My son and i are going on a trip in july to the Uinta Mountains - and we know at some stages we will have black bugs. We are into UL and are wanting to switch to a tarp and bivy setup to save weight and be more adventurous.

So with that being said, do we have to have a regular bivy (MLD Superlight) or can we use a MLD bug bivy?

For the tarp we are looking at the MLD DUO CUBEN FIBER.

Thanks for the help!

I don't have personal experience with an MLD mid but I would suggest an MLD Mid Innernet instead of two separate bivies if you are looking to go the mid route. It would be much roomier than a bivy and basically give you a 3+ season double wall shelter for 20 oz...not too bad.

It will depend on how tall you are. Over 5'10" and the inner net might be too small / short.

While it's certainly doable, I don't know that I'd go with a innernet for use with a tarp. The innernets are made to be tall, with a side opening that corresponds to the Mid's opening. Unless you're going to pitch your tarps quite high, I'd think you'd have netting falling down around you.

I agree with Trevor that the DuoMid with innernet would be a fantastic option instead of a tarp and two bivies, especially if one of you carries the mid and the other carries the inner.

David's right as well, if you're really tall, the mid can get a bit cramped.

You might want to consider pairing the MLD Grace Duo with one of the two man bug tents from Alpenlite. Links below:

Here's my MLD Grace Duo with a one man bug tent from MLD.

Alpinlite Gear Bug Tents (look @ the 1.5).

lightpack.blogspot.com.

wow! thanks for all of the input. the alpinlite 1.5 looks really cool because we both could get in there together.

Oware makes an inner net bug "bivy as well that is less expensive and "lower" to the ground.

Also a newer company is getting into the game, I have the "Bug Bivy", my Ti Goat bivy was too confining (smashing some of my Down).

http://www.bearpawtents.com/

bought it on ebay for $69

http://www.bearpawtents.com/bug.html

The reason I would favor seperate bivys is it allows you to sleep out in the open without using your shelter if you want. Other then protection from bad weather and a pyschological reason, your shelter isn't doing much for you except some extra warmth. It's your bivy thats providing any insect protection which is mostly what you need.

I own both a MLD superlite bivy and a MLD Bug bivy. For July weather, as long as your sleeping bags are warm enough for the night temps you expect, the bug bivy will be good enough and provide more room then the superlite. The superlite provides better wind/weather protection and warmth.

Edited by Miner on 04/21/2010 20:11:24 MDT.