Thread: Light weight fly camping

If got a budget off round $300ish to set up a 1 man fly camping options for bush country what would yous be light bivy bag & fly to me looks best or a heavier hooped bivy bag no fly looks good till its wet or one off those one man single wall tents from intents or if you got other option throw them out thanks guys

Look at the Huntec 2 man bivvy as there a solid wee unit... had mine in the Kaimanawas to Fiordland tops in some seriously shitty rain / lightning / thunder storms and stayed fine.

Another option is a siltarp 2 or 3 man fly, Ex US Army goretex bivy bag and a exped inflatable mattress.

If money is a real issue then grab a blue plastic tarp from the warehouse for a couple of dollars.

I've slept under the stars a few times but it's nice to have that added security of something overhead incase the weather turns during the night.

Invest in a good mat it's amazing how much heat you lose soaking into the ground.

Not a fan of bivy bags, like to be able to sit up and have a coffee and stay out of the weather, as others have said warehouse tarp does a good job for the price

A good mat is a must.
I use either a 2 man Naturehike Mongar tent, use outer only if wanted. Or a 3x3m tarp, can make a couple of different small tent configurations depending on environment, or just use as a tarp if warmer and dry.

dannyb did a good write up on an intents one man tent not long ago.
https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....-review-54353/
Huntech or stoney creek bivvy are good options too

Originally Posted by 223nut

Invest in a good mat it's amazing how much heat you lose soaking into the ground.

Not a fan of bivy bags, like to be able to sit up and have a coffee and stay out of the weather, as others have said warehouse tarp does a good job for the price

And the cheap blue ones are the lightest. No need for the heavier duty tarp unless it's on the ground.

Originally Posted by ROKTOY

A good mat is a must.
I use either a 2 man Naturehike Mongar tent, use outer only if wanted. Or a 3x3m tarp, can make a couple of different small tent configurations depending on environment, or just use as a tarp if warmer and dry.

dannyb did a good write up on an intents one man tent not long ago.
https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....-review-54353/
Huntech or stoney creek bivvy are good options too

After fly camping with @akaroa1 I'll be investing in a siltarp or if I can find one a dynedma/cuben fiber tarp absolutely next level in light weight camping.
Still love my tent but for summer camping the lightweight tarps are next level.

I have a Huntec 2 man Bivvy you can have for $112 (the 12 for tracked post
That with a Bivvy Bag and mat is perfect setup
Prob a Army Bivvy bag and a Wish or Ebay matt and you be around that $300

Ive found the best Fly’s are actually tent outers with the inner wall/ floor part removed and left at home .
My Macpac Microlite is fantastically light and in combo with some builders paper ground sheet ( with the inner removed and a small piece of ground sheet the total weight is very light) it really pays for itself when the weather really turns to shit .
A basic open ended Fly is great until the wind turns gale force and either the rain blows in horizontal, or the Fly disappears over the horizon never to be seen again . When that happens it always seems to be 2 o’clock in the morning and apart from being really uncomfortable it can be straight out dangerous.

Here’s a pic of my Fly and even though its not obvious it was bloody wet for four days and inside that little Fly was the only place that was dry and comfortable.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...71a34c4dEPRYpL

I use Snugpak kit, have a few of their jackets and sleeping bags. I have this fly, but don't use it in the shape they have in pic. This site takes off the VAT at shopping basket.

https://www.outdoorgb.com/p/Snugpak_...er_Shelter_G2/

If you can get a 3mx3m fly down to around 700g it is worthwhile, just use a sleeping mat on the ground
It beats a bivvy bag out in the open as you can sit up and make a brew etc

presumably this is for bush hunting only as you'd need hoops and a walking pole if there are no trees to hitch it to

Rather than poles I use stretchies looped around a round pebble with the fly fabric wrapped around it - you all know that trick

Keep an eye on weight as my tent is only 1kg including the footprint so there's not that much between a fly and a tent


A standalone tent can be pitched on flat ground whereas a fly tied to a tree usually involves uneven ground from all the tree roots

I have used a Huntech fly sheet for many years in the worst kind of weather, sleeping on the ground is a very good insulator, I usually make a layer of ferns or whatever is handy. I have a decent tent but I don't like not being able to see out.

Siltarp fly and an exped UL synmat is what ive used for quite a few years now. Its a really good combo, light, takes up minimal room and you can set up a cosy camp almost anywhere. No need for a bivy bag at all. Unless you just want to get your sleeping bag damp with condensation

Man there is a lot ways to set up a fly thanks for that minms2

Yeah just a find a good silnylon tarp. 9x7 is a good versatile size while still being light. You don't really need a bivy but they are good for knocking the wind off and keeping the bugs at bay during the summer. I use a borah gear bivy, super light. I've also got a cheapo bug net tent thing I use as well for summer. Works mint and was about 30 bucks