View Full Version : Lightest Shelter
Hey guys, I am looking for the warmest/lightest shelter possible for my stay in the Swedish forests.
Should I go for a hammock or a bivvy?
the Hennessey Explorer Delux Hammock looks pretty cool tbh =D
thx
Hammock_man
18-03-2009, 14:28
As soon as you say forest I jump right into the hammock camp. It may add a little bit of weight but the comfort factor is much higher. The new DD hammock and Tarp dont weigh much and are cheaper than a Hennessey.
Andy2112
18-03-2009, 14:29
I'd go hammock and tarp, gets you off the ground, seat in the day bed at night, mozzie net, tarp for when its raining etc.
Hennessey are nice but DD are cheaper.
beat me to it, must type faster. lol
w00dsmoke
18-03-2009, 14:36
Whatever you decide, please do make the effort and travel up to the west coast of Scotland, somewhere not too remote and try it for a week or two first to see how you get on. It will inform every night out afterwards that you intend to have.
WS
forestwalker
18-03-2009, 18:43
I would suggest against the hammock. In the summer it might work fine (I've never gotten along witht them myself), but for winter you want plenty of insulation underneath yourself.
In your case I'd pick a shelter that could work with a fire/stove/firebox inside or in front. Easy to say "tentipi 5 or 7 in polycotton", but that is pricy... Make something yourself?
Wouldnt it be heavy to carry around though?
Hammock_man
18-03-2009, 19:03
Forestwalker makes a good point but a Closed Cell Foam mat can be fitted into the double bottom skin of a DD.
The DD web site has all the weights and "Paddys" video on the web site explains all the features.
I'd get a wall tent made from a lightweight fabric, you could use IPK shelter sheets as they are waterproof and very robust. I seem to remember you said you were going for a long trip, having the ability to stand up in your shelter and light a fire in front is a bonus you will be happy of come the colder months. If you are a dab hand with a sewing machine, then I'd imagine some good strong polyester thread and a denim needle would go through the IPK sheets with ease. It doesn't have to be complicated, in fact I have been thinking on making one myself for some time now. As they come in green, IPK sheets will help you blend in too.
gunslinger
18-03-2009, 19:29
Very interesting. I bought three IPKs because they were only £1.99 each. The idea was always to join them together but didnt really know how to join and seal the join.
So any ideas welcomed
GS
Very interesting. I bought three IPKs because they were only £1.99 each. The idea was always to join them together but didnt really know how to join and seal the join.
So any ideas welcomed
GS
I'd stitch the walls to the roof but leave a good overhang on the roof, so that the walls are a good few inches from the edge. No doubt there is a silicine based sealant that could be used to smear over the stitching and make the shelter waterproof, but even if it did leak it would be at the edges as there aren't any stitches in the middle of the roof area, so you won't get wet. You could put an eyelet on each corner of the roof and tie it out lioke a tarp at an angle to give the roof the correct run off, and then have pegging loops on the bottom of the walls to peg the walls down or leave them out to put the walls up and leave the air to circulate through.
w00dsmoke
18-03-2009, 21:27
IPK sheets are very easy to stitch and the seam is easy to waterproof.
I have sewn a couple together using and ordinary household sewing machine using "Jeans" needles. I used an ordinary running stitch to hold it then a zig zag to strengthen it. Sealed it with UHU glue from the poundshop.
Easy peasy.
G
Tarp & DD with a mat. The latest DD's are made to be used as a midge net bivvy whilst laying on the floor (imo waterproof & stronger nylon than the older versions). So basically you'll have the best of both world. Midge protection is essential.
wentworth
18-03-2009, 23:08
I love the comfort of my hammock, but the aren't the lightest option, and the do take a bit of experimentation to keep warm.
For light and warm, I'd suggest a bivi and tarp combo. With a bivi, you don't need a huge tarp, a 5 foot by 7 foot would do. If you go ultralight, you could get a tarp and bivi weighing under half a kg together.
You can still do light and warm in a hammock! Search for the StarCocoon hammock quilt and you'll find Wanderinstar's latest design to fit around a hammock - replaces sleeping bag, no sleeping pad required, no compression of insulation below the sleeper, tested & confirmed comfortable down to -10C! OK I am a bit biased but cannot wait for mine to arrive - I don't think a hammock system can be beaten for comfort and versatility, and this bit of kit means you can handle pretty much any UK weather for a decent weight
A real, double, woolen blanket is all you need if you're a traditionalist. Warm, waterproof (ish) and comfortable to carry.
If light weight is the goal og to a DIY shop and buy the thickest plastic painter's dust sheet you can find
Also a Hammock could probably save my life in case of a bear or wolves attack haha.
http://www.tamarackgroup.co.uk/acatalog/Hammocks.html
the Hennessey Explorer Delux Hammock really really tickles my fancy but I guess its just because it looks kinda cool XD
I do need to get my priorities right
Are you planning to explore on foot or have a base camp somewhere Tristan ?
What season are you going ?
I think I have no other choice than walking around, I dont think I need to move too much every time I move do I?
also I am planning to spend at least 2 seasons out (summer and autumn) and then see how I cope with the autumn to know whether or not I feel able to stay during the summer.
I would probably move down south though.
I have the Hennesy Explorer Deluxe and 'supershelter' and while cannot say I've used it down to silly cold temperatures - I have used it down to around -5 quite happily.
There's a review (http://hennessyhammock.com/benreynoldsreview.html) of it on their site, where apparently it was used down to -18C...
the pictures on the review dont look like the picture on tamarack website =s
http://www.tamarackgroup.co.uk/acatalog/Hammocks.html (down at the bottom)
Chinkapin
19-03-2009, 06:13
If you want my advice, for God's sake, please do not attempt to spend the winter in Sweden in a tent. You will probably die, unless there is a warm house nearby that you can flee to in an emergency. An insulated bottomed hammock is going to be suspended with frigid air circulating all around it. A tent with a fire built outside is essentially a tent with no fire. The only tent I can imagine that would possibly work would be an Indian teepee. (I suppose, but do not know, that the Laplander teepee is made very similarly. The Indian teepee is quite large, double walled up about 4 feet. and you build the fire INSIDE. The Indians used several buffalo robes to lay on and to cover up with. Drawback: Expensive, and takes several people to erect. Difficult to move. Go in the spring, or the summer or the fall, but forget the winter until you have the equipment and the knowledge base to pull this off. You need a lot of food to get the calories to maintain your body temperature in subartic conditions, yet you imply that your budget is somewhat limited. If you calculate the food needed to spend a year in the woods you are going to be shocked. Don't think that you can live off "the fat of the land." Experienced hunters oftentimes have no luck finding game. Even if you could, you can't just eat meat. You need vegetables. Think about this very carefully: What are my skills? what are my resources? what is my knowledge level regarding surviving alone in the subartic woods?
forestwalker
19-03-2009, 08:39
If you want my advice, for God's sake, please do not attempt to spend the winter in Sweden in a tent. You will probably die, unless there is a warm house nearby that you can flee to in an emergency.
In the regions he's talking I would not expect it to get colder the -20 C except very occationally, winter would probably be 0-- -10C most of the time.
An insulated bottomed hammock is going to be suspended with frigid air circulating all around it. A tent with a fire built outside is essentially a tent with no fire.
One could make somthing like a baker tent (or some similar) and get use from the fire.
The only tent I can imagine that would possibly work would be an Indian teepee. (I suppose, but do not know, that the Laplander teepee is made very similarly. The Indian teepee is quite large, double walled up about 4 feet. and you build the fire INSIDE. The Indians used several buffalo robes to lay on and to cover up with.
A lavu is similar to a tipi, but lacks the liner and the smoke flaps. They'll work, but will get smokier.
Drawback: Expensive, and takes several people to erect. Difficult to move.
You can sew one from cheapish canvas for about 1-200 pounds. Not very compex. Poles are the killer; you need to cut them locally or have a vehicle. A 12-14 foot tipi can be erected by one person in 30 minutes,
The plan is doable, in the regions we are talking about roads, houses and stores are never very far apart.
Heh thank you for caring.
Do no worry, I might not be the most experienced, but I am not naive neither.
If ever I stay during the winter which is not even sure, I would spend it down south and not too far from a village.
Also, I am going to work during the summer which will make me able to spend about £1000 on good equipment. Most of it will got to shelter and clothing.
the pictures on the review dont look like the picture on tamarack website =s
http://www.tamarackgroup.co.uk/acatalog/Hammocks.html (down at the bottom)
Agreed, but the deluxe does not look like that. have a look at the catalogue (http://hennessyhammock.com/catalogue.html) page on the Hennesy site and you will see (if you click on the enlarged photo+spec's it displays the same immage for both the Deluxe and the Ultralite - so that is probably where the error has arrisen from.)
This is my deluxe:
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn113/T11tch/IMAGE_00004.jpg
Aussiepom
20-03-2009, 04:03
If I were doing your trip, I'd go the hammock route without doubt. Apart from any other reason, the increased comfort would reduce the effects of fatigue over a prolonged trip. However, 2 points here:
1). If your priority really is the lightest setup possible, go with bivi and tarp.
2). You seem to be a hammocking novice. What Woodsmoke & Wentworth said is really crucial: Hammocks are a great way of sleeping in the outdoors, but you really do have to have a bit of practice using a 'cold weather' hammock setup.
If you are unable to head up to Scotland, one workaround could be to start practising in your back garden (or wherever), and sleep with little clothing on - this way any potential faults in your hammock system will be highlighted, for you to rectify.