Thoughts please

[Adjee]

Not sure if this should be posted here or elsewhere so I will leave it up to the Moderators to relocate this post if required.

I hope the following makes sense:

I am looking at setting up our 2 x Emergency/Bug Out/Relocating Bags (1 for my partner and 1 for myself) from scratch. The equipment will also be used on a regular basis so must be functionable rather than just fashionable.

First item/area we are looking into is the shelter aspect.

After much discussion we have a major difference of opinion on these two options:

A two person tent or 2 x hooped bivy tents plus tarps for extra protection if required.

Area they would be used in is a mixture of farm land, scrub land and forests at varying altitudes but none extreme. 

I am leaning towards the bivvies as I prefer individual gear as experience has taught me that if anything happens to the party carrying a shared item it then places the other surviving party at risk. Also bivvies are lower to the ground so blend into the landscape better even with a covering tarp. 

It has been a long time since we have used either so any thoughts people can share on this debate would be appreciated. 

[Yorkshire Andy]

I've a goretex hopped bivvy

Similar to this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186785100039 ... media=COPY

Not the lightest but robust

[pseudonym]

If you are bugging out, a 2 person tent is better

More space to hold you both and all your kit, cuddle up for warmth, cook in etc.

And if you are bugging out, you are probably doing a watch system where one sleeps when the other is on guard.

[Nurseandy]

I hike & wild camp on a weekly basis in north Scotland year round. Bivvy & tarp is my preferred option for a one nighters. Anything longer than that unless it's mid summer I take a small tent due to irritation of lack of space and everything always getting a bit damp in bivvies.

[GillyBee]

How much time do you spend apart? If you are joined at the hip then a shared tent makes sense. If you spend a lot of time apart (work etc) then it may lead to one of you being short of shelter if you are split up.
Would one tent and one tarp make more sense?

[Adjee]

Thanks for your responses.

I've a goretex hopped bivvy

Similar to this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186785100039 ... media=COPY

Not the lightest but robust

I actually looked at these and the British Army version which I know is reliable. Also have the Snugpak Ionosphere listed.

If you are bugging out, a 2 person tent is better

More space to hold you both and all your kit, cuddle up for warmth, cook in etc.

And if you are bugging out, you are probably doing a watch system where one sleeps when the other is on guard.

That is my partners view summed up.

Whilst walking the goats today (in an absolute downpour!) she recited a list of tents she has in mind Vango Banshee, Alpkit (something), Nortent vern 2 are three I can remember.

I will start researching them over the coming week, she is heading back to the UK soon and can bring back whatever we decide on.

Still open to any other suggestions of tent/bivy recommendations/experiences etc.

How much time do you spend apart? If you are joined at the hip then a shared tent makes sense. If you spend a lot of time apart (work etc) then it may lead to one of you being short of shelter if you are split up.
Would one tent and one tarp make more sense?

Possibly, but you stated my main concern there, seperated or worse case scenario killed (sound dramatic but.......). Without shelter you are facing a serious issue.

Many thanks again for the replies.

[Frnc]

Separate means it's harder to communicate, or you need to shout. Not so discreet after all. Two bivis and tarps will soon add up in cost and weight. My gut feeling is a lightweight two or 3 person double walled tent. One of you can carry the inner, and one the outer, though you can divide weight in other ways.

Weight is a CRUCIAL factor. You should plan your whole bugout gear list on a spreadsheet from the start, and you want each person's gear, including rucksack, to add up to no more than, say, 10 kg, plus food and water. Ultralight backpackers only carry 5 kg base weight. Base is everything except food and water.

Quick aside...Remember to include things like your waterproofs, winter gloves etc. Sleeping mats are vital in winter, and should be above R 4.9 American rating. This can either be achieved by a winter rated mat, or two lower rated ones, eg lightweight air bed on top of 4 or 5 season closed cell mat. You have 3 types, air beds, closed cell mats, and self inflaters. I prefer the combo because I could ditch the foam in summer, and rely on it in winter if the air bed failed.

Your rucksack is likely to weigh around 1.5 kg OR LESS, and should be definitely under 2kg. Bear in mind a bugout bag will contain some things a backpacker wouldn't carry.

Add up 2 bivis and tarps against a 2 or 3 person tent. Ultralight 2 person tents start from 526g and lightweight range up to 3kg. 3 person ultralight start from 714g. I would say, aim for 1-1.5 kg for each person.
These are listed in weight order. Ultralight and lightweight tents can be shockingly expensive, but there are a few cheaper ones here. And of course two bivis plus 2 tarps will soon add up in price as well as weight.
https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/two-person-tents
https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/thr ... son-tents/

[Frnc]

If you are bugging out, a 2 person tent is better

More space to hold you both and all your kit, cuddle up for warmth, cook in etc.

And if you are bugging out, you are probably doing a watch system where one sleeps when the other is on guard.

Plus, you want to be able to discuss plans, and these could change rapidly if you hear people approaching. Separate tents are very disconnected. I suppose two bivis and tarps are less so, I've never tried it.

[Adjee]

Plus, you want to be able to discuss plans, and these could change rapidly if you hear people approaching. Separate tents are very disconnected. I suppose two bivis and tarps are less so, I've never tried it.

Thanks for the tent links I will look through them.

Regarding communicating we (and all of our group) carry Baofeng radios to converse, we even use them when working in the field or in with the animals to save hollering at each other.

I am keeping an eye on weight, doing a spreadsheet is a good idea.

Thanks again.