I have been mountain biking for several years but am new to bikepacking. About two weeks ago I bought a Mesh Bug Bivy made by Marmot and while I have used it on only one short trip, it seems to be just the ticket for most of the bikepacking (and backpacking) I will do during relatively mild temperatures. The nights were cold when I used it so I draped a tarp close against the bivy much like a rain fly. During warm weather I will use it as is to sleep under the stars or if rain is in the forecast I will hang a tarp over it in the usual manner.
Where I live in the Southeast mosquitoes are about as big as turkey gobblers (with even bigger appetites) so I am especially looking forward to using the bug bivy during summer. I find it to be far less claustrophobic to use than my old bivy bag and condensation problems do not exist due to plenty of airflow. I am six-feet tall and find it to be plenty roomy. Quality and workmanship are top drawer and when tightly compressed, the bivy alone measures 5x6 inches.
On the negative side, advertised weight is rather misleading. The bivy alone weighs 19 ounces but add the one pole (4 ounces) and the nine aluminum stakes and the nylon line (6.5 ounces) that come with it and total weight is close to 30 ounces. I paid $99 for it at my local backpacking store and it came in a stuff bag. A patch kit for the waterproof floor was also included.
The video below does a good job of demonstrating it.
