Ti Goat Ptarmigan vs Borah Bivy M90?

[desertcj]

If you want waterproof, I would suggest other choices than a bivy. There are tarptent type setups that are lighter than a number of the fully waterproof bivies, and even with waterproof bivies, condensation can be an issue in wet/cold environments. I use my Borah bivy with a tarp-poncho because the vast majority of the time I'm hunting, I have no threat of rain and just use the bivy. If 'desertcj' indicates that you spend a lot of time in the desert, I think that you won't go wrong with either the Borah or Ti Goat for keeping out the scorpions/fire ants/snakes. With a UL tarp, it'll cover most of the conditions you'd run into.

I have done some hunting in the high desert, but recently I hunt in the Sierra Nevada's. Last season, I saw intermittent rain as well as a 10hr snowstorm that I weathered by just throwing my tarp over my bag/pad. I was behind some natural shelter blocking almost all of the wind though. I don't think I need a fully waterproof Bivy if it's going to weigh ~3lbs. At that point, I may as well take my tent. Thanks for the input guys...

 

[Ray]

The M90 not being waterproof is a good info point. I'm not knocking, just wondering why your bivy was in contact with your tarp enough to soak it with water?

We were on the side of a mountain in the only spot with tundra to sleep on. Nothing was flat. When I slept I relaxed or moved and slid on the wet tundra. Gravity just takes over. I think at some point the foot area probably went under the tarp edge and were fully exposed.

As others have said the M90 material is not waterproof. It's not advertised as that either. It's meant to be breathable and allow body moisture to escape. For my environment I will always have a shelter. A tarp tent at the minimum. I will be flexible between a bug nest and the bivy depending on bags and trip type.

For desert bugs and a floor less tipi tent style shelter I would look at a bug nest rather than a bivy bag. This would allow for better bug control for boots and clothes.