HMG Splash Bivy

[Monte Masterson]

ZPacks had a “Splash” Bivy 7 or 8 years ago. I never owned one but they were known to be absolute condensation factories. Since Joe and Company haven’t used the name in awhile I suppose it’s fair game now. https://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/products/splash-bivy

If the HMG Splash was made with all net upper without the 7D DWR portion I’d be rejoicing, but in warmer humid environments it could turn into a zero ventilation oven. The MLD Bug Bivy 2 is very similar, however Ron rightly states in the description that it’s for ‘cooler climates, northern latitudes and harsher weather”. Yep, even all net bug bivys add a few degrees.

Weights on the HMG Splash Bivy are impressive though and it’s not surprising since they’re using 0.8 DCF for floor, Too fragile really, 1.0 DCF should be a minimum. HMG’s  7D DWR is also a tad lighter than the 10D of Bug Bivy 2.

I like the height of the Splash Bivy though. It’s not listed but looks to be about 28″ which means you could use a smaller tarp like a Borahgear Solo 5.8′ X 9′. The 9″ high bathtub floor might even allow for a wider poncho tarp….then again maybe not.

Splash Bivy comes in a regular (5.55 oz) and long (6.3 oz). Long is a tad wider of course. The cross zipper entry is somewhat unique and I’m not sure I’d like it as well as the top zip MLD. Maybe.

 

[dirtbag]

@ $250.. I’d rather buy another MLD EVent Soul  bivy.. or even another  MLD superlight Solo bivy..or 3 more Borah Gear Bug bivies.  I agree about the condensation inside there. Definitely a No Go for me here in NEw York area!

[jscott]

Why not just buy a double wall tent? Good bug protection and the outer skin can be left off on warm nights. Easier than a tarp/bivy.

This is a rhetorical question! I understand the very good reasons than many folks like the modularity of a bivy/tarp combination. I like the simplicity of a double wall tent.

[Matthew / BPL]

To answer the rhetorical question, I like the simplicity of camp setup with a splash/bug bivy. I like to drop it on the ground under a tree or between some boulders. I prefer to not bother with a tarp unless conditions call for it. It sounds like you are after simplicity as well. I think we like different variations of simplicity. 😊

[SIMULACRA]

At timeframe 2:39 in the video:

…in regards to pitching the shelter, like what location is best? We recommend an airier, draftier environment. So, something that’s not close to water source. Maybe a little bit higher up? And that’s just going to give you the best ventilation and reduce that condensation..

[JCH]

I think we like different variations of simplicity.

I think “Exploring Different Variations of Simplicity” should be the new BPL tagline.

[HkNewman]

Monte said ..

Weights on the HMG Splash Bivy are impressive though and it’s not surprising since they’re using 0.8 DCF for floor, Too fragile really, 1.0 DCF should be a minimum.

Both z-packs and Borah have DCF floors on some models at 0.75, so I’m assuming those have been tested.  Over the years I’ve briefly hiked with some HMG contractors/employees who were given prototypes of other gear to further test, so I’d imagine their bivy is no different.  The DCF would be more “crinkly” out of the bag, but small tears more easily repaired by most.

Also ..

The MLD Bug Bivy 2 is very similar,

Seems the MLD BB2 is a tad taller just based at looking at the HMG video (may want to wait for more actual measurements), which could be more useful if hitting a pocket of bloodthirsty mosquitoes for a couple oz more.  Any little bit of height really helps obviously.

[MLD BB2] .. cooler environment

With the solid front region, there’d be a bit more protection with the MLD BB2 product.

Matthew said..

I like the simplicity of camp setup with a splash/bug bivy. I like to drop it on the ground under a tree or between some boulders.

That style of camp has really grown on me, though having a partial net bivy (solid top except a stripe of netting) was a literal pain under heavy mosquito pressure in Oregon.

 

Just to add the HMG product has a stated bottom width of 18 inches whereas my Katabatic Piñon is a “long/wide” disco floor by comparison.  Not sure I’d want to take a regular Xlite in the HMG, .. but there is that 2-3 oz weight savings.

[Thom]

I’m in the East . To much condensation using a bivy .  Shaped Tarp and bug protection is my regular choice.

[Monte Masterson]

” Both ZPacks and Borahgear have DCF on some models at 0.75″.

True, ZPacks just recently started offering .75 floors on a couple of their Lite model tents but they have always featured only 1.0 DCF in the past. Puncture resistance is much less with .75, however it packs down smaller and provides the lower weight many buyers are looking for. MLD uses 0.8 on their innernet floors and I don’t believe Ron would sell anything that wasn’t decently durable so maybe .75 or 0.8 isn’t that bad, but I’d absolutely want a polycro underneath to mitigate the abrasion, which of course is DCF’s weakest attribute.

Just from years of experience I personally find 1.0 DCF is worth the extra volume and 25% to 33% weight increase.

MLD Bug Bivy 2 is 27″ high and I’d bet HMG Splash Bivy is at least that tall. The regular MLD Bug Bivy is 24″ high and Yama Bug Bivy is even an inch or 2 lower than that.

One of the things about the MLD Bug Bivys which is so good is the fact that the foot tie out is around 14″ from the end (and lower than head) so when you drop the front to enter the netting doesn’t retreat near as far back as if the foot tie out was on the end. Simple physics and it became all too evident on the many bug bivy prototypes I’ve made. It’s a big deal when pitched under a tarp but not on its own. Also best to secure foot tieout with 3/16″ shockcord so as to be able to slightly pull the netting toward you when entering/exiting (under a tarp).

[jscott]

I’ve often  wondered,  since I have no direct experience, if having hiking poles as supports for a bivy like this at each end, rather than, in a tent, at the sides supported by an awning–if this arrangement is less stable in winds,etc. but then I suppose if weather were an issue, a hiker would put up a tarp and  peg that down, thus adding stability to the poles. But all alone, two poles supporting the entire structure, out there on their own, always looks fragile  to me. It must not be, because thousands have used this arrangement.

p.s. I’m clumsy, so pitching a bivy like this and then adding an awning and having to pitch that seems more complicated  to me than just simply pitching a light tent with bug netting, single or double wall. I get the notion of just ‘throwing something down at the end of the day.” But you still have to pitch this bivy. And that’s one of its strengths! Is it easier to pitch than a single wall tent? Who knows. It does offer star gazing. a double wall tent does too, at some cost in weight.

[HkNewman]

”hiking poles as supports for a bivy like this at each end“

While I’ll almost always just lay a bivy sack down with quilt and pad inside (= a very simple camp set up/break down), … raising the netting is mostly done for mosquito season, though some may raise one or both ends to keep netting off their face.   Getting skin next to netting lets mosquitoes get their mouthpieces through the mesh resulting in the little bastages having a buffet (trust me on this).

Personally I wear a puffy hood when laying down, so the net doesn’t really touch my face.  Mosquito pressure is something else for me personally (though there are those who ignore it with just a mosquito head net .. YMMV).

[jscott]

I missed that it’s possible to just throw this bivy down and let the netting drape over your face, like any other bivy. My bad.

But then, condensation…and skeeters!

[HkNewman]

Even just laid out, a water-I’m resistant bivy (with decent amt of net) also keeps my quilt on the pad without added straps, keeps the gear I have out together at night, arachnids out, etc.. so I mostly use mine as a groundsheet.

Groundsheet with benefits.

Of course if it’s raining a lot over the course of days, at least a single wall tent/tarptent with included netting starts making more sense.

[Diane “Piper” Soini]

I have a Borah ultralight bivy. Less than 4oz without the stuff sack. I am taking it out this weekend without a tarp or any other shelter. I’m hoping I can find a shady spot so I can lay in there without flies bothering me and relax before nightfall.

[Author]

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