99% of what I've learned about backpacking (light weight, comfort, systems efficiency...) has come from these forums. I've been reading these forums for a couple years and would just like to thank everyone for the tremendous amount of information made available as this is my first post.

I'm looking for an eVent bivy that I could use as a primary shelter, without the use of a tarp for those trips where walking takes up most of the day. Living in British Columbia rain is almost always in the cards so a requirement would be to have confidence in not waking up wet. ID has many appealing albeit weighty options. Has anyone used a MLD soul eVent bivy out in the rain comfortably?
Any other options that I may not be aware of?

thanks in advance
Adam.

Adam,

I bought the MLD Soul side zip bivy with the eVEnt top with the idea of using it as my primary shelter.

I have not been rained on with it, but I think that the problem is that it was not designed to "defend" the head area from anything other than a light rain.

I think that you will need some sort of overhead protection just for the head area.

Ron at MLD said that most people use a tarp with the bivy.

I use a MLD rain poncho/tarp and the bivy...plenty of protection.

I prefer not to have to setup the tarp, cause I am lazy.

-Tony

I use the ID All e-vent bivvy with a tarp, sometimes just a small one covering my head and torso. I like to have some cover over my head and torso for gear and cooking. You could turn over with the head opening to the ground in heavy rain if you wanted. Using a bivvy-bag as a primary shelter without some overhead cover can have problems, especially in a rainy climate. The quality of the ID bivvy is top-rate.
I don't think the MLD Soul bivvy is designed as a primary shelter. You would have to seal the seams on it in any case. If you turned over in the MLD bivvy, the sil-nylon base would be above you. That could lead to condensation issues.
Other e-vent options are the Rab e-vent bivvys here.

Edited by MikefaeDundee on 09/20/2008 02:59:29 MDT.

I wouldn't consider a bivy for BC (unless you're climbing).
They really aren't very good in the rain. You may stay dry-ish if it rains while you're in it, but you'll be screwed without at tarp if you have to set up or tear down camp in the rain.


99% from these forums? where does experience fit in?

Edited by Found on 09/20/2008 08:40:46 MDT.

Thanks guys,
The whole purpose is to simplify the nights and the camping part of it. Sometimes I like to take my time and set up early, most of the time I'd rather keep walking.
On trips the past couple years I've been using an ID poncho tarp and the older TiGoat bivy, not setting up the tarp a majority of the nights. A couple nights I've had to pull the tarp over me when the drizzle starts, hoping it doesn't progress into a full rain shower, not fun.
When it comes down to it I just want to crawl into bed at the end of the day and lay down with limited set up without the worry of waking up wet.

Thanks Tony, that's kind of what I thought from looking at the pics off the MLD site, just wanted people's personal experiences.
Mike, thanks for the link I didn't even think to check Rab.
Jack, the 99% refers to these forums as a source of information. There was so much to read here in between nights out when transitioning from car camping to backpacking. You're right though experience has been the best teacher.

Mike have you seen the Rab Super Light Bivi? It is certainly light and Rab makes quality gear. I wondered how it would compare to your ID all event bivy apart from weight?

Thanks

My experience bivy camping has been limited to tarping with a water resistant/breathable bivy, but there have been some nights where even my momentum90-topped bivy couldn't handle the condensation and I got wet from the inside. I'm still not 100% sure on how to prevent this from happening. Some conditions it might just be inevitable, but the higher I am on a ridge and the farther from water, the better, it seems.

Also, there seems to be a big difference in the amount of dew that settles on my bivy top when I camp under the stars and when I use it under a tarp, under trees, so if you're using an eVENT bivy as primary shelter, and it's a humid enough night, be sure to pull the bivy closed or the insulation around your head will get wet. Then again, the moisture from breathing can condense and turn into water drops inside the bivy.

So, maybe the bottom line is try it out. If you're not 100% about the climate allowing you to stay dry, then make sure you've got enough synthetic insulation to stay warm at night if your down does wet out.

Edited by artsandt on 09/20/2008 12:38:18 MDT.

Roger, i've not seen the Super Light. When i was looking for a bivvy, i only wanted one with a 100% e-vent shell. The Rab one has a waterproof floor.

Mike, do you use a ground sheet with your all event bivy or is water permeating through the bivy not an issue? obviously camp selection is always a concern.

Adam,
You don't need a groundsheet with the ID all e-vent bivvy. You could use one for keeping your gear clean if you wanted, but it isn't needed to keep you dry. The reason i went for that one, is i sleep on my side. If i roll over and take the bivvy with me, there is always e-vent fabric above me. I have had almost no condensation. I have had a few bivvys, and the e-vent fabric is the best i've had at handling condensation.

I went for this bivvy on the recommendation of a forum member, David Ure. He uses ID bivvys in the wet conditions of the NW. He might see this thread and chip in.

Edited by MikefaeDundee on 09/21/2008 03:18:56 MDT.

I use the Big Agnes Three Wire eVent bivy in UK conditions, but only for a night or two. Drying wet gear and cooking is just not happening in constant wet weather.
I've slept in rain and snow and not had any real problem with condednsation or water ingress. Sleep mat choice is probably the biggest factor in this.

Edited by ptc on 09/21/2008 04:33:25 MDT.

Awright ptc*.
Like Peter, my use of a bivvy is for 1 or 2 nights only. Longer trips with a bivvy can become soggy affairs in a wet climate. :)

I had a little time and went back through some of the old threads.
The all eVent overbag by ID seems to make the most sense for my application and trip style. I like the idea of the tiny head area tarp, the upside down bivy approach will more likely be practised....we'll see. Most of my trips are also in the one or two night range, so a little uncomfort can be tolerated.
Thanks to everyone for all the input.

Adam,

Here are a collection of photos from trips this year.

I just started using a bivy this year, so my setups might not be "correct".



Couple Shots using my poles to attach the hood of the bivy to. This allows me more head room inside by pulling the hood off my face more. Note that the built in wire helps provide more shape to the hood.

Edited by Valshar on 09/22/2008 00:08:11 MDT.