Reader Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5

I got this Bristlecone after my Ptarmigan proved too small for a full length 2.5" pad and a 3+ season bag.

I liked the Ptarmigan alot, but the Bristlecone is at least as good in every way and innovates in a few small but noticeable ways.

There are loops on the outside of the bag for staking or tying the bag on terrain, and also loops in the bag so you can tie your sleeping pad to the bag. The tie off to lift the mesh above your face is not in the mesh, so it is much less likely to rip.

The material and stitching seem to be extremely high in quality, almost as if this was a item to be enjoyed at home rather than to be roughed up and dragged around the mountains and forests.

This bag is available in several configurations of sizes and even the regular size bag is wider than the tigoat Ptarmigan, even though it has the same specs.

The owner and manufacturer answers reasonable emails almost instantly. I hope Aaron and Katabatic continue innovating and producing high quality products like the Bristlecone bivy.

Rating: 5 / 5

I ordered a Katabatic Gear Palisade sleeping quilt last year. Was so thoroughly impressed with the workmanship and customer service that when it was time to get a bivy, I ordered the Katabatic Gear Bristlecone.

I couldn't be happier.

Zipper zips all the way around the hood and partially down one side. Very easy to get in and out of the bivy.

The netting on the hood is the right size to vent any moisture trying to build up in the bivy.

The loop to tie up the bivy hood so the netting isn't hanging on your face is sewn into a seam which is much stronger.

With the inner tie in straps for the sleeping pad, the bag clips to the same cords. Very ingenious.

The bivy is plenty big to store a few things inside.
I've stored my trail runners, reading materials, Personal Kit (tp, Rx meds, toothbrush, etc.) in the bivy and had lots of room left over.

The Pertex material is superb. When matched with a Katabatic Gear quilt, I think you have system that can't be beat.

Rating: 5 / 5

I have had the Bristlecone Bivy for a year and really appreciate the side zipper for ease of entry/exit. The mesh is just right for breathability and views. The stake out loops are nice when you want to keep the bivy from moving around and lastly the loop for suspending the mesh above your face keeps things comfortable. All in all a very nice piece of gear. I also have found the breathability to be very good when I had this out last Fall in rain. Crawled into this and my KB Chisos Quilt and my body heat pushed all of the moisture out. Dry in the morning. Below is a picture with the Bivy staked out. I keep the line attached to the loop so arrival into camp is

1] Pull Bivy out of pack. Pad and quilt stored inside bivy.
2] Stake corners
3] Pull line over trekking pole and stake

Edited by randalmartin on 05/15/2012 18:08:50 MDT.