MLD Superlight Bivy

I'm way out west, so I can't say anything about your projected use in WV. I use the Superlight as groundcloth, splash protection (rarely), windbreak, and, with full net hood, bug protection, all under a tarp. Having gotten my fill of the winter wilderness, I'm only using it for "3-season" hiking, since here in SoCal, even in winter, there's places to hike that fit fall or early spring elsewhere. I've very happy with the Superlight – it does just what I want it to do!

I backpacked in WV quite a bit with my full-net MLD Superlight Bivy, almost always paired with the MLD Pro Solo Cuben tarp. Even in severe thunderstorms I was happy for the netting in all but the coldest nights. I like a breeze coming through and the ability to see out.

I will say, however, that I change up and bring my Duomid when the weather is bad or for winter camping in general.

The full net hood is fine for cowboy camping when no precipitation is expected. And if you expect precipitation and you still cowboy camp with the half-moon design (and no tarp or overhead protection of any kind) and hope to be comfortable, cheers to you my brave friend.

I went w/ the half moon, but was more concerned w/ wind/rain/cold, I'd have to guess that WV is a little warmer, a lot more humid and probably more buggy than MT- so the full net might your best bet :)

it is a nicely designed/constructed bivy either way

I have one ordered on the way and I am looking forward to using it. I have never used a bivy before and wanted to try something different under a tarp. I ordered the full net option for the Sierra climate.

Thanks for all of the helpful insight! I'm pretty sure I'm going to go ahead and place my order for the full net option as it should suit me better for the majority of my trips. After seeing so many great reviews I cant wait to test out this bivy!

Evan,

I plan on using the same setup as you and was wondering if you could comment on the sizing for the superlight. I'm about 5'10" 185lbs and although I believe I could fit into the regular size I am considering purchasing the large so I can store gear that needs to be kept dry as well as use the bivy more easily during winter trips. At my size do you believe this would be wise?

Also what was your reasoning for selecting the Duomid instead of the Solomid? I'm looking into one of those as my winter shelter as well. Do you still use your superlight with the duomid?

At 5'9" and 180lb I could have gone with either Large or XL. In the end I chose XL so that I have plenty of room in for a 25-26" air mattress in 3 season conditions, and a 20" Downmat with 0F sleeping bag in winter.

If you decide to look at the used market, be aware that Ron made a design change around 2010 (someone please chime in if I got the date wrong) to allow for wider pads. Large Superlight bivys made before the change won't fit a wide air mattress.

I had major sticker shock when I bought my XL Superlight with cuben floor, but now I take it on every trip – it's a phenomenal piece of kit, well made and true to its name – spacious and at less than 5oz amazingly lightweight and compact in my backpack.

I'm 6' 200# and use a regular neoair, the Large has plenty of room- the XL does give you more options for not much of weigh penalty

the Duomid is a sturdier shelter for snow/wind than the Solomid- also much roomier and for not much more weight, it will also suffice for two folks (albeit a little snug :) ) for those occasions where two might be going- no need for a bivy w/ either the solo or duomid IMO

I started with a bug bivy with full netting under a tarp and found that the bug netting blocked a great deal of any breeze. I had one of my worst nights ever in that bug bivy in late spring down near Athens Texas where the combination of bug pressure, heat and humidity made the bug bivy uninhabitable. I spent the night trying to sleep in a chair in the middle of a dirt road.

So… I ordered a Superlight with a cuben floor and a very light top. This was a great improvement as the Superlight gives me better privacy, a very light weight material when it is hot, a good moisture barrier from the ground, and no need to clip up under a tarp when the weather is going to be clear. I don't mind setting up the tarp, but I love looking at the stars when I am falling asleep.

Most of the time, I will sleep with my head sticking out of the bivy and only when it gets chilly will I zip up. If bug pressure is bad, then I will use a bit of deet and place a hat over much of my face. As the bug netting blocks a lot of air flow, even in the bug bivy which is all bug netting, I did not see much of an advantage of having more than the standard half moon bug netting on the bivy. If it is hot, my head is going to be out of the bivy and it is only when it is cold that it is comfortable to sleep with the bivy completely zipped up. If it is cold and windy, then I want less netting. At least from my experience, the range of conditions in which I would rather have more bug netting on my Superlight is very narrow and would require warm, but not hot conditions, with high bug pressure.

A note about Ron, I broke the zipper on my bug bivy and sent it in for repair at the same time I ordered my Superlight with a note to charge me whatever he felt was reasonable. The man refused to fix the zip. Instead, Ron simply sent me a brand new replacement without any charge at all. +1 Ron! My oldest son is now using this bug bivy under my tarp on most nights. He keeps eying my Superlight and I keep telling him to get a job.

I hope this helps;
Richard

Waiting since 12 weeks for my MLD Superlight Bivy.. (instead of 8) that sucks

It'll be worth the wait…..and after you've used it for a while and experience its performance and quality of construction, don't be surprised if you press the order button on another MLD product :-)

If you ordered it with cuben floor this sounds reasonable, I think on the website it says that delivery of cuben was delayed and it only arrived couple of days ago.

In any case once it arrives you won't be disappointed, they produce truly quality stuff that shows that they are proud of their products. Its worth the wait.