After waking up to rattlesnakes trying to get into my tent and were under the edge of my floor, I will always use a floored shelter and bring my boots inside the tent if it is above freezing.
The wall tents and teepee tents are great when you are driving (any vehicle, be it car, 4 wheeler, boat) into camp but are too heavy to pack. When you can use them they are great
Z-packs Plex Solo is incredible at 11.8 oz. In my opinion there isn’t anything better. Small footprint. More headroom and room in general than a bivy. Nothing comes close to the weight and waterproofness because it’s Dyneema!
Setting up a Teepee "properly" is a lot of work! Just popping it up is easy! Keeping dry inside. Proper "setup" for smoke control. "Entrance" pointed in the right direction. AND, course tied out properly for wind control - So it doesn' "tip" over in the middle of the night!
For the hard core weather shelter option, you might also check out the Nortent brand. If you're on a hunt where you're bringing a tent, do you typically still bring a tarp as well?
We don’t typically bring a tarp in addition to the primary shelter, but have done that in very specific conditions to use a tarp for glassing in the rain.
Well I learnt something… I tried a quilt for the first time last weekend. Pretty cheap 35 degree quilt on a 4.4r pad. I was pretty warm at 50 degrees. Here’s the anomaly- I was in a argali floorless shelter 🤦♂️ which means I couldn’t stick a leg out for warmth. Definitely think that floorless shelters work better with sleeping bags.
Steve, you've said that your tarp isn't available anymore and you don't have a specific recommendation. What would you look for in a new tarp? I'm interested in trying out the tarp/bivy setup, but I'm not sure which tarps to consider.=
Personally I would just look for whatever is lightest in the footprint you need. If you're doing a one man set-up there are loads of bivy specific tarps out there. Durability won't vary enough to be a concern over weight. As long as you don't buy super cheap stuff, it'll hold up about the same in my experience. So prioritise weight, and if durability is enough of a concern, use a different shelter type. Might make it easier on yourself if you get one with more tiedown points but I've only found that useful for making a group shelter so far. Other than that just look at reviews and see if the specific tarp has any particular design flaws.
Curious as to why you don’t always use a dyneema shelter? Do you think dyneema is worth the extra money if you’re not going super deep but packing camp along everyday? What tarp would you recommend for under $150-$200?
We talk about this in depth in the podcast we recorded on the subject. In short you do save some weight but that’s where the positives stop. They are substantially more expensive, take up a lot more space in your pack, are noisy when rain hits the tent and much tougher / critical to pitch as the material has no stretch to it. At this point and after a lot of nights in the field using them I do not see Dyneema as positive and would not make a decision to buy a specific shelter based off of it was dyneema or not. But, if a new shelter popped up in the market and I liked its design I wouldn’t let it being made out of dyneema stop me from buying it either. - Steve
Personally I would not bring a stove and would remain mobile with a lightweight setup. If the weather was so terrible I couldn’t stay out there then I would just pack up and wait for the storm to pass. If the weather is that terrible the hunting will be tough going anyways as all the animals will be hunkered down.
I really like that tarp/bivy setup and that tarp looks spacious! But what tarp is that in your tarp/bivy setup? I go to the website for links to the items and it lists everything but that tarp.
@kevinmcdaniel6983 Well thanks. Ok i kept watching and reviewing the wrong section i guess. I figured it would be in the overview section and the last part of the video where he mentions each one specifically by name. Upon reviewing it, yea in the very beginning of the video when they are laid on the table 🙄
I tried a hammock in southern Colorado August 28 throughthe first week in September. It rained a lot, and got down to 25 at night. It was miserable. You would need a under quilt, and a sleeping bag. The main struggle was finding the right trees to hang it from. I definitely would not recommend unless you have hundreds of nights experience in a hammock.
I use a hammock solely for early season elk hunting. Not much different than a tarp and bivy really but the sleep is so much better. You will need an underquilt but only a top quilt if the temp goes below your underquilt temp rating. I never sleep well on the ground but sleep well in a hammock.
We have found hammock systems to be limiting in setup locations. And by the time you add an under quilt, over quilt, and tarp, the weight and bulk in the pack isn’t attractive.
@@ExoMtnGear but the sleep is amazing😁. With down top and underquilts I can get my weight just as low as a tarp/bivy system and you dont need much of a top quilt if your underquilt is warm enough, definitely no bulkier than sleeping pad.
We don't have experience with it. The Solus is essentially a rebranded Slingfin Hotbox tent. It may help you find more information and reviews if you search both brands/models.
@@ExoMtnGear thanks and I have at length. I originally considered going with the hotbox because it’s slightly lighter but might go with the Solus for the smaller footprint. I’ve just never been in a high altitude hunt past November 1st. I will be this year and don’t want to take any chances, plus I am going with a 30 degree quilt. I just look at it and say, I’m going with the lighter and more compact quilt and it will be dark early and long. It might be worth having the more sturdy and slightly warmer 4 season tent to take away any risk…. But maybe I am over thinking the risk and it would be fine going with the even smaller sling fin 1 person 3 season tent and save 1.5 pounds over the Solus. I’ve been overthinking it a bit for sure but need to decided in the next month.
The Katabatic Piñon bivy is a great option. Unfortunately the tarps we have used most are no longer available. Of the tarp options there market, we don’t have a specific recommendation.
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After waking up to rattlesnakes trying to get into my tent and were under the edge of my floor, I will always use a floored shelter and bring my boots inside the tent if it is above freezing.
Plural! Rattlesnake(s)! Oh my goodness! No man should have to wake up to that!
Awesome advice on shelters. Thanks! Curious what you think of the Argali and Durston X-Mid tents?
We have limited experience with both Durston and Argali. Both seem quality and should be good options to consider if their designs appeal to you.
The wall tents and teepee tents are great when you are driving (any vehicle, be it car, 4 wheeler, boat) into camp but are too heavy to pack. When you can use them they are great
Z-packs Plex Solo is incredible at 11.8 oz. In my opinion there isn’t anything better. Small footprint. More headroom and room in general than a bivy. Nothing comes close to the weight and waterproofness because it’s Dyneema!
Yeah I run the altaplex from zpacks so I get a tad more headroom and leg room for only like 15oz it’s incredible
Nature Hike Massive tent best hunting tent I’ve used
Setting up a Teepee "properly" is a lot of work! Just popping it up is easy!
Keeping dry inside. Proper "setup" for smoke control. "Entrance" pointed in the right direction.
AND, course tied out properly for wind control - So it doesn' "tip" over in the middle of the night!
Thanks Steve for another informative VLOG🤙🏽
Can you share in another video different tarp pitches you've used that work well with tarp and bivy setup?
Generally variations of A frame, unless you have a much bigger tarp that allows for more variety.
I knew I recognized this intro music from somewhere. The Hunt Backcountry Podcast has the exact same intro music
For the hard core weather shelter option, you might also check out the Nortent brand. If you're on a hunt where you're bringing a tent, do you typically still bring a tarp as well?
We don’t typically bring a tarp in addition to the primary shelter, but have done that in very specific conditions to use a tarp for glassing in the rain.
Well I learnt something… I tried a quilt for the first time last weekend. Pretty cheap 35 degree quilt on a 4.4r pad. I was pretty warm at 50 degrees. Here’s the anomaly- I was in a argali floorless shelter 🤦♂️ which means I couldn’t stick a leg out for warmth. Definitely think that floorless shelters work better with sleeping bags.
These vids are very informative keep at it..
Steve, you've said that your tarp isn't available anymore and you don't have a specific recommendation. What would you look for in a new tarp? I'm interested in trying out the tarp/bivy setup, but I'm not sure which tarps to consider.=
Personally I would just look for whatever is lightest in the footprint you need. If you're doing a one man set-up there are loads of bivy specific tarps out there. Durability won't vary enough to be a concern over weight. As long as you don't buy super cheap stuff, it'll hold up about the same in my experience. So prioritise weight, and if durability is enough of a concern, use a different shelter type. Might make it easier on yourself if you get one with more tiedown points but I've only found that useful for making a group shelter so far.
Other than that just look at reviews and see if the specific tarp has any particular design flaws.
AquaQuest Guide tarp.
Any experience with Seek Outside shelters? I love my backpack from them
Curious as to why you don’t always use a dyneema shelter? Do you think dyneema is worth the extra money if you’re not going super deep but packing camp along everyday? What tarp would you recommend for under $150-$200?
We talk about this in depth in the podcast we recorded on the subject. In short you do save some weight but that’s where the positives stop. They are substantially more expensive, take up a lot more space in your pack, are noisy when rain hits the tent and much tougher / critical to pitch as the material has no stretch to it. At this point and after a lot of nights in the field using them I do not see Dyneema as positive and would not make a decision to buy a specific shelter based off of it was dyneema or not. But, if a new shelter popped up in the market and I liked its design I wouldn’t let it being made out of dyneema stop me from buying it either. - Steve
AquaQuest Guide tarp
How cold in late season before you feel like a stove is needed? I have a WY late november hunt in Laramie mountains
Personally I would not bring a stove and would remain mobile with a lightweight setup. If the weather was so terrible I couldn’t stay out there then I would just pack up and wait for the storm to pass. If the weather is that terrible the hunting will be tough going anyways as all the animals will be hunkered down.
I really like that tarp/bivy setup and that tarp looks spacious!
But what tarp is that in your tarp/bivy setup?
I go to the website for links to the items and it lists everything but that tarp.
That tarp is no longer available, unfortunately.
@ExoMtnGear ok thx but still what's the brand? because I can try to find a used one
@@leewohlgemuth4652he literally says it’s Jimmy Tarps in the video..
@kevinmcdaniel6983 Well thanks. Ok i kept watching and reviewing the wrong section i guess. I figured it would be in the overview section and the last part of the video where he mentions each one specifically by name. Upon reviewing it, yea in the very beginning of the video when they are laid on the table 🙄
AquaQuest Guide tarp.
Has anyone had much experience with using a hammock for early season hunts?
I tried a hammock in southern Colorado August 28 throughthe first week in September. It rained a lot, and got down to 25 at night. It was miserable. You would need a under quilt, and a sleeping bag. The main struggle was finding the right trees to hang it from. I definitely would not recommend unless you have hundreds of nights experience in a hammock.
I use a hammock solely for early season elk hunting. Not much different than a tarp and bivy really but the sleep is so much better. You will need an underquilt but only a top quilt if the temp goes below your underquilt temp rating. I never sleep well on the ground but sleep well in a hammock.
We have found hammock systems to be limiting in setup locations. And by the time you add an under quilt, over quilt, and tarp, the weight and bulk in the pack isn’t attractive.
@@ExoMtnGear but the sleep is amazing😁. With down top and underquilts I can get my weight just as low as a tarp/bivy system and you dont need much of a top quilt if your underquilt is warm enough, definitely no bulkier than sleeping pad.
Does anyone have experience with the stone glacier Solus? I’m considering it for my November 1st and onward shelter
We don't have experience with it. The Solus is essentially a rebranded Slingfin Hotbox tent. It may help you find more information and reviews if you search both brands/models.
@@ExoMtnGear thanks and I have at length. I originally considered going with the hotbox because it’s slightly lighter but might go with the Solus for the smaller footprint. I’ve just never been in a high altitude hunt past November 1st. I will be this year and don’t want to take any chances, plus I am going with a 30 degree quilt.
I just look at it and say, I’m going with the lighter and more compact quilt and it will be dark early and long. It might be worth having the more sturdy and slightly warmer 4 season tent to take away any risk…. But maybe I am over thinking the risk and it would be fine going with the even smaller sling fin 1 person 3 season tent and save 1.5 pounds over the Solus.
I’ve been overthinking it a bit for sure but need to decided in the next month.
Which bivy/tarp do you recommend?
The Katabatic Piñon bivy is a great option. Unfortunately the tarps we have used most are no longer available. Of the tarp options there market, we don’t have a specific recommendation.
Never sleep on the game trails IF grizzly bears exist in that area.
Pomly locomotion