Katabatic Gear Bristlecone Bivy

“For reference, I use a 10x10 tarp and I have a Six Moon Designs Serenity net tent with bathtub floor and a Katabatic Gear Bristlecone Bivy. I will normally pack the bug tent or the bivy, not both for trips that are only a week or two long. If you think about it, a tent has the DCF or silpoly covering with a net tent underneath. The tarp plus net tent or bivy is similar but, in my opinion, gives you more options. As an example, if you have a rainy day and you want to just stop for 5 or 6 hours, you can setup a tarp in a flying A-frame and just hang out while still being able to lie down, sit up, or even stand up. You can't do that in a tent. If it is bug season and I will be spending a lot of time around camp (rather than hiking for 16 hours), the bug tent is nice because I can sit up and read, etc. If it isn't bug season, just leave the bug tent at home. The bivy definitely keeps out the wind and keeps the dew off of my quilt. And, in tick season, gives added protection for very little weight. If I were hiking the AT or some other long trail, I would just carry the tarp and bivy The tarp setup is definitely more complicated then a tent set up---but, you have a lot more options. Part of the tarp experience I like so much is learning and using different knots, setting up in just the right location so I can gaze at the sky all night, even if it is raining (I normally keep my head near the open end of the tarp). I have a few simple tarp configurations that I can setup very quickly (plow point, Holden tent, etc.). Others take more time but provide a different benefit. But, you need to be the kind of person that likes working with the tarp, configurations, guy lines, knots, etc. One thing to make sure of if/when you buy a bivy is to make sure if will accommodate you air mattress (if you have one). My MLD bivy did not provide enough room for my air mattress so the mattress had to go under the bivy and it would slide around a lot. When I got the Bristlecone bivy, I sized up to make sure I had plenty of room inside. Check out Evans Backpacking Videos on YouTube---he has a video on the various tarp configurations he used on the AT and has some really good tips for using a tarp.”