Bivys

[bbrown]

It's a good set up for what it's designed for which is with a tarp of some sort or at least tucked under some good cover. It's not designed for stand alone use when bad weather is expected. Definitely spring for the bug net - well worth it when the weather is good but the bugs are thick.
i switched to the ketrel because I always use it with my pyramid tent or para tarp - sometimes tucked under a thick pine.

 

[AK Troutbum]

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.

Is the material on the top of the Kestrel a little more breathable as well? I can't remember for sure, but I thought that was another one of the differences.
I have the Kestrel and I know the top material is definitely not waterproof.

 

[bbrown]

I think you are right - they do have different materials but not sure exactly what the difference is. Either way both have water resistant tops not water proof.

 

[Jtelarkin08]

Would that bivi work good with the mountain smith mountain shelter lt?? I have that tarp and was curious if guys used bivis under them

 

[AK Troutbum]

It should work good with any shelter/tarp system, and at 6 ounces it's pretty hard to beat the weight.

 

[bbrown]

Would that bivi work good with the mountain smith mountain shelter lt?? I have that tarp and was curious if guys used bivis under them

Ya thats exactly what its designed for. I will be using mine this weekend for a couple nights in a simalar tent (Oware 9'x9') chasing turkeys.

 

[CtP]

Anyone want to attest to how the Kestrel has been working out for them so far?

 

[Derek0525]

How water resistant is the ptarmigan? I usually just throw my sleeping bag on the ground when elk hunting never used a bivy but it kinda rained a few days last year so I got a little wet. What if you sprayed the bivy with some nikwax water repellant or would it make the bivy not breath well?

 

[Justin Crossley]

How water resistant is the ptarmigan? I usually just throw my sleeping bag on the ground when elk hunting never used a bivy but it kinda rained a few days last year so I got a little wet. What if you sprayed the bivy with some nikwax water repellant or would it make the bivy not breath well?

It's good for keeping the morning dew or condensation off your bag. I only use mine as a stand alone when I don't expect any rain at all.

If rain is possible, I use my 5.1 oz hexamid tarp.

 

[Clarktar]

I was unable to get out in May to use the Kestrel, but will be able to use it extensively during my field season June-Sept1 near Mt St. Helens in WA. I will provide some feedback once it has been used.

 

[Ryan R]

I just got the Kestrel recently and played around with it a bit. I fit my neoair x-lite and -7 celsius mummy bag inside. It was snug around the feet, but not enough to disrupt sleep. With a tarp it's a good backup.

 

[scanbarker]

I've been using an integral designs south col bivy for a few years now, and it works great. It's all event, lightweight, packs small, and breaths well. I think they have a newer model out now, but I still love mine. I've only ever had condensation when it's really cold, and I'm in my down bag. Really cold being single digits. Any time in the summer, or Sept, Oct, I've been cool.

 

[Derek0525]

Anyone have a pic of the Ptarmigan packed up in its sack just for a size reference to see how much room it would take up.

 

[stephen b]

Anyone have a pic of the Ptarmigan packed up in its sack just for a size reference to see how much room it would take up.

I do not have the Ptarmigan, but the TG Omni Raven I have is about the size of a coke can when it is in its sack. So I would imagine the Ptarmigan is same size or smaller.

To give you an idea how small these pack up, when in my pack I usually have my WM Summerlite bag inside the Raven and then stuff both together into either the WM (XS) stuff sack, or a XS sil nylon compression sack. It seems like the bivy is not even there when packed like that. In fact it is hard to tell any significant difference between just the sleeping bag alone in those sacks, and when the bivy is with it.

Only time I keep the bivy separate when packing is when it has gotten a bit wet.

 

[Clarktar]

Thought I would update this thread now, having used the kestrel on a few trips.

Well, I am not sure what pad and bag everyone is running, but I found the Kestrel extremely tight in the feet. I am using a NeoAir and EE 30 degree quilt. It was annoying how tight my feet were. I eventually feel asleep, but I need to re-think this setup. Either a different pad (which likely wont happen), or I need a bivy with slightly larger footbox.

I know this bivy is supposed to be used under a shelter. I did not use it in conjunction with a shelter. The heavy morning dew would soak right through the bivy and down to the EE quilt. It dries fast, and is small, but personally I would like one a little more "water resistant". I am thinking I should look at the Raven? Or maybe one of the integral design models.

In my opinion this bivy is best suited for warm weather hunts, IN a shelter or under an overhang or something. Also it is more suited for smaller frame people, or with very thin pads.

 

[AK Troutbum]

Thought I would update this thread now, having used the kestrel on a few trips.

Well, I am not sure what pad and bag everyone is running, but I found the Kestrel extremely tight in the feet. I am using a NeoAir and EE 30 degree quilt. It was annoying how tight my feet were. I eventually feel asleep, but I need to re-think this setup. Either a different pad (which likely wont happen), or I need a bivy with slightly larger footbox.

I know this bivy is supposed to be used under a shelter. I did not use it in conjunction with a shelter. The heavy morning dew would soak right through the bivy and down to the EE quilt. It dries fast, and is small, but personally I would like one a little more "water resistant". I am thinking I should look at the Raven? Or maybe one of the integral design models.

In my opinion this bivy is best suited for warm weather hunts, IN a shelter or under an overhang or something. Also it is more suited for smaller frame people, or with very thin pads.

Interesting. I've actually had the opposite experience with my Kestrel, regarding foot room. I've only used mine inside a shelter, so haven't experienced any moisture on it, but I found the foot box to be very roomy. I'm only 5'8" and I sleep at the very top of the bivy, so where my feet go down to is still a little ways up from the bottom of the bivy, where it is a little bigger in circumference. I'm using the Kestrel in combination with a regular length Xterm, and 10 degree EE Enigma. I haven't used it in temps lower than the 30's yet.

 

[Clarktar]

Good point about where one is in the bivy. It seemed for me to get the mesh over my face (eyes, as I wanted to stare at the sky while waiting to sleep) I had to be slightly down in the bivy, in other words there was some room above my head at the top end of the bivy but my feet were surely at the bottom end. I am 6' with size 11 feet, if anyone wanted a size reference.

 

[Clarktar]

Bumping this for some more input on Bivy size/sleeping pad etc...

Anyone else finding the Kestrel tight in the foot box?

 

[colonel00]

I posted this the other day in a different bivy thread but here is a photo that compares the foot box of a ptarmigan vs an omni raven. I know this isn't the Kestrel but hopefully you can compare specs and get a general idea. In the photo, both bivys have an XTherm/XLite in size large along with a quilt. With a pad and a 10* quilt, the Ptarmigan is pretty tight in the foot box for my girlfriend but it is tolerable according to her. I haven't been in it yet.

 

[Clarktar]

Yea, I am thinking of "gifting" the Kestrel to my much smaller than me wife. Then picking up a Raven for myself.

Has anyone else been using the kestrel or ptarmagin with a neo air and quilt? Finding it tight? I was surprised the Kestrel was that tight.

Thanks Col. I still have not received the Thermal pouch but when I do, I will let you know!!