compact option.

Will be back with a possible recommdndation when on a better keyboard.

Not sure why you have changed the title of your post mercalia, makes things a bit confusing on some forum views of the thread.

[foxyrider]

I got a BPL "duo tarp" (10x8) that is probably too big for the single user, but as they say "better safe than sorry". Is good to be able to cover both the bike and yourself and is light too. Bought it as "seconds" but does not have any fault

Not a big fan of bivy bags, but I have the SOL Lite as emergency, and have to say that works well. It really does reflect some of the body heat, which can turn a sleepless night into a good rest, and the condensation is minimal. The drawback is that won't leave much room if you're over 6ft or 13st.

Why 13st? 6ft I can see but as someone usually hovering around 13.5st I can't see any issues there. I won't say i'm thin but nor am I rotund!