Bivy Sack

[offroute]

Thanks for that info, Dave (and all).

Gotcha, Dave. We love out Bibler I-Tent and are thinking the 3-S offerings from Black Diamond (Firstlight, Highlight) might work well, if generous. (I get the nice price on BD gear.) Going a little off topic here. I'll start a new thread...

Cheers,

Mike

[phil_rad]

I used a mountain laurel bivy during the 2010 divide race and it was perfect FWIW. I had a few personal mods done at the factory. And, it is waterproof.

Which one did you use Eric? I'm thinking of going with the superlight bivy. 

[cyclestar]

Hi,
I have very good experience with tents of "vaude".  The Power Tokee UL is really light and a tentlike comfort solution. The Bivy of vaude are also very komfortabel, but are breathable bivies.
http://www.vaude.com/epages/Vaude-de.sf/secn67ncY0SfH6/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Vaude/Products/10971/SubProducts/109715050
Sorry, i didn´t find the english description, but to get a first impression, this should work.

Mike

[elobeck]

"Which one did you use Eric? I'm thinking of going with the superlight bivy. "
I used a non stock model, waterproof bottom, event top, and had them add bug netting. It weighs around 350g, not the lightest. I'm not a total weight weenie guy, I'd rather have a good nights sleep, it seems to translate to a faster day on the bike for me the next day. IMHO, obsessing over taking 100g off the bike here or there is valid up to a point, but after a few days the weight seems to "go away" and become a non issue-you get used to what you have. I think as long as the sleep kit is under 2 3/4 pounds  one is in good shape.

Good luck on your TD run Phil (we met the day before the 2010 race out on the trail), the rest of the route is a beautiful experience. I hope to join you this year. So far, less snow on the ground.

Erik

[jp3d]

I used a RAB eVent bivy on the 2011 CTR (and on several other occasions). Pretty impressed with it, other than the obvious problems that come from not having a tent. Very minimal condensation just around your face even with the thing completely sealed up.

[elobeck]

Hi,
I have very good experience with tents of "vaude".  The Power Tokee UL is really light and a tentlike comfort solution. The Bivy of vaude are also very komfortabel, but are breathable bivies.
http://www.vaude.com/epages/Vaude-de.sf/secn67ncY0SfH6/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Vaude/Products/10971/SubProducts/109715050
Sorry, i didn´t find the english description, but to get a first impression, this should work.

Mike

Looks like a great casual bikepacking tent/bivy. but quite heavy by tour divide or ultraracing standards.

[phil_rad]

"Looks like a great casual bikepacking tent/bivy. but quite heavy by tour divide or ultraracing standards."

That's what I was thinking; Vaude's quality is really good though, if they would just come down in weight. They're backpacks are well made and thought out. Good stuff.

[cyclestar]

After 15 years of Touring with vaude tents, I really love the good quality of vaude and with 860 gram for a tent, I think they are very light. http://www.vaude.com/epages/Vaude-de.sf/de_DE/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Vaude/Products/10971/SubProducts/109715050

Nevertheless, i don´t work for them and so I am really curious, whatelse you can use.  Because I need some moskito & co protection and thaw protection, I was looking for a hamcok- system or bivy bag with http://www.globetrotter.de/de/shop/detail.php?mod_nr=108525&k_id=1103&hot=0&GTID=d7dacd9468f7696f425e11a861e6ffa8a35. But they are all over 1,3 kg. So maybe you can give me other tips to protect me from moskitos and thaw.

Merry Christmas from Germany
Mike

[elobeck]

this is a good starting point for lightweight.

http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/index.php?cPath=22

things can get even lighter form here, it all depends on the level of comfort you want. Some people use a Montbell sleeping bag cover with no mosquito netting.

If you are divide racing you have to ask yourself how many hours you are sleeping. If you are touring casually then go with the vaude product looks nice.

As a starting point, a divide race sleep kit should weigh, including sleeping bag, bar or seat bag, pad, and bivy less than 3 pounds. Better is 2  to 2 1/2 pounds.

good luck.

[phil_rad]

Backwards on this thread NT posted this site: http://www.tenpoundbackpack.com/gear-lists/lightweight-bivy-bags/

A lot to choose from there.

Frohe Weihnachten

Phil

[bartspedden]

Awesome site phil_rad! Thanks for sharing 

[elobeck]

That is a sweet compilation. The only thing missing is a "comfort" rating. I own a suluk 46. Super light. Fits in a ziplok sandwich bag. But not for the faint of heart in a rainstorm.

[phil_rad]

That is a sweet compilation. The only thing missing is a "comfort" rating. I own a suluk 46. Super light. Fits in a ziplok sandwich bag. But not for the faint of heart in a rainstorm.

Pretty good overview of a bunch of bivy's. Comfort rating would be interesting, depending on who's doing the rating. :-) Kind of individual.

[elobeck]

i certainly see the advantages of the bivy, no doubt. and would likely use one if i lived out west. lots of bugs here in the east, and i like having the mesh off my face with room to stretch out.

-mountain laurel designs bivys have a mesh with a steel wire to keep it off the face. Montana skeeters are kept at bay.