Tent or Bivy?

Paul: i should clarify. i mean two small people. on snow, when you dig down a bit, it's pretty roomy. how's the BD Beta Light thingy? i almost got one of those.<br>

I keep looking for lighter gear because I'm not getting any younger!

<br>Yes Lowell, but the last time I checked, you weren't getting any slower either <br><br>I believe it's good to have a quiver of everything! This way, you can choose the right tool for the job "almost" every time. I say "almost" because there will always be those times where you choose something and then realize something else would have done better AFTER you're already out there...<br>Just make sure you don't spend more time acquiring gear than you do using it.<br>

A second thanks to all whom are contributing to this topic!<br>I have learned a great deal from this info.<br>The only thing I like better about skiing and outdoors equipment is getting seasoned performance reviews!<br>Gotta love the links to the tents and that photo Lowell posted sizing the pack load!<br>Kam-I think that the Silshelter may be to small for my tall frame as Paul was leaning to say.<br>I have not used the Beta light, but it really looks like the winner on tarp shelter stuff. It has ample room and weighs in around 4oz. Two pole design. www.bdel.com/gear/beta_light.php <br>Joe

<br>I believe it's good to have a quiver of everything!  This way, you can choose the right tool for the job "almost" every time.  I say "almost" because there will always be those times where you choose something and then realize something else would have done better AFTER you're already out there...<br>Just make sure you don't spend more time acquiring gear than you do using it.<br>

<br><br>I agree. I have three tents that I rotate between. A Sierra Designs two person, similar to this one www.sierradesigns.com/tents.display.php?id=67 , Sierra Designs one person www.sierradesigns.com/tents.display.php?id=45 and a Black Diamond Lightsabre www.bdel.com/gear/lightsabre.php <br><br>I think with most of the Sierra Designs stuff you can use the rain fly and ground cloth as a shelter and leave the tent at home. At least this is what I do with mine. I have put both of these through a lot and could recomend both.<br><br>I can't really say much about the BD Bivy other than it is very lite and packs down to the size of a Nalgene bottle. I have only used it once on a very dry and warm night. It is made out of the same stuff the LiteHouse is made of that Lowell spoke about earlier. Before I purchased it I was kind of leery about getting it because I was not sure how it would hold up in the rain. So in the show room we got a bucket of water and dumped it over the bivy and it seemed to do alright. I will have to test it in the back yard in the rain to see how it really holds up. <br><br>This is what I use for a mattress www.thermarest.com/product_detail.aspx?pID=41&cID=1 I originally got it for my girlfriend to use, as I have always used a foam mattress because I would never use one of those sissy blow up mattresses.<br>After using the "sissy mattress" I will never go back to a foam mattress except for more insulation. this thing is sooooooo comfy and warm. I used to use a 3/4 length but now it's full length. Maybe I'm just wimping out.<br><br>Aaron<br><br>

Oh my! We are all such complete gear geeks!

oh, i forgot to mention: for those on a tight budget, Cass-we-pay has a great low-cost alternative, the Ghetto-Mid. he can explain better than i how to construct such a shelter, so i'll give him the floor...