DIY Bug Bivy coverage

Thats a good looking bivy. Especially for your first MYOG project. It looks like you would be protected in a storm, as long as the wind isn't blowing up under the tarp. I had a setup similar to that and I tried to keep it setup in a patch of trees to keep the wind from blowing so bad.

Thanks for the input. I made quite a few mistakes sewing the bivy but I chalk them up to learning experiences. I'm hoping to get a decent storm to test it out but there aren't any in the forecast.

I want to recommended to anybody to use a piece of shockcord to attach the bivy. I saw it on brain greens blog and really love how flexible it makes the bivy!

Dan — how was sewing the zipper to the no-see-um? Any tips?

It was surprisingly easy. I closed the zipper up and pinned both sides to the location on the noseeum. I then opened it up and cut the noseeum in between the opened zipper. I don't have any special feet for my sewing machine, just the "standard" one so the side of the foot was pressed up against the actual zipper and it was only about an 8th of an inch from the edge of the zipper material. It's a little close for my liking but is holding just fine. The rest is the same as any other material.

Hope that helps!

It looks like you did a fine job sewing it all together. I agree with your saying you chalked any mistakes up to experience. That's the way I learned to sew. I just keep a seam ripper handy and go at it.

So those of you who have more experience then I, is my MYOG bug bivy too long for the tarp?

Not to bump but "bump". I've got a yellowstone trip and Ide really like to bring this but im nervous about wind blown rain. I doubt I will be able to test it in tough conditions but if I don't take this then it'll be a much heavier seedhouse sl1.

Probably need 2 feet of overhang on both ends – so 11 foot tarp? 9 feet tarp would be difficult, although if you pitched in sheltered location it may be okay. If your sleeping bag didn't mind a little bit of rain then probably 9 feet would be okay.

Im right in between where I need to be based on your assessment. The tarps ridgeline is 11ft long, but it tapers as it reaches to the corners (maybe to 9ft?) I really think Im going to go for it. Anyone ever have to make a makeshift garbage bag rain block, or even a rain jacket if they get into a tricky situation?

I always carry a garbage bag. On every backpacking trip, and every day hike. Weighs less than 1oz, infinitely versatile. Take two and an extra few feet of cord, and you have some serious "splash" security. If you aren't familiar, the pinecone/rock-in-the-corner with a knot to secure works great for tie-outs, and just tuck the excess under the mat.

Ironically I got a decent rain and pitch the open face directly into the wind to see how it was. It wasen't too bad once I dropped the pitch low and wide. I think I will be a happy camper being more open on this backpacking trip. Thanks for the opinions!