So, I spent my first night on the new large Xlite last night, in the SMD Meteor Bivy. The temp was probably in the lower sixties, about thirty or so miles south of the Tropic of Cancer and I was using my JRB Sierra Stealth Quilt.

I slept pretty well, all and all, but pondering the set up this morning, I can't help but think that a little more width and height in the foot would have been better - my feet got a little hot and there wasn't any room to kick the quilt off, without twisting everything up. Actually, the pad just barely fit, but it did.

I sort of think, even at the cost of a few more ounces, that more room all over would have been nice. In fact, I wouldn't mind having room for my pack in there as well. I have a really old OR double bug bivy, that I could use, but it's a good pound heavier and takes a pole for the head end.

I think I would buy a 1.5 person bivy just like Meteor, if someone made one, specially if it only weighted around 10 ozs or so. I swore off bivies about fifteen years ago, but the truth is, they are hard to beat for lightweight and simplicity, as long as the sand isn't blowing.

Anyway, the Large 25" Xlite was a treat, for me, as my arms were able to stay next to me without falling off, which was a problem with the 20" Neoair.

I was contemplating getting the neo xlite large along with a Moutain Laurel Designs Superlight Bivy XL. I believe this combination will work well.

I like having the net up off my face, for ventilation, as well as to keep mosquitos from sucking my blood though the net. The SMD has a loop at the top and extra netting, so you have a few inches of free space to roll over or what not, without your head coming into contact with the net. It didn't look like the MLD does that, judging by looking at the pictures.

My MLD bivies have loops for securing the netting to a tarp, etc, and have both come with thin bungie cord, along with an attachment device, for attaching to a roof. My MLD mids have little loops to use for lifting the netting off one's face.

No worries!