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Post by doglovingjim on Jul 29, 2018 21:47:33 GMT 10
Not sure if this counts towards the off-grid living section (since maybe it refers to bugging out to a planned location compared to constantly being on the move) or the gear section... But I'll give it a bite here anyway. Say your bug out location is compromised and you have to be on the move, of the choices what would be the most essential for your bug-out-bag when you're out roughing it without the chance of solid-shelter.
-A common tarp you can turn into a shelter (or use to collect water), light-weight and can be easily stored.
-A tent (in which case what type you swear by and why), some prefer lighter tents whereas others want more durable and therefore heavier.
-A hammock (something I've been hearing a lot recently for some reason, as it keeps them off the ground when they sleep, I don't get it though since you might not always have two trees nearby).
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feralemma
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Post by feralemma on Jul 30, 2018 0:10:23 GMT 10
I'd say a hammock would go in the same category as paracord....massively over-rated, not always the best tool for the job and taking up room something more useful could occupy.
Tent or tarp/hootchie is more a personal choice. Tent provides better protection against the elements and animals. Tarp is probably lighter and easier to carry and more versatile.
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Post by Peter on Jul 30, 2018 20:10:30 GMT 10
Not to mention a hammock needs 2 things to hang from...
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Post by WolfDen on Jul 30, 2018 20:43:30 GMT 10
Tarps always good to have, even as addition to whatever your shelter is.
Try to get a colour that doesn't stand out. Fits in where you might be set up.
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ml8300
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Post by ml8300 on Jul 30, 2018 23:20:08 GMT 10
Tarps always good to have, even as addition to whatever your shelter is. Try to get a colour that doesn't stand out. Fits in where you might be set up. Hmmmm, where can I fit in with my trusty blue tarp??? |
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Post by Peter on Jul 30, 2018 23:37:39 GMT 10
Tarps always good to have, even as addition to whatever your shelter is. Try to get a colour that doesn't stand out. Fits in where you might be set up. Hmmmm, where can I fit in with my trusty blue tarp??? The Ocean? |
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Post by WolfDen on Jul 31, 2018 8:12:50 GMT 10
Hmmmm, where can I fit in with my trusty blue tarp??? The Ocean? Out on a boat, hahahaa. |
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grumble
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Post by grumble on Jul 31, 2018 18:11:01 GMT 10
I think to a large degree the environment you live in will play a part in influencing what you like to use
when I was bumming around the savannah country a tarp and swag was perfect
in the tropics especially deep in the rainforest it was a hammock all the way up off the ground from the creepy crawlies , water and ants plus great for the lack of level ground and more than enough trees to tie onto
down here in the cold place I'm tents all the way because its cold and windy so its nice to bunker down in something that a bit more solid plus it also keeps the snakes and bugs off you in summer
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Post by spinifex on Jul 31, 2018 19:29:16 GMT 10
I'm with grumble ... depends on environment.
If you're in coastal tropical a tent would be essential to survival in the face of swarms of sandflies. Even the trusty Yolngu up in Arnhem Land spent large amounts of daily life (at certain times of year) inside smoke filled bark humpies to get relief from insect attack.
Ditto in many inland areas ... in summer you might just want a tent to have a bit of refuge from the clouds of flies. Don't underestimate how demoralizing constant insect attack is.
But ... a tarp can be a lot more versatile as a 'tool'. Like DLJ points out for water collection. And also water carriage. Also could be used as a sling to carry stuff in. Easier to cut strips off to make things from. Can use if for a ground sheet to collect tree seeds (eg thats how wattle seed is still commercially collected.) I guess a big thing about a tarp for shelter is that you can keep it lower to the ground, and without walls, all-round visibility is better (if security is an issue.) You can see targets and shoot out without opening anything.
I suppose a tarp can essentially be used as a hammock as well. Just a bit sweaty if its hot!
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Post by SA Hunter on Sept 18, 2018 15:46:52 GMT 10
Bivvy bag for me. It's a tent and a tarp in one.
Though it isn't an option here its what I would grab. Otherwise a tarp.
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Post by doglovingjim on Feb 7, 2019 18:15:50 GMT 10
What do you guys think about swags? Low to the ground so less visibility, built like mini-tents, waterproof. Easy (presumably) to just roll up and go.
Been reading about those and considering to get one.
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Pion
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Post by Pion on Feb 7, 2019 19:14:03 GMT 10
Your basically talking about a bivvy bag Jim, that by its nature is made with old-school materials (not decrying them!); it will leak, if not now then tomorrow (once wet they weigh a ton; a bit like the comparison between a down sleeping bag and a modern synthetic hollow-fibre bag)...
A modern bivvy bag will allow you to use it (without necessarily have a sleeping bag) in all conditions (wind, rain, flooding even), will keep the pests out, and at a quarter of the weight and mass (at a pinch you can stuff some into a combat pants thigh pocket) compared to a swag...
Just my thoughts
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ml8300
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Post by ml8300 on Feb 7, 2019 20:38:05 GMT 10
Even dry they are not the easiest to carry over any distance, back of the fourby though, bloody comfy.
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Post by spinifex on Feb 9, 2019 7:49:59 GMT 10
What do you guys think about swags? Low to the ground so less visibility, built like mini-tents, waterproof. Easy (presumably) to just roll up and go. Been reading about those and considering to get one. Spent many years using a swag in the central deserts - one with an insect screen. They're good in that environment if you don't have to carry them and you have plenty of cargo space. In wet and windy conditions they suck. |
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Post by doglovingjim on Feb 9, 2019 12:41:54 GMT 10
What do you guys think about swags? Low to the ground so less visibility, built like mini-tents, waterproof. Easy (presumably) to just roll up and go. Been reading about those and considering to get one. Spent many years using a swag in the central deserts - one with an insect screen. They're good in that environment if you don't have to carry them and you have plenty of cargo space. In wet and windy conditions they suck. How much did yours weigh? Since there is a consensus here that these things are not to be carried on your person so I figure they must be heavy. Bivvy bag or hammock would probably be the lightest (unless they make smaller tarps then the ones I'm fond of). |
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spatial
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Post by spatial on Feb 9, 2019 13:22:52 GMT 10
Hammock with tarp has the least weight. Unless there is very cold temp. Hammock in the northern hemispheres is considered only for 3 seasons.
With hammock one should also get an under-quilt. Like with a tent one should get a sleeping pad. The only negative thing with hammock is there needs to be trees or anchor points.
I personally have gone for hammock. The best vids I have found on the question.
I watch this guys channel - it is dramatise and overdone but useful.
The technical differences, cost, weight
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Post by spinifex on Feb 9, 2019 15:52:03 GMT 10
Spent many years using a swag in the central deserts - one with an insect screen. They're good in that environment if you don't have to carry them and you have plenty of cargo space. In wet and windy conditions they suck. How much did yours weigh? Since there is a consensus here that these things are not to be carried on your person so I figure they must be heavy. Bivvy bag or hammock would probably be the lightest (unless they make smaller tarps then the ones I'm fond of). My smaller one is 8kg and is a 70cm wide X 50cm diameter cylinder when rolled up tight. It's got both a 70mm matress plus a thermarest in it. Also that weight is without a sleeping bag or blankets. My larger one would have to be 12kg. and be 90cm wide X 70cm diameter when rolled up. It has a thick and very comfortable matress in it. If I had to push off on foot I'd take a 2 person free standing tent, (something lightweight such as hikers use), and a sleeping bag. Reason being I want to be able to seal out flies, mosquitos and sandflies while I prepare tucker and eat. get some lightweight camo net to throw over it. |
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