Which bivy to get?

I have the TiGoat and like it. I have the full bug net version and also had a half-length side zip added for an additional $25. Total weight for that configuration is 7.25 ounces. There are no loops on this bivy for staking it out, which I've heard some people miss having.

I don't think you could go wrong with the TiGoat or an MLD.

TiGoat told me if you want stake out loops they will provide them, but you have to sew them on yourself.

My wife and I each have the Oware drawstring bivy, which we use under our tarp. The drawstring opening is huge, the netting adequate and the bottom material is waterproof. We’ve had no problem with them in the Tongass Rainforest, so I bet they will work in New England. I went with the drawstring instead of a zipper so field repairs could be made easily. We also use OR alpine bivies in the winter, but have been doing so less since the purchase of the Oware bags. They weigh 6.5 oz.

Here is a picture of the bivies under a 10×10 Oware tarp — on the Chilkat Trail.

I am a side sleeper and wanted a lighter and more breathable bivy than the waterproof Goretex one I have now for warmer weather. I just bought the OR MicroNight Bivy. It has a waterproof Hydroseal coated nylon bottom and a Pertex Endurance water-resistant top. It weighs 19 oz. and packs up to about the size of a Gatorade bottle. It has a half moon zipper design that goes from one side to the other around the side of the bag around the head area. That way no matter what side you are sleeping on, you will have an opening for your breathe to exit. I have not used the MicroNight Bivy yet but I have been using an OR Alpine Bivy which has been great.

Ryan, the Equinox Ultralight (6.5 oz) has worked well for me. It has a WP silnylon bottom and a breathable nylon taffeta top. I assume the Sprawler is of the same design. I sprayed the top with Granger's to increase its water resistance and pair it with my Gatewood cape when weather threatens or use it alone when fair. In the latter situation, any dew beads up nicely and everything inside stays dry; however, because the silnylon footbox extends up a bit there have been occasions when a little condensation has occurred in that area…probably the same would be true for any bivy though. Happy trails!

Another vote for the TiGoat from me.
Weighs very little, performs well, and doesn't cost the earth.

cheers,
fred

Ryan,

Not saying that I am an expert, but…

The key to a bivy is breathable and water resistant, not water proof. Resistant takes care of elements the tarp misses. Truly breathable keeps the bag dry from internal vapor.

I can speak to the MLD, as I own a MLD Soul Side Zip. The momentum top breathes well.

The TiGoat 'sounds' like it would be similar.

The Equinox at $60 would be suspect. I think it is made from silnylon.

If possible, I would save my money and go with the MLD. Long term it will be a good investment.

In really bad weather I use a Waterproof/Breathable bivy, which means it does NOT breathe. But with a VBL in the bag, I have a workable system.

I have to disagree on all wp/b bivvy bags not breathing. I've had Goretex bags that didn't breathe too well, and often had condensation.
I now use an all e-Vent Integral Designs bivvy if i'm expecting bad weather, or using a mini-tarp, and i've had almost no condensation problems. I also use a TiGoat bivvy, and it works well too if i have more overhead protection.

Totally off topic – but hell yeah, AmeriCorps! What program are you working with? I did a year with Habitat for Humanity in WV, then ran the Habitat AmeriCorps program in MD for two years.

Mike,

I have not used a bivy with some of the newer materials like e-Vent, so your experience could very well invalidate my statement. Does the e-Vent do a good job over an extended period with high dew points, such as in snow conditions? In the past I found that over time, my bag would start to absorb moisture.

Hi Nick.
Unfortunately i can't get off work during the winter, so my snow experience only applies to weekend breaks. Nothing longer. In winter i turn soft and prefer a tent anyway! :)
I have used the ID e-Vent bag in still, freezing conditions though (perfect condensation conditions), and have been very impressed with it. In these conditions i always had some condensation with Goretex bags, but virtually none with the e-Vent bag.
It was David Ure on here who praised the bag, and convinced me to get one, and he uses his in the NW Rockies. Plenty of snow there. I figured if it was good enough for winter in the Rockies, it would be good enough for Scotland. I haven't regretted it.

I just looked at his review, he likes it. Cons were price and weight. Price I justify for quality. However at 18 oz, I wouldn't consider it for a 3 season solution. In winter, it sounds like an good option.

I have the Equinox. The top is not silnylon. Only the bottom. I have only used it once and the nylon where the drawstring comes out is fraying.

Off topic indeed… I'm the americorps guy at the Green Mountain Club. As if I don't have enough temptation to go hiking instead of working.

So it sounds like MLD and TiGoat are the way to go, as I expected. As far as the Oware and other bags without side zips, does anybody have any thoughts on benefits of side zip versus top entry? Since my sleeping bag also has no zipper, would this add any unnecessary difficulty?

If your sleeping bag has no side zip then I can't imagine any advantage to having a zip on the bivy.

To be the value of a zip is porportional to how many times during the night you need to get out. If no bag zip, then it probably doesn't matter.

That is a good point. I'm just thinking of how much of a pain it can be to get into my sleeping bag when I have a liner inside of it. So how useful is a side zip if you have a quilt? Having never used a quilt, but interested in switching sometime sooner or later, this information might come in handy.

I own both side zip and slide in bivy's and I prefer a slide in when using one of my nunatak quilts. This is likely a individual preference and will surly differ from user to user. I find the slide in bivy provides better control of the quilt. If you have a side zip bivy you have the option do not use the zipper and just slide in if you prefer, with a slide in bivy you have no options.

The tigoat bivy is a great value but I love my MLD bivy's.

I just received a Tyvek Bivy to be used with floorless shelters but haven't had a chance to use it yet. The manufacturer has the weight at 6.1 ozs. I purchased this for the weight and excellent water repellency and condensation performance experienced with shelters made of the same material. Hope to have a performance report published soon.

Maybe TiGoat would make a 1/4 or 1/3 zip bivy – just enough to make it a little easier to get out? I might ask when I order later this year.

John,

Where did you get the Tyvek bivy?