Hi… I’m planning a 2011 NOBO PCT hike and am debating between two sleep systems. I’m not sure if I want to use a Contrail Tarptent or a Black Diamond Bibler Bipod bivy. I’m leaning towards the bivy but I’m afraid it won’t have enough ventilation and might be too hot for SoCal and accumulate too much condensation in the Sierras. Any feedback is much appreciated. Thanks
Mike Dubs
I doubt being too hot will be a big problem at night in the desert, I bet you could fix that problem in a second if you were forced to. Condensation is a legitimate concern, as is ventilation, as well as insects, as well as square (and cubic) footage, as well as performance in the wind, rain & snow.
If I’m reading the stats on those shelters’ websites correctly, the Contrail is much, much more spacious than the Bibler Bipod bivy. Also, the Contrail is lighter than the Bibler Bipod bivy. Additionally, the Contrail is $70 cheaper than the Bibler Bipod bivy. Plus the Contrail can be pitched with trekking poles.
Were this my decision to make, it wouldn’t be a tough choice: Tarptent Contrail. I’m a little biased against bivies anyhow, but when the numbers are this heavily stacked against the bivy option, then my prejudice doesn’t have to factor in at all. I’ve seen a ton of Tarptents in the outdoors, pitched by happy Tarptent users. I’ve never seen this bivy pitched solo (or many other bivies either). On the AT I used a Walrus Archrival (it became the MSR Zoid). On the PCT I used a MSR Hubba. Both are great, fuctioning, double-walled tents, but they are both heavy by thru hiking standards. Next summer, I’ll be SOBO on the CDT with a Tarptent Rainbow.
I hope this helps aid in your choice. Either way you decide, have a great adventure!
jewel thief
Also, I don’t think you are talking about “two sleep systems”. I think that you are talking about two shelter systems. Sleep sysyems tends to refer to sleeping pads and sleeping bags (and perhaps ground sheets?). It’s merely a minor technicality of jargon-ical proportions, but it might help your choice to stop thinking of your shelter as merely a location for sleep. Other things might happen in there too.
jewel thief
The Contrail is pretty much made for the PCT and it was an ideal choice for me. I say no contest.
Garlic
Whatever you get don’t get a Contrail.
The design is faulty and the ventilation is terrible. All this matters because of the amount of condensation that builds and then drips all over your things inside the tent. I had to wake up every other hour from water dripping on my sleeping bag.
I eventually went with a MLD Tarp and will never use a tarptent or tent ever again. It is a lot lighter as well.
Additionally, if your contrail fails, has a faulty zipper or any other product default you are out of luck. Henry Shires is a small company and isn’t able to provide adequate service to thru-hikers on trail.
Douglas “Bones” Martin
You might consider getting an actual tent when you hit Washington. At least have one waiting in the wings that someone can mail you if the weather turns foul. Things can get mighty wet here & in that situation, you might consider something a bit more rainproff as a backup.
daniel smith
I’ve had my tarptent for thousands of miles, and the zipper just finally went. I love this shelter! And as for ventilation, leave the flap open, or even cracked, and problem solved. If you can’t, moisture’s not near the big deal some like to make it out to be. A little roof condensation, eeh, who cares? Roof actually dripping? Never happened to me and I spent the better part of my tarptent’s life hiking in the muggy southeast.
Matt
Forget using a bivy tent like shelter. I hiked with a guy who did tha and the condensation was too much when we hit a few days of rain. He had to borrow a tarptent for Washington from some nice section hikers we met when they were getting off the trail in Cascade Locks. I personally was happy with my MLD tarp though I also used one of their lighweight 7oz bivy sacks (which was very useful for all the cowboy camping I did). Most hikers use a Tarptent and seem happy with them.
Miner
When the zipper on my Tarptent came apart after 250 miles on the PCT I called Henry Shires and they refused to help me.
I’ll never buy any Henry Shires products. Sorry, that was my experience.
JackCrown
For what it’s worth - all the prediction for this year point to an exceptional snow load. Stay tuned it could be a repaet of the winter of 96-97.
daniel smith
Where are you getting your models? If Its squirrels and old folks I’m going to be… I’ll say amused for now.
NOAA shows above average for the Pacific Northwest which doesn’t matter when we all get there in August/September. Sierra is equal chance for above and below, too hard to call. The February to April model shows possibility of below average Sierra precip…
citing my sources:
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal.php?lead=01
I vote tarp and bug net, even up north. Just gotta be careful where you set it. Contrail seems to get condensation. And try sleeping in a bivy for four months… Not my idea of fun. Between the two choices I would pick a Contrail.
Weather guy
That always means snow. 
And yes, you are right, by the time you folks get here it will be mostly melted. All you might have to deal with is some trail damage from the floods, but there’s not much anybody can do about that.
Living here, I bemoan the heavy snow year (like this year) because it takes so long for the high trails to open up. Makes for a short season, and that makes me sad. 
daniel smith
Don’t have any experience with the Contrail, but condesation and room was an issue with a bivy once you make it to the High Sierras and further if your a north bounder.
I put up my tent maybe two or three times until I reached Kennedy Meadows ~700 miles (South), then the mosquitos followed us all the way to Canada. Mosquitos like I’ve never experienced, so having a little room is nice.
As far my experience with Tarptent zipper problems, its usually just dirt and grit stuck in the zipper that causes the problem. I was able to remedy the problem, by occasionally cleaning the zipper with water and a toothbrush. Buy a new toothbrush in town. I’ve had my tarptent since 2004, and it made all of the AT, PCT, and 1000 miles of the CDT this year.
Condesation is easily manageable, picking the right campsite helps alot.
Flippy
I am going with the Contrail. I find that the condensation is really not too bad and easily managed to an acceptable level. On nights when a strong breeze is not expected I set mine up high with the entrance pointed into the wind, on windy nights, point the foot end into the wind but still set it up high. On very windy and stormy nights, set it up with the foot end towards the wind and set it up somewhat lower and leave the entrance open as much as possible.
As far as zipper problems, I have not had any yet. There is a product around that lubes the zipper and helps keep it clean. I can’t remember the products name but I will certainly google it and make a purchase before my thru-hike starts.
I have been using a small piece of shammy to dry the tent in the morning before taking it down and this helps during the night if you do find that condensation has become a problem.
Miguel
It is definitely nice to be able to do things in your tent like cook in the vestibule during rain or change your soaked clothes or write a journal or keep your slpg bag dry when you are hypothermic in the Late Sept/early Oct rains up in Washingmachineton! Of course I had sunshine from Mx to Wash (about 4 1/2 months) in '93 so I don’t know no diff… on a weird note, I had a cheap Coleman tent & they sent me replacement pole to the trail on the CDT! (But then the other pole broke & I bought a new tent in Creede).
gingerbreadman
If you can pitch a tarp with two trekking poles, some rope, and stakes, skip the tent until late into your hike. I mostly used my tarp for adequate shade when there was none (very nice for that). And, a bivy will not be fun when the days are 12 hours long, regularly rainy and cold. Southbound, you may pull off a tarp the whole way (plus you’ll get to hike with me!).
Seriously, I cowboy camped far into the Sierras and back out and didn’t carry proper raingear until Washington. The cold, rainy weather held out until September started, if my memory serves me right.
wing it
I am extremely pleased with the Contrail. Condensation is minor; and, contrary to JackCrown, when I had a minor problem Henry Shires immediately sent me a replacement tent. It is my choice for a 2012 PCT thruhike.
mike t