The Bivouac Tent
If you are not the type of camper that settles with the base camp type of set-up and are more into hiking and mountain climbing, the best type of tent for you is the bivouac tent a.k.a. the bivy tent.
A bivouac tent is something between a bivy sack and a tent.
What is a bivouac sack?
Bivouac sacks are designed for mountaineers and ultra light packers to protect them from elements while outdoors. A Bivy sack is a shelter relatively smaller and lighter alternative to hiking tents when you are out in the wilderness. Bivouac sacks are a bit more practical compared to regular camping tents too. And take note, they also have lightweight versions just like outdoor camping tents. You can just imagine how light they are given that they are already way lighter than regular tents. To make the story short, it is similar in form and feeling as sleeping inside a cocoon. Although there are still people who are not comfortable with the idea of resting or sleeping in such a stuffy way, they are still popular by many sports enthusiasts. Bivy sacks are four season shelters and are able to withstand extreme temperatures and weathers. This characteristic alone makes them again a favorite shelter system of climbers and hikers all year round and mostly during the winter season.
Tents on the other hand are fabrics or other materials draped and attached to a frame of poles or supporting ropes. As “Tent” is a widely used term, it is probably a shelter system that needs no further explanation. The term is generally popular to both young and old.
Bivouac tents, again, are a cross between traditional tents and bivouac sacks. They are more spacious and non cocoon like as traditional bivy sacks are and they have a set of poles just like the traditional tent only a bit smaller in size. In fact, they look often very similar to regular tents for sale in many camping shops. They are basically a small modification of the bivouac concept and make great ultra lightweight backpacking tents.
Most bivouac tents come with free standing and non free standing models. Choosing between these two, would depend as to where and when you are going to camp or spend the night in the countryside. If you are in an area where the ground is hard and there are no heavy winds or gusts, it is preferred to use a free standing model. If you are in an area with winds, possibilities of rainstorms and wet weather, it is preferred to use and go with the latter.