Anyone sleep in a Bivy? (US Military Gore Tex Bivy vs. MSR E-Bivy)

Michaelmcgo:

I don't know about anything about that tent, but if you can afford a little bit more take a look at the REI Half Dome 2. It's REI's most highly reviewed tent (from consumers and professionals...Backpacker Magazine really like it too) and it's the best one I"ve seen from REI. It's the best tent I've seen for the money. Period. I don't own one but many of my friends do and it's the one I recommend for those on a budget. It's a great little tent with an impressive set of features for the money (REI buying Moss and Walrus Tents has been incredible for it's tent line).
http://www.rei.com/product/794294
 
I used a british army issue bivy bag just the other weekend. The temp dipped just below freezing for a point during the night and I slept sound throughout it. Next morning some people who'd slept in the same field in tents complained about the cold.

I do usually pair it up with a poncho though. I would never trust a bivy bag alone to keep me 100% dry in wet weather.

One thing you may want to consider is the mosquito/midge factor. I know some will say just wear a net but the net will fall on your face and you will be chewed.
 
Yeah, Edgeworks used to own Moss, Walrus and Armadillo but was bought by REI and the names were discontinued, with some designs going away and others getting the MSR name. MSR is also owned by REI.
 
Michaelmcgo:

Try one of the US MIL Bivy's. I just got one and I love it. With many items there is a learning curve. Try the bivy and see if it meets your needs. The US bivy is so cheap for the materials. You can buy them new and unused for a fraction of the cost of other bivy's and mod them to your liking if you want and be none the poorer.

Having just bought one, I can vouch for them.
 
I used a USGI bivy a couple of weeks ago for 2 nights. The first night I didn't have it over my face. The second night I did for a while, then got too warm and opened it up. The weather was clear when I used it. If I was expecting rain, I would put up a poncho as well. For bugs...I am not sure what I would do with the USGI. Still, for the price it's a great bivy, and you can always upgrade later and get most of your money back selling the USGI.
 
paleojoe said:
I once thought that, but after owning both bivvies and bivy-tents for years, I can vouch for them.

My Black Diamond/Bibler bivy-tent is not much heavier at all.
And is very still small to pack.
The head space provided is way more than any bivy I've tried. I can read in it, store another pack inside, put things in the inner pockets, sit up, and dry clothes on the dome.
The mosquito net is well above head which allows for nice star views.
The pole is very small and it takes very little extra time to setup.

The bendable wires in regular bivvies are only somewhat functional. They don't do the best of a job IMO...

A bivy-tent allows for a step up in comfort, and longer camp setups vs. a regular bivy. Getting in and out is easier. Also a step up if snow or rain is a concern. The trade up is so little in terms of weight and size for what you get. Very minimal, we're talking 2 lbs 10 oz vs. 1 lb 12 oz (the Tarptent ultralight contrail weighs 1.53 lbs. without poles)

I'm a fan of both, but there is a time and place for each, in my experience.
I've tried several times to pick one, just one between the two, and I couldn't do it.

As for the price, I got mine used/returned for half the cost at a local outdoors store.
There are some things I believe in spending on for the amount of quality you receive, I think these sorts of equipment fit that category.
Then again, the use may differ for everyone.
Click to expand...

Joe,

As someone who has owned and extensively used both the Bibler Tripod and the Outdoor Research Advanced bivies (i.e., bivies with multiple poles), I still don't agree. I do, indeed, find that they are not worth the extra size, weight, expense, set up and break down time, and such, to me. Give me a Bibler Big Wall bivy over a Bibler Tripod bivy any day (though, to be clear, I consider them both great bivies).

It's not just a matter that the Tripod is more expensive; I'd take the Big Wall over the Tripod even if the Big Wall cost more. I've come to prefer the ones with no poles.

It's a matter of individual preference, perspective, and individual usage patterns.
 
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