Bivy for Quilt?

[banded_drake]

For my upcoming September Colorado elk hunt, I'll be packing a down quilt and sleeping under a tipi tent. I didn't really take condensation and my down quilt into consideration until now. Is this something that's going to give me an issue?

What kind of options do I have?

My wife will be along as well with the same set up. Kind of on a budget with this one

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[Poser]

Condensation can really vary wildly depending on a number of factors but you should expect some if the tarp is zipped up. On a budget, the OR bivy sack offerings are hard to beat.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Hunt backcountry podcast 291 in that episode they cover some of the biggest considerations in sight selection.
If budget strapped just get some tyvek off Amazon and fold it over your bag.
I like a run a bivy because it helps keep me on my pad and bugs off if I need but don't let it keep you from the field if you can't afford it.

Worse come to worse you pack your wet crap up and walk to the truck.

 

[banded_drake]

Hunt backcountry podcast 291 in that episode they cover some of the biggest considerations in sight selection.
If budget strapped just get some tyvek off Amazon and fold it over your bag.
I like a run a bivy because it helps keep me on my pad and bugs off if I need but don't let it keep you from the field if you can't afford it.

Worse come to worse you pack your wet crap up and walk to the truck.

It definitely isn't gonna keep me from going. I tend to get overwhelmed in thinking all this stuff out and then I wonder if it's even necessary. But last thing I want is to be wet all night under my quilt, or even worse, have to listen to the wife complain about her quilt being wet lol

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[Moserkr]

I dont leave home to go on a backpack hunt without my borah bivy. You will notice its very renown around here. Necessary? Depends. Keeps my bag clean and pad safer from popping. After im out of my bag in the morning i zip it up and leave it all day to keep bugs out - like making my bed in the morning.

A small shelter will condensate just from breathing all night in a confined place. Bag may get damp if your feet touch the tipi in that situation but will dry quick. Site selection helps a ton too. But on a cold, damp morning, or if you get rain/snow, i wouldnt want to be caught without one. Also doubles as safety equipment if the shelter fails and you are exposed to elements at night. At the minimum you need a cheap ground sheet. Ive only camped in a few spots where the ground was completely dry. I kick away all the dirt and level a nice clean, rock free site where i sleep if i can. Ive also camped through blizzards and was warm n dry with my bivy and stove.

Borah bivys are roughly $100 each. Im 5 years into mine and its like new still. Tyvek is cheap and durable. But september in colorado, anything could happen weather-wise.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Pitch it under some kinda of tree Canopy.
Over dry ground if possible. Not over wet vegetation.
Not next to a water source.
Do not try to suck it down super tight to the ground. Let it vent.
Keep a cheap sponge with you to clear off the inside as soon as you wake up.

I think alot of people try to button down the hatches to try feel secure and keep outside out.

Gotta keep it vent as much as possible while keeping dry.

 

[banded_drake]

I dont leave home to go on a backpack hunt without my borah bivy. You will notice its very renown around here. Necessary? Depends. Keeps my bag clean and pad safer from popping. After im out of my bag in the morning i zip it up and leave it all day to keep bugs out - like making my bed in the morning.

A small shelter will condensate just from breathing all night in a confined place. Bag may get damp if your feet touch the tipi in that situation but will dry quick. Site selection helps a ton too. But on a cold, damp morning, or if you get rain/snow, i wouldnt want to be caught without one. Also doubles as safety equipment if the shelter fails and you are exposed to elements at night. At the minimum you need a cheap ground sheet. Ive only camped in a few spots where the ground was completely dry. I kick away all the dirt and level a nice clean, rock free site where i sleep if i can. Ive also camped through blizzards and was warm n dry with my bivy and stove.

Borah bivys are roughly $100 each. Im 5 years into mine and its like new still. Tyvek is cheap and durable. But september in colorado, anything could happen weather-wise.

I've checked out the Borah bivys, theyre not too bad on price. Problem is lead time at the moment. I'd need to make a decision now to order in hopes of receiving it before the hunt

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[Moserkr]

They didnt make it at the time, but Id buy a dcf version now. Lead times may definitely kill that idea either way though.
@BRTreedogs made some good points. I prefer to sleep close to my water source for convenience if possible though and it does cause additional condensation. But as he stated, pitching the shelter high to let it breath will take away the most moisture hands down. If you trust your shelter and dont pitch it on an exposed ledge in a storm, then a ground sheet would be fine in 99% of the scenarios. Ive never zipped up my bivy while sleeping in it, so i dont use it for bugs. Only issue i have is touching the shelter walls and it coming up from the ground. A sponge would quickly take care of the walls in the morning - great idea - ground sheet, well, name says it all.

 

[gilby]

I dont leave home to go on a backpack hunt without my borah bivy. You will notice its very renown around here. Necessary? Depends. Keeps my bag clean and pad safer from popping. After im out of my bag in the morning i zip it up and leave it all day to keep bugs out - like making my bed in the morning.

A small shelter will condensate just from breathing all night in a confined place. Bag may get damp if your feet touch the tipi in that situation but will dry quick. Site selection helps a ton too. But on a cold, damp morning, or if you get rain/snow, i wouldnt want to be caught without one. Also doubles as safety equipment if the shelter fails and you are exposed to elements at night. At the minimum you need a cheap ground sheet. Ive only camped in a few spots where the ground was completely dry. I kick away all the dirt and level a nice clean, rock free site where i sleep if i can. Ive also camped through blizzards and was warm n dry with my bivy and stove.

Borah bivys are roughly $100 each. Im 5 years into mine and its like new still. Tyvek is cheap and durable. But september in colorado, anything could happen weather-wise.

When in a shelter, do you sleep with the borah bivy zipped up over your face? Does the bivy help quite a bit with the drafts? I run an EE 0deg and always seem to have some moisture from making contact with the walls of my tent.

 

[tdot]

Ask Borah about their hybrid bivy. It is a combo of their normal bivy and bug bivy. I personally think its the best of both worlds and perfect for under a tarp.

 

[sneaky]

I run an EE bivy. It does the job, and is usually in stock and ready to ship. Mine weighs about 6.5oz in the long version

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[Moserkr]

When in a shelter, do you sleep with the borah bivy zipped up over your face? Does the bivy help quite a bit with the drafts? I run an EE 0deg and always seem to have some moisture from making contact with the walls of my tent.

No it is never zipped up over my face. Always open. Ive gotten used to the creepy crawlies, swat em, and keep on sleeping. Bivy doesnt do much for drafts imo. Not sure it adds any r-value or insulation either. Just a very thin waterproof barrier. Only once on an extremely wet night did i get condensation inside my bivy. It must breath well to avoid that issue or it would wet out. My big tipi is huge for 2 people so rarely do i touch the walls. Mainly have that problem in my solo tipi. I also pitch it tight to the ground and need to loosen up a bit, not worry about keeping outside out lol.

 

[Sealee12]

As others before , I LOVE my Borah hybrid. $100 well spent.

 

[mrbillbrown]

Own 2 Borah Gear Bivys with zero complaints. One in eVent and one is the Argon90 bug Bivy. Used under my tipi to keep my sleeping system clean, together, and bug free while I’m out for the day. Would gladly buy again.


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[elkdreamer78!]

I am expecting my bivy next week. I have an entirely new sleep system this year. Silex, down quilt and pad. I have only slept under it once thus far. I know there were several things I could have done differently but when I woke up with frost on the inside of the shelter, I opted to order the bivy. My cot and double wall Talus tent will be in the truck if it really goes wrong. Based on what I am reading ventilation, sight selection, and airing things out mid day make it manageable either way. Bivy is just added level of security


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[Dos Perros]

I've never had a bivy in 6 years of archery elk hunting. I don't think you need one. If you want one, sure go for it, plenty useful in other situations (bugs, sleeping under a tarp and not a tipi, cowboy camping, keeping in the pack in case you have to sleep away from camp).

 

[mlgc20]

I've never had a bivy in 6 years of archery elk hunting. I don't think you need one. If you want one, sure go for it, plenty useful in other situations (bugs, sleeping under a tarp and not a tipi, cowboy camping, keeping in the pack in case you have to sleep away from camp).

Agreed. Definitely don’t need one for September Colorado archery inside a tipi. Your quilt should be able to shed any reasonable amount of condensation.

 

[banded_drake]

Agreed. Definitely don’t need one for September Colorado archery inside a tipi. Your quilt should be able to shed any reasonable amount of condensation.

I appreciate the info, I'm somewhat relying on you guys that have experienced there that would know. I did pick up one bivy sack to try out at the end of August when I go up for a scouting trip. I'll have it if I need it, if not, I won't need to buy a second one.

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[10ringer]

Agreed. Definitely don’t need one for September Colorado archery inside a tipi. Your quilt should be able to shed any reasonable amount of condensation.

I used to agree with you guys until I hunted an area loaded with mice. Loose two night of sleep and you’ll never leave your bivy or tipi nest in the truck again.


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[Bighorner]

The only time I have had an issue with mice is when I had food under the tarp rather than hung in a tree.