Lightweight tent recommendations?

is he a wheezing peg-leg tho..?!

I have used one of the SOL escape bivvys, it has more insulation properties than a standard bivy but it is not waterproof. I found it a little tight, although I did have a sleep pad in it, but I am not big, also the hood was not overly large. I think they now do a large model as an option

I generally use a pertex bivy (the previous version of this) as it offers some rain protection and is very small and light

The Escape ones are their heavier, breathable ones right?

Pertex seems to be the common 'less extreme' option.

340g for the Snugpack

Anyone know where to get SOL Escape OD Green bags in the UK?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Adventure-Medical-Kits-SOL-Escape-Bivvy-Breathable-Respirant-Shelter-OD-/291602146520?hash=item43e4d7a4d8:g:ddIAAOSwbqpTzlZN

This is the list of options and the SOL ones seem to be the best bang for buck, other than perhaps the Alpkit one which I reckon I'd fit into but it's a bit hard without testing all of them. Any reason to go for the Snugpack or Alpkit over the SOL? Or any reason to step up to the costly ones? They're plastic bags right, how much better are they going to be?

Alpkit Hunka, £35, 376g
https://www.alpkit.com/products/hunka

Alpkit Hunka XL, £50, 503g, 23 cm x 27 cm
https://www.alpkit.com/products/hunka-xl
https://www.alpkit.com/images/made/images/products/554/hunkasize_640_480auto.jpg

Snugpack, £55-65, 340g
http://www.snugpak.com/outdoor/accessories/bivvi-bag-2124

RAB Survival Zone Lite, £99, 224g (not waterproof)
http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/equipment-c3/tents-shelters-c25/bivi-bags-c41/survival-zone-lite-ultralight-bivi-bag-p120

RAB Survival Zone, £75, 422g
http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/equipment-c3/tents-shelters-c25/bivi-bags-c41/survival-zone-bivi-p106

SOL emergency bivvy, 107g
http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/survival/shelter/survive-outdoors-longer-emergency-bivvy.html
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adventure-Medical-Kits-Heatsheets%C2%AE-Emergency/dp/B000WXX0JS

SOL Escape Lite breathable bivvy, 155g
http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/survival/survive-outdoors-longer-escape-litetm-bivvy-1.html

620g bivvy
http://www.exped.com/international/en/product-category/bivybags/bivybag-eventpu#prettyPhoto

580g sleeping bag
http://rab.equipment/uk/shop/sleeping-bags/neutrino-200

532g sleeping bag
http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Ultralight-Sleeping-Bag-Reviews/Katabatic-Gear-Palisade-30#Weight-Packed-Size

How warm do you sleep and roughly how much sleep would you plan to have per-night?

For the price you might as well get a Hunka and try it for a few nights, figure out if it's big enough, if it's breathable enough etc. and go from there. As long as you don't trash it, you can probably resell it for ~£30 as they never have them in stock...

If you're thinking of taking a sleeping bag check out PHDesigns, they're probably the best (and lightest) you'll get in this country. The K Series is their racing line, they also have a few bags in the Bargain Box. I've got one that's rated to +5 and weights ~400g. Take the ratings with a pinch of salt, I've been comfortable sleeping at much colder temps in mine and had clothes to spare if needed. For a synthetic option I'm considering the OMM Raid 1.0, as something to use if I'm expecting rain for multiple nights.

Should probably >>>> to the sleeping bag thread for some of this...

How warm do you sleep and roughly how much sleep would you plan to have per-night?

This is what I need to find out. I'm generally sleeping with my missus who is a human oven but when I've camped alone during cycle touring I've been anywhere from comfortable to very cold in the summer in Europe - I think it was close to a river the one time I was very cold so could've had some windchill or maybe I was low on energy? No idea what temps these were though and I'm not yet sure of what temps TransAm might get down to.

I don't really want to go and buy £1000s worth of bivvys/bags/down jackets to test out just to find what works but it's so personal I think that might be what I end up doing. My current 1-man setup is too big to use (Macpac tent, 3/4 thermarest, cheapish summer down bag)

There's a sleeping bag thread? merges all into 'sleeping outdoors' thread

Fook it. I've ordered a Hunka. It's basically the cheapest (non-emergency) option so I may as well start there. Try it out at home and if it sucks, try the next price level up. I wanted the less bright one but they are out so got a red one which goes faster.

Did you get the XL? I barley fit in the normal one. When I have slept in it i woke up soaking from pespiration (not piss). Also It's open to the elements so you will get eaten alive by mossies.

I've one in my loft you could have borrowed. I'd REALLY recommend if you take a bivvy, take one with a zip, so you can enclose yourself properly from the wind and rain, but also mozzies. If you're taking a bivvy, s few more hundred grams on one thats GOOD is worth it. That way, when you do use it to sleep, you will be able to sleep.

For a sleeping bag. Get a PHD half bag or full bag. They're good priced and light weight. I got a mountain equiptment on a banging deal, but would have bought PHD otherwise. If buying a down coat, then just get a half bag and wear down coat.

Edit: @andy_k said that already.

You're over 6' though, right?

I just figured I'd start with the cheapest first and see what its limitations were then upgrade. I actually liked the sound of the SOL Escape - most people seem to rate it well considering its price.

Half bag? Never heard of 'em but then I've not started looking at bags or down jackets yet.

I need to unpack my current bag and see what it's like. Pretty sure it's just a summer down bag.

There's Rab Storm eVent bivis for £60 but they're twice the weight and twice the price and I still don't know if they're any good for me. I'm not sure I'd want to be totally covered - bit claustrophobic, no?
http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/rab-rab-storm-bivi-d1112046?id_colour=

Survival Zone £80 and 440g but doesn't have face covered.
http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/rab-survival-zone-bivi-d1112105?id_colour=

Survival Zone Lite £110, 200g but no face cover and not waterproof
http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/rab-survival-zone-lite-bivi-d1112069?id_colour=

Wasn't length, was girth that was the issue. It's like a coffin. Wasn't good to sleep in.

By all means. You can try my Rab Ascent if you want. It's roomy. eVent. And got a zip. I slept in it for 3 weeks and slept great every night.

Tbh think about WHERE you will use it. You won't sleep out in the rain, so it doesn't need to be waterproof. You will probebrly sleep somewhere sheltered from the wind, so it doesn't need to be very wind proof. You will want protection from insects and creepie crawlies, so it needs to zip up or have mozzie net. But you will possibly be out in the cold, so it does need to be insulating.

Think about what you NEED it to do for you. Then find one that meets those characteristics.

If you're sleeping out in the wind and rain, you're doing it wrong.

Being totally covered is best. You're safe from the mozzies! And from the wind. And the creepie crawlies.

If you're sleeping out in the wind and rain, you're doing it wrong.

This will totally be me.

I'm ok with bugs - I grew up in Oz man. :)

Anyway, let me test the Hunka and if it sucks I'll get a Rab Ascent next mumble five times the feckin price grumble

I'd try Lael Wilcox's tactics:

"Her sleeping system consisted of a Western Mountaineering Summerlite sleeping bag and a Western Mountaineering HotSac, a VBL which doubles in this situation as an emergency bivy. This is equipment which she has been using for years. The sleeping bag has a busted zipper and the fabric is ragged and fragile. It has been repaired by hand in many places. On at least one night, she slept in her helmet, which she discovered was a comfortable solution to supporting her head and staying off the ground. She did not pack a sleeping pad."

"Lael never showered, never slept indoors, and only sat down to one meal, in Pie Town"

That's my 'diner eating frenzy' out the window :( May as well not bother.

http://www.westernmountaineering.com/sleep-accessories/hotsac-vbl/

VBL

? something Body Liner?

Did she not have anything outside the sleeping bag? Doesn't that just end up trashing your bag?

540g
http://www.westernmountaineering.com/sleeping-bags/extremelite-series/summerlite/

Doesn't that just end up trashing your bag?

depends what you sleep on, if you're on a bench or a piece of concrete or something then the bag should be fine. if you're on rocky ground you can clear a space to sleep pretty easily too

Did she not have anything outside the sleeping bag?

No, you can find cover for the rain in most places, and if you're cold wear all your clothes inside if you need to.

Might try this setup after I've had a go with a bivvy bag.

I could also do what she does but supplement it with an emergency bivvy, to protect the sleeping bag and add another few degrees of warmth.

The UK equivalent of the WM Summerlite is probably a PhD bag

No real equivalent of the VBL but I'd use a Rab Survival Zone bivi

Cheers. Do the Brits not do this VBL thing for inside the bag? I have a silk liner in my current bag but it doesn't do the same thing as the VBL = Vapor Barrier Liner, btw, hippy.

I tell a lie! PHD make one themselves

However it seems VBLs are only recommended for really cold conditions so no need for one in most cycling applications

Try it out at home

at least sleep outdoors in it..

I just won a PhD 0 deg. superlight bag on eBay for about half the price of a new one. If it doesn't work for me once it arrives you're welcome to it for what I paid?

Yeah and this description of how to use one makes it sound like a ballache. I think I prefer the idea of the bag being protected by a bivvy anyway.

That's the plan. Either down in the garden or on my balcony-type-thing, maybe in the middle of the nearby park if I'm a bit too obvious lying in the yard.

Yeah, thanks, please do keep me in mind if you want rid of it.