bivy sack? WTB need info, suggestions

Three season ok! Don't want to feel smothered.
Love to hear from you experts.

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I have been currently looking my self and have run into this website which does a good overview, it is a few years old but has lots of good info. I think I will be buying mountain laurel designs super-light but I am still deciding.

sectionhiker.com/bivy-sack-buyers-guide/


www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/

I almost never use a bivi sack anymore. These days I use either a rainfly (BD BetaLight) or a small free-standing tent (BD FirstLight). About the only time I use a bivi sack is on a climbing trip where I expect to sleep somewhere a tent can't go.

A BetaLight rainfly is lighter than most bivi sacks, fits two people, and avoids that smothered feeling. The main disadvantage (apparent during my latest overnight trip) is that strong winds may buffet the fly and shower the occupants with condensation. This sucks, but generally I'd rather be under a fly than in a bivi sack in wet weather.

Not the answer you were looking for, but perhaps useful.

i agree w/ lowell...

and a tarp can wrap around you to make a makeshift bivy but a bivy cannot make a makeshift tarp...condensation is terrible in a bivy anyway...bivy in the rain is very uncomfortable...

+1 for tarp shelters

i do have a msr e-bivy that i use, (or bring with me) on shorter 1 night trips and mountaineering where space is an issue.

I'm with the anti-bivy crowd. There's a host of tarp and test options that are 3 pounds and much more comfortable and useful than a bivy sack. If I think I might be in a true bivy spot with no room for a small tent or tarp, then I go during a good weather window and sleep without any cover (other than a sleeping bag). Bottom-line, for an additional 1 to 1.5 pounds why not carry a good tarp or tent? I bought a 1-man double walled tent from Eureka (the Solo?) for $90 that has worked great on numerous trips including winter trips and the summit of Rainier (note, it should not be confused with a 4-season tent). If you're concerned about wind, I've had good luck with a BD Firstlight, and there's room for 2. The BD Megalight tarps are another great option for up to 4 people. All these options are less than 3 lbs total.

Unlike others, I haven't given up on my bivy, but I do go light on bivy construction. For non-technical summer hiking I'll go bivy and a light Tarptent, during winter I've snow caved and bivy'd. I've discovered that a slightly oversized bivy is a great organizational tool -- I'll push my ski boot liners outside my bag but inside my bivy, the bivy helps me stay centered over my pad, etc. I carry a light one from Oware, www.owareusa.com -- Pertex Quantum on top and sil nylon bottom, zip closure with netting, weighs in at 8oz with the stuff sack. Seems to be reasonably waterproof given its lack of heft.

JR