Bivy sack?

MOcluck

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jul 28, 2012
Messages
286
Location
Missouri
New to the forum, building a sleep system for 2014 archery elk just wanted to see what kind of bivy you guys are packing, and some basic info weight,cost,waterproof etc
 

Curtis C

WKR
Joined
Mar 1, 2012
Messages
790
Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Depends on the type of shelter you are trying to put together. Straight up bivy alone or under a tarp of some sort?

I will be using the Bristlecone Bivy (8oz & about $150 new) under a Megatarp. Not a waterproof bivy since I will rely on the tarp for that. My main reason to use this bivy is to protect my sleeping bag from debris and ground moisture.

C
 

Outdoorsman3830

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
May 5, 2012
Messages
182
Location
Cheyenne, WY
I take my MSR Hubba when I'm expecting rain everyday, which is not very often. Now I'm making the switch from the North Face Aslym Bivy tent to the Outdoor Research Advanced Bivy. Its a bit tricky getting in and out of the North Face Bivy tent and I'm not sure if it would handle harsh weather all that well. I'm leaning toward using the OR Advanced Bivy no matter the weather with a small 5X8' tarp. Tarps cover gear as well as anything else and I have found a small tarp is useful when glassing in inclement weather.

Definitely check out REI. Try out tents, bivy-tents, and bivy's to figure out which one best suits your desires and expectations. If your not satisfied with the tent, then simply return it for bivy or bivy-tent. Buying every kind to have can become expensive very quickly.
 
Joined
Aug 3, 2012
Messages
725
Location
San Luis Valley, Colorado
Outdoor Research Bivy

I have an old OR bivy I got for climbing 14ers and it is still bombproof.

However, if the forecast looks bad at all, I prefer having a roof like the ParaTipi. It's uncomfortable getting trapped in your bivy for 14 hours because a storm front comes in and your only warm option is inside the sleeping bag.
 

Trout bum

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Messages
244
Location
Colorado
OR Aurora Bivy with a home made tarp. There are much lighter bivy sacks out there now but the OR has been good to me. It weighs 1.5 pounds and costs $200 ish. It is full Gore tex and has proven itself in a few beat downs. Not sure the weight of the tarp but it is made out of almost the same material as the Kifaru tarps/tipis. If I were going to buy a tarp tomorrow it would be a Kifaru for sure.
 
OP
M

MOcluck

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jul 28, 2012
Messages
286
Location
Missouri
Thanks for the info guys I am looking at the ti goat it seems to be pretty lite and im trying to save a little weight as I didnt plan on packing a bivy at first but figured better safe than sorry
 

luke moffat

Super Moderator
Joined
Feb 24, 2012
Messages
102
Lawnbio is correct the top of the TI isn't waterproof, but the bottom is. Being as you are looking to use it in a paratipi the non-waterproof is a non-issue. In fact a non-waterproof top of a bivy is preferred for me to help it breath and not build condensation.
 
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Messages
1,100
Location
Annapolis, MD
MOcluck,

What functionality are you looking for in your bivy, keep your bag clean, protect from rain, increase the warmth of your sleeping bag? The reason I ask is, and this is really directed at everyone, since you will have a tarp as your main weather shelter, would a sleeve of tyvek that you put your sleeping bag and pad into serve the same purpose as these other mini-tent bivy sacks .

Larry
 
OP
M

MOcluck

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jul 28, 2012
Messages
286
Location
Missouri
My main issue is with water coming in under tipi during heavy rain and condensation not sure of the chances of that but like the peace of mind so I guess you could say I need it to protect the bottom of my bag and be lite
 

ken

FNG
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Messages
49
Location
ADK's
I've never had the need for a bivy, especially in a heated shelter like the Paratipi.
 
OP
M

MOcluck

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jul 28, 2012
Messages
286
Location
Missouri
Ken have you had anny water get in your tipi during hard/prolonged rain?
 

Lawnboi

WKR
Joined
Mar 2, 2012
Messages
7,685
Location
North Central Wi
Ken have you had anny water get in your tipi during hard/prolonged rain?

Correct pitch location is key, as with any tent. Iv your in a not soaking wet climate, and pitch your tipi in the right spot, you will not get. If you pitch it in a depression you will get wet as with just about every other tent, floored or not. Pitch it in a good spot and forget the bivy is how id go. Only reason id like a bivy is to increase temp and protect my bag in floorless shelters. Water entering has not been a concern.
 

G Posik

WKR
Joined
Mar 1, 2012
Messages
522
Location
Houston,Texas
I have a bivy from REI. Not the top of the line but light weight. Will be pitched under a para tarp. Like others said more for the ground moisture and keeping the bag clean.

Glenn
 
Top