Bivy Tent???

[apopj]

Hello all,

Has anyone had any real experience with a Bivy tent or Bivy sack? They look pretty neat, but just owndered how they worked. I have a Zues that works well, but its a little large. Thought a Bivy would be nice for longer trips when space is at a premium.
Thanks for the help....

Jeff

[bigTom]

Years and years ago I had a 'bivy bag'. I was young and dumb and didn't care a bit about comfort, just how far and long I could go.

Now I go a little slower, shorter but more often. I use a blow up mattress in a tent. I'll wash clothes an extra time or two if I'm going to be gone that long.:)

I like the looks of the 'hammock tents', but they need trees which I don't always have, and they are made for little people, often weight rated at 200lb. I am slightly larger than that....

[Mellow]

There are some great 1-man tents out there.

My first tent was not a bivy but it was a 1-person tent shaped like a bivy and it was small, uncomfortable to get in/out of and not any room for my gear.

In fact, I think my 2-person Eureka Apex tent packs smaller than that 1-person tent.

I do know a couple riders that use the bivy style and are fine with them but that's literally 2 riders I know... a very small percentage like the 1-person tents and the rest are in the 2-person and over tent sizes.

It's nice to be able to put your jacket/pants/helmet/luggage inside the tent with you in case it's raining.

If I still had my 1-man tent I'd send it to you to see if you liked the shape of it while camping.

[Trailace]

I have never used a Bivy Tent but sure like my MSR Hubba (http://www.backcountry.com/store/CAS0354/MSR-Hubba-HP-Tent-1-Person-3-Season.html)1 man tent. It packs small but you still have head room to get in and out of it.

Joe I think I know who has your tent and he said he will give it back to you the next time you all meet up. ;)

[Mellow]

I have never used a Bivy Tent but sure like my MSR Hubba (http://www.backcountry.com/store/CAS0354/MSR-Hubba-HP-Tent-1-Person-3-Season.html)1 man tent. It packs small but you still have head room to get in and out of it.

Joe I think I know who has your tent and he said he will give it back to you the next time you all meet up. ;)

LOL... I'm not missing it... :D

[Ironheadziggy76]

My ex-Marine cousin uses a Bivy sack often for backpacking and likes it. Of course he is used to sleeping in pretty bad conditions from living in Iraq and Saudi for years so any sleep is good sleep to him. He is supposed to send me one of his old Marine issue waterproof Bivy sacks but I think my XXL frame might be a tight fit. :p Like the others I like to have more room to store gear in the tent with me instead of leaving it on the bike.

[BJFazio]

I have a Kelty Clark 1-man tent which is great for backpacking, but not so good for motocamping because of space limitations. I've taken it on a motorcycle trip or two, but I agree with Mellow; for me, my pad, & my sleeping bag, it's fine, but there's no room left for gear.

You also have to dress while prone, and for a little extra weight & space, my 7 X 7 4-man tent is soooooooo much more convenient.

[apopj]

thanks guys,

Guess I will just stick with the Zeus two man. Mellow, thanks for the offer. I had never given much thought to space for gear and all. I am used to the iron Butt Motel and the gear is always with me.....

Leaving July 3 for Seattle from Ohio and then come back via Mt Rushmore, Yellowstone, Wall Drug, and maybe Houston. Nice to be retired.....

Jeff

[Mellow]

Sounds like a great trip Jeff... Take your time and smell the roses, and take some pics for us.

[Motocentaur]

M first motocamping tent was a Slumberjack bivy shelter that I got back in 1996 or so. It did the job in a minimal sort of way. It felt like a nylon coffin, and it was awful to be trapped in there during rain. I still have it but switched to a regular tent after one season. On the plus side, the bivy shelter is no bigger than a bread loaf when packed.

[vt1099ace]

I found the uber-minimalist bivy, will this work?
http://www.aerostich.com/files/images/detailed/head_tent_1a.jpg

I'm in the market for a tent also, figuring its just me and my gear. need something that will not break my bank, fit a 6'6" guy.

[the Ferret]

I have a buddy that actually elk hunts out of one. It is so small I call it his camping condom. No way could I camp in that little thing. he also rolls up a nylon tarp and covers the tent with it when he sets up his campsite and packs his bow and stuff under the tarp.

[Redbeard]

I tried a 1 man tent all of last year. Kept saying I needed a new tent. I bought a eureka tetragon 8. If I can't sleep in that with my gear and still get dressed then I better lose some weight. lol

[swandog]

Hello all,

Has anyone had any real experience with a Bivy tent or Bivy sack? They look pretty neat, but just owndered how they worked. I have a Zues that works well, but its a little large. Thought a Bivy would be nice for longer trips when space is at a premium.
Thanks for the help....

Jeff bivy sacks are really ment for climbers that need too spend one short nights sleep on a mountain , on a motor bike a small quality 2 man tent is best . i have a bivy sac and i only used it once when i was into ski touring . it would keep the dew off you bag but if it rained you would in for a crapy nights sleep . they are ment for snow not rain

[miles]

Try the Uber Bivy.

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