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#99679 - 07/14/08 09:25 PM What is your favorite shelter system, just for fun
sixgun Offline
newbie

Registered: 06/05/07
Posts: 6
Loc: N of Detroit
what is the best all around shelter system in your opinion, bag, pad, tent, bivy, tarp, hammock what ever you use together as a complete shelter system. I ask this for fun because the variety of methods people use are cool to me.


Edited by ToddProsky (07/14/08 09:27 PM)
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The more you know the less you need

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#99680 - 07/14/08 09:38 PM Re: What is your favorite shelter system, just for [Re: sixgun]
bigfoot2 Offline
member

Registered: 09/17/06
Posts: 1432
Loc: Eugene , Oregon
What a can of worms YOU just opened, my friend! Good luck with the responses....and don't take any criticism too personally... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

BF

P.S.--I myself use a variety of gear...my favorite at the moment is a Tarptent Cloudburst, Exped Wallcreeper down bag and an Insul-Mat 3/4 synthetic insulated inflateable matress. If the weather is very cold/rainy, i like to mix it up with different bags, tents, pads, etc, etc, etc.....i could go on forever <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
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Hammockers aren't stuck up, they're just above it all.

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#99681 - 07/14/08 09:50 PM Re: What is your favorite shelter system, just for [Re: sixgun]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
Definitely a can of worms here--each of us has our own preferences and prejudices.

Mine:
Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo tarptent
Western Mountaineering Ultralite Super sleeping bag
POE Insulmat Max Thermo (now the Ether Thermo) insulated air mattress, 2/3 length
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

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#99682 - 07/15/08 03:24 AM Re: What is your favorite shelter system, just for fun [Re: sixgun]
Glenn Offline
member

Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 2617
Loc: Ohio
I combine a Hubba tent, Thermarest 3/4 Prolite 4 (which doubles as a "frame" for my frameless pad), a Thermarest Lite Seat (which does double duty as a trail seat and as an extender for the Prolite), a WM Megalite bag (or sometimes a Mitylite in the summer), and a 2-quart Dromlite water bladder (which I can inflate with air and use as a pillow.)

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#99683 - 07/15/08 06:11 AM Re: What is your favorite shelter system, just for [Re: bigfoot2]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada

Not really a can of worms I think. There is no single best. I use different stuff
depending on the season and where I'm going.

Now admittedly, I usually hammock if it's practical where and when I'm going. but that doesn't mean I hammock in the dead of winter or above the treeline.
_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


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#99684 - 07/15/08 07:47 AM match the tool to the job [Re: sixgun]
ringtail Offline
member

Registered: 08/22/02
Posts: 2296
Loc: Colorado Rockies
SUMMER:

UL Travel hammock
SPE with ccf pads & wings
JRB Stealth quilt
JRB 8'X8' fly

SPRING & FALL:

Claytor No Net hammock
ccf pads
MacCat Deluxe fly
Nunatak Arc Alpinist

BUG SEASON:

Hennessy Expedition hammock
JRB 3 Season quilts
poncho/tarp fly

ABOVE TIMBERLINE:

Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape
Big Agnes Insulated Air Core
Nunatak Arc Alpinist

DESERT:

poncho/tarp fly
Big Agnes Insulated Air Core
JRB No Sniveller or Stealth Quilt

WINTER:

Warmlite 2R
DAM
Nunatak Arc Alpinist
JRB Biker quilt

If I could only own one system it would be the Hennessy becasue by adding the Big Agnes Air Core I could also do desert.
_________________________
"In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not."
Yogi Berra

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#99685 - 07/15/08 01:26 PM Re: What is your favorite shelter system, just for fun [Re: sixgun]
300winmag Offline
member

Registered: 02/28/06
Posts: 1342
Loc: Nevada, USA
3 SEASON:

1. TarpTent Contrail
2. W. M. Megalite bag
3. Thermarest UL full length (10 years old)

WINTER:

1.Eureka! 3 man dome W/ new aluminum poles (tent is 12 years old)
2.Mountain HardWear 4th Dimension Polarguard Delta -20 bag
3.Thermarest regular 3/4 length pad (+ attatched closed cell sit pad) over RidgeRest closed cell pad

** I "need" a new winter tent like the Hilleberg Jannu

Eric
_________________________
"There are no comfortable backpacks. Some are just less uncomfortable than others."

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#99686 - 07/15/08 03:01 PM Re: What is your favorite shelter system, just for fun [Re: 300winmag]
johndavid Offline
member

Registered: 04/23/08
Posts: 260
Loc: jersey city NJ
Old Hex 3 (now Shangri-La 3) in all seasons, with water-resistant bivvy alone in hot weather. In cooler weather, I add a sleeping bag.

If I'm alone and want to cut weight, a SilShelter instead of Hex.

My bag collection consists of a very raggedy (very compact but only marginally light) duck down and feathers job that is good to 50 degrees, a super high-priced 40-degree job, a very old, well-cared for REI bag with (originally 2.5 pounds of down fill) and a NF synthetic once rated at twenty below, but now of dubious value and not used.

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#99687 - 07/15/08 03:16 PM Re: What is your favorite shelter system, just for [Re: sixgun]
jasonlivy Offline
member

Registered: 01/02/04
Posts: 654
Loc: Colorado
Summer:
Tent: MSR Carbon Reflex 1 or 2 (depending on how much weight I'm willing to carry and how many people are going)
Pad: Thermarest NeoAir Regular
Sleeping Bag: Marmot Hydrogen Reg
PIllow: Thermarest Ultralite Stuff Pillow and Western Mtneering Flight Jacket

Winter:
Tent: MSR Hubba HP or Hubba Hubba HP (see above)
Pad: Prolite Plus Reg
Sleeping Bag: Moonstone 800 10degree
Pillow: Thermarest Stuff Pillow and WM Flight Jacket

I do have several other options including a Henessey Ultralite Hammock, Bibler Tripod Bivy, Moss Hooped Outland (if I'm going to experience horrible winter weather), Hilleberg Akto, etc. The above selections are what I use currently.
_________________________
Believe, then you will Understand...

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#99688 - 07/15/08 03:22 PM Re: What is your favorite shelter system, just for [Re: jasonlivy]
Glenn Offline
member

Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 2617
Loc: Ohio
Um, Jason, I see a couple of model names on there that I'm not familiar with. Care to elaborate?

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#99689 - 07/15/08 03:42 PM Re: What is your favorite shelter system, just for [Re: phat]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada

I'll be a tad bit more specific

3 season, with trees:

Homemade Speer type hammock with MEC silicone scout tarp (top)
and a 27inch wide wal-mart CCF pad in the hammock.

I add a Integral Designs Silponcho *underneath* the hammock as a windblock/insulation shell.
I then in colder weather add, progressively, A) folded crinkled space blankets as insulation
B) a 1 inch thick layer of poly batting in the shape of a hammock bottom. The effect of adding
both is to effectively make an undequilt for the hammock. But I sleep in the hammock fine
with just the ccf pad, poncho and no insulation down to just below freezing. (did it on friday night!)

WINTER

crappy green dometent, with BA insulated Aircore + ccf pad + 25" wide ensolite pad.
dome tent freestands on snow decently, and deals with snow load well.

Of course that's if I'm carrying it. If I don't have to carry it, in winter it's a 12"x12" wall tent with a GSI metals airtight stove in it <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

If I was made of money I'd buy a Kifaru or TiGoat rig for winter though!
_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


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#99690 - 07/15/08 04:08 PM Re: What is your favorite shelter system, just for [Re: sixgun]
FrolickingDino Offline
newbie

Registered: 06/30/08
Posts: 11
Loc: Southeastern USA
For a couple - a 10' x 12' silnylon tarp with a floorless inner tent in cool weather and a floorless bugnet tent in hot weather. Our ground sheet has straps that hold our pads in place and a piece of quilt (8" wide x 72" long) that lies between us. We use a common quilt over us in the summer and add light weight bags under the quilt in cooler weather.

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#99691 - 07/15/08 05:04 PM Re: What is your favorite shelter system, just for fun [Re: sixgun]
chaz Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/07
Posts: 1149
Loc: Tennessee
A home built hammock with bug net that is attached with velcro and can be removed and a larger copy of the clark fly. I use a CCF thermarest inside the hammock. If I have nothing to hang it on I can set up the fly on the ground and place the hammock under the fly and hang it on a ridge line. I use a hikeing staff for the front pole and a two foot piece of something (stick) for the foot end. I can stake the fly tight to the ground and use 2 guy lines for each end. It works O.K. but I'm dreaming of owning a Clark with full camo option. When I was young. I never owned a tent. I just carried a piece of visqueen for shelter and used sticks and guy lines. (back in the day we could chop saplings and sleep on pine boughs).
_________________________
Enjoy your next trip...

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#99692 - 07/15/08 06:44 PM Re: What is your favorite shelter system, just for [Re: jasonlivy]
Franco Offline
member

Registered: 04/05/04
Posts: 1010
Loc: Australia

Yeah , as a long term user of the MSR Neo Air and Carbon Reflex 1....
(the Neo Air might just work for me if the specs posted are correct)
Jason, feel free to post a pic when you can . Just join up using the EXMSR moniker so that we know it is you.

Contrail
PO Insulmat Thermo Max/ Exped Domnmat 7
JRB No Sniveler/ WM Ultralite

Franco

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#99693 - 07/15/08 09:28 PM Re: What is your favorite shelter system, just for [Re: Glenn]
jasonlivy Offline
member

Registered: 01/02/04
Posts: 654
Loc: Colorado
Quote:
Um, Jason, I see a couple of model names on there that I'm not familiar with. Care to elaborate?
I could tell you, but then I would have to kill you, and since I don't know where you live...

Suffice it to say that Cascade Designs has some very exciting new products to introduce at this year's Outdoor Retail Show that will be available in 2009. I will share as I get more info and permission. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
Believe, then you will Understand...

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#99694 - 07/16/08 03:31 AM Re: What is your favorite shelter system, just for [Re: jasonlivy]
Glenn Offline
member

Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 2617
Loc: Ohio
Great. Let me know if you need any help testing it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

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#99695 - 07/16/08 07:53 AM Re: What is your favorite shelter system, just for fun [Re: sixgun]
BarryP Offline
member

Registered: 03/04/04
Posts: 1574
Loc: Eastern Idaho
My favorite system is as follows:

Tent: GG classic squall (24oz); incredible waterproof with torrential rains.
Pad: Prolite 4, ¾ (16oz – lower than listed)
Bag: JRB Stealth Quilt w/ poncho hole (16oz)--- I started using this June 1st and have about 20 nights w/ it. This is a great quilt! I’ve only had it down to 50F and it was still warm. Hey Food, I see you love the JRB stuff also.

On longer treks I will swap out pad for GG torsolight (3.5oz) and an open cell pad (3oz 11x17x1.5”). And my list changes again in the winter…

-Barry

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#99696 - 07/16/08 09:15 AM Re: What is your favorite shelter system, just for fun [Re: sixgun]
Berserker Offline
member

Registered: 05/10/04
Posts: 493
Loc: Lynchburg, VA
In general it looks like this:

THREE SEASON
WM Caribou or WM Ultralite
POE Thermo Ether 6 (just got this...still messing around with pads)
Tarptent Double Rainbow or Tarptent Squall (if I want to drop a few ounces)

WINTER
WM Ultralite or WM Versalite
Thermarest Prolite 4 (3/4 length) and Thermarest Z-lite
Hilleberg Akto

I then tailor these general lists to the specific weather conditions I expect to be in.

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#99697 - 07/18/08 04:50 PM Re: What is your favorite shelter system, just for fun [Re: Berserker]
movingmountain Offline
member

Registered: 10/03/03
Posts: 61
3 season
Wanderlustgear 2-4-2
WM Megalite
Z- rest 3/4
4 season
Bibler Awahnee
Marmot Couloir Dryloft
Full pad ?

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#99698 - 07/20/08 01:37 PM Re: What is your favorite shelter system, just for [Re: sixgun]
longhair29 Offline
member

Registered: 06/11/03
Posts: 1328
Loc: Floridad
SUMMER & FALL

Hubba - solo tent for bug protection and windy rain

OR a Sil Tarp 2 (8' x 10') with a either a Goretex bivy sack (Moonstone)

This year I'll be using my new Kestral +30 down bag with Epic shell (Feathered Friends)

I also bought this year another bivy sack an Alpine on sale at REI for $150.00 from O.R.

The best is what works well for you the individual and nothing else.

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#99699 - 07/20/08 04:21 PM Re: What is your favorite shelter system, just for [Re: longhair29]
JAK Offline
member

Registered: 03/19/04
Posts: 2569
This setup by Jim Shaw looks pretty comfy.
Not too sure about the weight, but I'm sure he knows what he's doing.



Mine still needs a little work as you can see...

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#99700 - 07/21/08 09:25 PM Re: What is your favorite shelter system, just for [Re: sixgun]
Salish Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 129
Loc: Seattle, Washington
I just bought a Tarp Tent Double Rainbow and I love it, but I prefer using my 8x10 IT Siltarp for backpacking. Bugs have never been a huge problem for me (knock on wood) and I love the feeling of freedom it gives me. If there is little hint of rain I always sleep in the open under the stars.

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#99701 - 07/21/08 11:55 PM Re: What is your favorite shelter system, just for [Re: sixgun]
Trailrunner Offline
member

Registered: 01/05/02
Posts: 1835
Loc: Los Angeles
Tent: AVS Ranger II with optional bug net. If it's not buggy I use my Strion+ ubertarp with segmented boron poles.

Bivy: Jumpstart Micropalace with dual perpendicular zippers. Much more versatile than the single zipper model.

Pad: Self-leveling Hydrocore, 3/4 length. I've never had to inflate the emergency chamber.

Bag: Harriot and Sons Panther Mark IV with hexagonal baffles. The unique inverted design of the foot box is 12% lighter than similar brands.

Yep, I made all that up.

Seriously, after experimenting with lots of flat tarps, shaped tarps, tents, hammocks, and bivys I find myself reaching for my BD One Shot quite a bit lately. Simple design, durable, roomy. The fabric is not truly waterproof but there is no misting through like silnylon. If the rain gets really heavy I just throw my poncho over it. After a long day on the trail I'm really not interested in spending more time in careful sight selection. Been there. I just want to lie down, rest and get away from the bugs. I can simply plop this freestanding tent anywhere that will accommodate its small footprint. If the selected site turns out to have flaws, I just pick it up and move it. Try that with a tarp. No, it doesn't weigh 4 ounces but I'll gladly pay the weight penalty. Since it's so warm I can get away with a lighter quilt or sleeping bag. For me it's the best compromise between weight, size, versatility, stormworthiness, bug protection and ventilation.

One more thing: Since the frame is internal I can throw in my pack, crawl inside, and set it up from inside during a storm, dry as a bone. I actually had to do that last week and it worked great.

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#99702 - 07/22/08 07:44 AM Re: What is your favorite shelter system, just for [Re: JAK]
alanwenker Offline
member

Registered: 02/04/03
Posts: 812
Nice skis!

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#99703 - 07/22/08 07:46 AM Re: What is your favorite shelter system, just for fun [Re: sixgun]
alanwenker Offline
member

Registered: 02/04/03
Posts: 812
3 season - the garden cottage at the Berwood Hill Inn in Lanesboro, Minnesota.

Winter - the Owls Nest room at the Berwood Hill Inn.

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