Thoughts on my Pack + Sack + Bivy Combo @ 8 lbs 9oz, $673

[Andrew Ferk]

I was hoping I could get some thoughts on the list of backpack, sleeping bag, and bivy I have put together. It includes other amenities such as liner, floor, and tarp.

Backpack - ULA Circuit (http://www.ula-equipment.com/circuit.asp) - 39oz - $225
Sleeping bag - ULA Sleeping Bag (http://www.ula-equipment.com/sleeping-bag.asp) - 42oz - $130
Liner - Cocoon Silk MummyLiner (http://www.amazon.com/Cocoon-MummyLiner-Natural-95-Inch-22-Inch/dp/B001DX5O6I/ref=sr_1_3?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1362957053&sr=1-3) - 2oz - $48
Bivy - Black Diamond Tripod Bivy (http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/mountain/shelters/tripod-bivy) - 42oz - $180
Floor - Black Diamond Tripod Bivy Ground Cloth (http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/mountain/shelters/tripod-bivy-ground-cloth) - 6oz - $30
Tarp - GoLite Poncho Tarp (http://www.golite.com/Poncho-Tarp-P885.aspx) -8oz - $60

Total weight: 139oz; 8lbs 9oz; 1100 grams
Total price: $673

Why did I choose a bivy vs. a tent? Well, right now I'm not entirely sure. I have done research and I come to the conclusion that some people love the bivy and some people hate the bivy. The biggest pro: it may give extra insulation. The biggest cons: 1) protecting from rain when getting in/out, and 2) dealing with bugs in warmer weather.

ULA Circuit + ULA Sleeping Bag - Right now this seems like a great combo, as you save $55 on the sleeping bag when purchased together. I have read many positive reviews on the ULA Circuit. I haven't read much about the ULA Sleeping Bag, but coming from ULA, I expect it to be a good product. I hope a 20 degree rating will support my SOBO trip. Obviously, both of these products are light weight.

Liner - I was told a liner is a great way of protecting the sleeping bag from the nastiness you will become on the AT. Essentially, it protects my $130 purchase. At <2oz, the weight is manageable. The price is high, but maybe the silk really will be nice :)

Bivy - This bivy appears to be one of the more popular choices. Right now it's on-sale for $180, less than most ultra-light tents. This bivy should protect against extreme weathers and bugs, and provide a decent amount of room. My biggest concern would be being too warm during hot temperatures while wanting to keep it closed to protect against bugs.

Floor - Similar to the liner, this would be used to extend the life of the bivy.

Tarp - This should protect the inside of the bivy from rain when entering/exiting. It also doubles as a poncho.

[Sandy of PA]

Is your focus on weight or cost? This looks heavy to me and you still need a sleeping pad. I like a tent because I end up with everything in my pack loose in there with me and a tent contains and protects it. If cost is the limiting factor a tarp, groundsheet, bugnet option could still be light and cheap. That sleeping bag is heavy for down. I built a Thru-hiker down quilt kit to save weight and money. Hope this helps.

[Andrew Ferk]

Is your focus on weight or cost? This looks heavy to me and you still need a sleeping pad. I like a tent because I end up with everything in my pack loose in there with me and a tent contains and protects it. If cost is the limiting factor a tarp, groundsheet, bugnet option could still be light and cheap. That sleeping bag is heavy for down. I built a Thru-hiker down quilt kit to save weight and money. Hope this helps.
My focus is on weight and cost :) I like your input on the tent. I didn't consider that my pack would be outside the boundary I am sleeping; however I would hope the bag could fit under the tarp with me. I also looked into other down bags, and agree that it is heavy compared to others; I may send ULA an email asking them the reason. I also forgot a sleeping pad, so thanks for the reminder. I suppose with a sleeping pad I wouldn't need the Bivy Ground Cloth.

[WILLIAM HAYES]

I have tried a bivy and a light weight tarp setup which worked fine most of the time, condensation in the bivy was a problem a couple of times now I use a Hammock which gives me the best night sleep. a bivy and tarp will certainly save you weight I had room under the tarp for my pack

[Andrew Ferk]

Backpack - ULA Circuit (http://www.ula-equipment.com/circuit.asp) - 39oz - $225
Sleeping bag - ULA Sleeping Bag (http://www.ula-equipment.com/sleeping-bag.asp) - 42oz - $130
Liner - Cocoon Silk MummyLiner (http://www.amazon.com/Cocoon-MummyLiner-Natural-95-Inch-22-Inch/dp/B001DX5O6I/ref=sr_1_3?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1362957053&sr=1-3) - 2oz - $48
Bivy - Black Diamond Tripod Bivy (http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/mountain/shelters/tripod-bivy) - 42oz - $180
Floor - Black Diamond Tripod Bivy Ground Cloth (http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/mountain/shelters/tripod-bivy-ground-cloth) - 6oz - $30
Tarp - GoLite Poncho Tarp (http://www.golite.com/Poncho-Tarp-P885.aspx) -8oz - $60

Total weight: 139oz; 8lbs 9oz; 1100 grams
Total price: $673

I decided to see what I could do if I were to go the tent route. I ended up saving 3lbs and $80. I switched from a padded back and contoured shoulder pack to a frameless pack. This saved both cost and weight. I haven't tested backpacks yet, so I'm only left with what I have read, which like everything else, is subjective. Switching to the Sublite tent saved a lot of weight. I decided to start with a minimum amount of padding and work my way up on the trail if I need to.

I'm having a difficult time find the right sleeping bag considering both price and weight. If I go to a down, I will drop the weight, but the price goes up very quickly.

Backpack - Gossamer Gear G4 Ultralight Backpack (http://gossamergear.com/packs/g4-ultralight-backpack-427.html) - 16.5oz - $125
Sleeping bag - ULA Sleeping Bag (http://www.ula-equipment.com/sleeping-bag.asp) - 42oz - $185
Liner - Cocoon Silk MummyLiner (http://www.amazon.com/Cocoon-MummyLiner-Natural-95-Inch-22-Inch/dp/B001DX5O6I/ref=sr_1_3?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1362957053&sr=1-3) - 2oz - $48
Tent - Tarptent Sublite (http://www.tarptent.com/sublite.html) - 19.5oz - $200
Ground Cloth - Gossamer Gear Polycryo Ground Cloth (http://gossamergear.com/shelters/shelter-accessories/polycryo-ground-cloth-large.html) - 4oz - $9
Sleeping Pad - Gossamer Gear Nightlight Sleeping Pad - 5oz - $22

Total weight: 89oz; 5lbs 9oz
Total price: $589

[Tundra]

I think the tent is a good choice. The bivy weighed significantly more than a lot of tent options and is more limited than most tents for multiple reasons: hot weather, condensation, bugs, lack of room to lounge, eat, change etc. Also, the lightest sleeping bag liner that Cocoon makes is the ripsto-silk mummy at 4.7oz. You can never trust Amazon for accurate product weights in their descriptions. Still worth it though.

[Andrew Ferk]

Thanks Tundra. I did some more research on Cocoon products and also discovered that Amazon was incorrect. I found two options to replace the heavy sleeping bag.

Quilt - Jacks 'R' Better Sierra Sniveler (http://www.jacksrbetter.com/shop/sierra-sniveller/) - 22oz - $250
Liner - Cocoon Silk TravelSheet (http://www.campmor.com/cocoon-100-silk-travelsheet-1.shtml) - 6oz - $40

If I go with the tent option, it totals to $701 and 4lbs 9oz. I'm not too excited about the price, but there's nothing I can do about that other than looking for used/clearance items. Having the main three items at < 5lbs, well that sounds amazing.

I also found another option for the sleeping bag: Therm-a-Rest Haven (http://www.backcountry.com/therm-a-rest-haven-sleep-system-sleeping-bag-20-degree-down) @ 22oz and $175. It will depend on how cheap I want to be :) I expect there would be a huge difference in comfort between the claustrophobic Haven and a quilt.

[lukabrazi]

When going the bivy route with a tarp you would want to look for a water resistent/bug bivy like the MLD Superlight Bivy at 5.5 ounces. This would take the place of your ground sheet. I think that Black Diamond bivy is more of a stand alone bivy which is why it would be that heavy and breath less. It looks like you have a good alternative now though.


http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=30

[Venchka]

Yikes! Folks scream bloody murder about people like me who own a Dana Design Terraplane backpack that weighs 6 1/2 pounds.
On the other hand, the Terraplane + WM Antelope Super Dry Loft bag + Garuda Atman 4 season solo tent & footprint combined is 13 pounds, maybe a few ounces less. A complete, high altitude summer through mild winter system shelter system in 3 pieces. If I want to get silly light, I can carry my REI Summerlight bag & MSR Heptawing tarp for a whopping total of 10.75 pounds. I can substitute my Jensen Frameless pack for the Terraplane pack and get the 3 piece total down to 7.25 pounds if I have to. I also have an Osprey pack that splits the difference between the Dan Terraplane & the Jensen Frameless.
Old Geezers can go UL if they want to.

Wayne


Wayne

[Sandy of PA]

One of the reasons the sleeping bag is heavy is 550 down. The better ones use 800 down, for that weight you could save money with a synthetic. In the long haul I have found the best bag you can scrape up the money for is worth it. With that tent you can skip the ground sheet.

[etboy]

Do you know that the silk liner is 2oz? Or did you just surmise it from the shipping weight? Reason I ask is that I would jump all over a 2oz liner, I already have a silk liner, and if memory serves me (fat chance) it weighs close to 8 oz.

[Trag]

You might want to try the Enlightnened Equipment Relevation X 20 Down Quilt. 23.5 oz @ $215
http://www.enlightenedequipment.com/product/revelationx-20/

[Andrew Ferk]

Do you know that the silk liner is 2oz? Or did you just surmise it from the shipping weight? Reason I ask is that I would jump all over a 2oz liner, I already have a silk liner, and if memory serves me (fat chance) it weighs close to 8 oz.

etboy, the liner was incorrectly marked at 2oz. It's actually 4.7oz. Google Cocoon Silk MummyLiner for available options. It's not the cheapest liner, but I imagine that's because it's silk.

[slowfeet]

WesternMountaineering has a bag liner (not silk) for around $40 and 4.? oz.

get a tent vs a bivy.... a thru hike with a bivy would be awful IMO. (unless you were shelter hopping using the bivy for "emergency")

[Venchka]

Western Mountaineering bag. Don't settle for less. More expensive to purchase. Less expensive to own.

Wayne

[JAK]

I think you will like the bivy / poncho tarp combination. I know I do.
I like how you can pitch it in close under smaller spruce trees and stuff.
May depend on where you hike, but I like how you can sleep where a deer might.

Not sure you need the footprint.

[smokie]

I decided to see what I could do if I were to go the tent route. I ended up saving 3lbs and $80. I switched from a padded back and contoured shoulder pack to a frameless pack. This saved both cost and weight. I haven't tested backpacks yet, so I'm only left with what I have read, which like everything else, is subjective. Switching to the Sublite tent saved a lot of weight. I decided to start with a minimum amount of padding and work my way up on the trail if I need to.

I'm having a difficult time find the right sleeping bag considering both price and weight. If I go to a down, I will drop the weight, but the price goes up very quickly.

Backpack - Gossamer Gear G4 Ultralight Backpack (http://gossamergear.com/packs/g4-ultralight-backpack-427.html) - 16.5oz - $125
Sleeping bag - ULA Sleeping Bag (http://www.ula-equipment.com/sleeping-bag.asp) - 42oz - $185
Liner - Cocoon Silk MummyLiner (http://www.amazon.com/Cocoon-MummyLiner-Natural-95-Inch-22-Inch/dp/B001DX5O6I/ref=sr_1_3?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1362957053&sr=1-3) - 2oz - $48
Tent - Tarptent Sublite (http://www.tarptent.com/sublite.html) - 19.5oz - $200
Ground Cloth - Gossamer Gear Polycryo Ground Cloth (http://gossamergear.com/shelters/shelter-accessories/polycryo-ground-cloth-large.html) - 4oz - $9
Sleeping Pad - Gossamer Gear Nightlight Sleeping Pad - 5oz - $22

Total weight: 89oz; 5lbs 9oz
Total price: $589

I am by no means, an expert, but I also researched the TT Sublite. Since it is made of tyvek, and in my opinion, I would not trust it in the rain without a tarp over it. Adding the weight and cost of a tarp, I've decided to go with something besides the Sublite.

[Tinker]

I have tried a bivy and a light weight tarp setup which worked fine most of the time, condensation in the bivy was a problem a couple of times now I use a Hammock which gives me the best night sleep. a bivy and tarp will certainly save you weight I had room under the tarp for my pack


Yep! Bivy sacks are not what you want to sleep in once it gets the least bit warm out. All the "breathability" in the world doesn't make for good air flow, ventilation is what is key. Switching to a bug bivy is a good idea, and most cottage industry tent makers will custom build a bug bivy with slightly higher sides that you will need to deal with splash-back if you use a small tarp.

Unfortunately, higher sides mean less ventilation, too. So you could use a bigger tarp and have lower bathtub floor sides on your bug bivy, too. Like so many things, the more specialized the tool is, the fewer jobs it can do well.

[etboy]

Thanks for the reply

[Malto]

I use tarp bivy on the AT mostly because I hiked extensively out west where I believe tarp bivy is ideal. For AT only I would probably go lightweight tent. Having said that. If you are using a bivy then why not go with a quilt vs a bag. The bivy gives you the draft protection and crawly bug protection that is one of the compromises of a quilt. Also, I don't use a ground cloth with a bivy, it is redundant. After my PCT thru hike there were a few pins holes in my bivy but a tiny dap of silicone fixed that up fast. Also, I would ditch the liner. Even after 5000 miles on my quilt the nasty fart smell is a much bigger problem than a bit of surface dirt.

[Andrew Ferk]

Western Mountaineering bag. Don't settle for less. More expensive to purchase. Less expensive to own.

Wayne
Thanks for the input. Once I have a total of how much I expect to spend on gear, transportation, and the hike itself, I'll see if I can spare a couple hundred for a Western Mountaineering bag.

[Andrew Ferk]

I am by no means, an expert, but I also researched the TT Sublite. Since it is made of tyvek, and in my opinion, I would not trust it in the rain without a tarp over it. Adding the weight and cost of a tarp, I've decided to go with something besides the Sublite.
Thanks for the heads up. I confirmed that Tarptent does not recommend the Sublite for heavy rainfall. I'll probably go for the Contrail. It's the same price, but 5oz heavier.