Hi all,

I'm new to the forum/site but have already learned a great deal from you. Thanks!

I think of the Rule of 3s and other survival tips that relate to thermo-regulation and I wonder what's truly the best option for a survival shelter. As I researched that question I stumbled across something that is apparently popular among hikers and mountain rescue teams in Europe... the Bothy Bag.

While virtually unheard of here in the states, it seems to make a lot of sense to me. It's basically a treated nylon bag designed for 2 or more people to hunker down inside of during bad weather/cold. Most of these shapeless bags seem to have windows, vents, and weigh in under 1.4lbs (!) for the 4-man variety.

After some research I came up with the following links:

KISU Shelters
Vango (Force Ten) - Storm Shelter Page
Terra Nova - Bothy Bags Page
Outdoor Designs - Standard Shelter
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And here is an interesting article extolling the virtues of the Bothy Bag for true survival. I found the points quite compelling...
Short Article

To summarize what I've found out about these things...
* MUCH warmer than tarps or tubes
* Drier than tarps or tubes in storms
* Cheaper than most Sil-Nylon tarps (avg. $65 for 4-man)
* High Visibility colors (plus reflective tape on Vango model)
* As lightweight as the the high-end tarps and MUCH lighter than large plastic tarps
* Better for morale than tubes or bivy bags (family together)
* Can share light/heat/radio (family together)
* MUCH easier to set up than tarps (drop and sit)
* Can be used anywhere (no trees or poles needed)

The one drawback? If it's hot do I really want to be in a bag? Nope, that's where the trusty RSK/SAK comes in. If you slit a side you still have a tarp! And you slit the sewn-in drawstring channel to create tie-down/grommet points all along the perimeter.

The Robinson Crusoe side of me envisions sitting on a beach drinking coconuts under a tarp while waiting to be rescued. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> But the more I think about it, any REAL survival setting where I need shelter from wind/cold/rain to keep my family alive, the Bothy Bag seems to make a lot of sense.

Thoughts?

MedB