Katabatic Gear Bristlecone vs Pinon

[Gideon S]

Hi everyone,

I’m moving to a tarp/bivy setup for an upcoming Grand Canyon trip and think I’ve narrowed my bivy search down to Katabatic Gear. I’ve closely compared Katabatic, MLD, and Borah as my primary options and based on price, availability, materials, sizing, and coverage (area of mesh vs solid) feel like Katabatic ticks the most boxes.

For those with experience (ideally with both), would you recommend the Katabatic Bristlecone or Pinon? I tend to sleep on the colder side which pulls me towards the Bristlecone, but am sure that extra mesh on the Pinon would help with condensation quite a bit and potentially extend its use in the warmer months. Would love to hear from those that have used or own these.

Thanks in advance for the input.

[Dustin V]

My older Bristlecone doesn’t have the foot tie-out. I’ve never had condensation, but I’ve napped on a few warm afternoons in just the bivy and wanted more mesh to get rid of the heat. The new ones have a tie-out loop at both head and foot so you should be able to get good ventilation on either model. I’ll probably put a tie-out on my foot end at some point.

[Brad W]

I have the Pinon and love it. If I were to use it in very cold or rainy trips a Bristlecone would be nice but they are both the same except for less or more mesh. FWIW I never had condensation in my Pinon and I stake it out each time-all 4 corners and both ends using trekking poles. https://i.imgur.com/C6oqF3w.jpg

[dirtbag]

I had and used both.  If I had to pick one . It would definitely be the Bristlecone.  I didn’t care for the pinion as much.

[Gideon S]

Thanks to all who’ve shared their experience so far.

@dirtbag – what was it that you preferred about the Bristlecone over the Pinon?

[dirtbag]

Cant go wrong with any of them. Comes down to personal preference in my opinion.  I love using a bivy and always pack on in my pack.

[dirtbag]

I used the bristlecone more nights then the pinion.  No specific reason for liking it more,  it just happened that way for me. I don’t remember specifically why I didn’t care much for the pinion..

[dirtbag]

[dirtbag]

[dirtbag]

Looking back at the pictures and thinking more about it.. I would just use my Borah Gear bug bivy in conditions I would consider using the pinon.  For me, there was no purpose for half netting and enclosed foot box..

[Gideon S]

@dirtbag – that makes a lot of sense. Thank you for the photos and input!

[HkNewman]

Since switching to their Katabatic quilts w/ Pertex fabric, I like their Piñon bivy best.

More “airy” feel .. since it is mesh topped.   Rain, snow?  Just put under tarp.

Now I can imagine the Bristlecone better in truly cold temps where the solid fabric is best.

[Brad W]

Since switching to their Katabatic quilts w/ Pertex fabric, I like their Piñon bivy best.

More “airy” feel .. since it is mesh topped.   Rain, snow?  Just put under tarp.

Now I can imagine the Bristlecone better in truly cold temps where the solid fabric is best.

If you are just getting into bivies, I’d say either of the Katabatics would be a great choice. I got the Pinion in the largest size. It fits my Xlite large fine and there is a little…space behind my head for electronics bag. Guyed out as shown above, it’s like a miniature tent. I take a tarp with me in case of rain.

There are more minimal bivies-Borah UL, but I like the roominess and not having anything laying on my quilt personally. The packability of the Pinon and silnylon tarp is also insane. Packs incredibly small.

Being able to find tiny sections of level ground to sleep is my main reason for getting bivy. On this ridge there were no spots for a tent but a bivy allows you to slip into tight spaces or under trees.

[Terran Terran]

I think dirtbag is an influencer, though we may have varying opinions on the HMG Splash. I hope condensation isn’t an issue. The southwest is pretty dry. I’ve been wanting something smaller and simpler than my TT SS2. There wasn’t enough difference to warrant the price of a Dipole. I already have the 8 x 10 tarp for it, so that factored in. It doesn’t include guy lines or stakes. Those I have. I wanted DCF and I liked the slightly higher sides. I’m a bit of a fanboy. Even with the changes in production, I’ve always been very happy with HMG’s quality. I hate their prices, but that’s soon forgotten.

I think it will be less confining as it should allow me to open up my quilt more. I miss cowboy camping. Except the time I woke up with a tick stuck to my face. It was only when passing through town that I looked in a mirror.

[Gideon S]

@terranterran Thanks for that additional perspective. Do you have an HMG Splash? Yes, they’re pricey, but my bigger concern was the dimensions. Even the long seems quite tight but I guess the listed specs don’t account for spread of the bathtub walls.

[Terran Terran]

No. I just ordered it.  It does seem a little narrow, especially in the foot end if you don’t have a tapered pad. I think of it as cozy, keeping me tucked in.  Borah Gear and Katabatic listed girth rather than width making it hard to compare. I think the floor can be compromised. I read it in one of the reviews. There are only a couple reviews. One review appeared to have the specs completely wrong. Borah Gear has one with a DCF floor for a bit less money, but I wanted more than a chest zipper plus they had a 5 week waiting time. HMG made a couple short videos on the Splash where it appeared to be big enough with easy entry, the taller walls giving more shoulder room before sloping in.  If you sign up for their email, you get 10% off.

I have an older HMG Porter, pods, fanny pack, and their 8 x 10 tarp. I bite the bullet and get a piece every few years. It’s all been good as I’m sure Katabatic and Borah Gear are.

 

[dirtbag]

@ Terran Terran.. dirtbag is not an influencer. Sure I post videos ocassionaly on You Tube and I offer some feedback in these forums, but the reality is my videos are for my personal self and friends/family to see. I cherrish that I can look back at past trips from years ago and watch them over, also being able to look back and see how my kids have grown up. back in the day we only had photos to remember things like this. I dont get paid for any of that or sponsers, nor am I interested in it. It is time consuming for me to put those videos together, as you can tell if you watch any of them, I am by no means committing A LOT of time to do them. It is my input on gear that I have used over many years in different conditions in my neck of the woods and trips that I take. I also think these forums @ BPL are a terrific place to read up on backpacking and camping and hiking information, so I add what i can to help anyone out if its something I have any experience with.  On the topic of Bivies here.. I have been happily using MLD bivies, the  Superlight solo and eVent, along with Borah Gear Bug bivy. You can see from my posts I have tried a few others over the years but finally found what I like and what 100% works for me.

[JCH]

While dirtbag is most certainly NOT an Influencer (captalized), he has influenced me several times regarding purchases and technique. He gets out often and actually uses the gear he posts about…a lot.  When he says something did, or did not, work for him he explains why and backs it up with evidence that makes sense.  That kind of feedback is much more valuable than any Influencer review on YT. Plus you can tell he is really having fun.

He is also a stone cold (pun intended) BadAss. I know of no one else who plans a trip specifically BECAUSE the weather will be horrendous. Oh Yeah, he’s an influencer (lowercase) all right…the best kind.

[Terran Terran]

Dirtbag. I was being facetious. I’ve been on the brink of trying a bivy for many years. A lot of thought has gone into it. Reading through this thread, I finally decided to go for it. I appreciate the information.

[dirtbag]

Thankyou both. I only wrote that to verify. I was reading other post about influencers and wanted to make it clear,  I obviously dont make any money on my low budget posts,  lol.. AND..  nor do I want too!!

[Jerry Adams]

I love all the pictures of bivies/tents in the wild

[Gideon S]

I really appreciate everybody’s input on this. My biggest take away from this thread and the other reading I’ve done is that the MLD and Katabatic bivys are both extremely well-made and any of their models will suit a reasonably broad set of conditions, so it largely comes down to personal preference. If you want something, custom, it seems like Borah is the way to go, and while there aren’t a lot of field reports, the HMG is likely a solid performer as well. Overall, it sounds like there’s a little chance of making a bad choice here which is a great spot to find yourself.

[Terran Terran]

Yeah. The pictures. Maybe Brad’s  the influencer…his picture looks like the high desert. 😎

[Brad W]

This may give you some insight into the Pinon roominess. I am on top of Xlite large, REI Magma quilt. Pinon wide, 6’6″ length.

[Terran Terran]

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