Condensation in a bivy?

[slim9300]

Raven Omni here too. I have never had condensation issues and I feel like it's the perfect minimalist bivy for a footless shelter. My lower black portion of the bivy has even been soaked by 'running water' all night and the inside stayed dry thankfully.

 

[PMcGee]

I used the Raven Omni as well this year without any condensation issues.

 

[Rucker61]

I have about 16 nights in my borah and haven't had an issue with condensation. Been in temps from 20* up to *70. Have some other things about it that I would change but for the most part I'm very pleased with it.

Mike

I've go the Borah, and only used it a few times. What would you change?

 

[luke moffat]

In my experience the TiGoat Bivies will condensate for sure. They always seem to leave the shell of my quilt or bag with water on it. I am actually considerating leaving the TI Goat at home for good though as I always have a shelter with me if I have to bivy...unless the bugs are bad I really find it more trouble than its worth.

They are good if sleeping on snow as I have down a few times though but a full length pad can fix that pretty easily as well.

Brad,

I have been using a quilt to bivy out away from camp for the past 2 years with around 7-8 days (its kinda fuzzy at this point ) actually bivied away from camp. It works well for that as well as a stand alone sleeping quilt too. Often Becca and I share 1 quilt between the two of us too in a bivy situation as well.

I think you'd be happy with the 1.5 pound Rev X quilt and the pad you mentioned under an SL-5. Lots of space and keep ya plenty warm IMO, just getting find where your comfort temp limit is with it. I think I am able to stay warmer while I sleep than most so I won't give a temp rating down to what I think its good for, I'll let you find that yourself.

 

[HellsCanyon]

I've go the Borah, and only used it a few times. What would you change?

Would really like to see dual zipper pulls so you can open it directly on top of your chest instead of reaching down below my right shoulder is my main issue. I'm sure John at Borah Gear would work with anybody ordering one to modify that. I'd also like to see stake loops on all 4 corners and a slightly bigger net window as standard... Just little things but that's my recommendations!

Mike

 

[gobbler1662]

I have both of the ti-goat bivys, raven and ptarmigan. I also just purchased a bora bivy.I use these in conjunction with my x lite, revelation x down quilt and kfaru paratarp. Just this year alone here in Oregon between spring bear and archery elk I have spent over 30 nights in these bivys. The ti goat or any bivy will condensate if like stated you partially zip up the cover. Now I always zip up the bug screen but never the cover so I never have or have had any condensation issues. Now once this spring while on a spring bear hunt we were hunkered down trying to survive a hail storm on a mountain top and I briefly zipped the cover to within a few inches of being closed, just a breathe hole basically for just a little while. I've owned several bivys including rei minimalist, two Outdoor research bivys, one north face a integral designs. IMO The it goat bivys are excellent if being used in conjunction with a tarp.

 

[Madnik]

"IMO The it goat bivys are excellent if being used in conjunction with a tarp."

Agreed, or any single wall shelters, for that matter. I've used a variety of bivies and own an OR and a TG Omni Raven. The Omni Raven breathes better than any others that I've used, GoreTex and EVent, for what it is worth. Which given the materials and its intent, it should do.

 

[Lawnboi]

I have always gotten condensation in bivies.

Until I got a bugaboo II. I have spent nights breathing in mine basically no condensation.

 

[aron]

I'd also like to see stake loops on all 4 corners
Mike

This is also one modification I would like done as well. Nothing like waking up in the middle of the night to find you are half ways outside your shelter from sleeping on a slope.

 

[colonel00]

Interesting mix of responses. Thanks for the input.

Luke, I already have a RevX 30° which I am quite happy with. I am a warm sleeper so I think the 30° quilt will keep me warm well past freezing.

For those that do experience condensation, is it a real concern or is it just minor dampness?

 

[fillthefreezer]

Interesting mix of responses. Thanks for the input.

Luke, I already have a RevX 30° which I am quite happy with. I am a warm sleeper so I think the 30° quilt will keep me warm well past freezing.

For those that do experience condensation, is it a real concern or is it just minor dampness?

depends on your conditions, ive been totally dry to worrysome wet

 

[luke moffat]

What FTF said.

Honestly for most of my occasions I do not think a bivy is needed at all. I'd use that 6 oz personally do have a warmer quilt, a warmer pad, an extra piece of clothing, or just save the weight and rock on. So long as you got a good waterproof shelter the bivy isn't needed IME for most of my bivy situations.

 

[TEmbry]

What FTF said.

Honestly for most of my occasions I do not think a bivy is needed at all. I'd use that 6 oz personally do have a warmer quilt, a warmer pad, an extra piece of clothing, or just save the weight and rock on. So long as you got a good waterproof shelter the bivy isn't needed IME for most of my bivy situations.

For areas without snakes and creepy crawlies I agree. For hunting most of the west I carry it as a peace of mind type thing. Spiders and snakes won't be waiting in my bag, and it keeps my sleep system all together (more important now that I'm rocking a quilt on most trips.

I use one about 2/3 of my nights afield

 

[colonel00]

^^^Yep, that is exactly along the lines of my thinking. Unless it is late season or really high up, there will be bugs and other little bastiges. Plus I like the idea of being able to zip up my sleep gear along with anything else like clothes and stuff I want to keep a little more sheltered. Then I can come into the shelter soaked, muddy or bloody and not have to worry about getting crap all over my bed.