I have three shelter options I am looking at. I already own some of these but I am always looking to improve my set-up. I am using a down quilt/bag (altered 30° bag) a ¾ closed cell foam pad and 2 trekking poles for set-up. Let me know of your opinions, preferences and experiences with these kits.

Option 1
1. Spinn Shelter = 8.8oz
2. Polycryo Ground Cloth = 1.5oz
3. 8 Ti Stakes = 1.75oz
4. 50ft Gossamer Gear EZC 2 Line = 1.5 oz
Total = 13.55oz

This option is the lightest. It should give plenty of storm protection but does not have the added warmth of a bivy sack. I generally sleep pretty warm, but the option to go earlier in the spring and later in the fall would be nice.

Option 2
1. MSR E-Wing (tarp) = 6.7oz
2. MSR E-Bivy = 9oz
3. 6 Ti Stakes = 1.2oz
4. 25ft Gossamer Gear EZC 2 Line = .75 oz
Total = 17.65oz

This option gives me the added warmth of a bivy sack. It is light but a little small (44sq ft) and gives me almost no set-up option (no “A-frame” set-up for really bad weather).

Option 3
1. Spinn Twinn Tarp = 8.6oz
2. MSR E-Bivy = 9oz
3. 8 Ti Stakes = 1.75oz
4. 25ft Gossamer Gear EZC 2 Line = .75 oz
Total = 20.1oz

This option is larger but is also the heaviest. It gives me plenty of set-up options and the added warmth of the bivy sack.

Edited by notu on 01/05/2010 15:06:10 MST.

Well, the fully enclosed spinnshelter would alleviate the need for a bivy both in storm protection and in draft stopping(adding warmth).

If money's not a major deciding factor, I'd toss out the E-wing option.

I'd also spend $10 more and get a Ti Goat Ptarmigan bivy at only 6oz. I really like mine with the full head net option for an extra ounce. It doesn't appear the e-bivy even has a tie loop for pulling the fabric off your face.

After that, it depends. Do you want total storm protection? Do you want open views?

Justin,

Option 1: has no bivy, so you might want to use a Spinn Twinn for more coverage and venting. You're probably going to get a lot of condensation in the Spinn Shelter and have no bivy to help keep things dry.

Option 2: Can't speak to the MSR stuff, but does the wing provide many pitiching options?

Option 3: with the bivy, you can move down to something lighter and smaller than a Spinn Twinn. Like a poncho/tarp to do double duty as rain gear. Also note that the Spinn Twinn has a catenary cut, so A-Frame is pretty much your only pitching option. I have a Spinn Twinn and it is a great piece of equipment. But it is not my go to shelter. Normally I use a MLD Soul Side Zip bivy with a MLD ProSil poncho/tarp. Other times I go without the bivy and take the much larger Spinn Twinn. I just got the Spinn Twinn a couple months ago, and have used it a lot.

For what it is worth I have a SpinnShelter and although I have only used it for seven months, I really like it. It is pretty big inside and you would have no problem with your bag touching the walls of the shelter. I leave mine open if conditions allow, but have seen quite a bit of rain in it (I got 7" of rain in 48 hours on one trip!) and haven't had any condensation inside with it buttoned up although I have never pitched it right to the ground.

The E-Bivy is an emergency shelter only. It is not breathable, and you *will* wet out your insulation in it. There are plenty of other breathable options in that price range. Consider the Montbell UL Bivy, the Ptarmigan Bivy, an Event bivy from Integral Designs....but this setup is just not going to work for more than one, maybe two nights, especially in weather.

I may be weird but I don't hike for the views. They don't do anything for me. So I would go for storm protection.

What about this option?:

1. Spinn Shelter = 8.8oz
2. Equinox Sprawler Bivi = 6.0 oz
3. 8 Terra Nova Titanium 2g Tent Stakes = 0.6 oz
4. Backpacking Light Aircore PRO Dyneema Guyline Cord Kit = 1.1 oz
Total = 16.5 oz

Bivi: https://www.end2endtrailsupply.com/Bivies.html

Stakes: http://www.gearzone.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=265%2D26102%2D1&CartID=3

You will not need a bivy for protection from the elements in the SpinnShelter unless you just want to use one. I might suggest something like a SMD Meteor Bivy or MLD Serenity Shelter/Alpinelite Bug Tent with the SpinnShelter during bug season.

Claude, I found the Equinox bivy too constricting for my Western Mountaineering Ultralight (20*F/-7*C) sleeping bag. I was actually warmer without it. It would be OK for a warmer bag with less loft. I'd get the Ti Goat Ptarmigan bivy, which is wider, and you can get a bug net put into it.

Edited by hikinggranny on 02/02/2010 15:15:53 MST.

Mary, do you place a sleeping pad inside the equinox when the WM bag didn't fit? Just curious.

Most of the discussion seems to center around solo shelter systems. I never travel alone. When considering shelter systems for two, i have found the TarpTents (if have and orignial squall and a cloudburst) provide excellent protection for less than 17 oz per person.

No, my pad (NeoAir at the time, but I've since returned it) was not inside the Equinox bivy. If you want to put a 2.5" thick air pad in a bivy, you need a pretty wide one and should contact the manufacturer to find out what will work.