Thanks for watching! If you're new to the whole tarp camping thing, check out my video on how to set up a tarp: ua-cam.com/video/JAzs1KgzZZo/v-deo.html
Never thought of using the headnet INside the sleeping bag. very smart Tim! So far I've been using a hack I Saw on YT - open umbrella behind the top of your sleeping bag (As if there was horizontal rain coming from that side) and drape mosquito net over than and down to wherever it goes. Great hack using something I already bring with me anyways.
Ive used a Mtn Laurel Designs Bug Bivvy 2 for several years. I like the ridgeline zipper entry makes getting in/out easy. If I have a ridgeline in the inside of the tarp I use prusik knots on the ridgeline for the head/foot lines so I'm not dependent on the tarps tie outs.
S2S nano 1P bug net here. Light and compact enough that I can bring it when I think there might be bugs. When I KNOW there will be bugs, I bring a tent.
Used my Hyperlite Mtn Gear square tarp 9oz's paired with Sea to Summit Solo Nano net 3oz's. Timberline Trail, Mt Hood. Zero condensation. My friend used a solo tent and had a lot of condensation when camping next to creek. He cowboy camped after that. Love my set up but a borah bug bivy would give me more options
@timbschwartz like you said. Its tough to hang out in for extended periods of time, i usually will use my bug headnet if thats the case. But to lay down and relax.. and sleep.. its perfect.
@timbschwartz had a snowyside but i recently sold it. I have been using the MLD eVent Solo bivy, i like the option with full bug net face or completely closed up.. i use Borah gear solo silpoly tarp though
Both seem like solid options! I'd think it all comes down to how wind/storm resistant you need it to be. HMG Is probably a better generalist, although heavier.
I use the "Amazonas Mosquito-Traveller Thermo Hammock". I'm flexible with that. can also use it on the floor. ;-) works great. When there's no tree around. 👍
I'm using the S2S single bug net stand-alone or under my Gatewood Cape. It works great, although it's floorless so I need to add a ground cloth. I know how the PNW is, mosquitoes all summer depending on the trail elevation.
Nice! Yeah I've used one of the s2s nets for years. I've always found myself longing for a bit more space and a zipper. Agreed! That's why fall/winter camping around here is where it's at haha
@@timbschwartz Yep, I completely agree on the zipper access, space, and especially fall/winter camping once the yellowjackets hit “Angry August.” The S2S 40” height is the key need for me, it makes the morning pack-up easier without the buzzing divebombers!
Yeah that makes total sense! I'm interested to see how the lack of headroom impacts the overall livability. I think a lot of it will depend on how long I've hiked, and whether I'm at camp to sleep or at camp to hang out.
@@timbschwartz A very different proposition between hanging out in camp and hiking through. I hang out while clearing or building trails or doing backcountry public interactions, especially during fire season, but continuous hiking days is more of a dawn to dusk hike with a stop before last light for dinner (maybe 9:00 P.M. in July, gotta love the loooong PNW summer days) and then enter camp around 10:00 with a no-food smell to sleep.
Woops, almost missed this! I love that - I'm soooo looking forward to longer hikes. Really cool that you do trail building. Lynne and I want to volunteer at some point. Who do you work with?
Nice. But I just got the nano a few days ago! Maybe show a video of how to best use it? I got a variety of sticker loops and clips so I can mess with ways to get more out of it. Will start experimenting with it this week. The bivy looks cool. You know how it compares to the MLD bug bivy and BB2v
Haha! Honestly I'm sure the nano will work great for you - I'm just picky about things. Nano seems to be the standard on most UL tents these days and I don't think they'd use it if it weren't at least reasonably durable. Great idea! Would love to do a more detailed video at some point, but I'm honestly still a bit of a newbie with it. My pitch was pretty wonky lol, but I'll share what I find messing around with it over the summer. Let me know what works best for you, please! The MLD bivys seem to have more room and a more robust bathtub for roughly the same weight. The main reason I stayed away from them is that I wanted a DCF floor and MLD only makes them in silnylon these days. The bb2 seems to offer superior splash and breeze protection - I'm thinking about getting a Borah Dimma bivy for the the cooler months though which is a similar concept.
Thermacell’s do work great, just not going to use it in a semi confined area like a tent or tarp. Probably not that healthy to breathe that stuff for long.
I've got a yama bug bivy that's maybe 36" wide and I thought I would feel super claustrophobic it's basically a 1.5 person tent besides the super low height I have spent a zero mostly laying around in it with no issues I've even squeezed in there with my 55lb dog although that can get a bit tight as of this summer I've just been rocking the headset when I'm with the doggo since I prefer for him to be able to get up and drink water or pee in the middle of the night for anyone trying out just a head net when there are mosquitos don't forget some gloves I learned that one the hard way If I get to try a pct thru hike in the next year or 2 I may opt for a regular bivy and a tarp vs a bug bivy so I could set up cowboy style more and get less dew all over my quilt
Thanks for the comment! Always wanted to tryout some of the Yama gear but haven't pulled the trigger yet. I've looked at the bug bivys a few times, and they seem very roomy, comparatively - more like a tent inner. Solid bivys are a mixed bag - yes they will keep dew off, but they are also prone to condensation inside which sort of negates that. For the misty PNW (depending on what time of year you're in OR and WA), a tarp without bivy or a single wall tent seems to be the move for me. That said, for California, bivy and cowboy camping all the way.
@timbschwartz yes I absolutely hate dealing with condensation thats one of the reasons i pretty much only use tarps ... I'm a bit worried I'll end up not liking a bivy for the condensation I've found if you do cowboy under a few small trees or branches then condensation isn't really as big of an issue but then you don't get the best veiw of the stars so there's always going to be some trade off ... I pulled the trigger the yama tarps finally after eyeing them for over a year and after working with a flat tarp and knots they are super easy to set up i brought my 2p yama tarp to fight wildfires this summer and it held up in 20 plus mph winds and got rained on for 3 days I never bothered setting up my ground sheet it stayed up while many tents were flattened or tumbleweeded across fire camp and everything under it stayed bone dry . everyone I talked to on the pct this year stressed how important it is to have a wind worthy shelter which is why I decided to try a non flat tarp but i still really really love getting creative with a flat tarp which is my favorite by far thank you for putting out some good tarping content it's super niche and not many content makers show tarps love keep up the good work
Thanks for the kind words! I'm a big fan of Tyvek if I'm going to carry a ground sheet (which I normally do with DCF floors.) Polycro is just to fragile to be of any real use for punctures.
Thanks for the question, Ivan! The Sea To Summit bug headnet seems to be sort of the gold standard. Alternatively, if you're just using it for sleeping you could try more of a pyramid style like the Equinox Mantis.
Backpacker about 50 years here. I get the tarp idea, I used them decades ago before "ultra lite" was a thing. Owned the very first Black Diamond Mega Mid in the early 1980's. Always packed light because I was a runner/cyclist and at 6 feet tall, 150 pounds, I was too skinny to carry a 30-40lb pack like my friends. Tarps for shade, cooking, groups, extra space, snow camp, yep. But these days with modern fabrics, and after being driven from the Sierras by mosquitos; watching a Tarantula migration in the desert; Scorpions and mice in the Grand Canyon; I finally found Tarptent, and Henry Shires. Their Preamble tarp model without a floor, has built-in screens and doors, is $199, weight with guylines, stakes, bags, is 581 grams, sets in two minutes. I currently own a ProTrail model that sets up in less than two minutes, and stays dry inside if it starts raining while you set it. I lived in it for two months on the Great Divide route, and a bunch of backpacking. Happy trails. ☮
Thanks for sharing, Mike! I've always been interested in Tarptent and have considered the Protrail a few times. The only reason I haven't picked one up is that I rarely use trekking poles, so a double trekking pole tent ends up being a significant weight hit. I believe you can buy lighter poles for them as well, but lately I've been sticking to single pole tents for this reason.
@@timbschwartz Got it on the xtra poles, the rear pole at the foot is two small pieces, though, and the main folds really small. I think they post the weights for the poles. I've owned MSR's, and Big Agnes, and Tarptent stitching and material is excellent. Happy trails.
Thanks for watching! If you're new to the whole tarp camping thing, check out my video on how to set up a tarp: ua-cam.com/video/JAzs1KgzZZo/v-deo.html
I'm so excited about tarp camping. I finally got me a tarp. I'm worried about bug issues. Thank you for this video!
Hey Trinh! Thanks for the comment! Tarp camping is awesome, and I'm excited for you to give it a shot. Let me know how it goes!
Tarptent Preamble model...
Never thought of using the headnet INside the sleeping bag. very smart Tim!
So far I've been using a hack I Saw on YT - open umbrella behind the top of your sleeping bag (As if there was horizontal rain coming from that side) and drape mosquito net over than and down to wherever it goes. Great hack using something I already bring with me anyways.
Oh nice, I heard of this but haven't tried it! Sounds like it's working well for you!
Ive used a Mtn Laurel Designs Bug Bivvy 2 for several years. I like the ridgeline zipper entry makes getting in/out easy. If I have a ridgeline in the inside of the tarp I use prusik knots on the ridgeline for the head/foot lines so I'm not dependent on the tarps tie outs.
I love MLD! The prusik knot is a good tip - I was going to fashion up something similar for mine. I just wish they still made them with DCF floors!
S2S nano 1P bug net here. Light and compact enough that I can bring it when I think there might be bugs. When I KNOW there will be bugs, I bring a tent.
Nice! I still have that bug net - it's a great piece of gear for what it is.
Used my Hyperlite Mtn Gear square tarp 9oz's paired with Sea to Summit Solo Nano net 3oz's. Timberline Trail, Mt Hood. Zero condensation. My friend used a solo tent and had a lot of condensation when camping next to creek. He cowboy camped after that. Love my set up but a borah bug bivy would give me more options
Love the Borah Gear bug bivy. Its my go-to for summer tarp camping!!
For real! It seems like a great piece of gear so far. Excited to try it out.
Thanks for the comment!
@timbschwartz like you said. Its tough to hang out in for extended periods of time, i usually will use my bug headnet if thats the case. But to lay down and relax.. and sleep.. its perfect.
@@dirtbagoutside Nice! You have any of the other borah bivys? Looking at having a dimma and snowyside made for later in the season.
@timbschwartz had a snowyside but i recently sold it. I have been using the MLD eVent Solo bivy, i like the option with full bug net face or completely closed up.. i use Borah gear solo silpoly tarp though
Haha I wish I had known! Love MLD stuff - I wish they still made bivys with DCF floors.
I have a Katabatic Pinon bivy and it’s great in certain scenarios.
Nice! I've heard really good things about the Pinion. I think Cam over at The Hiking Life uses one.
@@timbschwartz oh nice!
I’ so I’m currently looking at either hexamid pocket tarp w/doors or the HMG mid 1 tarp
Both seem like solid options! I'd think it all comes down to how wind/storm resistant you need it to be. HMG Is probably a better generalist, although heavier.
@@timbschwartz Yeah, I was comparing both of them and the HMG mid tarp checked off all the boxes for me
new Tim S video = automatic like
Thanks so much! This comment made my whole day.
@@timbschwartz the whole day?!?! heck yes haha. loving everything you've been putting out!
I use the "Amazonas Mosquito-Traveller Thermo Hammock". I'm flexible with that. can also use it on the floor. ;-) works great. When there's no tree around. 👍
Oh nice I'lll need to check it out!
I'm using the S2S single bug net stand-alone or under my Gatewood Cape. It works great, although it's floorless so I need to add a ground cloth. I know how the PNW is, mosquitoes all summer depending on the trail elevation.
Nice! Yeah I've used one of the s2s nets for years. I've always found myself longing for a bit more space and a zipper.
Agreed! That's why fall/winter camping around here is where it's at haha
@@timbschwartz Yep, I completely agree on the zipper access, space, and especially fall/winter camping once the yellowjackets hit “Angry August.” The S2S 40” height is the key need for me, it makes the morning pack-up easier without the buzzing divebombers!
Yeah that makes total sense! I'm interested to see how the lack of headroom impacts the overall livability. I think a lot of it will depend on how long I've hiked, and whether I'm at camp to sleep or at camp to hang out.
@@timbschwartz A very different proposition between hanging out in camp and hiking through. I hang out while clearing or building trails or doing backcountry public interactions, especially during fire season, but continuous hiking days is more of a dawn to dusk hike with a stop before last light for dinner (maybe 9:00 P.M. in July, gotta love the loooong PNW summer days) and then enter camp around 10:00 with a no-food smell to sleep.
Woops, almost missed this! I love that - I'm soooo looking forward to longer hikes.
Really cool that you do trail building. Lynne and I want to volunteer at some point. Who do you work with?
Nice. But I just got the nano a few days ago! Maybe show a video of how to best use it? I got a variety of sticker loops and clips so I can mess with ways to get more out of it. Will start experimenting with it this week.
The bivy looks cool. You know how it compares to the MLD bug bivy and BB2v
Haha! Honestly I'm sure the nano will work great for you - I'm just picky about things. Nano seems to be the standard on most UL tents these days and I don't think they'd use it if it weren't at least reasonably durable.
Great idea! Would love to do a more detailed video at some point, but I'm honestly still a bit of a newbie with it. My pitch was pretty wonky lol, but I'll share what I find messing around with it over the summer. Let me know what works best for you, please!
The MLD bivys seem to have more room and a more robust bathtub for roughly the same weight. The main reason I stayed away from them is that I wanted a DCF floor and MLD only makes them in silnylon these days. The bb2 seems to offer superior splash and breeze protection - I'm thinking about getting a Borah Dimma bivy for the the cooler months though which is a similar concept.
No bug bivy but have you tried a Thermacell unit under a tarp? They work great!
I haven't, but I've heard really great things! My brother is a hunter and he said it works great!
Thermacell’s do work great, just not going to use it in a semi confined area like a tent or tarp. Probably not that healthy to breathe that stuff for long.
I've got a yama bug bivy that's maybe 36" wide and I thought I would feel super claustrophobic it's basically a 1.5 person tent besides the super low height I have spent a zero mostly laying around in it with no issues I've even squeezed in there with my 55lb dog although that can get a bit tight as of this summer I've just been rocking the headset when I'm with the doggo since I prefer for him to be able to get up and drink water or pee in the middle of the night for anyone trying out just a head net when there are mosquitos don't forget some gloves I learned that one the hard way
If I get to try a pct thru hike in the next year or 2 I may opt for a regular bivy and a tarp vs a bug bivy so I could set up cowboy style more and get less dew all over my quilt
Thanks for the comment!
Always wanted to tryout some of the Yama gear but haven't pulled the trigger yet. I've looked at the bug bivys a few times, and they seem very roomy, comparatively - more like a tent inner.
Solid bivys are a mixed bag - yes they will keep dew off, but they are also prone to condensation inside which sort of negates that. For the misty PNW (depending on what time of year you're in OR and WA), a tarp without bivy or a single wall tent seems to be the move for me. That said, for California, bivy and cowboy camping all the way.
@timbschwartz yes I absolutely hate dealing with condensation thats one of the reasons i pretty much only use tarps ... I'm a bit worried I'll end up not liking a bivy for the condensation I've found if you do cowboy under a few small trees or branches then condensation isn't really as big of an issue but then you don't get the best veiw of the stars so there's always going to be some trade off ...
I pulled the trigger the yama tarps finally after eyeing them for over a year and after working with a flat tarp and knots they are super easy to set up i brought my 2p yama tarp to fight wildfires this summer and it held up in 20 plus mph winds and got rained on for 3 days I never bothered setting up my ground sheet it stayed up while many tents were flattened or tumbleweeded across fire camp and everything under it stayed bone dry .
everyone I talked to on the pct this year stressed how important it is to have a wind worthy shelter which is why I decided to try a non flat tarp but i still really really love getting creative with a flat tarp which is my favorite by far
thank you for putting out some good tarping content it's super niche and not many content makers show tarps love keep up the good work
Can you show it setup with a tarp?
Thanks for the suggestion! Maybe I can put together a video on it in the future.
Informative, as usual! I was wondering: What ground sheet do you normally use?
Thanks for the kind words! I'm a big fan of Tyvek if I'm going to carry a ground sheet (which I normally do with DCF floors.) Polycro is just to fragile to be of any real use for punctures.
can anyone recommend a good head-net when just using a sleeping bag as an alternative to a bug bivvy? thank you.
Thanks for the question, Ivan! The Sea To Summit bug headnet seems to be sort of the gold standard. Alternatively, if you're just using it for sleeping you could try more of a pyramid style like the Equinox Mantis.
Go to Maine with the black flys good luck with that😂😂😂
Backpacker about 50 years here. I get the tarp idea, I used them decades ago before "ultra lite" was a thing. Owned the very first Black Diamond Mega Mid in the early 1980's. Always packed light because I was a runner/cyclist and at 6 feet tall, 150 pounds, I was too skinny to carry a 30-40lb pack like my friends. Tarps for shade, cooking, groups, extra space, snow camp, yep. But these days with modern fabrics, and after being driven from the Sierras by mosquitos; watching a Tarantula migration in the desert; Scorpions and mice in the Grand Canyon; I finally found Tarptent, and Henry Shires. Their Preamble tarp model without a floor, has built-in screens and doors, is $199, weight with guylines, stakes, bags, is 581 grams, sets in two minutes. I currently own a ProTrail model that sets up in less than two minutes, and stays dry inside if it starts raining while you set it. I lived in it for two months on the Great Divide route, and a bunch of backpacking. Happy trails. ☮
Thanks for sharing, Mike! I've always been interested in Tarptent and have considered the Protrail a few times. The only reason I haven't picked one up is that I rarely use trekking poles, so a double trekking pole tent ends up being a significant weight hit. I believe you can buy lighter poles for them as well, but lately I've been sticking to single pole tents for this reason.
@@timbschwartz Got it on the xtra poles, the rear pole at the foot is two small pieces, though, and the main folds really small. I think they post the weights for the poles. I've owned MSR's, and Big Agnes, and Tarptent stitching and material is excellent.
Happy trails.