A bivvy sack is the simplest form of waterproof shelter. If you can handle being in a confined space it’s a good substitute for a tent. They’re lightweight and extremely easy to set up. You can even pitch it just about anywhere you want. With a bivvy bag, you can arrive at camp, crawl in, and go to sleep.

Weatherproof Bivvy

If no water can come into the bivvy sack, it can be considered as stormproof. You can use a stormproof bivvy sack alone even in bad weather. The fabrics, seams and opening determines whether a bivvy sack is stormproof or not.

The fabric used in stormproof in general are either Gore-Tex or eVent fabrics which are waterproof as well as breathable. To prevent condensation, fabrics in stormproof bivvies need to allow vapor from perspiration to escape to prevent condensation.

The floor of these stormproof bivvies are made of waterproof fabrics as well but not necessarily breathable. Waterproof-nonbreathable fabric such as silicone coated nylon is typically used for the floor. The main function is to keep water from seeping through from the ground. Additionally the floor has to be resistant to abrasions and punctures.

A bivvy sack can only be considered as stormproof if it can totally prevent water from seeping in by having sealed seams and waterproof closures.

Water Resistant Sack

A water resistant bivvy sack does not have sealed seams, waterproof fabrics and waterproof closures. Depending on the weather, water-resistant bivvies can be better than stormproof ones.

Many ultralight hikers prefer water-resistant sacks because they’re much lighter than stormproof versions.

One less obvious advantage is that water-resistant bivvies are less prone to condensation. Vapors due to perspiration are expelled quickly, reducing the chances of a condensate forming.

This type of bivvy fails miserably as a standalone shelter but is excellent when used in combination with a tarp as a bivvy shelter. I use a 5 x 8 foot tarp for use with a bivvy sack which works well the foulest of weather.

However, no fabric can completely eliminate condensation inside a bivvy sack. As a warm body perspires, giving out vapor and in a confined space, condensation occurs when the temperature outside is lower by a big margin. The head end and the foot end of the bivvy sack is succeptible to condensation. The risk is increased when the weather is humid but if there is good ventilation it is less likely to occur.

Ultralight backpacking is becoming more and more popular. It seems that the less you carry without sacrificing the essentials, the more you enjoy backpacking. You feel free, unburdened, and close to nature. If you want to significantly reduce your pack weight, you can start with your shelter.

If you backpack with a partner, there are a lot of lightweight tent options. One good technique is to split the weight of the tent by letting each member of the group carry parts of it. The more there are in the group, the lighter you can get. The standard for ultralight 2 person tents have somehow improved over the years and most of what was considered ultralight before is not so anymore .

Tents that are too heavy are still produced even today. They usually make them out of cheaper and heavier material. Taking good care of your tent will make it last for many years. Tents are one area of lightweight backpacking where the specialty tent makers are far outperforming the mainstream manufacturers.

With the introduction of ultralight silicone-injected nylon, 2-person tents are now weighing less than 3 pounds. One person tents are even lighter, obviously. Fabrics aren’t the only thing that’s gotten lighter. Carbon fiber is now the standard material for tent poles. A 45″ tent pole can now weigh less than two ounces. Many new tents are designed to use a hiking pole as the tent pole. So if you’re already using hiking poles, your tent pole weight is zero. To reduce the weight of the tent even further titanium stakes are used instead of aluminum ones.

If you want to really go ultralight why not take a tarp instead and save a lot more weight. It protects you from light rain if you set it up correctly but it’s also a good way to feel closer to nature. Poncho tarps double as rain gear if you want to go a bit further. To save on the total weight of gear use stuff that are multifunctional. However if you use tarps and want extra protection from the rain, a lightweight bivy sack or sleeping bag cover can be as light as six to seven ounces. A ground cloth is light so it’s wise to include it in your gear for extra protection as well.

If you need more mosquito protection than a coating of your favorite repellent gives you, you can wear a mosquito head net that weighs just .6 ounces. If the head net is too confining, a square yard of no-see-um netting is only about an ounce, and you can configure it in a number of ways to stay away from your face.

If insects are just about the only concern you have, use a bug bivy. It’s a really doesn’t weigh very much.

Most really light tents aren’t freestanding like your old pop up dome tent. However, they’re easy to set up and don’t have a separate fly. Instead the tents rely on well-designed ventilation on all sides.

If you’re hiking solo then consider using a one-person tent. In this situation, you’d want your tent to be as light as possible. But it’s common for a solo hiker to use a 2 person tent because it provides additional space for comfort and gear.

There are many options available on the market for ultralight shelter so look around to see which one suits your needs.

One of the great benefits of a lighter shelter is the reduced volume that comes with it. This allows you to use a smaller, lighter backpack.

Another name for a bivvy is bivouac sack. They evolved from the old sleeping bag cover. They’re a breeze to rig up, smaller than any other type of tent, lightweight and waterproof. They’re commonly used by solo hikers, mountain climbers and the military.

Construction

A simple bivvy consist of a single layer of waterproof fabric. Early versions of the bivy made use of silnylon as the waterproof shell. It is a very light fabric that gives you about another 10 degree fahrenheit extra protection from weather.

One big problem with the earlier versions of the bivvy sack is the humidity that condenses on the inside renders sleeping bags to be wet. This still happens in some hiking tents today. The use of the waterproof/breathable fabric, Gore-Tex, helps to remove some of the humidity while keeping out water from the outside.

Another way that this problem is addressed is by using an inner vapor barrier liner bag or VBL. VBLs prevent body moisture from entering the condensing in the sleeping bag.

In the past, bivvy bags have a small hole above the user’s face for breathing. Thanks to Gore-Tex Exchange Lite, an air permeable version of the fabric, the bivvy can be safely zipped up to cover the whole body including the head thus shutting out the elements completely. This new fabric allows both carbon dioxide exhaled by the user and moisture to escape.

Bivvy shelters

In biological terms, the bivvy sack is a macroinvertebrate, meaning it has no spine or rigid structure. Bivvy shelters on the other hand employs hoops over the head and feet so that the fabric is kept off the user resulting in more breathing room around the head. This also prevents the condensation from soaking into the sleeping bag.

Bivvy shelters weigh a bit more than bivvy sacks but the increased comfort justifies the additional weight. However, bivvy sacks are still favored among mountain climbers and backpackers or adventurers on dangerous expeditions as a compact emergeny shelter.

Popularity

Improvement in bivvy shelters have given rise to the number of experienced hikers who favor them. Some like the Outdoor Research Deluxe Bivy have anticlaustrophobic features like a white interior with a shock-corded Delrin hoop for breathing room and 5-foot zippers that allow you to ventilate while keeping you dry.

Bivvies are also popular among carp fishermen who fish throughout the night. This tiny little tent alternative is becoming more advanced and user friendly as manufacturers scramble to make better bivvies in response to the increasing demands.

Providing your eyes a breather from staring at the monitor, working those muscles that have become idle due to your deskbound job, evading the bustle of the metropolis and breathing in fresh air, you bundle your things and go outdoors with your friends and loved ones. During the weekend, you will be away from the luxury of your abode, your soft bed and your cozy room. You will be out in the open, vulnerable to the changes in the weather condition, vulnerable to the pestering insects.

As such, you need something that can guard you against these weather conditions and this is the basic purpose of a tent. Tents such as Vango tents are designed to address the requirement of campers for a refuge. A tent, as a shelter, should be able to defend you against the abrupt changes in the weather condition. It should be able to withstand heavy rain and should make you sheltered all through those chilly nights. So one of the aspects that you should look for in a tent is it should be made of rainproof fabric. The purpose of you taking a breather from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis and be with nature will be defeated if you get soaked and return to the metropolis sick. One more thing to put into consideration when purchasing a tent is insulation. There are in fact tents that are made from more than a layer of synthetic material and that includes an air pocket in the middle, which helps shut the cold out.

There are many types of tents and some of the most popular of which are the Coleman tents. Besides, there are lots of stores where you can buy them from, especially in the internet. The models come in various styles, sizes, and colors and there is definitely so much to choose from. But needless to say, there are likewise other things that you need to think about such as if a tent is easy to set up and light to carry.

The good thing about the makers of tents is that they come up with models that focus on the growing and evolving needs of campers. Khyam tents, for example, look so fashionable and rise above the typical appearance of a tent. There really are lots of aspects that must be considered when buying a tent. Yet in the end, it is your shelter, security and solace that makes a difference.

With a good tent used for refuge whilst you are out of town over the weekend, you are kept against the elements of nature that can at times be nasty. Your camping experience is supposed to be entertaining and you cannot afford to get ill whilst your peers are out there taking pleasure in the beauty of nature.

People go camping for various reasons. It could be that they want to temporarily escape from the hustle and bustle of the urban life, want to enjoy some bonding experience with their loved ones outdoors or it could be that they just have this love for outdoor escapades. Either way, this type of activity requires them to have tents with them, some of the most usual examples of which are Coleman tents. You know of course that this brand has always been linked with camping activities.

Indeed, the tent is one of the stuff that you could not afford not to take along when having outdoor activities. It is one of your vital needs, together with food and water, as it will be your refuge for the whole time that you are out. It is where you snooze and take shelter particularly those times when the weather is bad.

The tent is your shield against the unfavorable elements while camping. Thus, it is important to painstakingly choose your tent. When choosing a tent, one of the things that you need to look into is its size. You need to take into account your own body size and if you are sharing it with one or a couple of people. It is likewise advantageous if you get the light one as there are a lot of other things that you need to bring with you. Also, pick the one that is simple to build. It would be really beneficial when you become too tired after traveling or trekking and when you do not have the luxury of time to dismantle and pack it when it is time to leave. More significantly, select an excellent quality tent. It should be rainproof as torrential downpours can get so vicious. Furthermore, it must be able to withstand different types of weather conditions.

While those standard tents really come in useful, contemporary tents such as Khyam tents are likewise obtainable and they come in absolutely fashionable designs. Apart from the design, however, comfort is the most crucial thing that you need to take into consideration.

Camping is a very old vacation activity and lifestyle and the needs of campers increase. Thus, firms that manufacture camping gears just like the creators of Vango tents have produced fresh designs that can handle these growing requirements. The internet is a prolific source of information regarding camping equipment, so you can make the most of it to obtain wise and sound decisions. It would not hurt if you did a little bit of research. Compare features, evaluate prices and read a couple of merchandise reviews. Going outdoors is one thrilling activity, so better be certain that you bring all you need to make it a much more pleasant experience.

Over the last 15 years there has been a consistent increase in new camp tent designs. The range of choices is overwhelming and that makes it confusing at first but it can better be understood by categorizing them in two ways.

Camping tents are sorted by function followed by structure. For example, camping tents being categorized by season where tents are either 4-season or 3-season tents. This can then be further categorized by the number of bodies it can fit.

The “3-man” and “4-man” tent came to be known as “3-person” and “4-person” and even to solo, duo, trio, quartet and so on. But this demands a much more cynical way of looking at the description.

This is because what manufacturers mean by a 3-man camping tent is a tent that can accommodate 3 small human bodies laid out like corpses. If it were live breathing people the space would be too small.

If you were to hike solo, some people prefer to carry a 2-man tent so that you can also store your camping gear and yet be comfortable and spacious enough for you to cook when you have no choice. It’s better to be stuck in a 2-person tent for days in a blizzard than to be stuck in a small bivouac bag.

A number of camping tent manufacturers make allowances for hiking gear and cooking. Cooking in your tent without ventilation is not a recommended practice. It can even spell death for you. Be sure the camping tent is well ventilated when you cook in it. camping tents that allow for such matters are tagged as “2-plus”, “3-plus” and so on.

Going back to take the example of “4-season” camping tent models we see that they are designs that could do well in the heaviest snow and rain and strong winds. Closing the gap between 4-season and 3-season tents are “convertible” tents. This type of tent allow you to save weight by removing some parts of the tent including poles, sections and zip-out roof panel.

However, most modern camping tents are 3-season tents that do well in all seasons except for the worst of winter. The lightweight version is more suited for camping in late spring and early fall also known as the 2-season camping tent.

Remember that this type of categorization is based on estimations of the average guy. The problem is not everyone has the same amount of body insulation. A seasoned backpacker might survive a blizzard with the lightest of 3-season tents or even a small bivvy and yet still have no trouble sleeping at night.

Are you tired of the modern day hustle and bustle? A vacation to a tourist spot may just as well be a trip to the mall. There are too many people around you to feel relaxed. When you are ready to completely disengage from modern life, nothing is better than backpacking.

Backpacking allows you to truly get in touch with nature. There is nothing more awe inspiring than a night out in the hills with the stars and moon shinning in the sky. You can actually sleep outside have fun a lot of fun. However, you may also find terrible weather and see the need for a tent.

When backpacking, you are actually discouraged from carrying an elaborate tent. You will be moving a lot and carrying a tent that is heavier than you can be tiring to say the least. A simple 3 season tent such as the kelty teton 2 may be all that you need. It is study enough to keep you safe from the worst elements in spring, fall and summer.

Your choice of backpacking tent should be able to hold the right capacity. A two person tent is normally good enough for most backpacking trips. Not only do they allow more room but they do not weigh too much to carry. Find a tent that has the right balance between internal space and weight.

Times are tough and it seems we are trying to get the best deal in everything that we buy. The best deal sometimes does not translate to a good nights sleep. This is especially true if you are stuck in a storm with a cheap tent that is collapsing. Find a good brand name tent such as Kelty and you are more likely to enjoy your trip.

In the end, all backpacking trips boil down to proper planning. You should plan for the best quality tents and other equipment. That may be the easy part. The hard part is that you can rarely be able to plan for the company you keep.

When you think of camping out for one or more nights, then most people think of snuggling up in a sleeping bag inside a camping tent.

Few people think who have actually gone camping outdoors seriously imagine camping out without a tent. But those who have never tried it may daydream about it. Certainly we have Hollywood to thank for hundreds of romanticized Westerns and adventure movies where the heroes lie down next to a camp fire and pull a blanket over themselves.

The reality is that one blanket wouldn’t be anywhere near enough, and with nothing underneath them as a barrier to the cold and damp from below, they’d be lucky to get any sleep at all.

John Wayne only had to lie down for the cameras. But you need to get a proper eight hours of shut-eye… warm and dry.

So yes, you can enjoy camping without having to carry a tent along with you… As long as you know what you’re doing.

You have to take care of several things that a camping tent would have normally done for you…

(1) Shelter. Mainly this is keeping off the rain from above, and in windy weather, from the side as well.

(2) Insect Proofing. This can be by having a mosquito net of some kind, or else smearing yourself with insect repellent. (Better than nothing, but not particularly effective.)

(3) Keep your Sleeping Bag Dry. Even if it isn’t raining overnight. Your sleeping bag can be soaked from above with dew and with moisture sucked up from below by your body heat. The cold ground also leaches away your body’s warmth, which is why experienced campers like to have more insulation beneath them than above them! (A mattress or foam sleeping pad normally provides this.)

Three popular ways of camping without a tent are to make use of a camping tarp, a camping hammock or a bivvies. All of these have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. But most of them are lighter and quicker to set up than a camping tent. And that’s just what the hiker or lightweight camper needs.

A camping tarp won’t keep away any insects, but it will keep the rain and dew off you overnight. It doesn’t weigh as much as most tents but it does take some skill to set up right.

A camping hammock is a bit like a one-man tent without poles. String it between two stout trees or supports and you’ve got it made - in the shade. These babies even have rain protection and insect mesh. So no mosquitoes.

A outdoor bivvy is the smallest, lightest system of keeping your sleep sack dry, you warm and the insects away from your skin. It’s also very low-profile and works as an emergency survival bag for hikers out in the wild as well.

David Harvey has enjoyed recreational camping for more than 40 years, sleeping alone or with friends in tents large and small, summer and winter. He has been both a Boy Scout and a Scout Leader, and still makes use of his camping gear whenever he needs a break from his Internet Publishing pursuits. David is a the publisher of several web sites, including http://www.1campingtent.com/camping-without-a-tent.htm

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The hustle and bustle of the city life, the stress of your daily routine, and the sheer pressure of just keeping things together can really take their toll and overwhelm you. What you need is to take some time off from work, even if it’s just the weekend, and have a breath of fresh air. You can choose to just stay at home. You can sleep late into the morning for a change, go around the house without hurry and visit memorable spaces which you hadn’t had the time to even give a brief look, just a peaceful weekend at your very own home. Or you can stay the beach where you can experience the sand and surf on your feet, listen to the soothing rhythm of the ocean, and laze around under the warmth of the sun. And then, sure enough, you have the opportunity of the great outdoors. Why not check out your local camping store or outdoors shop and begin buying your camping gears. Why not start with a tent? I recommend that you look up Coleman tents, Vango Tents and Khyam Tents. I’ve discovered a few of pretty good things regarding them.

Since you are not quite familiar with the outdoor experience, or perhaps it had been years since the last time you had a camping trip, but whatever the reason - Khyam tents are one of the best choices. The Rapidex Quick Erect System makes the tents easy to set up and take down. They are made of weatherweave fabric which is perfect for outdoor conditions. The poles are made of aluminum while the main pole is made of solid fiberglass which means these are strong and durable. Products are tested under extreme weather conditions. No need to worry about rain, wind, snow, and moisture since Khyam tent is styled to endure all that and then some. You will definitely enjoy a camping experience like no other.

You also have a variety of designs and styles to choose from which largely depends on your needs, the weather conditions you’ll be camping out in, and the number of people sleeping in the tent. Take your time at the outdoors shop, do your won research, buying a tent is an investment so it is important that you purchase the right one which best suits your camping needs.

A pleasurable camping experience awaits you when you made the right choice of buying a quality tent. The tent is your home away from home and your living quarters in the natural environment. These tents are created with your comfort and luxury being the priority. They are made of quality materials and are tested in natural environments.

So file a vacation leave, arrange your camping adventure, and enjoy the great outdoors. You deserve it and after selecting the appropriate tent, you’ll have little to fear about. What’s more, why not purchase some Vango tents just like most campers do?

Tents have been around for thousands of years, being the core home of nomadic people especially of the inhabitants of Northern Africa and the Middle East. The American Indians have also another adaptation of this type of shelter in the form of the teepee. A tent is mostly just a textile or any other the same material wrapped over a set of poles or secured to a rope. This is the simple style which has now changed to become more advanced and to meet the requirements of present campers.

The simple style of the Bedouin tent at the moment comes in several designs and styles. You can select from dome tents, tunnel tents, A-frame tents among others. You can acquire a great selection of Coleman tents which have further gone beyond the normal coziness of their regular equivalent.

Being your shelter during camp, a tent should be made of high quality materials to be able to withstand the unpredictable weather conditions. The thin fabric of your tent is the only thing that separates you from the elements outside. Waterproof fabric is very important since you will either have a fun weekend in the outdoors even if it suddenly starts raining or you can be all wet and very miserable indeed.

Rain resistance of the fabric can be done by using common treatments such as coating of polyurethane or infusing with silicone. It is also important that the seams are made water resistant since stitching can result to minute holes in the fabric and this can be done by applying water sealant. The poles and stakes should also be sturdy and resilient so that they can hold out even in the harshest weather.

Modern tents such as Khyam tents are tested out in the natural weather situation to guarantee that they perform their best. So when heading for the outdoors shop, have a list of criteria of what you want your camp shelter to be. Similar to when you are choosing your dream house, you need to take everything into consideration – coziness, reasonable price, durability, and other individual concerns.

Modern tents have gone a long way from the traditional style of the nomadic people to deal with the increasing requirements of today’s campers. But it still goes back to the simple necessity of a place to rest after a grueling yet fun time outside.

Manufacturing corporations, together with those which create Vango tents, definitely knew this and so they created the many brands and styles fit for your specific requirements, even your pet can now enjoy the same comfort. Ask the land manager in your vicinity for a good camping spot, arrange your outdoor adventure, decide what you need for the outing, go to the neighboring sporting goods store, and begin your scheduling. This will be a wonderful outdoor experience!