Bivys

[Lawnboi]

I've got a borah bivy right now with a siltarp 2, I used it in UT in August and it worked well, but I wasn't impressed, had a lot of slipping around as well. Planning on hunting in CO this year though and think that I need a better shelter system. Looking at purchasing a bugaboo bivy II, just have a question, is a tarp necessary, or could I get by with just the bivy sack in the high country of CO?

I have used mine alone in very sheltered areas. And it is very waterproof. But I would still take a tarp. It's only 1 lb for my para. Gives me shelter to get in/out, along with a place to eat and store gear if the weather is bad.

 

[Beastmode]

I have used mine alone in very sheltered areas. And it is very waterproof. But I would still take a tarp. It's only 1 lb for my para. Gives me shelter to get in/out, along with a place to eat and store gear if the weather is bad.

What lawnboi said. If its flat out dumping all day its nice to hang out in a shelter or covered area instead of being confined to a bivy.

 

[Sundodger]

Could you not use some light bungees from the stakeout points wrapped around the pad? How about putting the pad inside the bivy? Would fill the bivy too.

I tied the stakeout points together, worked and no bungees needed. I do have my pad in the bivy, it would have been a complete disaster on the outside.

 

[CtP]

Yes and not really. I bought one a few months ago but haven't used it much, haven't had the opportunity to really test it out good. I bought it for the sole purpose of using in a floorless shelter, so I guess the testing that I will be doing with it won't be too extreme.

AK troutbum, Are you able to fit an inflatable pad inside the Kestrel? on the TiGoat site it doesn't specify for the kestrel if a pad fits, but it does say a pad fits in the Omni raven.

Trying to decide which bivy to choose. I'd like to have my pad inside the bivy.

 

[AK Troutbum]

AK troutbum, Are you able to fit an inflatable pad inside the Kestrel? on the TiGoat site it doesn't specify for the kestrel if a pad fits, but it does say a pad fits in the Omni raven.

Trying to decide which bivy to choose. I'd like to have my pad inside the bivy.

Ya, plenty of room. I have a 72" Neoair Xtherm and a regular size Zpad (rectangular), it'll fit either one with room to spare.

 

[bbrown]

Do you think the 25"x77" xtherm would fit with enough room for the bag without the bivy compressing the bag?

 

[AK Troutbum]

Do you think the 25"x77" xtherm would fit with enough room for the bag without the bivy compressing the bag?

That's a tough one. I guess it really depends on how big you are. I don't think I would have any problem sleeping in it with your pad, but I'm not a big guy. It's plenty wide and long enough, but if your pretty girthy and using a cold weather bag, it probably wouldn't work too well. With my Xtherm and 10 degree down quilt, I have more than enough room, but I'm only 5'8" and 160 lbs.

 

[bbrown]

Thanks for the feedback - I am 5'10" and 180 so just a bit bigger than you and I am either using a EE quilt or a Marmot pinnacle bag. I am tempted to upgrade to a wider pad but the xtherm or neo air seems to bee the only options in the mummy cut. I like Q-core SL but it's a bit narrow.

 

[AK Troutbum]

I don't think you'd have any problems with the Kestrel.

 

[bard]

quick question about the borah bivy. if you don't need the netting is there a zipper on it as well or are you able to put the netting on the bottom of the bivy and have your pad, and sleeping bag over top of the netting? 90 percent of the time I wont need the netting and im just wondering if it will be in the way

 

[Brock A]

Not sure if it will help but I did a short review on my Borah Bivy.

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/showthread.php?15404-Borah-Bivy-Review

 

[squeekieslayer]

anyone ever try this one out? 2 ounces seems kinda light. Just worry about condensation. http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/tarps-bivis-bothies/all-bivis-bivi-bags/ultra-bivi-/

Joe

 

[Brock A]

anyone ever try this one out? 2 ounces seems kinda light. Just worry about condensation. http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/tarps-bivis-bothies/all-bivis-bivi-bags/ultra-bivi-/

Joe

I have never used that one but I have used this one from SOL and It looks likes they are similar. I had horrible condensation in my SOL after 1 night.

http://www.rei.com/product/832336/sol-escape-bivy

 

[westside elkhunter]

I find bivys and a tarp system very interesting. My question is did it take a couple trips to get use to sleeping in a bivy?

 

[crumy]

I find bivys and a tarp system very interesting. My question is did it take a couple trips to get use to sleeping in a bivy?

My first time sleeping in a bivy was pretty easy.. I had a bivy from REI and took it back and bout a Bugaboo. Usually slept with it unzipped around head but this past season I zipped it shut and slept in it 7 nights. Only once did I have an "epsisode" According to my hunting buddy, he thought I was getting in a fight in my bivy... apprently the top covered my mouth a little during the night and I panicked in my sleep for lack of a better word. but I still sleep in it zipped up.

 

[Clarktar]

Decided to go with the Kestrel bivy from TiGoat.

Once I get some use of out it (mostly the entire month of may) I will report back.

 

[CtP]

Decided to go with the Kestrel bivy from TiGoat.

Once I get some use of out it (mostly the entire month of may) I will report back.

Looking forward to it. I'm gonna get a kestrel before Sept.

 

[Ryan R]

Decided to go with the Kestrel bivy from TiGoat.

Once I get some use of out it (mostly the entire month of may) I will report back.

What's the difference between the Kestrel and the Ptarmigan. The site says the Kestrel is ideal for use inside a shelter. Is the Ptarmigan better as a stand alone? I was going to pick up the Ptarmigan.

 

[bbrown]

Ptarmigan has a full hood with an optional bug net - the ketrel comes with a bug net sewn into the hood so it would not be full coverage or protection which is why it's best for use with a shelter.
i just sold my ptarmigan because I never used the good just the big net so the kestrel should be a better fit for me.

 

[Ryan R]

Ptarmigan has a full hood with an optional bug net - the ketrel comes with a bug net sewn into the hood so it would not be full coverage or protection which is why it's best for use with a shelter.
i just sold my ptarmigan because I never used the good just the big net so the kestrel should be a better fit for me.

Thanks for the info. I might go with the Ptarmigan.