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Reviews > Shelters > Tarps and Bivys > Outdoor Research Advanced Bivy > Test Report by Scott Wasley
OUTDOOR RESEARCH ADVANCED BIVY
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TESTER INFORMATION
I am an avid backpacker, kayaker, backcountry skier, and all around outdoorsman. I began backpacking thirty-seven years ago at the age of 10. I have hiked or camped nearly every month, year-round. I have hiked mostly in the Western part of the United States (Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, and Montana). I have a great love for the out of doors and enjoy all the seasons of the year. I am generally a mid-weight hiker, mainly because I like to take a little extra gear to be comfortable. I have recently spent a good share of time in the Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park.
INITIAL REPORT
PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The Outdoor Research Advanced Bivy (hereafter referred to as the "bivy") is a solo shelter utilizing two pole construction. The bivy is mummy shaped, tapering at the foot area. Attached to the stuff sack was a product card identifying the bivy's features, including the weight, dimensions, and operation of the entrance flap identifying the various positions. This product card is written in two languages (French and English). According to the product cards attached to the bivy, it is constructed of two different types of fabric. The top roof section is a durable, waterproof, breathable 3-layer Gore-Tex® Respiration Positive™ fabric. The floor section is a waterproof, anti-fungal, Hydroseal® coated taffeta. All seams are fully taped and sealed. The pole system consists of two poles, constructed from Dupont's Delrin. According to Wikipedia, Delrin is "a lightweight, low-friction, and wear-resistant thermoplastic and is often used as a substitute for metal." The poles create overhead space during stormy weather and allow variable ventilation positions. The bivy came with five aluminum pole ends. Each pole end is 6 in (15 cm) in length and has the male part of a large snap at one end. This snap mates with the female portion, which is attached to the bivy itself. OR included an extra pole end, which I thought was good practice. There is a wide storm flap at the zipper area including a stiffened piping, which allows ventilation without admitting weather. The door (a.k.a. entrance flap opening) is a circular shape and has a coil two-way zipper. This zipper is 60 in (152 cm) long. The zipper includes a fabric covered piping and storm flap that extends the entire length of the zipper. This is intended to reduce/prevent the zipper from snagging and weather from entering the bivy. There is a 12 in (30 cm) long zippered vent at the foot area to allow ventilation and moist air to escape during use. The vent also includes a mesh netting for insect control. Inside the bivy are two hook-and-loop sleeping pad straps, which are intended to prevent one's sleeping pad from sliding around. One strap is located at the neck area and the other is at the knee area. There is a removable, tightly woven no-see-um netting at the entrance flap opening for insect control. This netting is attached to the bivy via a zipper on that runs along the entire bivy entrance. A small zippered mesh pocket is located inside the bivy, at the head end. This pocket appears to provide storage for small items. The bivy has four small peg loops, two at each end. The loops are constructed from a lightweight nylon webbing. However, the bivy did not come with any pegs. At the head end of the bivy there is a tag attached that states "Warning for comfortable breathing and to avoid any possibility of suffocation, always leave the zipper open at least six inches." The bivy came with its own stuff sack. The sack itself is constructed of the same fabric as the bivy bottom. There is also a nylon cinch cord and cordlock to close the sack. On the exterior of the sack, running down the length of the sack, the company name, logo, and model are silk-screened in white. INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
Small, compact, and lightweight were my first impressions. The bivy was folded and rolled into the provided storage sack along with a heavy plastic bag. INITIAL TESTING:
After thoroughly inspecting the bivy, I set it up. I had difficulty removing the no-see-um mesh from the bivy. The zipper has single-sided pulls which face the interior of the bivy. After removing the netting, I had difficulty inserting the longer of the two poles in the sleeve running along the zipper casing. The difficulty was due to the short radius of the 180-degree bend that forms the shape of the lid entrance flap. However, I was able to easily insert the shorter pole to create the arch at the head. PROPOSED TEST PLAN
The items I plan to evaluate during this test include: FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
Mid December, I spent the night in the bivy near Idaho Falls, Idaho. Idaho Falls has an elevation of 4,700 ft (1,433 m) above sea level. The skies were cloudy and snowing, winds were about 25 mph (40 kph) and the overnight low was 15 F (-9 C). I used my Kelty Foraker 15F (-9 C) sleeping bag in the bivy on this occasion. PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
On the night I spent in the bivy near Idaho Falls, Idaho I awoke several times in the night to turn over. I could feel an occasional breeze across my face allowing fresh air, which allowed me not to feel claustrophobic. I slept in the bivy with the flap door fully shut, but not zipped all the way closed (50% open). Several times during the night I awoke and felt the bivy ceiling area for condensation, I was totally amazed there was absolutely no condensation, with the exception of the overhead pole arch sleeve. At this sleeve area there are several layer of fabric for the pole and that explains why it was wet in that area. When I got up I checked the foot box also for condensation, none was found, this Gore-Tex fabric is totally amazing, I have tried other bivys and solo shelters utilizing single wall design and there was always condensation. It was very comfortable and the white fabric actually illuminates the inside even in the dark and I did not feel claustrophobic at all. When I got in the bivy to go to sleep the wind was blowing quite hard and I had some concerns about the fabric flapping all night keeping me awake. But the bivy is small enough that there is very little wind effect, and flapping of the fabric was very minimal. The zipper functions pretty well once it passes the pole area. When I disassembled the sleeping system, much to my surprise, there was a fair amount of condensation between the pad and floor of the bivy. I just let it freeze and brushed it off, no big deal. It was actually kind of like sleeping in a cocoon all snugly but I did not feel restricted at all. SUMMARY
Overall, I am pleased with the design, quality, and performance of the OR Advanced Bivy thus far. After experiencing two nights in this bivy, I have noticed that condensation problems are minimal. Field Locations and Conditions:
In early March, I spent another night in the bivy near Idaho Falls, Idaho. Idaho Falls has an elevation of 4,700 ft (1,433 m) above sea level. The skies were cloudy and snowing, winds were about 20 mph (32 kph) and the overnight low was 25 F (-4 C). However, inside the bivy, the overnight low temperature was 35 F (2 C). The sky was cloudy and there was a light snowfall. Observations:
Once again I am totally amazed by the lack of condensation inside the bivy. I slept with the flap/hood closed all the way and zipped up all but the recommended 6 in (15 cm). When I went to sleep, there was no snow accumulated on the ground, but it was spitting new flakes. Prior to going to sleep I was able to read a book with my headlamp. The white scrim cloth fabric in the inside of the bivy continues to reflect light very well. This made reading very easy. Summary:
After spending multiple nights in the bivy there is minimal room inside the bivy, but I am not a person that has issues with claustrophobic feelings. I am very impressed with the breathability of the Gore-Tex fabric. Although the zipper is a little cumbersome and hard to get past the pole area as described earlier, it continued to operate smoothly. The seams and seam tape remain tight, and there are no signs of fraying fabric. The fabric coating also remains intact. Overall, I would recommend this bivy to anyone looking for this type of shelter. My Likes:
· Lightweight My Dislikes:
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