For When You are out of options. To begin, I will first say that these four shelters are primitive types, and should be used in the event that you haven’t brought your own tarp system. A tarp is simply going to be easier to set up and offers better protection from the elements.
A lean-to shelter is going to be perhaps the easiest one to set up of the bunch, which means that it is going to take you less time to get the job done before the setting sun causes you problems. If you were not able to bring along a headlamp, then this particular shelter is a good choice. Essentially, a lean-to shelter is a simple structure . With practice, it can be erected quickly and offer you a heat reflector to get the most out of your fire. It also can block out a moderate rain (if the shelter is set up to shield you from the wind).
Pros: Quick setup, requires less tooling, offers some cover and can be used as a heat reflector to contain heat from your campfire (which can be amplified with a space blanket).
Cons: Won’t protect against very rainy or cold weather, waterproofing on only one side, will not efficiently trap body heat.
The a-frame shelter is often the go to for bush craft in the northeastern woodlands of the U.S. simply because it does just about everything a shelter should do, reasonably well. It’s also based on a simple ribbed design, so it makes for a somewhat fast setup. Yet at the same time you can add as much debris as you feel necessary for weatherproofing and heat retention. The key here is to make sure you have set aside enough time to plan it out since it is going to be a bit more complex to build than your common lean-to shelter system. The nice part about this shelter is that you can build a fire near the entrance and if you have a backstop to your fire lay you can reflect that warmth inside your a-frame.
Pros: Moderately easy setup, moderately sturdy against wind, protects on two sides and will offer moderate heat retention.
Cons: Will be inadequate in extreme weather conditions, takes double the set-up time as a lean-to and construction integrity depends on resources at hand.
Basically the granddaddy of survival shelters and is the prelude to the teepee. This shelter system can provide a more permanent residence due to its sturdy construction, heat retention, indoor heat option and overall comfort factor. Needless to say, there are no shortage of advantages to a conically shaped shelter. This shelter does takes coordination, time and skill to set it up in such a way that justifies building it. If anything, this would be a shelter that I would begin building if I had another adequate shelter already in place. Because I would not want to skimp on a wigwam, I would take multiple days to build it properly (which means that I do not plan on going anywhere for a while). Yet, one thing the woods teaches is that prudently applied hard work will not go without reward. A wigwam will allow you to procure fewer logs for a night’s heat, since your fire can stay inside the shelter with you.
Pros: Basically a small home, you can stand in it and keep your fire inside the shelter. It will endure wicked weather and is extremely sturdy.
Cons: Takes time, skill, energy, adequate resources on hand and should probably not be attempted if limited time and labour capacity is a factor (ie: injury, sickness, etc.)
The debris hut is extremely heat-efficient, incredibly sturdy, obscenely weatherproof and is practically an igloo that is made of indiscriminate woodland stuff. It has got all the strengths of the other shelters and few of their weaknesses. Also, even though it can take a good bit of time to perfect it, this shelter can be improved over time. As you take the time to layer materials for heat retention and weatherproofing, it only gets better and stronger (which is where the wigwam tends to fall short). In fact, Debris Huts can accommodate an inside fire lay, but there are some additional mods that are required before this can be done without smoking yourself from your own wilderness home. The debris hut is like the Swiss Army Knife of shelters, simply because of its excellent versatility, flexibility, efficiency, structural integrity and comparatively easy construction process.
Pros: Maximum heat retention, extreme weatherproofing, regional building material flexibility, comparatively easy setup and reinforce.
Cons: Higher difficulty and more time to set up than a standard A-Frame or Lean-To, cannot stand in it like a Wigwam.
