Nemo Tarp Shelter?

[FatCloud]

So I've been looking to upgrade my heaviest bulkiest dumb piece of camping equipment, my WalMart tent to something lighter.

I was looking at shelters such as Six Moon Design (Lunar Solo out of stock til June, well, pass) or the Tarp Tent (Contrail or Rainbow), but have also been entertaining the thought of learning how to use a tarp (it seems more versatile, easier to fix and when more versatile, lighter).

I was curious if anyone has used this:
http://www.backcountry.com/nemo-equipment-inc.-transform-tarp?CMP_SKU=NEM0055&MER=0406&CMP_ID=DM_CRT001fb&mv_pc=r350&mr:referralID=c9a59870-a662-11e2-a969-001b2166c2c0

Or knows of any good starting point for tarp tenting? Plus if I should match it with a bivy or ground cloth.

Thanks!

[adelorenzo]

That sucker is pretty heavy. I use an Integral Siltarp that weighs almost two pounds less. I've used it with and without a bivy sack. Check youtube there are tons of videos on different ways to rig a tarp, it's quite an art and you can have a lot of fun in your backyard trying out differen setups.

When it comes to tarp-like shelters I'm a big fan of the Black Diamond Mega Light. They provide a huge amount of shelter for little weight. Ditch the pole and use a packraft paddle, stick, whatever...

You'll have to consider whether you need a bug-proof shelter or not.

[bmike-vt]

happy with a contrail. would also like a moment. good stuff, if you want bug protection, in the tarptent stuff.

that nemo shelter does look on the heavy side.

[JRA]

Most of the places I camp I like to have more bug protection than a tarp alone offers.  I appreciate being able to relax away from the mosquitoes, especially when they're thick!!

You didn't mention how many bodies you are looking to fit.  You can get free-standing solo tents that weigh less than the tarp in the link.  And if you're considering adding a bivy, the weight and bulk goes up even more.    

Light solo tent example:  https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Tent/SeedhouseSL1

[FatCloud]

Just won a Sierra Designs Light Year Solo for 100 bucks. Good price for a sub 3 lb trail weight tent. We'll see how it goes. I figure if I don't like it I can always get most of my money back.

[mtnbound]

I like the tarptent Contrail - $200, 1 1/2 lbs, takes less than 2 minutes to set up, packs pretty small, includes bug net and bathtub floor.  Of course, the type of shelter you need depends on how much you want to spend, what you need it for, weight, etc. 

Don't know anything about the SD Light Year Solo but $100 for a worthy shelter sounds good to me.  Good luck with it!

[FatCloud]

I like the tarptent Contrail - $200, 1 1/2 lbs, takes less than 2 minutes to set up, packs pretty small, includes bug net and bathtub floor.  Of course, the type of shelter you need depends on how much you want to spend, what you need it for, weight, etc. 

Don't know anything about the SD Light Year Solo but $100 for a worthy shelter sounds good to me.  Good luck with it!

Yeah, my friend had a Contrail and loved it. That was what I was looking for, but don't necessarily have the money right now and still wanted a good tent (I've been trying to get some deals on ebay or forums). One review swore by it backpacking in Patagonia (which means heavy heavy heavy winds), so that's good, but did say he needed to compensate by adding more weight. I'm excited (the mail can't work fast enough now).

[wahday]

I'm a tarp guy myself as we really don't have insect concerns here. At the moment I have been using just a regular utility tarp from a home improvement store. Its 9X12 which is bigger than necessary for solo trips, but works really well for two people. I use three different arrangements, depending on conditions and tree availability (one requires a groundcloth, the other two use a portion of the tarp itself). I have been thinking about using tyvek to make a lighter version that is also very affordable. I do really like some of the nice quality commercially made silnylon tarps, but they are also pricey.

This site has some info on setting tarps in different configurations that I found pretty helpful. Some of the illustrations are a little confusing (and not all that well illustrated) but it gave me some great ideas: http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/shelter/tarpology-setting-up-your-tarp-in-different-configurations.html

Also this: http://www.trailspace.com/forums/beginners/topics/120382.html

All that said, and assuming there is no chance of rain, I will be bringing the 2 person REI tent I got for $15 at a thrift store (no fly) on my overnighter this weekend with my son. It will be the end (and most active time) of the Lyrid meteor shower, so I don't want anything to block our view! We could just sleep out, but I sleep better with some kind of shelter over me.

FTR, if I had the money, I would go with one of the tarptent products.

[MattL]

Are you concerned about bugs, rain, dew, or none of the above?  If none of the above, just put your pad down in the dirt.  :-)

If dew, I am starting to warm up to the Mont Bell bivy.  If light enough rain, the bivy plus a convenient ledge or tree will get you through the night and you won't miss the weight on the trail.  You may be able to rig your rain jacket as a makeshift tarp over your head.

If you care about bugs or serious rain, you may as well just get a tent with a floor.  The Seedhouse SL1 weighs less than that "tarp" and lets you leave the fly off for stargazing on buggy, muggy summer nights.

[JRA]

I like the tarptent Contrail - $200, 1 1/2 lbs, takes less than 2 minutes to set up, packs pretty small, includes bug net and bathtub floor.  Of course, the type of shelter you need depends on how much you want to spend, what you need it for, weight, etc. 

Don't know anything about the SD Light Year Solo but $100 for a worthy shelter sounds good to me.  Good luck with it!

Just curious, how do you rig it up when traveling by bike?  Do you carry some sort of pole, or just look for worthy stick? 

[mtnbound]

I use the pole that tarptent sells separately on their website.  I have seen others post about making their own poles but I am not crafty enough to do that. That pole has worked well enough, though in a heavy storm with high winds, it bends a bit but not enough to concern me.  You can go w/o a pole, using a stick but I am not a big fan of that since you have to spend time looking for a stick each night that won't snap and is the right size.  You can also go w/o a pole if you guy it out and tie it to a tree (assuming a tree is available and nearby to where you want to setup).  

I tie the pole separately to my bike (tent goes in bag in the handlebar sling).  It folds down into 3 pieces.  I tie one end of the collapsed pole just below the stem and slide it down the top tube and under the velcro to the feedbag - works well and doesn't move at all.  You can kind of see the orange cord that I used to tie it below the stem in the attached pic.