http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/equinox_ultralite_mummy_bivy.html

I was hoping someone that has owned this piece could give me their opinion. I have only found a few reviews and they weren't very enlightening.

I am specifically worried about how the uncoated nylon top breathes and how the condensation is inside the bivy.

Also, I would love a suggestion for a good bivy sub 12 oz that is at are below a Mr. Franklin bill - if this isn't the one.

I own one and have limited experience with it (probably around 6 nights). But so far I've been very impressed -- especially given the low price compared to similar products.

Condensation hasn't been a problem. At most I've noted maybe a sense of higher humidity inside the bag -- but not to the point that anything got damp.

I also like that there seems to more interior room in this bivy compared to others I've used or read about. That's good for an active sleeper like me.

And I also like the exceptionally small weight and packed size of this thing!

I doesn't have some of the features of the more expensive bivy's, but it doesn't its intended job very well in my opinion. I think you'd be pleased with it.

Good luck!

It doesn't quite fit your sub-12-oz requirement, but you might find the 16 oz. REI Minimalist bivy worth considering. (It's got several reviews in the Reader Review section of this website.)

I also have had very good luck with this bivy. I found the breathability to be very good, and agree with the above poster that it is a roomy bivy. In my opinion, I see no need to spend more on a more expensive bivy, this does the job very well for about sixty bucks.

I use this bivy and like it alot. The only condensation I get is at the footbox maybe because the silnylon comes up a little too far to let that moisture evaporate. I've never had condensation anywhere else in my three years of use. Of course, if you sleep outside and the temp hits the dew point then expect moisture.

Why not?

@6.1 oz for 99 bucks - seems like a good bang for the Franklin.

Why not? It's double the price of what you can sometimes get the Equinox for.

Double the price...Good point.

Looks like you can't go wrong with the Equinox - no bug netting though - wear a net.

FWIW, I've got a Ti Goat bivy and have been very happy with it's performance. I think it was about 90 bucks and weighs about 8oz. (meets your criteria)

Homemade is even cheaper. A bivy is a simple first project. The BPL pattern's not hard to reverse engineer. I have a homemade bivy and a bmw nano, and haven't noticed any performance difference. In fact, I prefer the homemade because (1) it's the work of my own hands (however poor) and (2) I chose the colors.

The cost of a homemade bivy is about $40, or less if you use seconds fabric.

(My gear choices are perfectly rational, as you can see.)

I have considered making my own, but my poncho/tarp project this summer turned into an utter fiasco. I came away from that experience with the idea that $25 is not with the intense hassle of being a terrible seamstress and not having a lot of patience when I'm not on trail. I will however think about making one because I can select my fabrics, size and options and that is very appealing on my "home."

BTW thanks for all the comments on the equinox bivy I'm leaning towards it quite heavily now.

My comment would be to add that a bivy is a lot easier than a tarp because you're not working exclusively with slippery silnylon and there's no need for any special type of stitching or precision measuring, as you would be doing on a tarp. At the simplest level, just cut two rectangular-ish pieces of material (silnylon for the bottom and DWR nylon for the top) and run a simple stitch around the edges. When done, turn it inside out and you're done. The only tricky part is the zipper (which you should sew into the top before attaching top to the bottom), but the stiffer "waterproof" YKK zippers tend to be a not that frustrating. You could also just skip the zipper and just use buttons or snaps.

Mitchell, I've had the Equinox bivy for about 1 1/2 years. I've been pleased with the function and it's light weight. In Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Colorado I've not had condensation problems. I have not experienced dampness at the foot of my bag. My only wish with this bivy is for a wider version. I'd prefer just a bit more room inside. For the price it is great piece of gear.

Since my Equinox bivy is a little older, I wonder if they modified the bivy in the footbox area to have a little less silnylon?

It'd be interesting to know how far Phil's footbox silnylon comes up around the bag when the bag is inside?

I really want to thank all of you for your honest opinions and also the thoughts about making my own bivy. I've gone ahead an ordered the bivy and even though my BD Firstlight (yes I'm only 5'10" so I fit great with my gear) will still get most of my winter duty I look forward to putting this into the arsenal come spring. Now if I could just pitch my golite poncho/tarp so that it was so noisy....