Bushwalk Australia

heya all, I got an olive version of the bivy years ago, never got around to using it, my son did recently and says it is a very "wet" experience with condensation when closed up.

It weighs around 1.1kg or so which is not too bad, I was considering buying him one as well, but without breaking the bank and weights, what else is out there?

Webguy,

If I were a tad lighter I would buy a hammock for sure! even though hennessy do have one that would support me.
These things are light and allow for camping on rough terrain. The only thing is you do need trees, so if all your camping is in and around trees this is the way I would go.

Genesis.

From the BlackWolf specification page:

Fly Fabric: Polyester PU 3000mm

Floor Fabric: Polyester PU 5000mm

That stuff will stop water coming in and out, and if you don't vent the bivvy substantially whilst using it, you will get condensation.

Look for something with a breathable upper, especially Event but other fabrics also work. I have slept a few nights in a RAB Event Bivvy (~600g) and had zero condensation. There are a number of bivvys about with breathable construction. The Ti Goat Ptarmigan is well regarded and lightweight.

I've got a similar style bivvi from vaude. If the weather is still it gets a little moist inside. With a thick mat it gets worse again. Rain and no wind it gets quite damp.

Setting it up so any wind goes straight in the vents helps. As does having the top open so your breath goes outside.

Nature of the beast

I finally got to use the stealth bivy myself for 3 nights.

Yes, was a damp experience, I opened both head and foot vents, no difference really. Warm night, maybe down to 16.

On all nights I had the top fly open at my head, a couple of inches the first night, a bit more the 2nd and about 4-5 inches the 3rd night, still damp inside.

Still it was not too bad to camp out in.

Does the job but theres not much room inside and yes condensation is a problem.

I nearly bought one of them until a couple of people told me how many issues they were having with condensation so seems its a common issue. I ended up buying a really light tent instead which only weighs a few hundred grams more but you get heaps more room in it and lots less condensation as well!

Bought my son one about a year and half ago, as what both walkerchris and Mickl have said not worth it. No room what so ever and soaking wet on the inside. Learnt my lesson and bought him an Exped.

I bought a Blackwolf Bivvy as an experiement for doing part of the Alpine Walking Trail over 14 days.

* Condensation build-up was terrible, so had to leave the vents open which let rain in.
* Claustrophic and horrible to get in and out (especially if you have to get up for a pee at night).
* If it's raining, it's impossible to setup and get into without everything getting wet (plus all your other gear has to sit out in the rain).

I hated every miserable night I spent in it and threw it out as soon as I got home.

So what are the alternates without killing the bank balance?

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

The answer will depend very much on what you need balanced against what you want and how much mass you are prepared to carry and for what distance

Webguy wrote:So what are the alternates without killing the bank balance?

Well, what is the budget?

Look for something breathable like event. There is a good but old summary on sectionhiker.com but prices will be way out of date by now.

I have a RAB Ascent bivy (event fabric) and have slept a few nights in it. No condensation.

TiGoat Ptarmigan is the go to LW Bivy

Even though the OP was from Sept 2013, this might be of interest . . .
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Made-in-US-Army ... 2a32e4ecbd

This mob below used to have new ones too (where I picked up 6 of them group buy / shipping for walking companions).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GORE-TEX-BIVY-C ... 4ad5c12e2d
Also some minor repaired ones.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GORE-TEX-BIVY-C ... 338e3bb65d

We scored new ones from the above usamilitarysurplus shop for under AUD$65 inc group postage.

These are brilliant.
-17 at Kangchenjunga North base camp, just my Neve bag inside a Megamid, toasty warm.
Very light (can weight if anyone's interested, still have out from weekend trip), and genuine 'good' Goretex (beads nice which is a change from Aus garments, keeps out wind, insulates, and breathes so well).

TBH it doesn't really matter how good the bivvy is, they are a short term survival solution to a particular problem. You also need shelter from wind and rain in gnarly weather. I'm reasonably happy with the US Army bivvy I purchased though the forum but I consider it protection for the SB, not as shelter from the elements.
If using a bivvysack I think the minimum extra needed is a decent large tarp and groundsheet and a small tent doesn't weigh much more than that.
Mind you I like tarp camping in mild weather.

Hi,

I bought a Black Wolf cocoon bivy at Anaconda yesterday for $130 as it was a display and didn't have any pegs.

Main purpose is the Jatbula trail (out of Katherine) in a week or so and maybe the Larapinta trail (out of Alice Springs) next year.

Thinking I should return it with all the bad feedback on condensation.

Do you reckon the condensation will still be a problem in the dry of the NT this time of year?

Cheers,
Andrew

Condensation is more about breath and temperature differential between inside and out. It gets very cold in the Centre at night. Bivvy with or without a tarp would be fine for the Larapinta, but you want one that breathes.

Thanks NNW,

Think I will return it as too many people say how wet it gets inside. My Hilleberg tents are fantastic but a bit overkill for NT. Maybe just a mosquito net is an option.

Cheers,
Andrew

Hi guys,

Well I returned the bivy to Anaconda np.

Ended up going with an Oztrail Mozzie Dome 1 which was fantastic for 5 nights on the Jatbula Trail. Cost $50 from Snowy's online from Adelaide.
It was perfect as never rains this time of year in Katherine area and no wind overnight.
Was about 12 degrees overnight so still needed sleeping bag and 30 degrees during the day so get walking early.

Weight is 605g + 669g for 2 fibreglass poles + 100g for 4 pegs for a total of 1374g

My Hilleberg Soulo tent has poles almost the same length that do the job so is 605g + 391g + 58g = 1054g using Soulo pegs and poles.

Highly recommend the Jatbula Trail. It is an easy walk with great swimming and camping every night.

Cheers,

Andrew