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Grumpyuncle
7
May 30, 2017
Any real life experience with this bivy ?
Cardamomtea
588
May 30, 2017
GrumpyuncleUnfortunately, I don't have any personal experience with it, but I gathered some review links for you (and anyone else curious about it, as I am).
1. http://m.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/camping-and-hiking/bivy-sack/outdoor-research-alpine-bivy (gets their "Top Pick" designation) 2. https://www.rei.com/product/747832/outdoor-research-alpine-bivy. (47 customer reviews averaging 4.3 / 5 stars) 3. https://www.backcountry.com/outdoor-research-alpine-bivy. (12 reviews averaging 4.7/ 5 stars)
What I haven't found yet is the width of this bivy at the foot, and whether the Therm-a-Rest Xtherm MAX long/wide will fit. I found a comment from 2014 on this page that says the Xtherm MAX l/w fits into the OR Advanced Bivy. See: http://sectionhiker.com/therm-a-rest-neoair-xtherm-sleeping-pad-review/
Anyone able to confirm/deny the Xtherm MAX long/wide being able to fit into this alpine bivy & have room to put lofty winter bag on top? Thanks!
Grumpyuncle
7
May 30, 2017
Cardamomteathank you cardamomte, your links were quite helpful. Im still debating on this bivy. Looks good but I"m quite tall and worried a bit about being able to move around in it. thanks again
Stuxnet
5
May 31, 2017
GrumpyuncleIt is 84 in which is 7 feet. I'm 6'6 and I tried a 7 foot bivy at MEC before buying and I'm comfortable with my purchase so you should be fine. Hope this helps.
Grumpyuncle
7
May 31, 2017
StuxnetThanks stuxnet, that helps alot ! We are about same height. Im assuming width works too.
Stuxnet
5
May 31, 2017
GrumpyuncleYes I very broad shouldered and it may be a tad tight but still comfortable
l3db3tt3r
82
Jun 1, 2017
GrumpyuncleI have probably over 100 nights in my Alpine Bivy, and even more in my Advanced Bivy before it. (from the 90s, and still going strong as a loaner) - I'm 6ft, 225lbs, and find ample room to move around. - Bivy use isn't for everyone. - Condensation management is a skill Let me know what other question you might have.
Axman6
29
Jun 4, 2017
l3db3tt3rcan you elaborate on the condensation issue? What do you do to help control it? I was expecting it would be less of an issue with a bivvy that was mostly full with a sleeping bag where there's less air contact with the side of the bivvy, but haven't figured out where the moisture that is definitely there from your breath.
l3db3tt3r
82
Jun 4, 2017
Axman6It's mostly an issue nearing freezing temps +- 8ish degrees. Dew point is a factor as well. Damp clothes/ sleep system and your breath are the biggest culprits. I manage mostly by leaving the bivy zipper open about 6-8 inches for my breath, and layering my clothes as well as my sleeping layers. In cold weather I have two EE quilts, a 40 and 20 degree bag. People tend to add too much insulation in cold weather, making them sweat at night, learning how to have enough to stay warm but not hot is a useful skill.
scoutsjim
3
Dec 25, 2017
CardamomteaI have the exact same question? Did you get a answer or have experience after purchasing? Thanks
TheIzzardKing
359
Dec 26, 2017
scoutsjimi've been using one of these for several years now, retired an older bibler bivy that this is more or less based on, this is the best bivy of it's type, any negatives to be found here would be more about the type of bivy it is as opposed to the product itself, just as an example it's a poled mountaineering grade bivy so it's going to be a good deal heavier than some of the other bivys on the market that tend more to the UL spectrum yet those tend to not be quite as robust or as comfortable as something like this, on this side of the spectrum.
so as with alot of this gear, it's more like you gotta ask yourself exactly what it is you are wanting out of your gear and how you do things or plan to use it.... personally, i use mine for solo mountaineering and climbing trips which I've been doing for around 30+ years now and spent most of that time in the north cascades, so for me i tend to be a slave to the weather often having to spend alot of time for weather to pass to get a decent window for the climb, whether it be rock drying out or just enough visibility so i can see what the heck i'm doing, again, north cascades there's alot of rain and cloud cover here... the hooped pole like this is a must for me and is a design requirement i have due to this, the larger hoop makes it much more comfortable when your laying in there reading a book waiting for things to clear up, it's actually a comfortable space to relax in for me as opposed to just a place to close my eyes and go to sleep... since gear in general has become exponentially lighter over the last 3 decades the few extra ounces of weight really don't bother me and i get the feeling of extra added security of a bit thicker fabric as well, meaning that i'm pretty confident i'll get a few extra seasons out of something like this as opposed to the bivys that are more geared to the fast and lightweight crowd.... and just to be clear, it's not like this thing weighs a ton either considering what it is a 4 season toe tag bag, i just know that weight is a serious consideration and there are lightweight options on the market, this is one of the heavier bivys but it is also one of the more robust ones as well and is one of the most weatherproof bags on the market due to it, so you pick the value there...... and again just to reiterate, it's really up to you as if you think this is a good product for you or not in general, you can basically tell that just from looking the pictures and the spec sheet and comparing that to your needs and how you do you on the trail...if you know what i am saying here,everyone is different and does things differently, there is no do everything for everybody tent,backpack,bivy,boot,stove,ect,ect,ect out there.... as far a quality goes there is absolutely nothing wrong with it, the materials and craftsmanship are top notch, OR has a lifetime warranty that they actually really do stand behind and it's just generally well made and has proven to last imo... and as far as materials and heat go, it's goretex, treat it and use it like a goretex and practice normal venting practices and you won't have any issues with condensation and the like... only reason i mention it is I've seen people with some of the best tents/shelters on the market complain about condensation.... it's a shame when a product and a company get blamed for bad practices....not saying that some tents and products don't just suck and sweat due to poor design and/or materials...but that's not the issue here, like i said, it's all top notch and if you are having those problems then you need to look at your practices...which you probably should be reexamining constantly... but that's something else entirely.
hope that wall of text helps in some regard. best i can sum it up as is, this is a awesome bivy best on the market imo, just make sure it'll work for you and your needs.
scoutsjim
3
Dec 26, 2017
TheIzzardKingThanks so much for the reaponse. My main question is, will a thermarrest neo extherm long wide 77 x 25 fit in the bivy .. thanks again
Cardamomtea
588
Dec 30, 2017
scoutsjimHave yet to find an answer... let me know if you do! :-)
TheIzzardKing
359
Dec 30, 2017
CardamomteaI swore I responded to you guys! Sorry!
I really don't know, I would think so, I'm 5"11 185lbs so basically pretty average, yet I have plenty of room in my for my pack at my feet and enough to flop around at night when I sleep, so my extra space could be your decent fit....
Again, just speculation on my part as I don't use those sizes of pads and am a shorter thinner guy, I just have more than ample room for me which SEEMS like it'd work for bigger guys.... I'd contact OR and ask them just to be sure. Sorry I couldn't help more.
Grumpyuncle
7
Dec 31, 2017
TheIzzardKingI am 6"5 and 225 and I have been using a xtra long Klymit pad in this bivy. I dont know what the dems are for your pad but i still have a bit of room. This bivy is rugged but it takes abit of getting used to if your not a regular user. I am very happy with it and will be taking it to New Zealand next April. For my two cents it is one of the better sacks on the market.
Cardamomtea
588
Dec 31, 2017
GrumpyuncleThe Xtherm is 25"w x 77" l x 2.5" h
Thanks for your feedback! It sounds like it will. I'm currently spending my money of winter gear, but eventually I'd like to get this bivy :-) glad yours worked out for you!
chopsoutuk
1
Nov 13, 2020
Cardamomteahey Cardamomtea, did your Thermarest xTherm neoair Max (large / wide) fit and leave you room to move about inside too please? Thanks!
Cardamomtea
588
Nov 13, 2020
chopsoutukAlas, I haven't bought this (or any) bivy yet. (I got into "hot tent" camping & spent my pennies on that gear instead.) I still want a bivy to push my cold camping limits. Been a few years since I last did my research on this bivy, so there might be new data points on the interwebs now, or YouTube reviews. If I need a distraction today, I'll try and find an answer for you (research is to me what TV is to other people) :-)