Anyone got any experience with either of these items?

Like the look of the Uber Bivy but concerned by there being no independent reviews available.

Like the weight of the Nemo Gogo with the airbeam, but a couple of users seemed to think it was too narrow and didn't breathe great.

Edited by ScribeStroller on 09/05/2012 08:19:09 MDT.

I have had the Nemo Gogo for a few years now and am generally very happy with it.
the Gogo has undergone a few upgrades since it first came out, and also, the line has been expanded so now there are at least 3 variations.

Mine is the first generation basic Gogo (only one style back then).
my first generation Gogo does not breathe as well as I would like, but apparently they have upgraded the breathability in subsequent incarnations.
newer generations of the basic model are also slightly lighter weight than my original.
I did a few minor modifications to mine so that its weight is actually similar to current models.

the airtube is very nice, and easy to inflate and deflate. it also makes it pack down to a very small size.
I generally set it up using only 3 stakes, 1 in front, and 2 at the feet. holds up nicely. there are 4 other stake points if it is particularly windy but I rarely used them.

I find there is adequate room inside and plenty wide enough (for one), and the vestibule is a nice addition for the gear.

hope this helps.

I don't have any experience with the Uber Bivy from Miles Gear, but I got a customized version of his double trouble bivy a few months ago (he added in a zippered mesh door and changed the dimensions slightly). My dog and I have only slept in it a few times, but no trouble so far. I have two min/max thermometers and I've always measured the bivy to be about 15-21 degrees warmer than the outside temperature (and this was with the mesh door mostly open). Despite this, it has never felt muggy inside to me. No condensation issues so far and I don't ever expect any as the upper material seems quite breathable. Another plus is the upper material doesn't feel cold to the touch like nylon does. I'm thinking of using it this winter to add some warmth to my sleep system. The only downside about my bivy is it's packed size - I think it packs a little larger than your typical nylon bivy and you have to fold it up to get it in its most compact form. That said, you can probably take a lighter bag with the bivy.

Dave from Miles Gear was easy to work with. He was responsive, open to whatever ideas you have, and made some good suggestions for me. His prices and turn around time are quite good too.

Edited by johnnyh88 on 09/05/2012 08:50:00 MDT.

The Gogo Elite packs much smaller and has more headroom. Art did you have any problems with condensation with the Gogo?

Why would want to buy a Bivy that weighs 2lbs? You can have a full 1p tent for that weight and for the same or less price no less and a have a lot more room. What am I missing?

Randy

I already have a good TT. I now want something that can double as an above treeline storm emergency shelter.

Art

Have you endured much rough weather in your Gogo?

"Why would want to buy a Bivy that weighs 2lbs? You can have a full 1p tent for that weight and for the same or less price no less and a have a lot more room. What am I missing?"

You're missing the 'Über' part - the thing is totally bomber. It's not really a bivy in the traditional sense, it's more like a micro solo tent.

Even though it was born in the Sierra, it might be a little over-built for 1 season use. Of course, what with the constant monsoon weather this summer, it seems each day has been an adventure on Whitney. If you don't have the confidence to take a tarp, the UB provides assurance that you will be practically able to take anything the mountain throws at you.

As for the other 3 seasons, or more difficult environments, the UB provides a nice alternative to a tent. That is, it's still a bivy in that you can simply throw it down and crawl in. The low profile is why it's better able to withstand windstorms, etc.

Edited by Hobbesatronic on 09/05/2012 10:35:11 MDT.

Yeah, I've had some correspondence with David. Seems a great guy who really knows his stuff. I'm just a bit concerned that the pack size of the Uber is a little big for something I'll mostly be carrying for emergencies (mostly hike hut-to-hut in NZ). Also can't find an independent review.

Edited by ScribeStroller on 09/05/2012 10:36:17 MDT.

Craig

no rough weather, just summer stuff in the Sierra, while I've been there in winter, never with the Gogo.

I had a chance to crawl into Dave's @ Guitar last month. Even though I'm more of a SUL person, I get where he's coming from. One, if you don't like bugs, it provides great protection. Two, if you're in inclement weather (like the Sierra have been all summer long), it provides important mental relief.

Let's face it: if you're gonna go SUL/UL, you have to be constantly thinking. Go a little heavier + more protection, and you can almost get into a 'whatever' zone. Of course, you're not going to tempt lightning, but worrying about location, temperature, wind, rain, splash, etc, etc, all sort of disappears to a certain degree.

I thought I had a picture of some UBs in action. Here's a picture of MYOG tarp-tent, with a group of UBs behind the rock. Dave is the guy in the red beanie. Yes, he's about the size of Brian Urlacher.

I bought one of these about year ago and have loved it so far. It is a bit heavy for SUL but right on par with some of the tents and hammock systems out there with a lot of advantages when it comes to ease of set up and ability to handle weather. Get in touch with Dave and let him know what your after, he is a great guy to talk to.

Craig,

I'm glad you asked the question, and I'm glad to see owners responding. It got me thinking, so I added some links to trip reports I've found on the Uber Bivy. They are at the bottom of the Uber Bivy page:

http://www.milesgear.com/UberBivy.html

I will add more as I find them.

Also, here is a picture at Guitar Lake from a different point of view. (Oh, and Brian is an inch taller)

Here is a good laugh from our last trip. Sometimes the Uber Bivy is SO nice you can't even finish setting up before falling asleep ;)

Went with the Uber Bivy. And while I was at it I got one of Dave's lightweight Emergency Bivy's also for fair weather travel (at that price and weight, why wouldn't I?).

Now the shipping wait begins...

All my hiking since being home in NZ these past few weeks has been hut to hut so haven't had the chance to try my uber bivy yet.

However the emergency bivy is now a regular feature in the bottom of my pack. I haven't had to put it to a rain test yet, but I've slept out in it in heavy dew and it came through wonderfully. Really happy with the room inside, the breathability (no condensation at all come morning), with the way it ups the comfort rating of my UL down quilt. Slept out in it a few night ago for fun on my final night of the Dusky Track in Fiordland, and despite it being a cold night down in the deep south I had to remove my down socks after just a little while. Just a superb piece of emergency kit that doubles as a sleeping system temp upper on cold nights, giving me the piece of mind to not have to pack a bigger sleeping bag.