What Bivy Do you Recommend?

[briancray]

Ok, so it's gotten to that point where I need new gear. By new I just mean I need to upgrade as I have no issue with used gear as long as it works. I just got a used Kelty Cosmic 0 degree sleeping bag, but I need recommendations on a bivy sack to purchase. I get paid in a few days and I'm looking to buy something with the following:

-100% waterproof and windproof
-Preferably ultralight
-Mesh mosquito net to make it breathable when not raining
-dark color available...none of this neon yellow shit

I looked into the REI minimalist bivy and it looks promising, but I don't know if it comes in other colors than neon green and how it handles in continual, unfavorable camping conditions.

My last bivy I purchased was supposed to be waterproof, but it ended up just being water resistant. If you have used a particular bivy sack that you recommend I would greatly appreciate any guidance so I continue looking prior to buying something.

I searched the forums but did not find any recommendations in this sector. The main thing I'm looking for is breathability and waterproof. The other shit is a plus but I find those most important. Thanks.

 

[spectacular]

Rei minimalist gave me lots of condensation from just body heat. But perhaps I didn't use the zipper heat release system right

 

[spectacular]

Outdoor research advanced is the most promising with the alpine coming in a close second based on the extensive research I did...

 

[briancray]

I wonder if anyone has used them? I'll look into those more extensively. I've found Condensation is a big issue with any bivy sack. Thanks for letting me know about the REI minimalist. I'll keep looking then.

 

[wizehop]

I went from a tent, to a bivy, to not even carrying a tarp. Even bivys get to fucking big after a while. That being said my bivy has served me well in all seasons. I'd have to get back to you on what kind it is (was a gift), as its not on me at the moment.
The main draw back to consider with a bivy is when it rains for days straight, your literally trapped in this sleeping bag cocoon and it sucks. To that you may say well use a tarp or something over top, in which case I say why bother with the bivy in the first place.

Man I used to love them and swear by them, I'm just so fucking lazy now.

 

[Pigfucker]

USMC improved bivi, ultralite goretex, coyote brown. Check on ebay. I got mine for $75, in new unissued condition.

 

[iamwhatiam]

I have one of these and I love it. You can set it up as a hammock or on the ground as a bivy. It's pretty comfortable and roomy too: http://www.ddhammocks.com/product/dd_superlight_jungle_hammock

 

[DoctorApocalypse]

I've got the military modular sleep system w/ its bivy and it's never let me down in any season. You can pick up just the bivy on ebay for around $40 currently it seems, and the entire sleep system for right around $100.

 

[Durp]

If I was going that route I would choose milspec over civilian in a heartbeat. Any of the surplus gear I have had was cheaper than civilian, and atleast 10x the quality. Plus think about how much the gov't spends on the troops. I bet that bivy was atleast a few hundred bucks or more new. I personally prefer a cheap tarp. You get a bivy, hammock, tent, rain fly plus the multitude of mcgyver uses for around $20. Bivy condisates too much for my liking.

 

[briancray]

I have one of these and I love it. You can set it up as a hammock or on the ground as a bivy. It's pretty comfortable and roomy too: http://www.ddhammocks.com/product/dd_superlight_jungle_hammock
View attachment 23070 View attachment 23071

That looks cool but I would think that weighs quite a bit and takes a little more time to setup. My main concern with any bivy I have ever had is condensation. That shit is a bitch. Cold or humid it doesn't matter. I am seriously considering just getting something lightweight for emergencies and just sleeping in a sleeping bag when it's not raining out. Has anyone gone with the Snugpak bivii bag? I checked out a lot of the other options. Thanks for all the suggestions guys. This is going to be harder than I thought to choose now.

 

[Jaguwar]

I'm loving the jungle hammock, but that's 2.5 pounds... ouch.
I have a milspec bivy which is certainly waterproof, and I haven't had a problem with condensation yet, despite having a -15°F sleeping bag that does am excellent job wicking away sweat. Of course, we haven't had sweltering nights yet, either. I was, however, thinking it would be nice to add mosquito netting and a tarp over it for extra long inclement days and nights. Otherwise, I'm loving it!

 

[briancray]

I'm loving the jungle hammock, but that's 2.5 pounds... ouch.
I have a milspec bivy which is certainly waterproof, and I haven't had a problem with condensation yet, despite having a -15°F sleeping bag that does am excellent job wicking away sweat. Of course, we haven't had sweltering nights yet, either. I was, however, thinking it would be nice to add mosquito netting and a tarp over it for extra long inclement days and nights. Otherwise, I'm loving it!

Did you get it on eBay or Amazon? I'm in the middle of nowhere so I can't really go to any stores. I looked up a lot of USMC bivy bags on eBay and they seem promising, but every auction had the mosquito netting cut out. I'm going to check back later.

For anyone else who is looking into bivy bags I would not go with any water resistant bags. Stay away from Sierra Designs. There quality is poor and in the two years I've had my bag I've sewn it back together multiple times and the inside lining started peeling away so when it gets really sticky out this shit actually peels and white pieces of the interior stick to you.

 

[Jaguwar]

I found mine on Craigslist, actually, paid $50 including shipping. I just offered $10 for shipping, knowing it was probably too much, but that way he could expedite it. Where are you? He might still have some, and I know he's willing to ship anywhere in the continental US.

 

[briancray]

I'm in Albion, NY.

 

[Jaguwar]

Crap, he's taken down his ad, I guess he's sold everything. But yeah, look around CLOCKING, there are often good deals on quality items, and if course ask lots of questions.

 

[Ranger]

I've spent alot of time sleeping in a bivy with harsh conditions in all seasons, by far the best I've found is the discontinued "Integral Designs Unishelter" so if you see one used grab it. They're so good that the company still makes them for their military sales division... The Event fabric breathes alot more than goretex but still builds up condensation in cooler conditions (if moisture isnt warm enough to evaporate it cant pass). Best things about these bivys was that the floor is a heavier coated nylon and the small tent pole to form a hoop gives you enough room to move around abit and helps air move around better. Pair this with their "Sil-poncho" and youve got the most kick ass ultralight setup around. So far my bivy is going strong after 4 years and the sil-poncho going strong after 8 years(dont wear it as a coat often/ just used it as a small tarp, but great backup). Keep in mind this is top end guchi-gear, when I was broke floating around I ran a surplus Canadian Army bivy I picked up unissued for $100, It lacked a proper hood but was roomy and only opened at the top with a drawstring. Toughest bivy around, just nothing to go wrong and could literally lay in a puddle with it but didnt breath nearly as well.

 

[XanderMenanderer]

I got a SOL Adventure Escape bivy. I've had it for two years an haven't used anything else. Honestly the greatest lightest bag ive ever used. I pack at 35L Trek bag and made a point to make my gear set ultrlight. You can get one through walmart or sportsmans warehouse for like $40 http://www.surviveoutdoorslonger.co...-outdoors-longer-escapetm-bivvy-od-green.html
it weighs 8oz, 70% heat reflect, waterproof yet breathable an best of all it comes in olive green

 

[Hillbilly Castro]

I have the tigoat ptarmigan. Super lightweight and gets the job done.

http://www.titaniumgoat.com/Bivy.html