Bivys for Active Sleepers

[David White]

I find that especially when backpacking I toss and turn a lot when I sleep — switching from back to side to stomach.

Like many others I’m trying to lighten my load and have considered switching from my current Tarptent to a bivy/tarp combo; but I’m concerned if a bivy will really work for tossers like myself. I certainly don’t want to fork out over $300 for the bivy/tarp combo only to find that it doesn’t work for me.

Does anyone have experiences to share or suggestions of features to look for?

Thanks in advance

[Ken Helwig]

I too have that problem. Don’t know of any remedies though. Maybe try a Equinox bivy that sells for around $65.? That is what I have and in conjuntion with my tarp and ground cloth it is a nice little shelter system.

[Ryan Faulkner]

Mont bell makes a waterproof/breathable bivy made from a stretch material that might work for you

I have also used thier non stretch as well an equinox and they have both worked well in cool rainy conditions

[David White]

Thanks for the suggestions. Although I usually convince myself that I just HAVE to have the best available (i.e. $$$) — it just ain’t always true.

So I took your advice and bought an Equinox bivy which (if it arrives in time) I’ll test out this weekend. Now if bivys aren’t for me, I only have to explain $60 to my lovely spouse.

And if I DO like the bivy experience (and I hope I do), then maybe in a year or so I’ll upgrade to a BMW, MLD, or Montbell solution.

For this trip, I’ll take my old, heavy, and too large flat tarp (heck, my Tarptent is lighter than this thing ;-)

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Anonymous]

You might check out Mountainlaureldesigns, a small outfit run by Ron Bell. His tarps are topnotch out of the box and he will work with you to come up with a bivy bag that will address your concerns. I, too, am a restless sleeper and his bivy worked fine for me. AND, his prices are very reasonable. For sure you can stay below $300 for a tarp/bivy combo. The website is mountainlaureldesigns.com if this perks up your ears.

[jules metcalf]

Check out this integrated bivy/bag/pack solution gokit.blogspot.com

[paul johnson]

Jules,

here’s the company that makes the PowerPac system:

Moonbow – powerPak system

[Author]

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