Now when it doesnt rain it will breathe like a dream! In this case, you bring a tarp and have adequate protection from rain, snow, etc. GOSSAMER-GEAR: Take 15% Off all Gossamer Gear Backpacks, Tents, Tarps, Trekking Poles and Accessories with Coupon Code "SECTIONHIKER22". Particularly if you remove the pole and pack it separately. Hello Erik, Im 6ft3 tall I see your feet are touching one end while your head is touching the other !! However, once out of the alpine setting they didnt compare all that well to the current crop of ultralight 1-person tents so I rarely used them once my mountaineering days were over. View all bivy sacks , Figured out how to rig a 6x9' footprint into a water resistant, ventilated, and flying insect-resistant tarp bivy using hiking pole, tent pegs, a little para cord, and a light mesh. Disclosure: Outdoor Research donated a bivy for this review. Any specific ones youd recommend though? JavaScript is disabled. As soon as it comes in yellow I'll order one. Ive used mountaineering bivy sacks in the past. In a nutshell if 6 2 or taller, consider the length factor of the helium bivy as potentially limiting its excellence in Use. It can easily be compressed much more. If you want rugged, solid performance in a bivy, this one is awesome. Your vote decides! Once inside the bivy there is a lot of room for what it is. I bought it from Massdrop for $148.07, and when received, tried it out on my back lawn without turning off the early morning sprinklers. bivy sacks ptarmigan trailspace titanium goat 2001-2022 Trailspace. It seems to me, that what you are doing is buying a very heavy bivy sack (anything over 8ounces is too heavy in my opinion) for the off chance of leaving home your tarp and encountering bad weather. Backpacking Light helps hikers and other backcountry enthusiasts overcome their barriers to living a life outside in Wild Places. Thank you. This is a robust fabric coating designed to stand up to any type of weather, intense UV exposure, and multiple ground types. bivy bipod I would recommend taking the time to stake it down. I am going to change my answer. If you want ultralight minimalism, at the expense of strength, quality, and features, grab a plastic garbage sack and hit the trail. Lightest weight baselayer ever. Both the zippered AscentShell upper and no-see-um mesh sections of the bivy can be completely zipped up to seal off the shelter from the elements. If you think the MLD Grace Solo tarps are too heavy, then get the MLD monk tarp which still will work in an emergency. If I could throw other options out there, I would say take a look at the MLD SuperLight and the TiGoat Raven bivys. I would go for the Integral Designs.oh, wait. Its a bivy sack. Another advantage I enjoyed with this shelter is the gray colour and low height makes stealth camping a breeze. Maybe I should have two bivy sacks. Im researching bivies for emergency kit on winter dayhikes. Ive used a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir mattress and a 32 degree Mountain Hardware Ratio down sleeping bag inside in freezing weather without experiencing any internal condensation. What would be the deciding factor for you to go with or without the tarp? The single pole does a nice job of keeping the fabric off your face, but the staking loops are limited and there is no pole at the foot end of the bivy so for the most part the fabric lays on your sleeping bag. (LogOut/ Fast forward to this year I was thinking about how to streamline my bikepacking gear setup further. Rather then buying a bivy model based on less then 25% of use, I'd rather buy one for the 75% and be more comfortable more often. First time there was a lonely fly that kept buzzing around my head unless I pulled it over me reducing ventilation. They were robustly constructed, but didnt breathe all that well. Small, lightweight canister stove, used to melt snow, Water Filter, kept in coat to keep from freezing, Rogue Panda Designs Custom Framebag, Full Size, Rogue Panda Designs AlamoGordo Top Tube Bag, Outdoor Research Foray Rain Pants, 3/4 Zip, Outdoor Research Peruvian Windstopper Hat. I dont think Ive ever experienced condensation when it didnt rain, even with the zippers closed completely in humid weather. Go with the Alpine and use a bug head net if required. shelter system that provides a structured headspace by using a single-pole for stand-alone structure or tying a guy line from the top of the bivy to something above it. In addition to the OR bivys, I also had the Mountain Laurel bivy on my short list. If this is still true, then the Alpine wins every time.". There are 2 stake loops, but I have never used them. If you haven't looked at the SMD Meteor bivy, you might want to. I was able to shed clothes and store a few items inside the bivy with me, but again its not a tent so functionality in that area is limited. What I really like about the OR bivy is that it doesnt require a tarp and it is lighter than many one person tents at that price point. . I don't really need help making decisions, but I was able to get insight on issues I hadn't settled. The way you have the soul configured I see not much difference except the netting. Comment *document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "aa147dcfd805a5f5dca546d516aedf0f" );document.getElementById("je705695a8").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); BACKCOUNTRY.COM: Get 15% Off Your First Order. Packed size shown in the photo above is ~12 x 5 and 476g, but the bivy is just loosely packed in the stuff sack. The lighter weight comes at the expense of a much less robust construction, but thats just part of the trade off as you move to lighter and lighter gear. gogo nemo Worst result ever, my tarp wrapped around me performs better. Checked flea-bay and am asking $180.00 TYD via USPS Priority, insured. I thank you all for the help with my decision making process. especially when sat up with a sleeping pad !!! The other 25% will be a stand alone bivy sleeping system. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. @ Rod forgot about the 2ply v.s. At times I will also use a winter sleeping bag when temps drop below 15F. I would go for the Soul with the bug netting should you use this all year round. Vortex Razor HD 11-33x50 Angled Spotting Scope, Spuhr 4011 34mm 0mil/0moa Height 1.102 Gap Mount. With being robust comes weight and $$$. Between the two I still think that the Soul Side Zip Bivy is the nicer of the two, but maybe heavier if you factor in the removable wire hoop in the head area and generous amount of head netting. If I had to cast a vote, I would vote for the Soul Side Zip as I've seen one of these, and they are really sweet. Cost wise, the Alpine Bivy seems like a better value that can not be ignored in my opinion. Not only that, but it is remarkably stable and doesnt fall in your face while sleeping and moving around inside. It had rained all night and was still raining in the morning, and the water was beading off the dwr as well as any new coating Ive seen. Ive got a Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy that I bought, checked it out in my living room and it has never seen the outdoors. I normally sleep out in my bivy sack leaving the tarp packed up. I say could because in my experience the performance of this shelter is highly dependent on the weather. Earlier this fall I slept in the Alpine Bivy for two consecutive nights on the Atlantic Coast in Newfoundland. The bivy can be used effectively with or without the poles, stakes, and stuff sack; a feature the gram shavers will no doubt appreciate. General repair. I appreciate the feedback. Bivies come in all types and differ in functionality. That is an option. Having extensive experience hiking where YOU hike, stay with a WP bivy. Left Side Zip, Mountain Laurel Designs Soul Bivy Side Zip nozone trailspace teryx Setup is a snap. Copyright 2007-2022, SectionHiker.com and Fells Press LLC. An eVENT Soul Bivy is over $350. No I do not have any experience with that bivy. I recently took up bikepacking and due to space limitations purchased the Helium bivy. Doing some more looking, it seems the Stargazer is also 4 season and just lacks all the extra zippers? This bivy weighs a little less than 6 ozs. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Prior to getting the Outdoor Research Helium Bivy I had a few alpine climbing bivy sacks. You are using an out of date browser. I am 62 and I found the bivy too short for me. Required fields are marked *. Weighing less and priced lower than most one-person tents available today, it is a good go-it-alone option for trekking the world over. Some offer bug protection, emergency survival, military expediency, waterproofness, breathability, 3- season, 4-season, structured and unstructured options or some such combination or all of the above. I felt like this keeps me rooted in my chosen sleeping spot, and better able to toss and turn until morning. Those polymers gather into a breathable membrane that, under a microscope, you can see forming a web that allows sweat vapors out but stops water from coming in. The fabric is soft to the touch and feels a bit stretchy, and these are attributes that OR claims result from the electrospinning process. Snipers Hide is a community of Snipers of all kinds, focusing on long range shooting, accuracy, and ballistics. 
Im glad I bought one. The first evening was beautiful, about 5deg Celsius. bivy sacks, This feature requires an active Backpacking Light Membership. I shouldnt have used the word saturated when I was leaning towards inundated or overwhelmed. You need to use it under a tarp. Just get a MLD Superlite Bivy (which is what I carried on the PCT this year) and a cuben fiber tarp and just carry them both. The new Superlight will fit your NeoAir, and DJ at TiGoat is working on a new Raven bivy that will fit it (but, call him you'll have to give him specifics as the current version on the website would not fit a Neoair). Juston It seems to me that the standard momentum topped Soul bivy would be a better choice. It really helped keep this girl Full review. Ive owned other bivy sack and they simply dont compare. Other than a simple bug net bivy (which MLD sells), the Meteor might suit your needs better than the Superlight with net hood, as it's got an even bigger net hood. $198, $172 - the spec states 82 inches = 6ft10 Is that going to be enough for me ?? 
I thought it was just from water leaking in because I Full review, Very light and compact, easy to pack all the time for unexpected overnight stays in the boonies. If you are claustrophobic or want a shelter to hang out in on your trips this is not the one for you. So you are paying $115 for the netting is what it looks like to me. Lithium for light weight, cold performance. Full review, This is my first bivy sac. My first comment is that no matter what the OR product photos may suggest this is not a small 1-person tent. $189, $89 - With the Pertex hood open and just the mesh screen in place my breathe doesnt add to the moisture load the bivy has to deal with and it feels spacious. After much research I settled on the OR Alpine Bivy. A tight bivy sack can feel like a body bag. Accumulating outside snow can be Full review, Spacious lightweight bivy, waterproof, and breathable with minimal condensation issues. Mountain Laurel Designs 2010 Alpine Bivy Gossamer Gear Silverback 65 Backpack Review, How to Stop Your Superfeet Insoles from Squeaking, 10 Most Durable Lightweight Backpacks of 2022, Outdoor Research Ferrosi Thru-Gaiter Review, Hiking Mt Lincoln and Mt Lafayette in July, Topo Athletic Terraventure 3 Trail Runner Review, How to Reduce Your Backpacking Water Weight, Hyperlite Mountain Gear Backpacks: How to Choose, Nitecore 10000 mAh USB Power Bank (5.9 oz), Feathered Friends Flicker 40 Quilt Sleeping Bag, Fabric: AscentShell 3L seam taped 100% nylon 20D ripstop upper, w/ 100% nylon 40D ripstop with TPU floor, Dimensions: 82 x 26 x 17 (length x top width x top height). What really makes this bivy interesting is that it was designed to allow the user to sit up, put both arms out, zip it open in front of the face and wear the top part of the bivy like a sombrero. 
The pole, which is threaded through a sleeve on the top head end of the bivy, is effective while free-standing, secured to the ground with one tent stake, or suspended from an overhead branch with a guy line. Comparable 3-4 season bivy sacks with head pole, no-see-um mesh, and side entry. If you have to have the bivy, I'd go for the most breathable to at least relieve some of the water vapor/condensation. Last time I compared the Soul Zip used the 2 layer event, while the Alpine used the 3 layer. At a cost of $179USD [~$240CAD] its a relatively low cost way to get a light shelter that provides excellent bug and reasonable weather protection. ETA It might be helpful to know that I'll be using this along with a tarp 75% of the time. If you relay on the vocal minority to make your mind up ,you could end up with a hammock. No tarp. Share your experience, help others find the best gear, and build your reputation as a trusted reviewer. The second time no fly buzzing, but I was soaked from the condensation, including my sleeping Full review, Why this bivy? Paired with a light sleeping bag and pad I will have a sleep system thats comfortable and that can deal with pretty much anything Mother Nature throws at me without slowing me down during the day when I am trying to cover as much ground as possible. Based on the weight, I assume you mean the MLD Superlight. But by carrying such heavy bivy sacks, what you are doing is almost adding the weight of a small cuben fiber tarp. I recently experimented with a tarp, complemented with this light e-bivy by MSR, and enjoy that combo for summer and shoulder seasons, even here in the Pacific NorthWet. I may buy a bivy this year and have researched a few. I actually had the same hunch and inspected the bivy after my first night, worried that the culprit might be the dwr, but the fabric itself wasnt saturated at all. Get our free Handbook and Receive our weekly newsletter to see what's new at Backpacking Light! 
You're currently viewing a free preview of a member exclusive premium article. Wayne. If only for winter get the Alpine. My sleeping pads are either a NeoAir regular or an Exped 9 deluxe. I wanted to replace my three-season, two-man tent with something smaller and lighter, without sacrificing what I need to enjoy my trips. I like the design but for extra comfort try adding two pole pockets near the shoulder blades. I always enjoy your thoughtful perspectives. Modular snowboots, very light and waterproof. Highly breathable and lightweight, it's a great option when weight and packability are must-have shelter attributes. They are much more durable than this one, but more money and heavier. This is all speculation on my part, as I'm not sure this is your intended plan. Without a tarp you will have to keep it zipped up in the rain, and Ascentshells breathability however great, is significantly compromised when there is a thin film of water running over it. Free Shipping and Returns. I'll leave this open till for 24 hours. I really like the relative roominess of the head and shoulder space created by the pole, and the ability to stake out the bivy at the head and the foot. Important to consider if/why you'd want a bivy sack. So if you truly don't care about the cost, get the Soul. I hitchhike long distances abroad and sleep in a bivy for months at a time, so Im looking for something durable and waterproof. Let us know what you go with and good luck! At times I will use this as a stand alone bivy sleeping system. If its warm and wet outside the bivy and you have the hood closed its going to get warm and moist inside as well. Alpine weight 11.5+1.5(lg sz)+.75(zip)=13.75. I own the OR Advanced Bivy, which I purchased at REI in 2003. Ive had a bivy in my shelter quiver for many decades. This is probably slightly low since the size upgrade probably adds more weight once you are using the heavier floor and top fabrics I see that the size upgrade on the alpine adds 1.5 oz. 
I am writing from the Swiss Alps, so sorry for the lousy English. I slept comfortably all night and did not get wet from the sprinklers, which were on for 20 minutes. The Outdoor Research Interstellar Bivy is a 4-season bivy that features an upper made with AscentShell, a proprietary waterproof breathable fabric made by OR that has some built-in stretch.While the floor of the bivy is nylon coated TPU for more conventional waterproofness and abrasion resistance, the addition of the AscentShell upper and Derlin single-pole system provide ample yet stable headspace inside a waterproof/ breathable bivy system that weighs a mere 23 oz when fully packed for the trail. Philip Werner May 24, 2021 Vintage Backpacking Gear. It rained on and off for about an hour and I had little puddles of water up by my head. The interstellar seems to handle short showers well, but Ive always been a little wet after all nighters in it. I'm not afraid of bugs, so venting is always an option. Going the eVENT route means you are getting less breathable bivy that will be warmer for summer use which is normally when the majority of use comes from. Thanks Len. Designed to function well in varied terrain and weather, this bivy is an all-in-one option that provides ample head and torso space for comfortable sleeping and functions as a wearable shelter while performing seated camp tasks in inclement weather. I need something a little less heavy duty sometimes and there is no need to carry the extra weight for a redundant setup. Change). It is the head that inherits from the problem.so be aware of that..I am selling mine and buying a bivy that will accola date my size.. No comments/review I read before the purchase covered that issue, so I bought without thinking, and realised then through the test. Ideal when I am camping places I am not really supposed to be. I also want the Soul Bivy because of the bug netting. Yes I was thinking of the superlight model. Thanks for the additional information guys. Ive got a Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy that I bought, checked it out in my living room and it has never seen the outdoors. Like any waterproof breathable fabric how well it works is a function of the moisture gradient across the barrier. View All Outerwear, Clothing, and Accessories. At 60 and 190 lbs, I have a relatively long yet lean frame, and this bivy does not feel constricting at all. Let's say your shelter system choice is based on weather. I've also recently purchased a quilt from Tim Marshall made of mostly cuben fiber and momentum90 that I will add to my sleeping setup. Login or become a member to post in the member forums! The ultimate socks for deep cold. The top of the bivy even has an indentation for the head, which truly makes it feel like a sombrero. Franco. Add the small criss-cross poles and you have back support. (LogOut/ Ive been focused on working a lot the last few years to hit some savings goals and the blog suffered as a result, but Ive recently scaled back my work to part-time so that leaves more time for fun stuff and writing about fun stuff on the blog. The OR Interstellar Bivy weighs 19 oz alone and the single-pole, stuff sack, and two aluminum ground stakes (not included) add an additional and optional 4 ounces extra for a total packed weight of 23 oz. curated by the Trailspace community. reviewed and :D, "I've also decided to order a SuperLight Bivy with all net only hood size large.". Guyline keeps off face. Ascentshell is great, but isnt a miracle fabric when saturated, and have the same limitations as other breathable fabrics. Hello, thanks for this review. TREAD LABS INSOLES: As good as custom orthotics at a fraction of the price. Proof Research 26 .277 CF barrel for sale. I personally think that it will be too warm for summer use though. Its a good solo sleeping option from my perspective. The single-pole keeps the top of the bivy well away from your head and provides enough head and shoulder space for all types of sleepers, even tossers, and turners like me. soul weight 8.5(base)+1.9(event top)+1.5(70d floor)+.75(large size)=12.65 oz. Multi-use, usually to wipe down inside of bivy. It is easy to roll up from the head/mesh end to the foot tightly and quickly as air easily escapes from the AscentShell fabric. Discontinued, old model, holds electronics. Outdoor Research Interstellar Bivy Review. The Soul Side Zip is my choice. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Endura SingleTrack Trousers II 1 Year Review. Its obvious you get out and really use the stuff. Cast your vote and tell me why you went with one over the other. Most likely the majority (>50%) of bivy users combine a bivy with a tarp and therefore would be able to balance weight with other characteristics such as breathability and rain resistance. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Your vote decides. But with so many zippers it is important to employ some focused zipper management to the process of setting it up willy nilly zippering will lead to frustration, especially in the dark! Hope it helps soem of you. Weather, site selection, etc.? The arm zippers are best left zipped down along the bivys sides. That's it here they are. I have spent almost two weeks in the Outdoor Research Helium Bivy and found it to be pretty acceptable for my use. I cant trust their product anymore, I just remind when my sleeping bag was wet by 30. tent ul2 fly creek prep final haul hike colorado trail ounces half $229. No duplication of photos, maps, or text without permission. So I will be scanning the weather forecast before a trip and if I am going to spend multiple nights in this bivy I want to be confident its not going to be warm/hot and humid. bivy minimalist rei sacks outdoor trailspace Made up of varying yet simple components, a bivy is designed to provide protection from the elements like a tent would do, but without the weight, bulk or complexity of one. Free Shipping and Returns. You must log in or register to reply here. Weekly reviews, exclusive deals, giveaways, and more: $300 - not be able to find a spot large enough to pitch a tarp), then your standalone bivy should be robust. Full review, The Outdoor Research Interstellar Bivy is a four-season packable, lightweight bivy that utilizes ORs highly successful AscentShell to boast incredible breathability, even in the clammiest of situations, while remaining waterproof. Have you used it in winter? I suggest you add some distinct zipper pulls to them so you can tell them apart by touch in the dark. Your email address will not be published. Tall and thick. Nice review Erik, thanks for the info. For comparison my Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1 1-person tent is ~18 x 6 and weighs 1011g. Size Large These are not tents, with vestibules and room to organize and ample headroom to sit up and change Full review, Great for dry conditions, not great when it rains. What this bivy lacks is waterproofness. Your email address will not be published. Feel free to vote for another bivy not listed. alpine trailspace Well made, durable, watertighttoo watertight, actually; the top is not breathable, which means potentially lots of condensation inside the bag. Let's call it 8:00PM EST tomorrow 12/24/2009. I have used it (the bivy) for 23 days on the JMT with a 1" Montbell 5' long mattress and Montbell pillow and 32 degree F Summerlite sleeping bag and loved the setup (inside my Squall Classic GossamerGear tent). The Interstellar 4-season bivy seems to have checked all the boxes and improved upon the bivy concept. So I'm not getting the point in what you are doing since you aren't going to save many ounces.
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