question about sleeping gear - bivy

I guess it depends on your definition of a bivy. From the description it sounds like an insulated and weather resistant outer shell for a sleeping bag.

"Thermo-Lite II material on the bottom of the bivy... weather-resistant cocoon... easier to use than a simple sheet of reflective material... Adjustable side opening and foot vent..."

This one gets me

"can be repaired with duct tape if necessary..."

What isn't?

It would help to understand exactly what it is if there was a picture of it deployed, though.
 
No blankets I know have an "easy in, easy out" enty. They tend not to have adjustable side openings and foot vents either. ;)

Looks like a bivy to me.
 
andrew7978 said:
Ya I would like a picture of it opened. Who cares what it looks like in the bag. The good bivys are almost $200 so I was wondering what the difference is.

Here is what I consider a good one.

http://www.rei.com/product/747832?vcat=REI_SEARCH
Click to expand...


This not a so-called "good" bivy, which weighs about two pounds and costs $200. It is an "emergency" bivy. It is for when you are not planning to spend the night out, but are glad you have it if you do. It only weighs 7 oz. and is about the size of a can of Coke. It is a step up from a mylar "space bag", so it won't be so noisey or prone to ripping. I have the earlier version. Don't buy this with the idea that it will serve as your daily bivy bag.

-- FLIX
 
I have the older version as well and have used it for an unplanned night in the car. It has a brushed interior so as not to be as clammy as just mylar. The material is more durable than a space blanket. Having said that I have REI's minimalist bivy and it's 10 oz. heavier, but is a real bivy. You can catch them on sale every so often and they are in the $50 price range.
 
What FLIX and bikerider said. I have the earlier plain Thermo Lite version. Mine is the double (two person) model, which isn't much bigger than the single model. I've had it out of the package a few times, but haven't actually used it. I include it in my 'emergency' gear in the car.

Perhaps I'll look for one on sale and give that one a workout. I haven't seen the double version for sale recently, but I haven't looked too hard, either.
 
I have used the original thermolite in SAR operations and its "ok" but the velcro attachments kept ripping and its nearly covered 50% with duct tape. They should have made it out of duct tape to begin with. Flimsy unit to be honest even if it is 30% stronger now, it needed to be 100% more.

It is an emergency shelter and you will get 5-10 uses out of it with duct tape repairs after the first 2.

I have switched to the cheaper bivi sac by the same company and its a better unit. More waterproof tougher and smaller packed. It is still only an emergency bivi but it makes a great vapor barrier liner or outer with a sleeping bag. Better value for your money in my opinion.

http://www.rei.com/product/750944

Skam
 
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