Bristlecone Bivy

Utilisé sous une hexamid pocket tarp w/ doors , ou sans tente sous abri ou par beau temps. Coupe bien du froid et du vent. Grande ouverture pratique pour rentrer dedans, assez d'espace au dessus de la tête pour se relever le tête sur le coude, suffisamment grand pour contenir matelas, sac en duvet, et les affaites qui nécessitent d'être mises à l'abri -vêtements, nourriture, appareil photo etc-. J'ai parfois un peu de condensation mais dès que j'ouvre le sac le matin, tout sèche de façon extraordinairement vite. Utilisé dans les Alpes jusqu'à 2800m d'altitude. Satisfaite et rassurée d'avoir ce bivy qui me permet de me poser partout si des piquets sont impossibles à planter. j'ai le 5'6", pour 160 cm , très largement et grandement suffisant.

I got the longest widest option, just for extra gear or winter bedding. I've had many bivies, I love this one.

I enjoy cowboy camping, but I don't enjoy mosquitoes. I recently took my Bristlecone Bivy backpacking in Colorado for three nights, all above 12,000' and near streams/lakes. I have several small tents available to me as well as an older, heavier bivy, but was looking for something that gave me more of the feel of cowboy camping. I combined my Bristlecone Bivy with a rain cape/tent shelter so that I would have rain protection if needed. The bivy plus the tent shelter weigh about as much as my lighter, one-person tent (~16 oz), so no weight tradeoff for me, plus added utility (cowboy camping and a shelter that doubles as a rain poncho).

On the first afternoon/night, I set up the bivy under the shelter so that I could have some sun protection in the afternoon while I read a book on my phone. I thought about pulling the shelter down, but left it pretty open - good thing because I didn't expect it to start raining at 5:00 am!

I started with the same setup the second afternoon/evening, mostly for some shade so I could relax and read. When I wanted to sleep, though, the wind was blowing strong and the shelter was noisily flapping so I knocked it down, but kept it available. In the morning when I awoke, there was frost on all of my gear, including the bivy. The frost caused some condensation to form on the interior of the bivy - no big deal.

On my third day, I arrived to camp later than the previous two days, and had less time to lounge about and less need for sun shade. I only used my new bivy and kept the shelter handy. Before setting up the bivy, I made certain to air/dry it out, along with my quilt. I had a great night that night and no condensation.

Overall, I'm very pleased with my Bristlecone Bivy. I like that I can easily look up at night and see the bright stars. I like that it gives me plenty of room to roll around and bring some of my small gear into the bivy with me. I like that I don't have to worry about biting insects. I like that I can easily lay on top of the bivy exterior and not take off my hiking shoes and not worry about getting my quilt dirty. I'm a very happy camper!

Per latest word from Utah, bivy doing great keeping out sand, bugs and rain

I used this bivy (6’ version) with a Hyperlite Mountain Gear tarp while bikepacking the Colorado Trail last summer. It rained almost every day, so knowing I had this cozy space to retreat to at the end of the day was always fantastic.
Pros: light weight, breaths well, no condensation, plenty of space inside to move around (I’m 5’11 & broad shoulders), durable, versatile (can use it to cowboy camp or under a tarp), set up is quick and easy.
Cons: The material on the bottom is very slippery on my ground sheet (I’m looking to add some silicon dots to the fabric to reduce it sliding on my ground sheet.
All in all this Bivy with a tarp is the best shelter I’ve ever used. I hiked the PCT in 18’ (did not use this shelter system) and no doubt will be using this on my next thru hike or any outdoor adventures.