Seek Outside Lil Bug Out shelter system rolling review

[LogHiking]

Hey All,

I'm motivated to review this shelter because there isn't much information out there on the webs and it took me months of research to find and some more on top of that to figure out it was the one for me. I have no affiliation with Seek Outside in anyway other than the owner Kevin has answered nearly 100 emails of mine and his customer service has been top notch.

I'm going to briefly describe how the system works and post some pictures then a bit later I'll add in some of my personal, albeit limited experience with it out on the trails. But I will add more experience as I use it more.

So basically the Lil Bug Out (LBO from now on) is a system of multiple components (how many you get is up to you) that allow you to pick and choose your shelter based on your needs for a specific trip. So it starts with the "base" which is a 3 sided "mid" style silnylon tarp that can be pitched in a variety of ways. I bought this first just for tarp + bivy camping. It weighs 16.35 oz with guy line in its stuff sack. Here are some pics: (note some are from the web and some are my own, a lot of mine you will see pitched in my "back yard" which is really a concrete slab with a rock garden)








Inside the base alone is about 55 inches of usable width and 90 inches of usable length. Two long and wide pads fit with room to spare.

My buddy here is 6'5" 250 and it is one of the few tarps he feels he can spread out and sit up in:



Here is a lower pitch I use if I only have the LBO base and it might rain (simply adjust the pole shorter or use a shorter stick):



And here it is pitched in more of an A frame style:







So that about covers it with the base. Base+ borah gear bivy is my standard backpacking kit and with proper site selection offers a comparably full weather protection of other tarps being used out there at sub 1.5lbs total. So the next thing to do is to decide how you want to close off that open side to make a 4 season mid with 2 doors. You have a couple options. You could buy their "vestibule" which is a smaller tarp that zips into the front and makes a 2.5 to 3 person mid. Or you could get another base and zip that in and have a very sizable 4 person mid.

Here is the vestibule just by itself: (10 oz on my scale)



And here it is attached to the base:















And to end this post a base combined with another base:



Inside of base+base:

11827058945_3b732f24e1.jpg

I'll talk more about the last couple pieces and how I use it in the next post. I hope some of you find this useful.

[LogHiking]

BTW all the pads in the last post are long and wide (77x25) and I'm 6'2" 190 lbs.

So the last two pieces that can add in are the nest and the connecting tarp.

The nest is 2 person inner that is unique to many other inners in that it can be used as a stand alone in mild weather. It has a very breathable silnylon outer wall and a much less breathable (more waterproof) floor. When little to no rain is expected I have brought just the nest out and I honestly love it. But it also fits inside of the LBO to make a double walled tent with sizable vestibule for gear/dogs/whatever.

My winter camp recently:



Nest with the vestibule rigged unconventionally (Just me messing around with options):







And finally, something I'll likely never use but is very cool is the connecting tarp. This allows you to make a 6 person shelter by using 2 bases and the connecting tarp in the middle to make this:





That about covers all of the options. You'll notice some pictures have stoves or stove jacks for winter use. They can be put on any of the components as an option by seek outside. Most put it on the vestibule or the connecting tarp as I understand it, but I don't have a stove...yet

[LogHiking]

For my personal uses this system is great. It allows me to have one system for all of my out doors needs. I use the base + bivy for most of my lightweight backpacking. I use base + vestibule for winter camping or if I'm expecting serious weather. This is great because it is a very spacious 2p shelter that can actually fit 3 bodies reasonably comfortably. It is also great that they are separate pieces and thus easier to split the weight. I add the nest into the mix for the full tent for when my girlfriend comes along (she prefers floors and bug protection) or when I just want the luxury experience. I also use the nest by itself on shorter trips where fair weather is predicted. It can handle some rain but I wouldn't want to push that.

My other favorite usage is if you have a hiking buddy you usually hike with. You both get a base for yourselves as your solo shelter, and if you decide you want to have a full mid for a night or a serious storm rolls in and you want that protection you just zip it up and have a very nice sized space to wait out the storm and you are each just carrying a 16 oz tarp.

I first bought the base in September. When I realized I loved that I bought the nest and vestibule. This has allowed me to get rid of all of my other shelters and just have this one system for all of my various needs. I pick and choose the configuration depending on what kind of trip I'm taking and leave what I don't need at home. The whole base+vestibule+nest is 3lbs exactly. Not the lightest shelter choice, but that is one I rarely use by myself, usually with two people. As it is very easy to split up, it truly is 1.5 lb per person and overall still pretty light. Still, ULers and SULers will want to look elsewhere, although they do make base and vestibule in cuben

That about covers it for now. I'll keep updating as I find new stuff about it and use it more. I'll be using base+vestibule on a winter over nighter shortly so I will post more then. Feel free to ask any questions in the mean time.

[Dogwood]

Thanks for sharing. Seems VERY similar to what's already available though and what has been patented or is already awaiting patent approval. Some of those pics are almost identical to Zpacks Altraplex.

When pitching so high, as I'm often seeing, with the edges staked down to the ground and no vestibule(it's basically a 1/2 mid with one side open to wind) is being used be mindful of wind conditions as in that mode pitching with the leeward side into the wind in exposed locations is important.

Glad you found what you were seeking.

[LogHiking]

Thanks for sharing. Seems VERY similar to what's already available though and what has been patented or is already awaiting patent approval. Some of those pics are almost identical to Zpacks Altraplex.

When pitching so high, as I'm often seeing, with the edges staked down to the ground and no vestibule(it's basically a 1/2 mid with one side open to wind) is being used be mindful of wind conditions as in that mode pitching with the leeward side into the wind in exposed locations is important.

Glad you found what you were seeking.

Would you mind sharing what specifically you are referring to that is similar to the altaplex? I studied the altaplex quite a bit as I considered getting one briefly and I simply don't see anything that is very similar outside of the general shape, let alone potentially infringing on a patent. Nothing that could be deemed as remotely proprietary (remember you can't patent an idea) operates in a similar fashion on either shelter. Also while not a very old shelter, the LBO is two years old and has already been reviewed by backpackinglight.com in March of 2014 as well as having a patent pending on it since before the altaplex was released. Although with my knowledge of patent law, which is reasonably extensive, neither of their patents will conflict with each other at all IMO. But I would have to look at exactly what is being patented to know for sure. Surely the LBO is using its attachment system as the proprietary idea and my guess says zpacks would be patenting their door system as well, but they are vastly different in operation and function.

And yes wind direction is of primary importance when practicing site selection with just the base, I agree fully. When I've been worried about weather in base only I've found putting back to the wind with the front facing (and potentially tying off the beak to) a some what substantial tree offers a good amount of protection. But I have yet to weather anything serious doing that so time will tell how well it works. With that said, if I knew I was facing serious weather, I'd probably bring the vestibule or share with a buddy and make them bring the vestibule. Also if facing wind or other weather I would go with the low pitch 100% of the time.

[Dogwood]

Admittedly, from what little I understand, abstract ideas are non patentable. There are attorneys specializing in patent law. I don't so will not comment further. I wish you well with your shelter. Seems like you found what you want. Again, thanks for sharing.

[Connie]

Thank you, for all these photos.

I have been trying to decide what components to purchase.

The vestibule looks big enough for me. Does The Nest fit in the vestibule?

[LogHiking]

Admittedly, from what little I understand, abstract ideas are non patentable. There are attorneys specializing in patent law. I don't so will not comment further. I wish you well with your shelter. Seems like you found what you want. Again, thanks for sharing.

Fair enough sir. Thank you for the well wishes. I do apologize if that came off as combative. I actually wanted to edit a few things to reduce that potential effect that I did not intend but I assume there is no editing here outside of the for sale forum because I never see the edit button anywhere else. I have a pretty extensive legal background and have had to patent a couple things for my business so I feel a bit more qualified to discuss the specifics.

Thank you again!

[LogHiking]

Thank you, for all these photos.

I have been trying to decide what components to purchase.

The vestibule looks big enough for me. Does The Nest fit in the vestibule?

Hi Connie. When you say does it fit, in which configuration do you mean? If you mean in base+vestibule and then putting the nest in the vestibule side, I do not think it would fit. The nest is 50 inches wide (just fits two wide pads) and I believe the vestibule to be more narrow than that as the base is only about 55-60 inches wide in that direction and the vestibule is much smaller.

I've done some rigging just for fun of nest + vestibule like this:

[Connie]

If you donate, you get an Edit Post button.

Designs are patented, if not generic.

The fabric for The Nest breathes: Is the fabric for The Nest windproof?

[LogHiking]

If you donate, you get an Edit Post button.

Designs are patented, if not generic.

The fabric for The Nest breathes: Is the fabric for The Nest windproof?

Ah that makes sense, thank you. I had intended to donate when I joined and realized how much I enjoyed the forum but I got lazy because you had to mail it in. I really wish they had a paypal button I'll get on top of that though, thank you for the notice.

And yes designs are patented. But you can't patent a 3 sided mid for example. you would have to patent specific aspects of your 3 sided mid that make it unique. Both the LBO and Altaplex have patent-able stuff IMO, they just don't conflict with each other.

[LogHiking]

Also regarding the nest, I asked them this same stuff and as I understand it the floor and walls are both silnylon. But the floor has a 3000mm hydro where the walls are 800mm. This is to reduce condensation but still maintain its ability to be wind proof and protect against light rains. The picture of my camp with just the nest was a very windy night and it wasn't too drafty inside the nest. I pitched the back facing the wind and for the most part I never felt the wind, with a couple exceptions when it switched for a gust and a little came through the front mesh. It was not a problem at all and the nest was surprisingly stable, even with the wind coming in the front and "catching" on the walls. It hardly budged at all.

Also those conditions were very condensation heavy conditions and I had a ton of moisture on my outer quilt (two quilt system for winter) but not even a little bit was on the walls of the shelter. That is the first time I didn't get any condensation in the winter and I was impressed with that.

[Connie]

I paid with PayPal, I think. It is the last thing, at payment.

I like the photo with The Nest and the vestibule with that rock in front and a blue plastic recycling container in the background.

If I got all three components, it seems big for one person.

What do you think, for one person?

[LogHiking]

I paid with PayPal, I think. It is the last thing, at payment.

I like the photo with The Nest and the vestibule with that rock in front and a blue plastic recycling container in the background.

If I got all three components, it seems big for one person.

What do you think, for one person?

Great, I just donated and now have an edit I just saw the mail in checks instructions and no paypal so didn't go any further.

Yea I agree I think that set up is pretty cool too. It is the same as the other two I just posted, just a different angle.

Regarding the size that is an interesting question. The nest alone fits 2 but is a really nice space for one. I've slept with myself, my girlfriend, and our two medium sized dogs (both just under 50 lbs) and there isn't much spare room, but we fit in there fine. We are used to sleeping very close however. I really love the nest as a solo shelter and intend to use it as such quite a bit. I'm considering getting a zpacks poncho with extra tie outs and rigging in it similar fashion to the vestibule in those photos as an attempt to be able to endure some more serious weather while just bringing the nest, but I've gone on a tangent now.

Using the whole set up like you said, I think it is a very nice and even borderline luxurious 1 person shelter with a very nice sized vestibule that you can actually sit in and dry off, cook, etc. If you are ok with the weight which for a one person tent is on the heavy side at 3lbs, I think it is a really nice 1 person tent. I'll be using it that way at times and expect to enjoy it very much. The only thing I could see being too big for one is if you used the base + vestibule without the nest as just a tarp mid. You can see the pictures of me in there and can see there is A LOT of space. I think for that specific purpose an MLD duomid may be a better size in that there would be less empty space. With that said, I myself enjoy that extra space and would not buy another duo mid just for that purpose. For me and my uses it is a great size, even for one person or one person and dog which is most of my uses.

[Connie]

I was thinking how to get a vestibule, that will pitch "open" and zips up to the door with a second zipper to close up the shelter.

Maybe that would be a sufficient and versatile shelter for one person.

I think all three pieces, for one, would require a small Titanium Goat "WiFi" stove.

[Damn Yankee]

I love the last configuration picture and the one with the stove.

[LogHiking]

I was thinking how to get a vestibule, that will pitch "open" and zips up to the door with a second zipper to close up the shelter.

Maybe that would be a sufficient and versatile shelter for one person.

I think all three pieces, for one, would require a small Titanium Goat "WiFi" stove.

I don't fully understand what you mean by pitches open with a second zipper to close it. Can you elaborate a bit?

[LogHiking]

I love the last configuration picture and the one with the stove.

The 6 person configurations with the connecting tarp? If so yea they are really cool looking. My one hiking buddy is heavily considering getting a base and if he does we may just have to set up that configuration in the winter some time.

Here are a couple cool pics of that configuration (their facebook page has a lot of cool user photos which is where I'm getting the ones that aren't mine):

[Connie]

I like a vestibule, even a partially open vestibule for my backpack.

I was thinking, maybe a vestibule sewn in place on one edge, then zip up over The Nest net door to close it up (perhaps zip up on a second zipper around the net door). I am thinking for one person, me.

If I went for the three component system: base, The Nest, vestibule, I would want a Titanium Goat small "WiFi" stove.

[LogHiking]

I like a vestibule, even a partially open vestibule for my backpack.

I was thinking, maybe a vestibule sewn in place on one edge, then zip up over The Nest net door to close it up (perhaps zip up on a second zipper around the net door). I am thinking for one person, me.

If I went for the three component system: base, The Nest, vestibule, I would want a Titanium Goat small "WiFi" stove.

Connie, do you mean with just the nest? If so I understand what you are saying. Thats kind of the idea I was trying to work with with the nest + vestibule I pitched and also how I intend to try it with zpacks poncho if I get it.

The only thing I'll say is when I used just the nest I had plenty of room for all of my gear in there when its just me. It is a really nice size for one person and gear. I may even say it is perfect for me in that regard.

Also I just checked out the wifi stove. I would have to compare the specs but I'm partial to the SO stoves just because I like the SO people so much. But if the wifi stove is a lot lighter or has some other distinguishing trait I would definitely consider it. For me currently stoves are more a toy than a piece of backpacking gear as I don't spend much time in the woods in the winter. Just an overnighter or two a month.