PaddleWise by thread

From: Evan Dallas <Evan_Dallas_at_notes.ntrs.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] Tent vs bivy vs tarp
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 11:14:34 -0800
>Date: Fri, 26 Nov 1999 15:43:03 EST
>From: Amigh2_at_aol.com
>Subject: re: [Paddlewise] tent v. bivy bag

>what are folks favorites for overnight/multi-day trips?  do most use tents,
>bivy bags, or a simple tarp?  i would be interested in hearing what you use
>and why you like it.

>cheers,
>a. mariani

For me, if there's no bugs, then most of the time I prefer a tarp (even in hard
rain -- in fact I actually enjoy the experience of sleeping under a tarp when
it's raining (you know, listening to the sound of the rain and all that)).
However, If there were really strong winds, like where the rain comes down
sideways, I would probably opt for a tent.

If there's heavy rain and wind, I usually like to pitch my tent under my tarp.
Maybe it's just my tents, but when it's raining hard I always get a little too
much condensation inside the tent.  Having the tent under a tarp keeps
everything pretty dry and totally avoids the condensation problem.
Incidentally, I like the big Walrus aerotarp really well for this since it's big
(around 12' x 18', with a "scalloped" edge to help keep it more taut), has loops
instead of grommets (grommets tend to pull out under stress), is made with a
polyester/nylon blend (to minimize UV damage), and cheaper than most.  (No
affiliation with Walrus, I just like it.)

Personally, I find bivies a little too claustrophobic and -- goretex or not --
prone to condensation if it's raining (I think breathable fabrics lose a lot of
their breathability when they're being rained on...).

Evan
Woodinville, WA


***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:05 PDT