Owner Review: REI Minimalist Bivy
Date: March 29, 2005 Manufacturer Name: REI Website: http://www.rei.com	Product Information Manufacturer: REI Model: Minimalist Bivy Year of Manufacture: 2003 Color: Red & Black Size: N/A Dimensions: 88 x 31 in (223 x 79 cm) MSRP: $89.00 (US) Listed Weight: 17.0 oz  (482 g ) Measured Weight:  17.3 oz (490 g)

Product Description

The REI Minimalist Bivy is constructed from their proprietary 2 ply waterproof-breathable laminate on top (the red fabric in the photo) which they call REI Elements®, and polyurethane coated nylon on the bottom.  The unit is factory seam sealed and has an integrated mesh face/hood to keep the bugs at bay.  There are a total of six zipper sliders, thus allowing several combinations of entry and usability.  The total zipper track is 90 in (230 cm) and extends from mid-way down one side, up around the hood opening, and to mid-way down the other side.  This allows the unit to be opened for easy top entry by folding the top down, or from the side by opening either side.  Because of the unique zipper configuration the user can sit in the bivy and fix a meal by partially opening the hood area (2 top zippers pulled down to neck level), and positioning the remaining 4 zippers to allow arm exits.  In essence turning the bivy into a sort of rain vest.

The mesh bug panel extends from shoulders to top of head and can be rolled down and secured out of the way under the chin.  There is a built in rain gutter over the zippers from mid section to hood opening, across the chest/hood opening, and back down to opposite mid section.

Field Test Results

First let me clarify that I'm not a heavy user of bivy sacks, but for a few summer nights a year. This is my second bivy, with the first being a total GORE-TEX unit I sewed up about 15 years ago.  I replaced my home-made unit in 2003 when I got tired of rain water running into the hood opening, additionally the REI unit was a little lighter.

The chest/hood gutter is the primary reason I replaced my home-made unit, because my unit allowed pooled water to run into the hood opening.  REI's rain gutter allows me to just shelter my head and any rain that pools is directed toward the sides.  If the rain is light, I find that sleeping under a tree is sufficient, and only on one occasion have I had to suspend my rain jacket over my face to keep dry.

That brings up the issue of condensation, and it can be heavy inside the bivy.  This is especially troublesome when I'm not able to adequately expel my breath as when under a rain jacket. Even when adequately expelling my breath and consciously making sure that every time I turn over I'm freely venting out the mesh I will get condensation.  If ambient conditions are moist as in heavy dew, fog, or rain; condensation can be so heavy that I'll have water running down the inside of the bivy next to my feet where the sleeping bag has not contacted.  In dry conditions condensation is not noticeable, and then the bivy's purpose is that of a bug nest.

For those that have never slept in a bivy, it is a bitter sweet situation.  On one hand you have a very open view of the area, ability to see the night sky, watch the sun come up, and a light weight shelter.  On the other hand, mosquitoes can be a very real nuisance, and don't believe anyone that indicates they sleep during the night.  I always bring a pair of ear-plugs to keep down the mosquito buzz during bad situations, and sometimes I wear a a brimmed hat in the bivy to distance the netting away from my face.  Sleeping with a hat can be a little bothersome, but in a few cases it was the only thing keeping those little devils from biting. 

Generally I only bring a small piece of Dupont Tyvex® for a ground cloth to cover up a sharp object or to sit on.  In the picture above, I was on a summit and knew the sleeping area would be sharp rocks, thus a full piece of Tyvex®.  As for a sleeping pad, I keep mine inside the bivy, and it does require a little shifting if I roll over and want to keep the bivy oriented so that I'm freely breathing out of the mesh opening.

A note to those new to a bivy; they can be hot due to trapped air/moisture.  If the bivy is opened to breath and bugs are around, expect them to become bed partners.  That also means that a lighter weight bag can be utilized, thus saving weight and pack space.  As for me, I limit their use to short weekend treks where there is little chance of night time rain, and not an abundance of mosquitoes.

Summary

Pros:

• Light weight

• Open night time view

• Small pack size

Cons:

• Condensation

Tester Information & Background

Name: Andy Rad

Gender: Male

Age: 47

Height: 6 ft (1.83 m)

Weight: 165 lb (75 kg)

Email: aisrad@cableone.net

I started backpacking 21 years ago, mostly 3-day trips with at least one 7-day trip per year.  By backpacking, I’m referring to summer, winter camping, and fall hunting.  About half my trips are light weight solo and the other half with my family.  I own a llama that was purchased when my 3^rd child was 2, some 10 years ago.  This allowed me to continue backpacking as a family activity.  When I’m not with the family/llama I tend to take less-traveled trails or bushwhack the hard mountainous terrain in and around Idaho.  In recent years I’ve begun substituting a collie for the llama.  The majority of my trips are in central Idaho, with a few into northern Idaho, eastern Idaho, and eastern Oregon.