New Go-To Shelter for 2019: Borah Gear Silpoly Tarp and Dimma Bivy

[@gabriele1975]

I have this tarp and I am hoping to use it soon. Have been a double wall tent camper forever so this is a big switch for me. I’m trying to go more light weight in my backpacking set up and this was one of the options to do that.

[@mikaellindqvist2204]

I have been following youre channel for some time and it is inspiring to learn about youre different setups. Especially the clothing systems. I live in Norway. Always looking for light and warm clothing for the "fjellvandring" as I am planning a week trip at the Hardangervidda for the summer. Thank you for making the videos. Great stuff !!

[@CesarValdez13]

Thanks for the feedback, and glad to be of service! Hope your trip goes well!

[@mitchelllyle6061]

i guess Im kinda off topic but do anyone know a good place to stream newly released tv shows online ?

[@pawmys]

Lovely location, hope you had a great time!

[@CesarValdez13]

Thanks! Yeah, it was a great trip :)

[@bretthikez6567]

that bivy looks super sweet..and the location is pretty awesome as well

[@CesarValdez13]

Thanks! The Dimma bivy was my idea, and it's cool that others like it. I hope that Borah gear puts it up on their website eventually. And yeah, I will be going back to that spot again :)

[@joeso8114]

Hey, I was watching an older video you had the zpack 7 by 9, see you changed to another brand. What are your thoughts on the zpacks tarp? I found one used for 100, was going to get it but wanted to see reviews how it holds up

[@CesarValdez13]

Hey there, thanks for the questions. Yes, I sold the Zpacks DCF tarp. I really liked it, but I like silpoly tarps even more. I did a video on UL fabrics if you check out my older videos, where you can hear about the pros and cons of DCF, silnylon, and silpoly. My Borah tarp is my favorite tarp I've ever had. Hope this helps, and happy holidays!

[@joeso8114]

​@@CesarValdez13 Thank you for getting back to me. OK was not sure if you had an issue with the CF zpacks tarp, why I was asking. My friend's tarp has only been used 4 or 5 times and for $100 USD I figured I would give it a try. I'm using a MLD 4.3 by 9 tarp and the mld bug bivy now. Looking for a little more coverage the 4.3 feet is a little tight in the rain and the zpacks tarp seems to fit.

[@ryanlim9886]

sweet emergency blanket ground sheet option! why that over polycro? more durable or water resistant?

[@CesarValdez13]

At first it was just easier to find here in Sweden over polycro. But after getting my hands on some polcro, I wonder which is more durable? Not sure, but they feel (as in, to touch) quite similar. I've used the SOL sheets for years now and they hold up well. Both are fully water proof. Just make sure it's the SOL sheets, generic ones are a different material and rip much easier. And again, not sponsored by SOL!

[@ryanlim9886]

@@CesarValdez13 would you say the SOL sheets are a bit more crinkly/loud compared to the poly?

[@CesarValdez13]

@@ryanlim9886 No, not really. Again, there is a big difference between the SOL sheets and generic space blankets.

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Great video. Subscribed. ✌️

[@CesarValdez13]

Thanks :)

[@jessiporch7715]

Love your videos! How do you pitch the 9x7 in a bad rainstorm?

[@CesarValdez13]

Thanks! For bad weather I pitch the tarp lower to the ground (but I can still sit up inside), and pitch the tie outs directly to the ground. And with the rain poncho/tarp as a front door, that also provides me with extra coverage. Happy trails!

[@jessiporch7715]

Thanks for the reply. That makes a lot of sense. I don't have a poncho/tarp, but I'm considering one. I'm also thinking about using 2 nylofume bags (one on the outside of my foot box to keep it dry and one on the inside to prevent condensation), to use in heavy downpours.

[@CesarValdez13]

@@jessiporch7715 You can also use a rain jacket slung over the ridge line like a small front door flap. I wouldn't suggest going with two plastic bags, why not just use a bivy? I live in rainy Sweden and a bivy works great here under a tarp when it rains. I even had a custom bivy made with waterproof breathable foot caps (eVent) and eventually just got a normal bivy again with breathable nylon (Argon 67) because there just wasn't that much rain spray. A 7x9 tarp gives me great coverage. Hope this helps!

[@jessiporch7715]

@@CesarValdez13 It does, thank you! That setup sounds super nice, especially in the cooler months (I'm on the East Coast of the US and our summers are extremely hot and humid, but I think it would be great for spring, fall and maybe winter too (my area doesn't get much snow) I do eventually want to get a nice bivy (have any suggestions?) but I recently got a bunch of other gear so I'm trying to slow my roll for a minute.

[@CesarValdez13]

@@jessiporch7715 In the summer I prefer a net tent to have more room to chill out in away from all the bugs. Lots of bugs here in the summer! But in spring, fall, and early winter I go with a bivy. I highly recommend the Dimma bivy from Borah Gear. They are great quality and reasonable prices too. Don't worry about the quest for improving your gear. Take your time and have fun with trying out different combos, but most importantly just get out there!

[@Martyupnorth]

New friend. I hike in Canada, but our season is so short. I'm looking for ideas in the U.S.A that I can do during our long winters.

[@CesarValdez13]

Hey there! So I live in Sweden, but I used to live in the USA (I'm a Chicano). I too also deal with long winters. My advice is to embrace hiking in the other seasons when you can. I love winter trips if the conditions are right, and spring and summer here are wonderful. Fall I am not as crazy about, but it can still be fun, especially for wild mushroom hunting. But there are a ton of trails in the USA you can look into. Hope this helps.

[@Martyupnorth]

@@CesarValdez13 I certainly embrace winter, I am after all a Canadian. I do hike in winter. Some years, like this year, are just tough. We're about to set a 50-year record for the coldest February. The temperature this month averaged -21C (without a windchil).

[@CesarValdez13]

@@Martyupnorth Damn. Now that is really cold. Much colder than here in SW Sweden. Coldest it got this winter where I live was around -10C, but I am on the coast. My personal limit for sleeping outside is -20C--not interested in anything colder. I've done -16C as my lowest night out, and for me the sweet spot is around -7C to -10C. I think if I lived where you are I would have put my gear funds towards books, video games, and hot chocolate. Stay warm!

[@ogoutdoors4202]

How durable is your tarp so far, any rips or tears?

[@CesarValdez13]

Nope. It's in great shape. Hope to take it out again in the spring. Still love it.

[@ogoutdoors4202]

Cesar Valdez excellent. Thanks!