What are you sleeping in?

[Bitterroot Bulls]

All the Eastmans' forums have been very helpful in gaining information, feedback and encouragement. I've found the Eastmans' forum somewhat addicting in finding gems of information. Over the years I've upgraded half a dozen stoves and other various pieces of equipment. The book revisions can't keep up near fast enough for equipment innovation. Now my bigger obstacle, explaining to my wife why I need/want yet another hunting pack and new scope for my gun .

I'll add my bag to the thread, Marmont, Plasma 15, 1 lb 14 oz. I like the bag but the material is so ultra lightweight I worry how durable it will be over time. I'll be upgrading my pad to one Bitteroot Bulls has listed in another thread from a Thermarest Zlite to a Neoair. I use a Outdoor Research Alpine bivy as a solo tent, 1.9 lb. I don't like not having the room to put much in the bivy with me though but it's been a durable tent.

I very nearly bought that Plasma bag. I ended up with the BA Zirkel SL because I love the pad sleeve feature. Check out those Tarptents ... Bivy weights, but with more room.

[hardcore09]

Hey bitterroot, Where's the best place to buy one of those tarptents, they look like the way to go! Ive been looking at getting the Fly Creek UL1 but after you've mentioned the Contrail I'm really liking the looks of it! How long have you been using one and hows it holding up? Thanks for the great Info.

[Bitterroot Bulls]

I purchased mine directly from Tarptent:

http://www.tarptent.com

The only durability issue I have had was I punched a hole through the top of mine through user error. I did not get my trekking pole seated in the grommet before cranking the guy lines down. I fixed it with silicone sealant and spare material from Tarptent. I have used it for three seasons, and it is otherwise like new.

One caveat with Tarptent is you seam seal it yourself with silicone and mineral spirits. It is easy to do, but takes a little time. Instructions on seam sealing are included. I was able to do it myself without trouble. You can also pay Tarptent to do it for you.

You can also buy an inexpensive center pole to use instead of a trekking pole, and it works OK, but the trekking pole is the way to go. I have also used sticks (worked surprisingly well) and just guyed out to an overhead branch. Tarptents are very versatile.

[Kevin Root]

I very nearly bought that Plasma bag. I ended up with the BA Zirkel SL because I love the pad sleeve feature. Check out those Tarptents ... Bivy weights, but with more room.

I did actually check out the Tarptent you have and watched a video on it being setup. It looked like a slick tent. I liked the sleeve option on your bag and looked at getting that actually too. My bivy has a tie for the pad. I change positions a bit at night and did not know if I'd like having the pad in the bag or not. I went with Marmont pretty much having liked their stuff in the past for the most part.

I look out for your posts Bitterroot Bulls. When I see your name on the forum I make sure I look at what you've said. You have some good posts on here! Thanks

[Bitterroot Bulls]

I forgot to mention the one (minor) thing I don't like about the Contrail. The front vestibule closes with Velcro. It is kind of annoying compared to a zipper, but it actually holds better than I thought. I have been in some pretty good winds in that thing without it coming open.

[hardcore09]

Great it sounds like a good system for the backcountry type hunting! Thanks a lot for the info. I think ill be purchasing one soon!

[Bitterroot Bulls]

I did actually check out the Tarptent you have and watched a video on it being setup. It looked like a slick tent. I liked the sleeve option on your bag and looked at getting that actually too. My bivy has a tie for the pad. I change positions a bit at night and did not know if I'd like having the pad in the bag or not. I went with Marmont pretty much having liked their stuff in the past for the most part.

I look out for your posts Bitterroot Bulls. When I see your name on the forum I make sure I look at what you've said. You have some good posts on here! Thanks

Thanks for the kind words, Kevin. Thanks for all you have shared as well. I don't mean to get all sappy, but I think this forum has a real community feel.

As far as the pad sleeve goes, it is really nice when you change positions a lot: I do too. I always ended up off my pad and with my bag twisted around me before I switched to Big Agnes.

[Jon Boy]

How late in the season have you used that tarp tent BB?

[Bitterroot Bulls]

How late in the season have you used that tarp tent BB?

I set it up on a foot of snow once.

[BigSurArcher]

I have an REI sub-kilo that I really enjoy. It's so light and packable, yet warm and cozy down to about 15 degrees. Weight is 1.8 lbs. They are pricey at about $360, but I got mine for about $100 at one of those awesome REI blowout sales. I got it in 2009, and it's held up great (although I use it in a bivy sack much of the time).

I suggest getting a compression sack for whatever you buy if it doesn't come with one. You don't want to store your bag in the compression sack, but when you hit the hills the extra compactness is really nice. Forgive me for stating the obvious here!