Solo Bivi Tent

[slowpeddler]

Hi chums

Has anyone any advice for a small one man bivi -tent. I want something better than a bivi-bag but something for lightweight one night stops.

Any advice on ones such as the Gelert Sole, Yellowstone Matterhorn, Highlander Blackthorn or any others you might know.

I want it for Summer use only

Any advice gratefully received. I am about 5ft 9 tall.

John

[Sooper8]

I have heard, and read, people speak highly of the Pheonix Phoxhole...is that the kind of thing you mean?

[bigjim]

I used this one in France last year http://www.amazon.co.uk/High-Peak-Minilite-Two-Tent/dp/B0017HO182.
It's only an emergency tent as far as I'm concerned but it did it's job when I was stuck for accommodation. Goes up in minutes.
I'm 6'2" and 14 stone but it was fine. I paid £17 for mine. They are £23 at the moment. I got quite a bit of condensation so you have to be careful getting in and out.
Though there was a heavy dew in the mornings. In warmer weather probably better.
This guy uses it http://ultralightcycling.blogspot.co.uk/.
Mine weighs 800g or less with ali pegs and packs really small.

[patpalloon]

I just got the Yellowstone Matterhorn for my tours this year. Haven't used it yet but I have put it up. It's good quality, roomier than I expected and is very compact once stored. Its nit a bivvy though, it's a one man tent. The reviews on amazon are pretty good,

[andrew_s]

A bivi-tent would normally be a bivi-bag with a hoop over the head area. Because they are single skin, reasonably breathable material is needed if you aren't to get your sleeping bag wet from condensation, so they tend not to be particularly cheap. Example, Example 2
What tends to be better from an economy point of view is a small one-man tent. They would (should) be double skin to keep any condensation off you, and generally offer more space. Downsides (compared to a hooped bivi bag) are that it needs to be pegged out to stay upright, which restricts where you can set it up. The cheap end of the range tend to be too low to sit up in (with the Gelert being particularly low), so it's like sleeping in a coffin. That's OK provided all you do inside the tent is sleep. This generally works fine in good weather when you do most things in front of the tent, but if it's not so good trying to cook or eat under cover can be difficult.
You may also like to consider a small "festival" dome tent if you can find one at an acceptable weight. They are considerably easier to live in. They don't like strong winds, but that shouldn't be common in summer, in most places.

I have heard, and read, people speak highly of the Pheonix Phoxhole...is that the kind of thing you mean?

You must talk to people with long memories.
Phoenix have been defunct since 1993 or 1994 (taken over by Karrimor, and fairly quickly went to pot)
[Phoenix Phortress owner]

[slowpeddler]

Thanks everyone

I don't think I was very specific in what I originally posted, apologies all round

I normally cycle camp with a Vaude Odyssey but on my next tour I fancied some high level mountain walking and was thinking I could leave my bike at camp and go off into the Alps for a few nights. I could then post the lightweight shelter/ bivi tent/one man tent home or if it was cheap enough dispose of it before carrying on with the tour. I love the Vaude especially the large porch but I'm not putting it on my back for anyone. I don't mind the extra kilo it weighs as it has been a fabulous wet weather tent and my bike is my pack-horse.

I was wondering if anyone else has combined cycle touring and alpine walking?

John

[FarOeuf]

Hi,

I do, occassionally. The only progress I've made with regards to camping is to get rid of my tent inner and use a bivvy bag in its place. So, if the weather is good I just take the bivvy bag, if the weather is poor I take the tent flysheet too (a bit less than half the weight of the whole tent).

You could also look at tarp-tents, but I think a poncho (army surplus style) would be better as it doubles up as your rain protection while walking/cycling.

cheers

[andrew_s]

I'd probably take a bivvy bag (eg Alpkit Hunka), intending to keep it, and a disposable tarp & poles.
Possible tarp material:
http://www.winwood-outdoor.co.uk/acatal ... Sheet.html
http://www.winwood-outdoor.co.uk/acatal ... sheet.html

Spare sections of cheap fibreglass pole are readily available from Blacks, Millets etc

Some tarp grips (eg http://www.clingons.co.uk/ or http://www.uktarps.com/hold-on-clips) could be useful, or you could just bind a pebble into the fabric.
There's also this type for central attachment

The problems with a bivi bag on its own are getting into it without getting your sleeping bag wet, and having somewhere sheltered enough to cook/eat.
Of course, if the weather is OK there's no problem - you may not even need the bivi.

[edit]
the polycro groundsheet material linked above is apparently the same stuff as is sold as double glazing film in the likes of B&Q. It may be worth checking prices & quantities.

[slowpeddler]

Thanks Andrew

This is useful.

I think the tarp is the best solution and those sheets seem very good value. I might even bore you all with a photo after I get back. I was going to take my walking pole anyway so that could become an impromptu tarp-pole.

John

[hamster]

Take a look at the Jack Wolfskin Gossamer. It's similar bulk to a bivi / tarp and is bug-proof. It sits exactly on the dividing line between tent and bivi. Construction is very solid. I've used mine a fair bit and cannot fault it.