I know that the whole motorbike thing means it's not totally equivalent, but I was also struggling with the most suitable tent vs vestibule vs weight thing. In the end for the trip both me and the mate went for bivi's and the tarp.
The mate is a unit, 6'5 South African, and definitely used every inch of space in the Rab Ridge Raider. I think realistically it would have suited me at 6' and slight shoulders, but although he struggled a little bit to roll around in the night he managed to sleep. The bug net was useful even though we didn't have any midges.
The bivi I used had more than enough space for me and valuables. I sewed up a velcro bug net to attach to the storm flap on my bivi. It allowed me to keep some ventilation and avoid any insects getting inside.
The large ripstop tarp was way more suitable as a vestibule, as it was draped over us to keep off the majority of the overnight drizzle and dew, but loads of room underneath for storage without stinking up our sleep.
TL:DR - I think regardless of the tent/bivi/whatever, carrying an UL tarp to use for vestibule is worth the 300-500g penalty.
I know that the whole motorbike thing means it's not totally equivalent, but I was also struggling with the most suitable tent vs vestibule vs weight thing. In the end for the trip both me and the mate went for bivi's and the tarp.
The mate is a unit, 6'5 South African, and definitely used every inch of space in the Rab Ridge Raider. I think realistically it would have suited me at 6' and slight shoulders, but although he struggled a little bit to roll around in the night he managed to sleep. The bug net was useful even though we didn't have any midges.
The bivi I used had more than enough space for me and valuables. I sewed up a velcro bug net to attach to the storm flap on my bivi. It allowed me to keep some ventilation and avoid any insects getting inside.
The large ripstop tarp was way more suitable as a vestibule, as it was draped over us to keep off the majority of the overnight drizzle and dew, but loads of room underneath for storage without stinking up our sleep.
TL:DR - I think regardless of the tent/bivi/whatever, carrying an UL tarp to use for vestibule is worth the 300-500g penalty.