Titanium Goat Ptarmigan Bivy

I have an older Tigoat bivy, and it had a bag-style headnet that pulled from the zipper opening over the head of the bivy.

Having the full mesh hood is great for ventilation, view, and claustrophobia.

But if you are tall, or in any way pushing the size of the bivy, the full mesh hood has the least volume, which is where the window has thee advantage: it creates more volume.

Plus the full-mesh hood requires folding the fabric hood inside out, underneath the bivy, which means if you aren't using a ground cloth, the inside of the part of the bivy that goes over your face is in the dirt.

If I was getting the ptarmigan, I would go for the window, even though it sacrifices ventilation and view.

I guess it would depend on the season and climate. I modified my ID Bugaboo bivy to have a net window very similar to what TG offers. This allows me to open it up for ventilation (the wider the better) or mostly close it off (except for nose/mouth area) for cold and windy weather.

So if you are planning to mostly use it in the summer, warm climates, or humid areas, choose the full net hood. If you want enhanced wind, cold, or spindrift protection then get the window net.

My next bivy (possibly a DIY project) will be an UL summer bivy and will feature a full net hood.

In all cases, I am presuming that you have some form of overhead shelter (solo tarp, poncho tarp, etc.) available for rain protection for the netting. There are very few bivies, especially UL ones, that don't require some form of overhead protection for ideal use.

I also have the older TiGoat bivy, but I never folded the hood inside-out while using the mesh hood. I use my sleeping pad inside the bivy, and I tuck the "back" of the mesh hood underneath the pad an few inches. I'd then pull the fabric hood over the top of the mesh hood a few inches.

Of course, since they redesigned the mesh to have a zipper, this might be a moot point.

Personally, I like the extra ventilation and visibility that the mesh hood offers. You can still use the hood to provide extra coverage to any degree you'd like, so I don't see any situation where the window is superior (except weight).

I think my main problem is that I simply do not understand how the bivy/net hood system is set up. I can't figure it out from the picture.

I got an email from titanium goat and I still don't understand what is going on.

Everybody keeps saying that in order to use just the net you have to fold the bivy hood inside out over the end of the bivy. At the same time the bivy hood and net hood have there own chest zips.

When I look at the pic the netting is on TOP of the bivy hood. Why can't you just unzip both chest zips, get in the bivy so that your bag is inbetween the net hood and the bivy hood (with the net hood on top) and zip the net hood closed.

nobody sells anything like the meteor bivy as far as im aware. but i made one and it works great. i would hate having netting sitting on my face and with the meteor bivy its basically just like im sleeping in a tent when i lay down. really isnt that hard to make.

I think that the Ptarmigan bivy has a tie out located on the hood area in both configurations, right?

It won't leave you with as much room as the bivy pictured above, but it shouldn't be clinging to its user's face either.

I could be wrong though. I don't have any personal experience with the piece, but I have been eying it up as a future purchase.

Dave

Your bivy looks great.

I am surprised no one makes one for sale.

The TiGoat bivy does have a tie-out loop on both the inner mesh as well as the outer shell of the bivy to elevate from your face. You shouldn't have any problem with the mesh touching your face, especially if you have any extra clothing or gear to stuff inside the bivy to keep it away from your face along the edges. This isn't necessary but just adds more space.

I know that the pics can be confusing, but the picture shows the net hood wrapped around a mummy sleeping bag. I opted for the full-net version after a bit of deliberation. Ultimately, ventilation won, as well as star-gazing capabilities. I'm 6'1", and the bivy is just barely long enough for me when having the netting shut. I would have preferred a bit more length for this reason, but it's not a huge deal.

Side note: The bivy is beautifully made, and I'm happy I went with this one. Some times I worry about breathability when compared to the MLD Superlight bivy, but ultimately the full mesh hood won me over. I would say however that the craftsmanship is on par with Ron at MLD, which really says a lot. This bivy is an absolute BEAUTY. The 'intrepid' fabric is a really cool material, and oddly very soft to the touch. It's fun getting into the bivy. Also consider getting a side zip custom option if thats your thing. I did, and haven't regretted it except for one time when ferocious winds were ripping thru the zipper. Next time I'll just suck it up and pull the tarp all the way to the ground.

I had no idea that was a bag in there, they are the same color. I thought it was part of the bivy some how :-)

I think I get it now.

The netting is under the hood and the pic shows the hood pulled back and over.

The comment about being tall also makes some sense now.

Thanks everyone!

I still contend that my T.T. Contrail is a better shelter in the rainy situations (as in downpours or days of rain)
than a small tarp & a bivy sack.

I totally get GTX or eVent bivys in a snow cave but summer? Where's the logic?

Hi everyone,

Do you all use a ground sheet under the bivy, or just the bivy by itself on the ground?

cheers,
fred

My ID Bugaboo bivy has a pretty durable floor, and I choose/prep my campsite carefully, so I do not use a ground sheet. This means that I have accumulated a few spots of pine sap on the bottom (and whatever sticks to it), but it hasn't been a big deal.

If I had a bivy with a lighter floor, I might consider a ground sheet. My concern would be the ground sheet collecting rain and forming a puddle if it were larger than the bivy. That's why tent footprints are smaller than their tent of course. Suppose this would not be a big problem with a full coverage tarp pitch.

looking for feedback on anyone who has added a side zip option to the bivy. i am considering full net hood with side zip and would appreciate any feedback on how it performs. would like some pics too. thanks.

>>looking for feedback on anyone who has added a side zip option to the bivy. i am considering full net hood with side zip and would appreciate any feedback on how it performs. would like so pics too. thanks.<<

I have a Titanium Goat Raven XL bivy on order with the large bug net and a side zip added that is in transit to me now. I will post some pics once I get it.

Thx william, looking forward to them.

I arrived home from work to find the mail included my new Titanium Goat Raven XL Bivy with full net and side zip.

Quickly, measurements (taken with the bivy empty, flat on the floor:
overall length is 90 in.
width at chest zip is 37 in.
width at foot is 19 in.

As you will see in the photos, it is BLACK, very Johnny Cash looking. Overall, bivy is mummy shaped, weight 223g (7 7/8 oz.

Pictures were taken with WM Apache Long and full size 72 inch Thermarest inside. You will note the volume in the foot is slightly compressed with pad and sleeping bag inside the bivy.

The side zip is pretty much a no-brainer for me (6'5" and less flexible than in my youth). Without the additional room, entering this would be like a snake putting on last year's skin!! There are no stake-out loops for the bottom, though there is a suspension hang loop for both the net and the DWR cover.

Overall impression, this is well-made, very light. I'm looking forward to trying it under normal outdoor conditions. At the moment, the only thing I'd like to see is more volume in the foot area.

G'Day William
That middle pic is a little hard to decipher. If its not too much trouble could you post a pick from a bit further back showing the hood and side zip
Thanks
Darren

What was the upcharge for the side zip option? If its shown on the site I missed it.

What was the upcharge for the side zip option? If its shown on the site I missed it.

DJ quoted $25 upcharge for the addition of a side zipper.

Back to the bivy. I too am confused as to the zippers. Does the side zip stop at the beginning of the hood? And then 2 zippers, one hood, one head net? Or does the side zip extend to either the net or the hood? I couldn't really tell from the pics. Thanks the pics are great.

I hope this helps.

First picture shows DWR hood folded under, net zipped across the chest area.

The next picture shows the DWR hood partially deployed over the head area but the net still in place.

I hope this is clearer. The main zipper (for the DWR top), runs from the left shoulder area across the chest then turns and goes down the right side.

The bug net zipper can be opened from either end, but is most easily managed from right to left. The bug net is sewn at the head end into the seam where where the silnylon bottom and the DWR join around the the head and shoulders. The zipper across the chest completes the net attachment, so there are two zippers running across the chest, though one of them (for the DWR top) isn't likely to be used much when the net is deployed.

The additional charge for the side zip was $25. (Worth it, imo!)

Thanks William
Its all clear now and looks good.
Darren

thanks william.

In another thread on this forum, Ron Moak has announced that in response to several requests, Six Moon Designs will son be producing the Meteor Bivy again. He will also leave the plans up on his website for those who would rather make their own.

I recently purchased this bivy myself. This is my first bivy and I'm curious to know what you all recommend using to tie the head net loop to the tarp. I suppose the obvious answer is paracord or spectracord, but was thinking something more elastic migh be best to create some tension between the netting and tarp. Or may be I'm over thinking this one… Thoughts?