Bivy Help

As an owner of a Tigoat bivy, I would recommend the MLD bivy selection. I find the Tigoat bivy to be a little on the small size even though I own their "large". Also, the bug net on the tigoat bivies are highly ineffective. The only benefit of tigoat is their price. The MLD momentum fabric seems well paired with their silnylon bottoms. Other feautures that look better include the shallow hood (better ventilation. If you want quality and usuable features, go MLD.

Stephen writes:

>> Also, the bug net on the tigoat bivies are highly ineffective.

Stephen-

What's ineffective about the Ti Goat bug net? I can't tell how it's constructed from the photos on their website. [thanks]

Cheers,

-Mike

If you go with a Gatewood Cape, I wouldn't worry about a bivy. Spindrift shouldn't be an issue and you can get a bug net for your upper body that will do the trick on the pesky critters that like to munch on us. About the only decent reason for a bivy would be condensation inside the GC, but that can happen inside the bivy as well.

In fact, the ability to NOT have a bivy is one of the primary reasons I went with a Gatewood Cape myself!

Tom

Thanks Stephen for your feedback! That's exactly the type of comments I'm looking for.

Michael – Stephen posted an earlier thread w/ detailed pics here:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/xdpy/forum_thread/5745/index.html?skip_to_post=41100#41100

It may help to answer your question.

I would have to disagree with this, I too recently purchaced a large Ti Goat Bivy, but DWR, not Epic.
I think the headnet is the best available for an ultralight bivy for warm conditions (when there are bugs). Sizing could be bigger, width is good for me, but at 6'3" I'm right at the edge for length.
My indoor experementation with the DWR has been favorable, but others may be better (I don't know, I haven't tried others).
Mountain Laurel Designs has some really cool bivies as well, doesn't seem like you could go wrong with them.

The bug net just folds under your upper body, but it is so wide at the zipper that that it is impossible to fully close off. I tried it out one one night with bugs (Florida has the weirdest winters), and I was miserable trying to keep the pesky things out. Other bivy designs seem much more useful, with the zippered windom that actually seals out the bug or a headnet with a closure system. I am not trying to completey destroy TiGoat here, I liked them enough to purchase one of their bivys, I just want to show that you get what you pay for. Lower price, lower effectiveness. Maybe others were able to have better success, but It didn't work for me. This wasn't too much of a problem, I just cut it out and will use a haednet next time. That will actually be more multipurpose anyway. Best of luck

-Stephen

What kind of sleeping pad do you use? With the net under my insul mat max thermo 3/4, it seems to close off well for me.

Thanks, Guys!

Great info.

Phil–I am thinking of selling my BMW vapor bivy. It is black with a blue top and is a long. It has performed great, but just need some cash right now!

Please contact me at jerm409@hotmail.com if you would like more info.