Nano vs Side Bivy

I started with an original BPL Vapr bivy with just the cross zip at the top and it made such difference when I modified it by adding a side zip. For a little more weight the side zip is the way to go in my view.

I went with a side zip, in my case an MLD Soul. With a low pitched tarp I find that it's particularly difficult to get into, and out of, a bivy and bag without a reasonably sized opening.

I recently purchased my 1st bivy & tarp from MLD and have never used either before.

This past Jan & Feb I went snow camping for the 1st time with the Sierra Club to learn how to snow camp in a snow trench.

Having the side zip in a very confined space really makes it convient.

I could fully unzip the bivy…sit on my sleeping bag as I got my boots on or off and then just turn to side into my sleeping bag, zip up the bag and then the bivy.

Very easy to get in and out.

I would recommend that you cut off a short length of the fabric attached to the zipper for sealing up the bivy and attach it to the interior zipper for the mesh panel.

The zippers are very small and it was hard to open or close them in the middle of the night with gloves on.

As a side note, Ron's workmanship is just outstanding.

When I was seam sealing the bivy, I really got a chance to see how tight & straight the sewing was….defintely attention to detail.

P.S. I found that by stuffing the bivy full of sleeping bags or comforters, I was able to "puff up" the bivy so that I could easily seam seal the whole thing.

-Tony