Bivy suggestions please

abo4ster

abo4ster

Joined
Aug 24, 2003
Messages
1,461
I'm 6'4" and 200. I got the biggest XPG and liked it quite a bit. I used it in cold weather (10 deg) and didn't have any problems with it. It doesn't have a bug net, but something could be improvised. I had plenty of room inside with my bag (North Face Cat's Meow - which is a tight fitting mummy bag). I don't know if I could have had a big backpack in there with me. But some small bag would have been easy.

I used it with the XPG tarp too. Liked it quite a bit.
 
I just saw one at REI that is closer to a 1 man tent but it was from Black Diamond and the feature I really liked was the hoop over the head area so you had some breathing room. Also it had a bug screen and an L shaped zippered door so you didn't have to crawl in and out like some models. I have the military sleep system with the Gore Tex bivy and it works well but on cool nights the head area can collapse in and kinda wake you a little with the sudden cold contact. Not overly a real problem but it can be annoying. I keep thinking I am gonna rig a pole but rarely take the time. I bet a small willow branch would hold any of em up in the field.
 
INTEGRAL DESIGNS makes the best bivy bags on the planet, in my opinion.
 
I am torn between design on the Black Diamond Lightsabre and Integral Design Bugaboo from a personal preference. I like how easy it looks to get in an out of the Black Diamond, but I like openess of the Bugaboo, something I am used to as I have never used a bivy before - I used nothing or slept under a tarp if the weather called for it.

Opinions on durability and keeping me dry on the two...

Integral Designs Bugaboo
http://www.integraldesigns.com/prod...D=187284&CFTOKEN=69271010&mainproducttypeid=1

OR

Black Diamond Lightsabre Bivy
http://www.bdel.com/gear/lightsabre.php
 
Quiet Bear said:
I want to get a waterproof bivy for use with my sleeping bag. Anybody have suggestions besides what I have in the links (Cabelas XPG and Big Agnes Three Wire Bivy). Looking for one with a large shoulder girth and sqaure foot area. In advance, thanks for any recommendations.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...ts&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=bivy&noImage=0

http://www.bigagnes.com/str_tents.php?bid=15&PHPSESSID=91fca2ebb39fe7755b92db48a5005369
Click to expand...

I have the long version of Cabellas XPG and find it very roomy (6' 3", 240 lbs).
You can wear a bug net over your head and keep the breathing hole snug against your face to thwart the bugs.

Reviews of the XPG are mixed at Cabelas. Some complain of bad problems with leaking. I decided the mixed reviews were the result of Cabelas not having sealed the seams, so I did that job myself and have a little more confidence in the bag now. Still have not used it in the rain though.

I wanted a guaranteed waterproof bag so I recently ordered a "Bugaboo Bivy", which seals you up with a bug net and protects your face with a breathable waterproof material that is held off your face with a wire loop. The bugaboo is roomy, having been sized to fit all users. This bag has not arrived yet, so all I can do is point you to a description at Integral Designs.

http://www.integraldesigns.com/prod...D=188089&CFTOKEN=25261871&mainproducttypeid=1
 
I have an integral (salathe model) which works fine with a bag for winter camping, & w/o tent in the other seasons, etc. It breathes fairly well, but I wouldn't say it has lots of shoulder room or a square profile at the foot. I haven't tested the waterproof aspect against the likes of what one would see in the pac nw though, so I cannot comment. No complaints about it.


edited to include model
 
I have an Integral Designs 'Salathe' bivy also, and find the bugnet and hoop features great. I seam sealed it myself and never had problems with exterior moisture getting in in a driving rain. Well worth the money if you will use it alot.
 
1Tracker said:
I have an Integral Designs 'Salathe' bivy also, and find the bugnet and hoop features great. I seam sealed it myself and never had problems with exterior moisture getting in in a driving rain. Well worth the money if you will use it alot.
Click to expand...

I fully concur with 1Tracker. Tried numerious bivis and none met my expectations...I'm also around others who use them so I have lots of opportunites to field test before I buy. The Salathe was on my short list of bivis to get but....

I ended up with the Integral Designs eVent Crysallis Bivi. No regrets. Breaths well (which is a huge issue in bivis) so I have no condensation issue (wet from the inside), keeps gear dry in sever dampness and rain, fast and easy ingress/egress (really important to me) and in a wilderness friendly color (OD Green) if one wants to maintain a low profile.

Super lightweight, thin material, and folds up about the size of a small football - takes up very little footprint in the pack.

I keep my bivi over my sleeping bag 3 seasons and just put it and the bag into the compression sack together. When I arrive at my designation...just shake out the bag 'n bivi and crawl in.

A friend bought the eVent Unishelter Exp and loves it...but is going to get the same bivi as mine - he doesn't use the hoops and found it is more bivi than he needs for his purpose. No compliants but too much bivi for his purpose. Again he is very satisifed.
 
My Bugaboo Bivy by Integral Designs arrived yesterday and I tried it on today. I'm 6' 3" at 240 lb and the bugaboo fits well with room to spare, though I would not mind a little more room in the shoulders. Entry is greatly facilitated by the waterproof center zipper. The seams are tape sealed. Can't wait to try it out in the field.
 
I have to second the Integral Designs.
 
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