Tent or 2 bivies for 15+ (f) backpacking with a 9yo.

[TheChief]

Hello Everyone,

My 9yo Daughter and I are getting into cold weather pack camping and I am starting to look into shelters. I am hoping those of you with more experience than I in this area can lend some advice and wisdom.

Here are the requirements I am looking for in a shelter:

• Light weight as this will be packed in
• 15+ degree (f) dry camps
• Not expecting more than an inch of snow over a 2-3 day camp
• Water proof bathtub
• 26+ inch at the shoulders
• Accommodate side-sleepers

I do not plan for this solution to provide for heat retention, just protection from the wind and precipitation. Flaps will be opened on both ends to help keep the moisture from collecting on the walls and freezing. Heat retention is for our bags and layers.

I am on the fence between two bivies or a single tent. I have not used a bivy since my time in the military and while that was bomb-proof, I think I might like to have space to play cards, read books, change, etc. while it is snowing/raining or windy outside. My concern is the weight. But then if you take into account two bivies versus one tent for weight, it may be lighter and more enjoyable for the tent. I would appreciate the thoughts of those of you with plenty of two+ person cold weather camping experience.

I am also concerned about condensation build-up in a bivy.

If you can suggest some tents or bivies, I would appreciate that as well too.

[AreWeFree]

2 person tent, having headroom is wonderful.

I just got a Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 and love it. Need to buy a separate foot print though.

Backcountry has a 20% off deal right now, puts it at about $400 with footprint, for like a 3.5lb free standing 2 person 3-season tent.

https://www.backcountry.com/big-agnes-copper-spur-ul2-ultra-light-tent-2-person-3-season?skid=BAG00B4-GRA-ONESIZ&ti=U2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHM6YmlnIGFnbmVzIHVsMjoxOjM6YmlnIGFnbmVzIHVsMg==

[Casual_Shooter]

I've never used a bivy so there may be some advantages to them I'm not aware of, but I'd go with a tent for the reasons you mentioned. If you want to get out of the weather, a tent offers that more than a bivy. You could always bring two 1-person tents if your daughter would like her own place to sleep.

There are many good quality tents these days. REI has their Quarter Dome series that I've seen lots of people use. Big Agnes's Copper Spur UL series is another choice (I use a Copper Spur UL2). Zpacks has their Duplex which the Ultralight crowd likes. It's $$$ though.

As an alternative to buying, I believe you can rent tents from REI.

If you were set on a bivy setup, you could always string a tarp over it/ them to add a place to sit and play cards etc during sun/ rain etc.

[kemasa]

I would go with a tent since if it rains, you might want some space.

While expensive, I would recommend a Stephenson. You can sometimes get a good deal on a used tent on ebay, just make sure it is a newer version with the silicon fabric. The side windows are nice to get more air flow if needed.

[echo1]

A tent with a foot print is best. If you have to weather it out, at least you can sit up. Dense cell pads keep the heat retention best for cheap. I use a Z mat and a Thermorest, cause my back just won't take it any more. The fly should go all the way to the pegs, cover the whole structure. One with a vestibule give a dry place to stick you feet out and take off your boots. PAX

[AreWeFree]

what'd you end up with OP?

[NapalmCheese]

The tent will be warmer, more fun, and with any modern incarnation shouldn't have a problem with condensation.

Bivys are not fun. Really light bivy sacks are claustrophobic, dark, and difficult to change your clothes in. Big bivys that hold the fabric off your face are nearly the weight of a single person tent anyway.

I rarely ever plan on using a bivy as my primary shelter. Only if weight and/or stealth are my utmost concerns.

Besides, in a tent if one of you gets really cold you can open up both sleeping bags and use them as blankets instead of bags allowing you to double up the amount of insulation on top of you while spooning, you can't do that if you're both in your own bivy sacks.

[kemasa]

I tried a friend's bivy and the problem was that there were a lot of bugs and the temp. was quite warm. I had to use to bivy to keep the bugs away, but there is no ventilation, so it was far too hot. With a tent you get more airflow. Never have wanted to try a bivy again.