What bivy and why?

[sherpaxc]

So I'm a hammocker through and through but may be interested in a "fast and light" bivy set-up.  What do you use and how do you like it?  Pro's/Con's? 
I'm looking for ultra light weight stuff.  What is out there?  Links are nice

[naked indian]

Why not get a hennessey?  It doubles as a bivy in a pinch.

[sherpaxc]

Several different reasons really.  For one, I am not a Hennessy fan at all.  Mainly though, there are times when I would like to roll out the bivy and crawl in, get up, roll it up and head out. 

Like I said, I'm a HUGE hammock user.  It was hard for me to even ask this question.  But if/when I plan to do a race I don't want to take the time to set up the hammock (and all the special equipment I have that goes with it).  I just want to lay down for a few hours, then get up and head out.

[ScottM]

I've always gone the emergency bivy route.  Worked out so far... but in a real downpour it sucks (but then all of them do).  If I'm expecting rain I bring a small tarp to pitch over my top half (covering pack and head).

For racing, IMO, the emergency bivy makes a lot of sense.  It definitely adds a lot of warmth to a superlight bag.

[sherpaxc]

Does that hold up to repeated use (say 4 days?)

[ScottM]

Does that hold up to repeated use (say 4 days?)

Yup.  And beyond...  in my experience anyway.  I did eventually tear my original one (purchased ~2005).

[drjon]

i use a rab assault:

reasons - 

long, so i can put a bag in there as well as me.
has a bug net
sturdy
can be hung so front section remains open with just bug net
good breathability
is a little heavy compared to the simple sacks..at 750g or so...

http://www.rab.uk.com/equipment/bivvis/assault_bivi---63/

[Mike Brown]

Sherpa- If I wasn't going  to use my hammock for some obscure reason (like, say, doing something where there really were no trees), I'd just go pad, tarp, sleeping bag, strapping some kind  of poles to my bike for tarp support.

[sherpaxc]

Yeah, my only concern with only using a pad (air pad) is puncturing it.  I'd like some sort of protection under it.  The ONLY reason I'm interested in this is for the AZT in the fall.  I really want to do a "fast and light" tour of it.  It kills me to even think about the ground though.  A hammock is like a good drug (so I've heard).  Once you start, you can't stop!

Mike, did you see our trip to Arkansas?  All 4 of us were in hammocks.  I still REALLY want to make out to NC sometime for a 3 day tour.

[sherpaxc]

So is the Montbell Breeze-Tech bivy worth the extra coin when compared to the Emergency Bivy?  Weight wise they are similar but what about performance?

[FeloniousDunk]

I still REALLY want to make out to NC sometime for a 3 day tour.

Hey sherpaxc, if you need any help with a WNC tour let me know.  I, too, live here in Asheville in the heart of Pisgah National Forest.  Lots of options for three day trips.  I did a nice 2 day last weekend, wanted to be a 3 day but the tornados scared me off a bit.  I want to put up a trip report, but I haven't made the time.  Hopefully soon.

[Marshal]

Yeah, my only concern with only using a pad (air pad) is puncturing it.  I'd like some sort of protection under it.  The ONLY reason I'm interested in this is for the AZT in the fall.  I really want to do a "fast and light" tour of it.  It kills me to even think about the ground though.  A hammock is like a good drug (so I've heard).  Once you start, you can't stop!

Mike, did you see our trip to Arkansas?  All 4 of us were in hammocks.  I still REALLY want to make out to NC sometime for a 3 day tour.

A windshield sunscreen works well for a desert pad, reflective type keeps you warm on the bottom, just pick a 'sandy' bed for comfort, add the emergency bivy for a bit of extra warmth, this system is quick, light, packable and puncture proof.

(from the pics of your Ark trip the hammock was the only way to go for thouse conditions)

[Pivvay]

Man I'm a bivy whore. I have the "thermolite" emergency bivy, the "heatsheets" plasticy/foily bivy and a montbell breezetec dry bivy.

The Montbell breathes the best by far of the bunch with the heatsheets not breathing at all except out the opening. They're all durable enough for bikepacking trips if you somewhat careful with them, even the 3.5oz heatsheets bivy has a dozen nights out on it and it's still perfectly fine with a couple small tape patches at the feet.

For most short trips I'd take the lightest one I can find and deal with the downsides. For a little longer trip the Montbell is probably your best bet.

For a pad I use a 1/8" Gossamer gear thinlight pad. It protects the bivy and at 40" length it only weighs a little over 1 ounce.

[sherpaxc]

Thanks Chris.  I knew you had the Montbell and was hoping you'd chime in.  I think I'll stick with the Emergency bivy just for cost sake.   

I don't know how you can get any sleep with that GG pad.  I have one for my hammock but I'd never want to actually sleep on it.
Oh, that's right, you ride and nap, not ride and sleep.  Congrats dude on another awesome and epic finish.

If I could not carry a filter that would be great, that'll be a last minute descision for me I think.  I can always prefilter using my headnet and then use drops.

[Pivvay]

The Montbell bivy is probably the best bet for anyone wanting to buy a "good" one in that it's reasonably inexpensive, even brand new, works well and does breathe pretty good. Otherwise the emergency ones work just fine as long as you accept their disadvantages and know how to deal with them accordingly. They're super cheap and compact at least and I can nap for a few hours in just the bivy in pretty cold temps due to the reflective stuff.

Tablets (MP1 at least) are light and do kill everything if you're willing to wait. 4 hours is worse case scenario but almost everything in not freezing cold water is killed much faster. Again just know how the stuff you bring works and go from there.

The pad isn't great but it's at least as good as a sunscreen one and possibly more compact. I slept on a concrete floor at least twice with it and if you have some soft sand it is great. Still I carry it more for insulation and ground protection for my bivy than any sort of comfort. On "touring" trips I bring at least a 3/8" blue pad for my torso. I've tried the inflateables and really like them but every one has died on a bike trip

[sherpaxc]

Which is why you need to learn to use a hammock my friend.

I know all to well how to use the pills for water as I've had to rely on them the past couple trips due to the Steripen going out on me.

I'm looking at getting the Thermarest NeoAir pad.  I'm waiting for Backpackinglight people to post up some real world reviews though.  I've got a big dividend burning a hole in my pocket!

[Mike Brown]

I'm a comfort over weight guy, so take  that into account...
Using a  "groundsheet" cut from an old tent fly and a  Thermarest-type  pad, I've never had any problems with ground tears.  
I have punctured a pad during packing/unpacking- that's why I carry a few raft patches- using tire cement and  a raft patch, you can both repair a thermarest and boot  a tire.  Very useful items.

[Pivvay]

The Neoair does look interesting as I too have a big dividend burning a hole in my pocket. I may get one for Marni as she has not found her perfect setup yet. As for me, well i'm young and stubborn and don't like fiddling so I'll just stick with closed cell foam I may try a zrest or ridgerest though.

[sherpaxc]

I can't imagine a Z-rest or Ridgerest being any more comfortable especially compared to to the GG.  The added weight and bulk would seem like it would kill the deal no?

[Pivvay]

Oh yea I'm not going different for racing. But for touring etc I think that the Zrest might be warmer and slightly more comfy. They're cheap so we'll see.