Bivy Sack suggestions

[DD8]

Just got together with my huntin buddy to plan our deer trip to Idaho this year and realized that I'm gonna need a bivy sack rather than a tent to save on poundage. I'm gonna try and get my hands on a used one via the classifieds but if I end up having to buy a new one I'd love to hear some suggestions as I've never owned a bivy before. Thanks in advance.

[Oldguy]

This is something that is of interest to me also. Without getting feedback from someone who has actually used the bivy, it is hard to select one. I've even considered the "Henessey Hammock" as an option.

[Special T]

I did lots of back country backpacking and used an Ourtdoor Reasearch OR one. it really just looked like a one man tent with a clam shell opening on one end. I liked it becasue it had a bug netsetup so if an area was really buggy you could just crawl in and be bug free. worked great even in the rain. you mostly get a little damp from condensation. VERY light..

[Miles]

Bivy at Cabelas $59.99

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-XPG8482-Bivy-Sack/746895.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dxpg%2Bbivy%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=xpg+bivy&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

1.38 lbs






Golite one person tent  $120  (with DSW10 coupon code)

https://www.golite.com/Product/ProdDetail.aspx?p=370001110&mc=&t=&lat=

1 lb 3 oz

[jackmaster]

2 ponchos and 2 poncho liners, use one poncho to make your shelter and the other poncho and 2 poncho liners to make your sleepn bag, we only used that in the service since we carried everything on are backs, weight was a big concern, and that stuff worked excellent and its the absolute lightest material you can get and you can pick it up at any army surplus store for pretty damn cheap and you wont be sorry, if you need any ideas on how to set it up p.m me and i can tell ya everything you need to know...

[dreamingbig]

I would go with a light weight 1 man tent over a bivy any day.

[PacificNWhunter]

Outdoor research advanced bivy.

[JPhelps]

DD8,
We all look for different things in our shelter.  I personally can't handle a bivy sack.  I can't deal with mice crawling on my bag or over my face (certain kinds of bivy sacks).  I also have been on hunts where weather has had us holed up for a day or two and I'm glad I had a tent.  You may be able to get by with a tarp for shelter during a big storm.

If you are open to suggestions you may take a look into ultralight one man tents.  Henry Shires tarp tents work great and are lighter most of the time than a bivy/tarp combo.  There are also many other good manufacturers of lightweight tents.  Now if you don't mind sharing a tent even more weight can be saved overall.  There are some issues with tents though.  They can't be setup everywhere.  They need a relatively flat spot to setup.

[CastleRocker]

Kifaru, kind of spendy but you get what you pay for when it comes to lightweight backpacking gear.  I recommend their backpack too.  Personally, I like a lightweight tent over a bivy.  I have and use both. 
I like the looks of that Golite tent though!

[swanny]

Also remember, if it's you and your partner there is really no reason why can't just take a 2 man backpacking tent. Most of them weight under 5lbs total, split it up between the two of you and you end up caring less weight than a bivy and a tarp combined. 

[Ridgerunner]

I can't deal with mice crawling on my bag or over my face (certain kinds of bivy sacks). 

Me too, I hate those little suckers when they run all over you and your tent at night. 

[Ridgerunner]

I do like the looks of that tent though, and the price isn't bad at all.

[DD8]

Thanks guys!

[JackOfAllTrades]

I would go with a light weight 1 man tent over a bivy any day.

Depends on where I'm at.  The tent is nice if I want to keep my gear covered too, but the light bivy with a 4 ouce hammock, thus no added weight for a sleep mat, is pounds lighter than even a very light tent. Bivy/sleeping bag/hammock is a lot more comfortable too. (unless you're a really big guy, might not be feasable)

Out Door Research and others make some nice bivy's. I use an older model OR bag, but picked up a USMC bag late last fall that I haven't used yet. The USMC model is a little heavier.

-Steve

[Rob]

Ever consider a hammock?
I'm going to try one of these this year I think:
http://www.hennessyhammock.com/specs-explorerUL.html

you can set them up using trecking poles if there are no trees around.

-2 pounds 9 oz.
-you are off the ground (a bit cooler than tents I guess but no mice!)
-you have a covered area to get out of the rain, cook, etc

Here is more than you would ever want to know about hammock camping:
http://www.hikinghq.net/hammock/hammock.html
(follow the 7 pages of links at the bottom of the page)