Borah Gear Bivy

I've had a couple custom bivys from him, I learned a few things. First, i recc going full mesh around the head. Less claustrophobic. I went with a cuben and m50 bivy and had very bad condensation. The prefect bivy and final one I had him make was a bug bivy with sections of m50 2 feet long at long foot, and a 1 foot section of m50 at the head. I chose the lighter m50 vs m90 because air would circulate well with mesh body. This setup protects from splash at the head and feet while breathing well enough for summertime use.

As an active side sleeper, +1 for the full faced net.

I have the MLD SL bivy in a large (late 2013) with cuben floor. I haven't used the Borah Gear bivy, but I can say that the MLD SL bivy is very spacious. I most often use a regular xtherm and 15* large bag in the bivy and I'm still swimming.

BG offers some very functional bivies at an excellent price point. I think I've owned 5 of them now, one of them being his eVent version which I don't see myself ever getting rid of. His 3-season bivies do lack some of the elements of the more expensive bivies from other companies though, such as a more tailored taper, shaped footboxes, articulated hoods, or a bathtub floor. However the materials John uses are top notch, the craftsmanship is excellent, he's awesome to work with and super nice, and like I said earlier his bivies are functionally fine and very affordable.

I didn't realize that borah bivy didn't utilize the bathtub floor. That changes things a bit.

I have a bug net for warmer temperatures, this bivy will be used in conjunction with an 8'6" square tarp in mountain/winter climes.

"I didn't realize that borah bivy didn't utilize the bathtub floor. That changes things a bit."

I've yet to buy one but from exchanging emails with Borah Gear, it's my understanding that once you're inside the bivy, the sides will pull up which sort of acts like one. If so, then this may be better as there are fewer seams to contend with and waterproof.

Any owners care to comment on this?

I have a BG bug bivy. If you tie up both the head and foot end with enough tension it does form a sort of bathtub floor. I have the wide version which is overly wide for me but I like it because it increases room and the bathtub floor effect.

I appreciate the insight, back to leaning towards Borah.

Kelly, did you pull the trigger on the Borah Bivy. I am highly considering one myself and wondered what your final thoughts were?

I own it and I have enjoyed it. I just need to get it paired up with a 7oz cuben tarp and I'll have a great 14oz setup!

Here's an impromptu video I did on it.