MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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A bag of worms to ask this I know.
Do I get a tarp or a mini cheap tent like the 1.5kg [url= http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-soloista-p217173 ]HiGear Soloista[/url] from GoOutdoors.
& if you say Tarp - what size ?
The small Alpkit is out of stock so is the [url= https://www.alpkit.com/products/rig-7 ]larger Rig-7[/url] one OTT for one person or is it in fact a better bet giving that slightly larger shelter srea.
What are you using it for? Ive a tent, tarp-tent, big tarp, little tarp. Each gets used for a slightly different purpose
I've got the Soloista, bought to to replace my orange proaction hike lite to use for stealthy bikepacking. Soloista ok for low level stuff, very small like a coffin but fine to sleep and then crawl out of. Do not like fibreglass poles though, questionable longevity, I handle with kid gloves Prefer the hike lite but discontinued and need one in green. Only have a micro tarp so can't compare to full on tarping, sorry.
You can get a Siltarp 1 from backpackinglight.co.uk if it's that size of tarp you are after.
I have a tarp and a couple of lightweight tents and choose to take whichever is most suitable for terrain, weather, length of trip etc.
wanted for bikepacking.
Never been bikepacking before & not walked/camped for a good few years.
One nighters at the moment & only occasional use.
As for size of tarp - well I don't know. The small Rig from Alpkit sounds small but not having the experience to judge
You'll probably need a bivvy bag with the Tarp, unless you have a bag with a DWR coating, and synthetic fill, but even then I would always take a bivvy bag.
I find really small tents horrible, and have stayed dry in pretty heavy rain under a Golite Poncho tarp, but really I like my Terra Nova Laser Comp the best, as it means you are properly protected, but a bit more money than you are looking at.
Also, there is an art to putting up a tarp so it doesn't keep you awake all night flapping that I don't seem to have mastered yet!
Depends entirely for me on whether there will be midgies around or not.
+1 on the midges. Tarp + midges is the most miserable combination known to man.
Midges ain't been a problem for me since discovering Smidge
That Terra Nova is certainly light - not much weight penalty at all.
Love my Quasar, 25 years & still going strong.
Look at the aplkit ordos tent. Very light at 1.2kg. We (my wife and i) went for this over 2 bivvys and a tarp as it gives a bit more security at next to no weight penalty.