What system do you use to camp.....

[DAntrim]

I use a bivvy bag and poncho if away for 1 / 2 nights or a banshee 200 tent if I'm away any longer, but reading this....

I've spent a while working on the 'sleeping system', about 2 years trying out various ways of staying dry, lightweight and comfortable (within reason).   I'm now carrying a tent outer (Hilleberg Akto, urgghh, but another story), a 100% waterproof bivvy bag (Snugpak SF, about the size of a bag of sugar), and a sleeping bag (cheap Decathlon 7-degrees plus).   Tent under the bars, bivvy bag in the bar-bag, sleeping bag in the tail pack.   Mostly I'll bivvy, but on the wet nights (or if I end up in a campsite) I'll use the tent with the bivvy bag inside.   Essentially the bivvy bag replaces the tent inner, and is more versatile as well as being smaller/lighter. 

..gave me pause for thought.

The ability to use either bivvy or tent not matter the length of time away certainly appeals and the addition of a groundsheet / footprint, would for me, make this an appealing option. Indeed I have set this up in the garden, and can get the panniers inside onto a dry surface, but still nothing is certain until it is used and so I will trying this out next time I can get away.

What system do you use to camp.....

[bikerta]

I always like the comfort of an inner tent to keep away insects and creepy crawlies. On my recent trip, the midges would have driven me mad without an inner tent as a sanctuary. I guess you can always sleep in a midge net but for the weight that is saved I would rather take a few extra seconds to get up the hills and then relax at the end of each day in some degree of comfort. A couple of times I also found lots of slugs on the campsite - the thought of those disgusting creatures being able to crawl all over you fills me with dread.

There were times when I felt I needed to buy more lightweight gear, but you can get such lightweight 1 man tents now that it cant be much lighter taking an outer tent, a bivvy bag, a footprint and a midge net. However, I have a lot of respect for the people that can tour without the need for panniers or any sort of comfort at all, but its not my style.

[jags]

Well lets see.
i'm probably the most experienced none camper on the forum total fred as the man said.
at present  my matt is the Exped ultra light thingy you know the one its yellow packs really small .Quilt for keeping me warm got it from america cost a fecking fortune never used it yet.Pillow is a medium compressable Thermarest .got for nothing a silk liner from my buddy . tent is a Ginormas and heavy 4kg Mountain Hardware spear gt2 on the lookout for a much lighter one.
as yet i havent tried this lot out all new gear well except for the tent,but once i get that sorted i reckon i'll have meself a nice  set up.

jags.

[bikerta]

Forgot to say what set up I actually had. At present I have;-

Tent             Vango Spirit 200+  or Terra Nova Voyager
Mat              Exped Downmat
Sleeping Bag  Mountain Equipment Womens Firebird - this needs changing to a down one
Pillow            Was using tiny Mammut blow up 1 but seal went whilst on trip. Have Exped Comfort 1 but too big for cycle camping

[AndyE]

My system, warm dry horizontal. Tent, tarp or bivvi bag. What matters is the ability to use what ever system you feel comfortable with in a extrema environment! even tents have their limits. If you are tied and totally shagged out, you will sleep almost anywhere.

Andy

[Far-Oeuf]

Hey,

Just to add, a mate gave me a sort of sock-type mozzie net which goes over the sleeing bag. This sorts out the mozzie/midge situation, and weighs practically nothing. It is pretty easy to make one.

In reply to the above, the Akto (which I have) has most of its weight in the inner. So removing the inner makes a big difference, also on pack size. Yes, there are very lightweight tents, but to be lightweight they compromise on strength/durability. A tent for running the odd mountain marathon is not a tent you'd be able to use for a few years cycle touring. There is quite a difference between the Akto flysheet and that of any of the ultraight tents.

Cheers

[onrbikes]

A couple of years ago when we cycled in south east asia wanted to minimise weight and bulk. We took along a couple of hammocks, sheet sacs,mosquito net and a tarp in case it rained. We did have to use it a few times, and it was terrible. The mosquito net flapped around too much and the hammocks are not good for a decent sleep.

After that experience we now always take a camping outfit along. A tent, sheet sacs, and mat. In colder climate a sleeping bag as well. It actually takes up less room and weighs about the same than the above set-up. Much more comfortable, and needs less room to set up.

Give me a tent any day.

[one arm bandit]

Why suffer like that? Any fool can be uncomfortable.

[jags]

i love watching bushcraft videos on utube these boys and girls certainly know there stuff when it come to  gettin comfy stayig warm and dry.
following this guy  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNSraQ3DLMk.
he's an amazing knive maker and very experience camper,
videos are ver good.

anto.

[jags]

just watched another of this guys video http://www.jacklore.com/

jags..

[Danneaux]

Best thing, I think, is to try different iterations at every opportunity. This weekend saw a big Pacific storm sweep through my area. Winds of 50mph plus, torrential rains, 50,000+ people without power...so it was an excellent time to tryout my latest setup in the backyard, since I was home anyway. Snug as can be in my little 1-person tent with inflatable mat, warranty-replacement air pillow, and my lighter down bag.

There's nothing like practicing in adverse conditions to refine one's camp-making skills and speed. Do it in the backyard and you can always get dry clothes in a hurry if things go wrong.

Best,

Dan.

[John Saxby]

Far-ouef's thoughtful minimalism is thought-provoking indeed -- the more so with the accompanying super fotos of bike & landscape [http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=9921.0]

After lugging Too Much Weight on my Scandinavian safari in August/Sept (partly 'cos I was carry infrastructure for two people, myself and my daughter), I've started thinking about doing with less, and maybe doing more with less as a result...

A bivy sack & tent fly is one option, for sure. Even better, a b/sack with just a tarp -- my smaller Integral Designs tarp is just 400 gms, and I've found that a Raven makes an excellent prop.  Outdoor Research offers a bivy sack weighing just 510 gms, so those two items together are less than a kilo. On the other hand, there is The Bug Question, and for a couple of hundred grams more than the bivy-and-tarp combination, TarpTent offers a one-person tent with bugproof inner. Black flies are not to be trifled with: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjLBXb1kgMo

I'd add a sleeping mattress to Far-oeuf's list, softie that I am. My Thermarest Ultra-Lite Pro shortie has been durable, comfortable and not very heavy, but it weighs about 750 gms and there's an intriguing possibility on the market, one which weighs less than half that: http://www.klymit.com/index.php/products-1/sleeping-pads/inertia-x-frame.html   MEC doesn't stock this at the moment, so this winter I may have to find an excuse to go to Manhattan & check it out at Paragon Sports or REI, both of which offer the Klymit device.

Have also tracked down a couple of ultra-lightweight summer sleeping bags, which of course are also ultra-expensive (less really is more, if anyone ever doubted it.)

Thanks for the info & advice, all -- lots of ideas to lighten up summer tours for sure.

[farmer palmer]

This is what I use in Iceland(which is mostly cold when I'm there in late May/early June) on my Sherpa the tent is low enough to keep out of the wind aswell but it's not a tent to spend a lot of time in as it really is small and lightweight.

Mountain Hardwear Sprite which is a one person tent with an inner and it's just big enough for my 6' 4" frame and I've also made a tarp footprint to protect the floor from sharp stones etc.

Mountain Hardwear three season sleeping bag with a liner which is usually warm enough.

Thermarest self inflating matress which is very comfortable and you can always let a little air out if it's too firm

Trangia meths camping stove which burns the Icelandic version of Meths called Raudspirit(which has a dye in it to make you sick if you drink it)

[energyman]

"Do it in the backyard and you can always get dry clothes in a hurry if things go wrong."

""She kicked you out then"" was the comment from Pete our Postman the next morning.

 

[Planet X]

Vaude Hogan Ultralight with footprint. Thermarest Neo Air and a down sleeping bag.
Have considered other systems ie. bivvybags but prefer the mesh doors of tents for keeping mosquitoes and gnats out in summer.
Tent pockets also come in handy for bits n pieces.
Quick wipe down, fly sheet, in the morning with a small micro fiber cloth and it's virtually dry and ready to roll.
It's hard to change from a system that works.