Dumb Question of the Day – about bivies

Most seem to put it inside. I put mine outside.

Good question….
For the ones that use the mat inside, could you please list the model of the bivy,mat, bag and your size?

For the ones that don't, why not ?

Franco
Sorry David, I hope you don't mind

outside, I use it as my ground sheet – GG Thinlite

I use the ID Unishelter EXP eVENT bivy. My pad is the Thermarest Womens ProLite 3 and I keep it inside the bivy. My bag is the North Face Beeline. I am 5'-9" and weigh 205#.

Here is a photo taken November 2006 on the PCT west of Tahoe.

Same deal as Chris. A GG thinlite on the outside for use as a grounsheet and insulation. I put my torsolite or MB 90 inside for comfort depending on temps. I roll around quite a bit and found this setup acceptable for my needs.

Ti goat basic bivy large, 6' 2 1/2" and about 180 lbs.

5'11", 160 lbs.

Three season
Equinox bivy used hoodless
RAB quantum top bag
GG nightlight torso outside
POE uberlite, if used, on inside

Winter season
Neatsheet
Zero degree bag setup (two bags and quilt; needs updating to lessen weight)
POE uberlite outside
MEC bivy pad outside

Pad on outside
1. more room in bivy
2. pad moves less, to me
3. can sit up without taking a pad with you

Pad on inside
1. more protection from puncture, if inflatable
2. some say their pad moves less when inside
3. less room inside, but that is negligible in three season with most lightweight bags

Any good inflatable is waterproof so no moisture problems.

Bivy: Integral Designs eVENT Bugaboo
Pad: REI Lite-Core, Big Agnes Insulated Air Core, or other
Bag: Marmot Hydrogen, REI Kilo Plus, or other
Winter Auxilary Pad: REI Blue Foam

I always use my primary pads inside, but all my primary pads are mummy shaped inflaters. I always use my winter auxilary pad outside the bivy when winter camping on snowy or frozen ground.

I toss around alot and sleep on my side part of the time, so I would roll off my primary pad if not contained inside. I also theorize that I am optimizing the inflated pad warmth by keeping it inside the waterproof bivy (less conduction into moist ground?), but this is probably not borne out by physics.