MLD Grace Solo Spectralite + SMD Meteor Bivy Splash-worthiness?

do you think the Meteor Bivy will be able to adequately stop splashing if only the bottom half is water resistant?

— no. Mesh won't keep you dry.

Would it be best to orient your foot end into the wind, so that most blown rain entering the tarp would hit the water resistant section, and then pitch the sides of the tarp nice and low so that the mesh area doesn't get hit by rain?

— Sure. Anything you need to do to stay dry. You'll be a lot more cramped in that configuration, but that's kind of what you need to stay dry tarping in really bad weater.

What about the head end if the wind switches directions?

— Cover it with your rain jacket if its dry (unlikely). Rig up a trash bag to protect you… Do whatever you need to do!

— Un-enclosed tarps need to be very big to keep one fully dry in really bad weather. My guess is that there are certain conditions that you'd just have to suffer through it with that setup.

Hi Jack,

Thanks for the reply.

Based on it, would you personally opt for a fully water resistant bivy such as the TiGoat Ptarmigan (or others such as MLD)? Speaking of the TiGoat, do you (or anyone reading …) feel it will adequately fit a Neoair + summer weight quilt inside?

What about sizing up to the Grace Duo. Do you think that combined with the Meteor Bivy would be a better option? What do you see as the pros and cons of each?

Thanks!!

The spectralite MLD Patrol Shelter may provide some added protection when used with a Meteor Bivy.

A light bivy, like the tigoat or similar, paired with a solo tarp is a proven setup that can provide good protection. Ordered with the full net hood option the tigoat bivy would provide similar coverage as the SMD Meteor when fully open but would allow for the hood cover to be used when weather dictates the need for additional protection.

Hey Thom,

I've checked out the Patrol Shelter, but do like the simplicity and lower price of a MLD Grace tarp.

My only issue with the Ptarmigan Bivy is wondering if it will fit my Neoair inside with a summer quilt (JRB Shenandoah). I know the SMD Meteor Bivy is sized quite large, and that appeals to me … even if just for room to move around and regulate temperature with my quilt. Part of the reason for my summer quilt, of course, is to be able to use it as just a big rectangle thrown over me on warmer nights. Anyone have input on the sizing of the Ptarmigan?

Tigoat makes an oversized version of the bivy that is both wider and longer if I recall correctly, the bivy name may be Raven.

Here the specs on the Ptarmigan Bivy. It has plenty of room for my JRB No Sniveller to loft out:)I use mine with a GG nightlite torso, my pack under my legs, and a Plastizote pad when temps are cooler. This bivy is roomy giving my 5'10, 155 # body plenty of room to move and adjust according to the weather conditions. I would also suggest going with the full net hood option; This way you can have the versitility of having a nice open airy bug net coverage, or you can use the hood and get great protection from the elements when needed.

Specifications:

Size: 76" chest girth, 48" foot girth, 87" length.
Will fit long winter bags.

Weight: 5.8 ounces for bivy, 6 ounces with
stuff sack
Price: $90

Since both have been discussed quite a bit here recently, you’ve probably already considered the MLD Serenity Shelter and Alpinlite Bug Shelter. Just in case they haven’t caught your attention, though, you may want to give them a look. Especially if you go with the all silnylon door option, both will offer better protection from windblown rain than the Meteor.

I tried getting my Stephensons DAM (3 inch high) and a Rab Top Bag in a regular Ptarmigan Bivy and found it too tight a fit around the footbox, and quite restricting in general. No problem with a thinner foam mattress.

Thanks for all of the info and advice so far.

Since the Raven isn't on TiGoat's website as far as I know, before I go ahead and email TiGoat, does anyone happen to have the specs on that bivy? Weight / Girth etc.

So … I want my bivy to work with the Neoair + JRB Shenandoah, but I also have a Montbell UL SS #2 (25 degree) that I wouldn't mind being able to use in the same bivy … just so I don't need to get two bivies. My winter pad system might be the Neoair + Ridgerest … so even thicker. Are there any lightweight water resistant bivies out there that really work with such thick pad / bag combinations?

Just found this thread.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=21172

Seems like the consensus is that the Ptarmigan is pretty much too tight with any regular length 2.5 inch mat. One option of course is to use the Neoair underneath the bivy, but I'm not 100% sold on that idea, since that would make me want to bring a groundcloth, and I didn't really want to use a groundcloth since my bivy would be performing the function. Slipping off might also be an issue? Anyone have any experience sleeping in this way?

As far as the MLD Serenity Shelter goes … do you think that this, with the all silnylon front door, combined with a lower tarp pitch will adequately protect from rain?

Yes, The regular neoair is to tight for the ptarmigan bivy. I sent mine back about a month for a raven xl with a side zip, but have yet to hear anything.

Thanks for chiming in Patrick. Hope you hear about / recieve your Raven sometime soon!

Another question has popped into my head – how do you guys keep your gear dry with smaller tarps? If you put your backpack as close to you as possible, does it stay reasonably dry (as in, not completely soaked)? I'm a freelance nature photographer, and while my kit will be protected in a dry bag inside my backpack, this is an issue for me. I guess I might be able to bring the dry bag inside with me? Hmm. Any experiences to share?

Usually the smaller tarps are more "just in case" shelters when you expect good weather or for when you are only going for a night or two and can afford to live a little dangerously IMHO.

If you have gear that needs to stay dry and are going to stay out longer in all sorts of weather get a large tarp with plenty of coverage. Look at the 2 person tarps or get a standard 8×10.
Also I have a Meteor bivy and its biggest advantage to me is the large mesh covering because its cooler in the summer and protects you from the bugs.

Thanks for the additional info!

Does anyone have any more comments on the coverage of the MLD Serenity Shelter with the full silnylon front (or half mesh, for that matter) combined with a solo tarp sized like the MLD Grace Spectralite Solo?

In the Serenity Shelter product description, MLD suggests combining it with "our Solo Plus size Spinntex Grace tarp for a full protection shelter at only 14oz." Since the Spectralite Solo offers considerably less coverage then the Spinntex model, I suspect that it might not be the best combination — you might want to ask Ron, though. If you want to err on the side of caution, perhaps you should consider the Patrol & Serenity Shelter combo or perhaps the Duomid and the new Innernet.

Thanks again Ernie,

Looks like a solo plus sized tarp is only .5 feet wider at the head end, the same width at the foot end, and ~.75 feet longer ridgeline. I wonder is this really is significant?

I've emailed Ron and will see what he says.

You're right, Kari — the differences between the Spinntex and Spectralite tarps aren't as significant as I at first thought. I was flipping back and forth between the Spinntex, Spectralite, and Silnylon versions, and I think I was actually comparing the Silnylon and Spectralite measurements. I'm curious to hear Ron's response…

Ron said that it should be pretty good with the sides pitched low. Some swirling spray may come in during really heavy wind/rain, but it will be much better than the tarp alone.

I think this may be the ticket.

Hi,

I just finished a 57 mile, 5 day, Michigan Upper Peninsula NCT hike, using a 2007 model MLD Grace Solo Spinntex tarp and the new SMD Meteor Bivy.

This trip was fairly wet, and extremely buggy. (big time skeeter's) (2 nights out of 4, with all night rains)

Anyway, our first night had to be spent at a drive-in rustic campground,(we walked-in, off the NCT) which as with these sites, the ground is highly compacted, meaning water can run, splash, and pool.
Shortly after bedding down, the heavens opened up and it came down in buckets for quite some time, probably a good hour of HARD rain.
I got the usual mist through with the tarp, getting some splash in my face. When I awoke in the morning, I had mud slash on the sides of the Meteor's mesh, but somehow stayed dry.
Bug protection was excellent as well. I did get some minor condensation in the foot of the bivy. I also did a mod to the bivy, prior to the trip, where I sewed a grosgrain loop on top of the bivy's footbox, so I could suspend this end as well.
If I could change the Meteor, I'd like to see it with 2" bathtub sides below, the front zippered mesh area.

Also, you always want to pitch your tarp, with the foot end or back into the wind. If the weather turns real nasty, then you can drop the rear to the ground for added protection.

I should also note that I was using a Epic quilt as well.

Good product SMD (Ron & company)