Homemade Ultra Lightweight Bivy Tent For Backpacking

[jortiz67]

Nice Job...I would have said where can I buy one if you didnt say you made it...Great Work man

[peteragain]

Nice project, well done I think.  How about the additional info on used materials, zipper etc.?

I wonder, the zipper for the entrance, is that a straight zipper or can you give any zipper that is long enough an angle?

Thanks,

[gosutuan]

Awesome DIY tent! I just subbed.

[quintin636]

where is the how to vid????!!!!

[quintin636]

GREAT TENT beautiful!!

[freeboy731]

Your videos are great buddy. You could have a future in minimalist designs I swear. Personally I have a MSR Hubba Hubba because my guilty pleasure is having a luxurious little home away from home (plus its good against the high wind places I overnight at). But that weighs me down about 4.5 pounds so this would be a great substitute for the calm hot summer nights here in California. You've got a nice talent turning trash into treasure my friend, not to mention your unbelievable sewing abilities!

[intenseangler]

@freeboy731 Thank you my friend, I really appreciate that!

Yeah, I originally came up with the idea for this little tent simply for bug protection when camping out on the river... then it occurred to me that I could just add my lightweight tarp as a rainfly and turn it into a bivy for mild weather conditions. You definitely can't go wrong with that MSR of yours though... that's an excellent tent for virtually any weather!

Very best to ya!

[567sniper]

great job. Looks great. Where did you locate the materials (mesh, etc) to make it? How much money do you have in it?

[intenseangler]

@567sniper Thanks man, I appreciate that. I actually recycled all of the materials for this off of a couple of old tents that were beyond repair, so my cost was pretty much free :-)

[BigTVideos]

Love your channel, I make stoves, Tarps, and some other stuff. You have some good stuff here friend.

BigT

[wagouche]

Great job, getting ready to make my own out of a bolt of this really lightweight waterproof clothe I came across. Hope I can get mine down close to the weights you came out with.

[PHARRAOH]

how is this one holding up? you need to make some videos with some of your projects in use. specialy this one. its realy cool and perfect for solo treks.

[intenseangler]

@PHARRAOH I made a few mods to it since this video... it works pretty darn good now. I've taken it on a couple of river trips (which was one of my main reasons for making it... keeps out all the bugs when camping on the riverbank in the summer). Great idea on doing an update vid with some of this stuff in the field... maybe a trip is in order using only homemade gear? ;-)

[shippen2010]

Thats a great tent,,,,, You need to add a loft LOL

[intenseangler]

@shippen2010 Lol... good idea man!

[TroutMstr40]

I LOVE IT!! Great basic plan.

Aside from extending the rainfly at least 6" on either end (rain diversion), I would also use two velcro tabs on each end of the tent (1/3 and 2/3 of the way up the tent sides) to keep the rainfly to the tent, and cut-out a slot for the rainfly to go over the tent tie-outs (using reinforced stitching) with velcro on each side of the reinforced stitched wings to tie to the tent tie-outs, in-case of wind/rain.

Again, GREAT idea! Thanks for sharing.

[intenseangler]

@TroutMstr40 Thanks friend, I appreciate that! I agree with you 100%... I've made a few mods to this since I posted this video quite awhile ago. I'll have to do an update on it sometime soon while using it or something. Thanks again....

[FloridaAdventurers]

If you decide to make another model, send it to us and we will test it out in the Florida Swamps ;-)

I would like to ask though, did you consider doing a tarp floor instead of the Nylon? I have had a hard time getting one person backpacking tents with the Tub style tarp floors in my budget, but I see you did it with the Nylon.

[intenseangler]

@FloridaAdventurers No problem man. I'll make sure it's extra bug proof! lol

To answer your question: I just used what material I had on hand at the time. If I end up doing another one down the road I'll probably go with the ripstop nylon again... it seems to hold up pretty well after it's been waterproofed... and using a ground sheet of course.

[TheLeftylegend14]

love this idea it's perfect for what I need. I love the mesh and I think it'll keep me cool during the summer months.

[paulpm1974]

Sure you could get it lighter if you tapered it down to the ground at end, just make the front big enough to sit up in.

Would not mind a some kind of canopy at the front so I could cook in in the rain :)

Pretty light, try to make it lighter :)

Cheers.

[intenseangler]

@paulpm1974 Thank you for your insights regarding improvements to this design. I originally considered tapering it down at the foot end, but to be honest, I was a bit intimidated by the thought. I like your idea of adding a sort of vestibule area for cooking (or even gear storage)... could probably just sew on some light material to the front of the tent. Now that I've got this one under my belt, I think that the next can be vastly improved... and lighter :-)

Thanks! And happy trails!

[rlmarin1968]

That's a great tent! Have you thought about tie-off points on the sides so that you can pull out the middle so it doesn't sag and flap in when the wind picks up? I've wanted to try making something like this but I'm a bit nervous. Great job.

[backpackinonline]

Very nice! I am inspired. I was thinking more tie-outs and extension on the ends, maybe a "beak". I would have more tieouts on the sides to pull the rainfly away from the mesh. I would think any condensation, then, would be on the rainfly you could shake off before you pack up for more hiking, perhaps putting the rainfly in an outer mesh pocket of the backpack.

[MordecaiV]

how does it hold up to wind?

[intenseangler]

@MordecaiV That's yet to be determined lol. I haven't got to test it in high winds yet, but my thoughts are that it won't hold up well in high wind. It does pretty good in light to moderate winds though. I've made a couple mods since I posted the video on it (like dual tie-outs from the poles, reinforced the front and back tie-out points, and extended the tarp/fly). We'll see how she holds up.... Thanks for watching and commenting!

[BushNstuff]

I must say i loved this! Great work man :) You really made me wanna try to make my own to heheh. I am woundering a couple of things tho . #1: is the material you made the floor and the rain fly of 100% waterproff and what`s it called. #2: Sense your rainfly is exacly as long as your tent, have you experienced any kind of leaking throu the short sides (mostly thinking about throu the meshnet) like in heavy rain or so. Thanks for a great video and a awesome tent!! :)

[intenseangler]

@BushNstuff First, my apologies for the very slow reply. Thanks alot for the great compliments, I really appreciate it! The tent floor is 1.9oz ripstop nylon and the fly/tarp is 1.1oz ripstop... neither were waterproof originally. I used a heavy duty spray-on sealer and it seems to have done the job very well so far. I agree, those sides were too short (I've since modified it a little so that the rainfly extends out past the tent more. Thanks again for the kind words my friend! Best to ya....

[ScoutsNOA]

Man you should be proud of it for sure. Great job, I'm hoping to get that good. BTW are those OP poles I see? Plus I just got a Condor bivy that I'm gonna use pretty soon and make a review on it. Good stuff brother.

[PHARRAOH]

AWESOME JOB! how's it holding up?I bet you could sell them, faster than you could make them

[BrokenAeroVT]

If you use a poncho tarp for rain gear, you can leave the tarp at home and your tent is under 1 lb. by virtue of multiple use.

[Alloutdoor1]

I agree with Sandy, you got crazy tent skills dude lol!

[intenseangler]

@Alloutdoor1 lol Thanks brother!

[EconoChallenge]

That is amazing. I know how much work that would be to plan out piece together and sew! WOW! Impressive.

[intenseangler]

@EconoChallenge Thanks so much for the kind words my friend! It was a little bit of work I suppose, but more than anything it was fun putting this together. I wasn't so certain that I could even pull it off, so I just spent a few evening messing around with it, and it just kind of all came together (less skill than good luck lol). Thanks for the great comment :-)

[Ggreenvideos]

Very cool little tent buddy! Nice work there :o)

[intenseangler]

@Ggreenvideos Not too bad for a "ground dweller" huh? ;-)

Seriously though, thanks for the compliment Rich!

[Ggreenvideos]

@intenseangler Next will be a DIY hammock eh! ;o)

[intenseangler]

@Ggreenvideos But I'm scared of heights man :-0 Haha!

[Ggreenvideos]

@intenseangler haha!

[g0vqw]

John,

This is a top video.You have some great tent making skills.

You could sell them !

Sandy

[intenseangler]

@g0vqw Hey there Sandy,

Thank You so much for your kind words and the great compliments.... they are truly appreciated! I tell ya, it sure was alot of fun making this tent. Can't wait to get some video of it being used in the field. Thanks for stopping by friend. -John

[randylimas]

What kind of sewing machine do you use?

[intenseangler]

@randylimas Hey there Randy... The machine I use is a Huskystar 207... just happens to be the one we had around. Seems to work pretty well... if I can use it then it must haha. Take care...

[mariner156]

Wow that is a sweet tent and the best part is you made it yourself. You should consider selling these.

[intenseangler]

@mariner156 Thanks for the awesome compliments my friend! It would be fun making another one or two of these actually.... would probably just do it for friends or as a giveaway or something though. Thanks for taking the time to leave such a great comment! Take care.....

[thenofxer]

This is the channel i have been looking for! Im on the kenai peninsula, and i have been trying to put together an inexpensive gear setup.

Why you dont have a hundred thousand plus views is beyond me.

Keep it up-

[intenseangler]

@thenofxer Thanks a bunch my friend! Really appreciate your kind words! So you're on the Kenai peninsula huh? That has to be absolutely amazing to be able to have such awe inspiring country right there out your backdoor. Thanks for dropping by and I definitely look forward to hearing from ya again.....

[NoBSSurvival]

tha is almost te same as the one I tryd to make. mine was in 1 part, rain protection n all. but I did a bad job putting it together...

tere is a need and want for this type of tnt bu they dont sell tem here.

[intenseangler]

@NoBSSurvival Thanks man! Too bad your tent didn't work out, that would've been awesome to see what you came up with! Maybe next time huh? This one wasn't too hard to make... I'm trying to get some instructions posted so others can copy it if they want. Keep ya posted. Thanks again my friend!

[CDoggsRandoms]

@intenseangler WOW! Seriously! I don't know how to respond to that, I truely appreciate it. You can bet on me wanting you to send me one! Just out of curiousity, how much would you have to charge for effort and shipping on this, I'll pay every last cent, and thank you my friend!

[CDoggsRandoms]

What was your price range. You ought to sell these, I'd buy one!

[intenseangler]

@CDoggsRandoms That's the ultimate compliment... thanks Brother! This one didn't cost anything (had some old material laying around) but it sure did take a little effort lol. I've been messing with the idea of doing another one with some digital camo pattern nylon material I have... if I do I'll see about sending it your way if you're interested. Take care man!

[Reallybigmonkey1]

Very cool. Thats a like a five star hotel to me! Good job man.

[phrayzar]

Hey superb job on that, the sides and ends on the bivvy tent will help keep the wind from blowing over you.

[DAYWALKERTWO]

Thats sweet john !...when you gonna start mass producing them to sell ? LOL

[intenseangler]

@DAYWALKERTWO Just as soon as I find someone else willing to make them for me lol. It sure was fun making this tent, but I don't think I want to tackle another one any time soon ;-) Thanks for the great comment Todd!

[ewtoutdoors]

Excelent job on that project, looks great. Take care and have a great day.

[wawhiker]

Very well done! Intense "bench top" project my friend - LOL!

[intenseangler]

@wawhiker  LOL... thanks my Brother!

[Cragdwella]

You should be proud bro ! What a great project. I can see you put a lot of time in that design. Very cool, keep on hiking !

[ridebks]

Nice work man! Totally IMPRESSED! Your back will thank you! Thanks for sharing...and you should be proud!

[ausurvival]

Nice job!

I am thinking of making my own tent, similar style.

Love it.

[intenseangler]

@ausurvival Thanks so much my friend! You gotta let me know if you decide to throw one together, I'd love to see what you come up with!

[kessler003]

So so cool man, great job...

i wish i cud do some of my own stuff, like u do.

[oregonmikes]

That looks really nice! I wish I could knuckle down and learn to use my machine. The damn thing intimidates me

[intenseangler]

@oregonmikes Thanks Mike! Man I gotta tell ya, when I first sat down at that machine I was overwhelmed! Didn't know what the heck went where... and all that thread going in all different directions... geez! But after just having at it for a little bit, I was surprised at how simple it really was (gotta say it's a damn sight easier than learning to weld! lol). No doubt at all you'd master it in no time and come up with some pretty cool stuff! Take care Bro!

[medicjimr]

Really nice work there . Not enough courage yet to take on such a project. looks really sweet

[intenseangler]

@medicjimr Thanks Jim! Could be just me, but I think you're being a bit modest my friend... I've seen your stuff at the sewing machine and it's very impressive... from what I saw your skills are far better than mine! Would love to see what you'd come up with!

[medicjimr]

@intenseangler I am just learning to sew that to big of a prodject for me lol

[snappa222]

hell of a job,I am impressed

[intenseangler]

@snappa222 Thank You!

[ez2curanut]

That's very impressive John. I like the small size, and yes... it is under 16oz w/out those zippers :) When can I buy one? Thats is sooo cool, and the small bag inside looks neato... I can't believe there are NO tent poles. I like the simple design, and the fact you made it from another tent. 5/5. JimmyG

[intenseangler]

@ez2curanut Thanks a bunch Jimmy! Yeah, I had to think for awhile about how to do the whole tent pole thing... was originally gonna put a small pole at both ends, but then I wouldn't have been able to get in the door lol... then thought about 2 poles in front in sleeves, kinda framing the door... then it eventually occurred to me (slow as I am lol) that I didn't even need the darn poles! Thanks for taking the time to leave such a generous comment my friend!

[dmacken11]

You say your going out this weekend! I'm jealous! And thanks for mentioning my misfortune! ;-( Have a GREAT trip! Hope the weather is cooperating. It's NOT here....

[intenseangler]

@dmacken11 I'm definitely going to try! Hoping for tomorrow if all goes according to plan.

Didn't mean to rub it in buddy... uh, it was supposed to be a "shout-out" to ya hehehe....

[dmacken11]

Nicely done brother John! Looks like a great little bivy set up. You'll find having a little height like you built it is nice. I'll warn you of something I saw, you may need to guy wire out the trekking poles in the opposite directions from ridge line. Looks like wind may cause them to flop over. Next package to you will may contain more materials. That's why I sent Velcro and webbing to you. For your projects which look GREAT! Well done!

[intenseangler]

@dmacken11 Thanks my Brother! I agree, I actually had a good wind gust come in which knocked over the front pole, so I'll be using 2 lines to guy them out now... noticed a couple other minor adjustments as well... good thing I did a dry run before going out huh lol. Thanks for the Velcro by the way... it's what I used to secure my window flap as well as the tarp to the ridgeline of the tent. Can't wait to try this baby out! Oh btw, got another "gift" on the way... think you're gonna like it ;-)

[titan90000]

Very nice.

[Woodenarrows]

Good straightforward and versatile design. I especially like the double wall feature. I liked my revised Wenzel Starlite tent (1 lb, 14 oz) but it’s a single wall tent and here in Florida it just sweats too much. Your bivy should work out great. Looks like you did a good job sewing. What weight fabric did you use? What little sewing I’ve done with lightweight fabrics was a little tricky, hard to keep it from bunching up.

[intenseangler]

@Woodenarrows Thanks Jim! I did kinda model it after the Starlite as far as the basic design (kinda reminiscent of the good old Boy Scouting days too lol). The fabric is just a fine mesh netting, a 1.1oz material on the front, back, and tarp, and a 1.6oz for the floor. It was the rest of the material that I had left over from the tent that I salvaged awhile back. It wasn't actually as difficult working with the material as I assumed it would be.. everything went together without a hitch.

[ironearth701]

What was the original starter tent??

[rainbowhiker]

A good straight forward design. Just enough interior space to stay comfortable and have room for your kit it seems. I do like it that it is simple and simply made and at nineteen onces, I tip my hat to you, John. That is a professional job. Sure want to see your eval on it in the field. Thanks for the inspiration. Now I gotta go figure out MY sewing machine. Best to ya.

[intenseangler]

@rainbowhiker Thanks for the kind words John. I can't wait to see how this thing performs in the field under "real world" conditions... I did notice after setting it up out there in the wind that there were a couple things that needed fine tuning... an important one being ties on the tarp to keep it taut on the ridgeline (it kept wanting to slip back and bunch up). I'd be very interested in seeing what you'd come up with on a DIY sewing project... from what I know about you, it'd be awesome!

[69Grunden]

Excellent job on your tent. Can't wait to see the instructional video. Thanks for sharing

[intenseangler]

@69Grunden Thanks my friend! I hope to get that video and article done as soon as possible.

[dcordry]

You are the man, my friend! What an accomplishment. Your design is simple but very effective. It is very useful. The rainfly/tarp is so handy in lots of situations. You are definitely an INTENSELY AWESOME BUSHCRAFT DUDE!

[intenseangler]

@dcordry Aww man... I wish I woulda thought of that for my name instead of IntenseAngler! LOL

Seriously though, thank you so much for the kind words and great comment... makes my day :-)

[mizooch70]

Wow! Bro..A+++++ I love it! Great job!

[intenseangler]

@mizooch70 Thanks so much for the kind compliment my friend!

[brgzz]

Awesome job bro!

[intenseangler]

@brgzz Thanks Brother!

[steintanz]

This looks really good - cool DIY project! Tim

[intenseangler]

@steintanz Thanks a bunch Tim!