I just dove into this territory.
I purchased a Mountain Laurel Designs UL bivy to use with with my 0 down quilt, nemo pillow, liner, and x-therm pad. I don't know how often I intend to use all the components together, but depending on the situation it seemed nice to me to have options for different weather and camping setups.
I have only tested the bivy/entire set up out in my home, as there was quite a wait time on receiving the bivy. At face value I really like how the bivy holds everything in place and it was very handy. My quilt lofted well in it (950 goose, 1 oz extra loft, one of the puffier bags/quilts I own). I probably won't get in the field with it until Oct, but I am loaning the system to my friend for spring bear this year.
I would imagine it could all be stuffed together in a medium sea to summit compression sack, but I would have to double check it and get back to you. When rolled and not compressed too much, it is roughly the size of a two man tent (like a big anges UL 2). I wouldn't think that compressing the pad and bag together would be a huge issue as long as all air was out of the pad.
MLD UL bivy was pretty customizable and a lot of guys also recommend the borah. All depends on your size. I am a skinny bastard at 5'9 150 pounds. I had gotten the regular bivy and it works great for me. A person with wider shoulders would probably struggle a bit with that size.
Also found this FYI
During this years Backpack archery hunt I used a new thermarest xtherm and a Borah bivy. I couldn’t keep the bag on top of the pad inside the bivy, both pieces were extremely slippery. After not sleeping for most of the first two nights I gave up on the bivy and slept under my Eolus without...
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