Katabatic vs Borah bivy

[tanker]

Wanting a bivy for floorless shelter and/or under a tarp. Have it narrowed down to Borah Gear ultralight and Katabatic Bristlecone. Anybody have experience with both or strongly recommend one over the other?

 

[Carrot Farmer]

Love my Borah Bivy. I’m a big guy with custom quilt(XX-Wide/Long) with 4” sleeping pad. They made me a custom sized cuben Bivy that I run with my Kifaru Sawtooth or Borah tarp if I chose so. Zero experience with the other


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[Farmerlentz]

My borah bivy has been good to me the last 2 years. I just picked up another one for my son. Love how it keeps everything together

 

[Drenalin]

I've had a Borah, have a Katabatic Pinon now. The Borah is like 25% lighter and seemed to have more interior space. And it's cheaper. Either is good, but if starting over I'd stay with the Borah - if you can wait on it.

 

[tanker]

I've had a Borah, have a Katabatic Pinon now. The Borah is like 25% lighter and seemed to have more interior space. And it's cheaper. Either is good, but if starting over I'd stay with the Borah - if you can wait on it.

Good info. Have you noticed any difference in the waterproof/water resistant capabilities? Thanks.

 

[turley]

I've had a Borah, Katabatic Pinon, and MLD SL (Full Head Net).
The breathable water resistant top fabric is comparable on all three as well as the waterproof bottom/floor.
All three are equally functional but would give a nod to the MLD and Katabatic in overall attention to detail.
I didn't like the location of the hang loop to keep the netting off your face on the Katabatic.
With Borah you can fully customize it (longer zipper, u-shaped zipper, mesh strip in the center, ect...) and without a doubt the best bang for the dollar.
I personally prefer the MLD SL Full Head Net Bivy as I like the footbox construction.....but if purchasing now would probably lean towards the Borah as it is every bit as functional but considerably cheaper (you can get the Borah with a DCF floor for roughly the same price as an MLD with Silnylon floor....and it's lighter).

 

[Drenalin]

Good info. Have you noticed any difference in the waterproof/water resistant capabilities? Thanks.

No, I didn't have any issues with the floor or top material on either one. I will point out that the Katabatic has more material up the sides and at the top than the Borah, so should provide more protection - but in reality that's probably dictated more by the user than the product. Either way, I haven't had any issues with moisture getting in with either - but condensation is a touch worse with the Katabatic.

 

[tanker]

Thanks for all of the info. Probably going with the Borah if it looks like they might become available before September.

 

[Benjblt]

Old thread I know, is the location of the zipper on the borah frustrating or less function all being below the head location? What I mean is, if you don't really need the netting or the bivy zipped up you have no choice. The netting is going to be on your face. Also, getting in and out. Is it more difficult and cumbersome?

 

[kitandace77]

Have only used the Borah half bug bivy and am a big fan. A few notes: 1) tarp is definitely needed if below 40F or condensation will be an issue on mesh portion. 2) ground sheet is recommended - setup on rocky ground this past season and had a few small holes in it.

 

[robertmpalmquist]

I use a borah body and haven’t had any issue getting in or out. Different than a tent/bag set up, but once you do it a couple times it’s easy and you don’t notice

 

[Carrot Farmer]

Haven’t had any issue, but my Borah has side zip


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[Dave0317]

Have only used the Borah half bug bivy and am a big fan. A few notes: 1) tarp is definitely needed if below 40F or condensation will be an issue on mesh portion. 2) ground sheet is recommended - setup on rocky ground this past season and had a few small holes in it.

Just curious, if one can avoid the rocks, would you see the usual pine needle, maybe stray pine cone causing tears or poking through? Or did you set up on that kind of Forrest floor surface at all?

I find I can usually avoid rocks, but not the typical Forrest floor tree litter.

 

[kitandace77]

Just curious, if one can avoid the rocks, would you see the usual pine needle, maybe stray pine cone causing tears or poking through? Or did you set up on that kind of Forrest floor surface at all?

I find I can usually avoid rocks, but not the typical Forrest floor tree litter.

Never had an issue. I’ve set up in treed areas but I usually just quickly clear the area with my boot before setting up.