Hey everyone,
I am about to pull the trigger on the MLD Superlight Bivy. There are two options to go with; one being the half-moon bug net window and the other being a full net option. I am planning on doing the PCT in 2012 and want to know on your opinions of the two options. Anyone have the Half-moon window and prefer it over the full net hood? I myself am new to the bivy option and so I am looking forward to hearing from you guys. I am leaning towards the half-moon window for its simplicity. I will be using it in combo with a Grace Duo. Any feedback is helpful as I am new to the PCT and what gear would be best for that trail.

-Joshua-

The half moon keeps in much more heat, but also causes more condensation.

I don't know if there is a "best;" it comes down to your preference.

I have a half moon.

I have the bug head net version and like it a lot. The Superlight is wonderfully light! I've used it with a tarp and with the Solomid and Solo Trailstar. When I don't need bug protection, I just tuck the top of the bivy under my pad - I think you could do the same with the half moon version.

In your situation, I'd probably go with the half moon - just a bit more protection for when you need it.

Thanks Stephan,
How do you like it? Would you recommend it for the PCT? How does it do in heat? Thats my main concern. How is breathability?
-Thanks-

Hey Stephen,
I noticed you are from SoCal. Any reason you recommend the Half moon over full net? Just a heads up ; i will be using a WM bag/NeoAir ; and a Grace duo

I haven't used the windowed SL bivy but have used similar versions. Get the full net. You would be surprised at how much head is retained with the mesh and the bivy is not that big to begin with. You certainly won't lose any measurable warmth throught the top of it. But the mesh is so much more livable when there are heavy bugs.

I'm in NorCal actually. For SoCal, the full net hood would be better.

I got the half moon because it works better as a sleep system for adding warmth. Not as breathable as the full netting, so it gets warmer and I get more condensation.

I also have a silver color so it's not a cave that a black bivy can be. Plus when I crawl into my bivy, I'm asleep in 5 minutes.

It's really a wash, I wouldn't recommend one over the other. Do you want warmth or breathability?

Hey Josh,

I went with the MLD Superlight Bivy as well - very awesome.

Mine specs out at 6.3 ounces.

CF bottom, M50 top, XL, Halfmoon netting.


I bought mine specifically for winter camping so I choose the halfmoon netting.

Last year (which was one of the colder years for the PCT) a hiker (Paul Bodnar) logged the temps every day, so it might be worth looking over those temperatures as you consider which option you consider.

The halfmoon netting can at times cause it to get a bit hard to breath. On a few trips I have had to keep my face right where the netting is.

If I were to be taking one on the PCT next year I would for-sure go with the full netting option. Than again, I would probably want something with more protection from the bugs-that-cannot-be-named than what a bivy offers. If I were to carry the weight of a full enclosure (which a bivy is) why not carry an extra 2 ounces for the sake of a much larger area you can get into, sit up in, and all that sort of thing, for the Sierra's where those flying creatures cause hellish nights. By the time you put your MLD SL Bivy together with a tarp (even a 9x6 cf tarp) you will be at the 9+ ounces mark, which is exactly where the ZPacks Hexamid is at. Just something to think about. This has been something I have gone back-and-forth on myself. I have owned both and I am just not sure which will be going with me...

I regret getting the half moon version, as I wouldn't want to spend any time in the bivy closed up. I will probably would swap it for a full mesh version some time.