Help with choosing between the MDL Superlight and the BPL Vapr bivy (or any other UL bivys)

Never used the BPL bivy, but I've used the MLD superlight a number of times (currently own both the net hood and the net window versions. Liked them so much I bought a special order double).

Plenty of room in the superlight, as it's now sized for a neoair to be inside, and still leave room for lofting. I've used it in winter with thick winter layers and no problem with compressed loft.

Another benefit, to me, is that the MLD zip goes across the top and down the side, which makes it much easier to get in, get your pad/quilt/bag in, etc. I believe the BPL only zips across the top (could be wrong, I'm sure someone will point it out if I am).

As you can tell I'm a happy MLD superlight owner.

Don't leave out the Katabatic Gear Bristlecone Bivy. I have the large and have tons of room with a winter bag. I love it – it's an awesome piece of gear and the attention to detail and price point should make it well worth considering. Put it this way……I like it so much I sold my MLD Superlight on gear swap.

Doug,

You wrote: "I've used the MLD superlight a number of times (currently own both the net hood and the net window versions…)"

I've been leaning toward an MLD Superlight bivy, and the net hood vs. net window is an option I'm interested in knowing more about. Which do you like best? Or do you like one in certain conditions, and the other in alternate conditions?

I'm considering the large size (though I'm only 5'7") to allow room to store some of my gear (in the end of the bivy). There's also the following option listed on the MLD website: "Users of the wide and thick inflatable pads – NeoAir LG 25" X 77", etc, need to order a custom XL size."

Though I don't currently have a sleeping pad anywhere near those dimensions, can anyone think of a reason to order the XL size?

There's also a Cuben fiber floor add-on for $60.00. Does anyone have a bivy with a Cuben fiber floor? If so, do you think the extra $ are worth it?

Ray, you suggested the Bristlecone bivy. Thanks for the suggestion. I looked it up on the web, and the end of the bivy looks fairly tapered. Do you have any trouble rolling over (I'm usually a side sleeper) in your bivy? Replacing a Superlight with a Bristlecone caught my attention. Can you say a little more about why you like this bivy so much?

Another bivy worth considering is the Titanium Goat Ptarmigan available in either full head net or window net options. I believe they also make a larger version called the Raven.
These are light weight, high quality, and reasonably priced. I used one in the PNW for a year or so prior to purchasing a MLD SL Bivy as MLD will customize upon request.

I have one of the newer versions of the Superlight- medium size and it fits me (6' 190#) and a regular length neoair easily- even w/ a highloft bag- have used it w/ a 0 degree Lithium

the bottom is truly waterproof- no need for a ground cloth

the top is very breathable, but still does a good job w/ repelling moisture

I have the half moon screen- w/ the attached cords it stays off your head pretty well, I'd rather have a little extra weather protection for head thus my choice of the half moon

I've heard very good things about Tigoat bivies as well- nice to have so many good choices :)

For summer use, you may prefer the Six Moon Meteor.

It is very roomy and ventilation is better than most.
It doesn't protect from the elements as well, so your tarp pitch and type may have to be accounted for.

Although the upper half is all mesh, the mush does repel most of any spray that should make it that far in.

I find it far more comfortable when it's warm out.

"I've been leaning toward an MLD Superlight bivy, and the net hood vs. net window is an option I'm interested in knowing more about. Which do you like best? Or do you like one in certain conditions, and the other in alternate conditions?"

I bought the all net hood for warmer weather. The net window is my winter bivy. If I were to do it again, I'd get the net window for cold, and the SMD Meteor for summer with its significantly more mesh for air flow.

I'm 5'8", I bought the regular and have enough room to put my shoes in the bottom of the bivy and some items along the sides of my legs easy enough, FWIW.

"Ray, you suggested the Bristlecone bivy. Thanks for the suggestion. I looked it up on the web, and the end of the bivy looks fairly tapered. Do you have any trouble rolling over (I'm usually a side sleeper) in your bivy?"

Don't know how soon you need it, but I emailed Katabatic, and they said they were coming out with a bigger bivy in early April for those who use the large NeoAirs, FWIW.

+1 for the Meteor Bivy from Six Moon Designs.

MYOG cost for it is approximatley $55.00 and buy it from Six Moon Designs for $130.00 plus shipping. They are unfortunately out of stock right now. You could email Ron and find out when they'll be back in stock. :-?

Very large and roomy footbox and advertised at 7 ounces. My MYOG version weighed in at 8.5 ounces.

Party On,

Newton

+1 for the Katabatic Bristlecone Bivy.

I only have a couple of nights in it, but I've been pretty happy with it so far.

It doesn't have a whole lot of extra room down near the bottom of the bivy for me (I'm 5'10", 200 lbs and a side sleeper using a NeoAir) but there's some room for me up around the hood to stash extra clothes/gear. If I slid up in the bivy, there might be soom room at the foot of the bivy instead.

Excellent craftsmanship, fair price, and, at least when I bought mine, they were in stock, ready to ship as opposed to being made to order (if you're short on time to get a bivy).

"Don't know how soon you need it, but I emailed Katabatic, and they said they were coming out with a bigger bivy in early April for those who use the large NeoAirs."

I won't need it until the later part of May, but waiting until April may be cutting it pretty close. I'm trying to take my time, and weigh the options. On the other hand, I don't want to wait too long. If I end up going with a custom MLD bivy, it could take 6 weeks or more. I will probably email Katabatic to get more information. Thanks for the tip about the larger size.

The SMD Meteor almost looks as if you could sit up in it, and that would be a big plus. Is that possible?

I know that one bivy won't work well in all conditions. Essentially I'm doing two types of trips. One type will be to an area of (often) high humidity in the summer. The other type of trip will be to areas of fairly low humidity.

Since I won't have super low temperatures at night, I'm not planning to use a vapor barrier (but I haven't ruled out that option if it would mean I could use one bivy for all of my trips this summer).

Long trips mean leaving a vehicle at a trailhead (or put-in for a kayak trip) for long periods of time. I won't be returning to my home base between trips, and I don't relish leaving a lot of gear in my vehicle while I'm out on the trail or water.

Diana,

The no-see-um mesh on the Meteor Bivy is approxiamtely 56" wide at its widest point before sewing. The distance from the support loop at the top of the mesh along the sewn seam to the head end of the bivy is about 26".

The best "height" at the peak of the bug mesh would be about 22". Picture an equilateral triangle with all sides measuring about 25" for an idea of the height and width. Picture a 3 sided flat based pyramid made up of 4 of these triangles (bottom and three sides) fitting into the head end of the bivy under the mesh with one of the flat sides facing the foot end.

Party On,

Newton

Newton,

Thanks for the measurements, and for the description. That type of information really helps.

I just noticed the Bearpaw bivy in a post by Michael Fogarty (see his comments below in quotes) on the “all wet in my bivy forum.” The things that caught my eye: they did a custom order for him, there are a variety of floor options, and you can sit up in the bivy.

“I just got this new bivy below, for warm weather trips:

Bearpaw bivy

I had them make the lower 1/3 with sil-nylon on top, and the front made with sil-nylon and had them make the side zipper longer, making it almost full length.
The longer zipper will make it easier to get in and out of, and the addition of sil-nylon will help to keep windblown rain off me.”

Edited link