Bivy with meash all down the top… has anyone tried this?

I easily admit I could be wrong here, but I'd think that the wind could still cause convective heat loss even with specifications you mention, though it would probably be reduced to some extent. However, it's definitely worth looking at further.

Tom

Ryan,
I had the same thought last year, and also wondered if anyone had done it before, but never went through with it. I think it would be a good idea as long as the mesh top is narrower then the width of the bivy (ie. a wide strip down the middle). In big rain storms, my bivy gets a noticable amount of splash on the sides of my bivy even with my tarp pitched about as low as it can go (and I can still get in). Give it a try and let us know. You would lose some wind protection but as long as the tarp is pitched low enough and the weather isn't too harsh, I don't see it being a serious problem. Let us know!

Hi Ryan

Rather an interesting idea. If you can arrange for the bivy fabric to be above (ie not touching) your sleeping bag, it is possible this could avoid almost ALL condensation. Maybe a few little tie loops on the bivy to anchor the top to the tarp?

If you do go ahead, let us all know!

Cheers

I think to alleviate the draft idea, you could have a taller version of the "bath tub floor" with a light fabric, and maybe consider having that fit as tightly as possible.

Basicly you want this http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/ultralight/myo_Meteor.asp

I haven't tried what you described exactly, but I think it sounds like a great idea for the stated conditions. It won't be as warm as a full woven fabric bivy, but for summer conditions that certainly isn't a concern. Noseeum reduces wind velocity (and thus convection) to some degree, but by no means eliminates it. If you have this made, please post pictures and feedback.

MLD already makes a 5.2 oz bug bivy. Would that work for you?

I guess if the Soul Bivy and the Bug Bivy ever hooked up, that would be what I'm looking for. More of an actual bivy though than the bug bivy – which doesn't look like it would provide much protection from wind. I e-mailed Ron – he wasn't sure exactly what I was asking, so I'm going to give him a call.

His (Ron's) opinion was that in trying to make an "ultimate do it all bivy" I might end up with a bivy that doesn't work the greatest in all situations. I'm not articulating the point well, but you can probably catch the drift.

I think because it is experimental and I don't know how I would like it, I might end up having this be my first "make my own" bivy. That way, if it isn't such a red hot idea, I'm not out 200+ bucks. I'll let you all know if I end up making it.

Ryan
I do get Ron's point of ending up with a product that is trying to do everything but nothing well , but I still like your idea.
This has been on my mind for sometime as a solution to my sliding off the mat and reducing wind chill ( not a problem for me but some have mentioned that about the Tarptent type design) . Also would help in the shoulder season with my JRB quilt.
One suggestion could be to buy the Equinox bivy, at under 7 oz for $60 it's light and relatively cheap, and then just cut off a foot or so at the top and sew in some no see um mesh.
If you wanted to extend the use and have the skill ( or are brave enough) you could cut the strip on three sides add some Velcro so that it can be sealed again on top of the mesh for those cold nights.
If I had any skills in this area ( or any other for that matter…) I would attempt the closable vent version.
Franco