As with many aspects of ultralight hunting there are descisions that have to be made. The chicice is yours – “do I want comfort or light weight?” Seldom can we have both.

The decision as to the shelter system you chose is the one which has the potential for the biggest impact on comfort and weight. Comfort and weight usually go hand in hand.

A tent will by far provide the greatest amount of protection from the elements.  Using a bivy sack has the greatest amount of weight saving potential.

Most bivy sacks, essentially a waterproof bag your sleeping bag fits in to, provide the lightest solution. There are many bivy sacks to chose from weighing 1 – 2 pounds. Many hunters will use a bvy sack in congunction with a small waterproof silicone impregnated nylon tarp. This system provides a light weight environment that will protect your sleeping bag and give you some shelter for your gear. My current bivy shelter system weighs only 1 lbs 9 oz.

However, with a bivy sack you may want to include a tarp for added protection. The tarp I use is made by Integral Designs and measures 5′ x 8′ and weighs only 8 oz. The tarp is made out of a light weight version of silicone impregnted nylon. This is what many manufactures use for single wall ultralight weight tents.

Another possible solution is a tent. These come in single and double wall versions, each of which has their pluses and minuses.

A double wall tent is what most of use grew up using. There is the tent material itself and a rain fly the covers the tent and provides protection from the rain and other outside elements.

A big benefit to using a double wall tent is that most of these tents can be used in a “fast pack” mode. Leave the tent at home and use only the rain fly, poles and footprint. A footprint is a  piece of waterproof material that fits under the tent protecting the bottom of the tent from sharp rocks and sticks. This combination can provide a fairly lightweight shelter system and adequit protection.

A single wall tent combines the tent and rain fly into 1 element.  A single wall tent can weigh in as light as just under 3 lbs. As the name implies there is only one layer of material which incorporates the tent and fly into a single layer, which is waterproof. This is a real advantage for weight savings.. There are a few things to look for if a single wall tent is the way you plan to go.

A design which provides good ventilation is important for any tent, and especially so for a single wall design. You can exhale nearly a quart of water during the night and that moisture has to go somewhere. This is what ends up on the interior walls of your tent. One touch and your attempts to stay dry have been for naught.

In order to save weight many manufacturers do not make their tents free standing.  In either a single or double wall tent consider getting one which is free standing. As the description implies, the tent stands free on its own and needs no stakes to make the tent stand. A free standing tent can be easily moved after its setup. One that requires stakes and cord is a little harder to move to a different spot in you camp should you chose to move.

A free standing tent is nearly a must if you’ll be camping in rocky or snow covered terrain since there is usually less to drive stakes in to.

A vestibule is also something you’ll want to consider. The vestibule is a small covered area associated with the entrance to the tent. This is a great place to store some of your gear out of any weather. In an attempt to save weight some single wall free standing tents don’t offer this option.

So, which is the best option? That desision is up to you. Budget, weight and comfort are the factors you’ll want to weigh.

If you’ll be hunting alone on a consistant basis perhaps a bivy sack or a single wall 1 man tent is the solution. If there is a high liklihood of fowl weather a tent would be a safe bet. Otherwise, a bivy sack, since its the lightest, is my choice.

If you’re going to be hunting with a partner, sharing the load of a 2 man tent might be the best option for you.