Bivvy bag reccomendations

[DiscoStu]

Hi all,

I'm looking for recommendations for a bivvy bag. I think I'm confirmed as a tarp camper for the moment so interested in investing in my own gear; I've borrowed some bits from mates so far. This has let me try out the Alpkit Hunka and the Aqua Quest Hooped Bivvy. Both were fine and kept me warm and dry - they're a pain in the arse to get into though due to the "Insert from top" style so I fancy one with a side zip if possible.

Any recommendations, advice, offers?

[Bearbonesnorm]

Firstly, this might be useful: http://bearbonesbikepacking.blogspot.co ... -bags.html

If you're always going to sleep under a tarp then you may not need a waterproof bivvy bag, in which case something like a Borah or Ti-goat Kestrel would fit the bill. Both are very light, bug proof and will keep a bit of damp off.

If you want fully waterproof, it could get quite expensive expensive (not that the above are cheap). Rab would probably be my starting point or a Borah 'snowyside'. Obviously a zip is always going to be a weak point for water ingress, so most waterproof bags don't have them.

An Outdoor research Helium would provide more room but they can still be a wriggle to get in - but maybe worth a look?

Personally, I think the Hunka XL is very hard to beat when cost and performance are taken into account.

[whitestone]

For use with a tarp you don't really need a hooped bivy, it's a bit belt and braces. I'd also say you don't really need a full bivy bag either as the tarp is doing most of the work in keeping you dry so all that you need is a water resistant cover to guard against condensation and deal with the very small percentage of water that gets past the tarp. Further considerations are keeping insects off you and dealing with draughts.

I've got a Hunka XL, you need something around that size to be able to get sleeping mat, winter sleeping bag and yourself inside , heavy duty but as you say, a bit of a pain to get in and out of. We've also got a Borah Gear bivy bag http://borahgear.com/sidebivy.html each, very lightweight and tiny pack size, you could probably fit one in a 500ml water bottle, and you've got to run the gauntlet of customs as they are made Stateside, we were lucky.

If you are handy with a sewing machine you could add a zip to a Hunka.

Edit: cross posted with Stu's posting saying mostly the same.

[sean_iow]

I've got a Borah side zip and I'm really pleased with it. Very light and a tiny pack size. The built in bug net is a good feature and it's easy to get into with a large opening. It's also got a loop which holds the bug net up if fixed to the underside of the tarp



It has a fully waterproof base and a water-resistant top which is all you need under a tarp. A word of warning though, when you lay it out make sure it's the right way up. As I found out recently, if it's upper side down and you kneel on it on wet ground the pressure will force water through the water-resistant upper fabric and make any sleeping gear under your knees wet

[DiscoStu]

Thanks lads, Ill take a look at the thread you mentioned and I agree, a full on bivvy bag is a bit belt and braces, I'm glad to learn there are some less extreme options for sleeping bag covers.

At this point I'll freely admit that I see myself as a fair weather bivvy'er. I don't think I'll be waking through the night up to enlarge my snow hole anytime soon

[deejayen]

I've been thinking about building a bivy/tarp system around a more 'luxurious' bivy such as the Macpac Bush Cocoon. It's made from Event fabric (waterproof and breathable) and has a hoop, but with a side entry door, which I think would make access easier. They were out of stock, but when I checked with Macpac they said they'd be available at the end of April. I thought a bivy like that might be used with a simpler tarp/cover over the entrance.

It's worth bearing in mind that a bivy/tarp combo can be getting on for the weight of a solo tent, or even more. I've got a tent which weighs less than an Event or Goretex bivy bag.

There's also the Nordisk Lofoten 1 which is a cross between a double skin tent and a hooped bivy. It's light and packs small, but it is expensive.

My bivy experience has been limited to a Rab Survival Zone, and a couple of rainy nights in a midgie and slug infested peat bog on Lewis highlighted some of its shortcomings!

I'm still trying to weigh up the options and their pros and cons.

[whitestone]

There's a lot of variation in bivy bag weights and capabilities and what's good for one application isn't necessarily good for another.

As mentioned earlier, a standalone bivy bag is overkill for use under a tarp when all you really need is a sleeping bag cover/bug protection. There are some very lightweight tents around, I've a Terra Nova Lasercomp for example: 900g, it's a bit cramped especially if you use inflatable sleeping mats but even that can be overcome with some of the MSR and Big Agnes tents (at a cost).

I've a cuben fibre tarp and bivy bag, allied with a carbon fibre Pole-a-Bear (the bike handlebars are the other "pole"), the total weight including pegs is under 400g but it's very specialised in use, basically only for ITTs. Something like the ZPacks Hexamid http://www.zpacks.com/shelter/hexamid.shtml is 440g but a bit more room (doesn't include the required bathtub floor).

Our touring setup is an Alpkit R-i-g7 with two Borah Gear side-bivy bags which with recycled tent poles comes to just under 1150g but it's a lot roomier than the LaserComp. That's for two people remember, let's say 600g/person.

I think Scotroutes has/uses a system similar to your suggestion of a bivy bag with small tarp over the head end.

There's no one right solution, some people just prefer one to the other.

[MikeW]

Alright Stu, I had a similar issue when I has the hunka xl. I loved everything about it except getti g in and out through the top. In the end I went for a custom bag from bespoke ultralight. I'd recommend him!

[techno]

I've been thinking about building a bivy/tarp system around a more 'luxurious' bivy such as the Macpac Bush Cocoon. It's made from Event fabric (waterproof and breathable) and has a hoop, but with a side entry door, which I think would make access easier. They were out of stock, but when I checked with Macpac they said they'd be available at the end of April. I thought a bivy like that might be used with a simpler tarp/cover over the entrance .

Ta-dah: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/5982849 ... _active_18

[deejayen]

Thanks for the link, Techno Mail. Have you any experience of that bicycle? I'm wonder if the tarp/cover is a bit too small for rain protection, seeing as the bag doesn't have a flap over the mesh panel . Also, the descriptions of their other (non-waterproof) bivy bags suggest the mesh they use might not be Scottish midgie proof!

[techno]

Thanks for the link, Techno Mail. Have you any experience of that bicycle? I'm wonder if the tarp/cover is a bit too small for rain protection, seeing as the bag doesn't have a flap over the mesh panel . Also, the descriptions of their other (non-waterproof) bivy bags suggest the mesh they use might not be Scottish midgie proof!

I guess you typed R-I-G =)
no personal experience of this set-up but I have 3x3m tarp which is great. I'd drop them a message with questions.

[DiscoStu]

Alright Stu, I had a similar issue when I has the hunka xl. I loved everything about it except getti g in and out through the top. In the end I went for a custom bag from bespoke ultralight. I'd recommend him!

Thanks All! @lawmanmx also recommended Scotty at BEUL who I've been in touch with via Faceache. I think I'm going to go for one of his bags but just haven't quite made up my mind which one. Needs to be roomy enough for a mat, bag and fat lad, easy access, waterproof at the bottom and midge resistant at the top. I am still wondering what to tie the mesh bit up to when I'm under my tarp...

[whitestone]

I am still wondering what to tie the mesh bit up to when I'm under my tarp...

With my setup I have an adjustable length of line coming down from the tie-out point at the front apex. I've one of those very small karabiners clipped into the end of that then I've a length of elastic cord (from Cumulus quilt shock cord) from the bivy bag which clips into the karabiner. The elastic shock cord allows a bit of give between the two parts of the system. The tie-out point on the bivy bag is more towards the head end so you aren't pulling the bag out from under the tarp quite so much.

When I had the tarp made (Trekkertent) I asked for some tie-outs along the underside of the ridge so I could use one of those but they are for a different purpose.

I'd set things up and take some photos but the weather is currently not conducive to doing so.