Description This is the bivy to take if you want to go lighter than a tent, but a regular bivy is claustrophobic. The two shock-corded poles are custom molded Delrin tubing with aluminum snaps on the end. These p...
Summary: I have used an advanced bivy for 2 hunting seasons during autumn (fall) and winter in New Zealand. Its a great asset, its only drawbacks beibg it offers little if any protection from the cold, and the foot area has no poles or functionality to keep the bivy bag up right. Otherwise 10/10.
Customer Service: Haven't had to use them. One of the problems of being overseas.
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Summary: Terrible design. Really sucks setting it up, you'll be swearing if it happens to be raining at that time. Zipper constantly snags. Warm, but it doesn't breath. Rain will pool up on the fabric outside.
The only good thing I have to say is that it is super light, small and if in good condition warm and dry, good thing to keep in your car as a emergency shelter. Other wise do not buy...
There is simply handfuls of better, more comfortable, much bigger, much cheaper solo tent for only 1 pound more. Heavily over-rated tent.
Customer Service: NA
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Reviewed by: Benjamin Crowley(Unregistered User)
,
Mountaineer
Price Paid:
$280.00
at Local mountaineering
Summary: I used this bivy for many years while in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan and Iraq (color doesn't matter if you only pull it out in the dark) and on regular backpacking and mountaineering trips all over. While I have always had condensation problems, this is a tradeoff with all bivys ive used. I turn it inside out in the morning, wipe it down and let it dry off and its good to go.
For regular camping and hiking, it is plus to use it in combination with a poncho or similar sized tarp to make sort of a vestibule, but I am convinced this is the best bivy on the market until you start getting into one person tents. Some complain of the tunnel entrance but you get into your sleeping bag like that anyway.
Customer Service: Have not needed to use it but OR has a great reputation for service.
Similar Products Used: Bibler hooped bivy. Many other OR products (gaiters, parkas, gloves)
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Summary: I'm writing this review to warn people that the design changed radically, sometime before April 2008, so watch out for old reviews. The problem is the weight, which went from 28 to 39 ounces!! (yep, 40% heavier) Outdoor Research has a GREAT warranty - when the seam tape came loose on my old one they (without a hassle) sent me a brand new one. Stiffeners around the zipper and heavier fabric seem to be the weight difference, but it might also be bigger overall.
Customer Service: Stunning. Got a problem? Call them, get an RMA, get a replacement. That's how you build customer loyalty!
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Summary: I am a serious alpine climber. I purchased my OR advanced bivy from Marmot in 1997. The bivy was dry, comfortable and has plenty of space since I'm 5'9". In the rain perhaps the best feature is the hood. It allows you to keep your head dry while providing plenty of ventilation. You can even store your boots under it. The hood configuration also allows you to stay protected from the weather while reaching out to run your stove. The early models have a known defect in the hydroseal flooring. By 2000 my hydroseal coating was on the bottom of my sleeping pad and I could see through the floor. I felt I had gotten my moneys worth out of it and put it away in favor of a 4lb single wall tent for summit bids. In 2005 I found myself in need of a bivy again. I called Outdoor Research, told them about the floor delaminating and they said they where aware of the problem. They gave me an RA# and 3wks later my 9 year old bivy was replaced with a new one free of charge. That kind of customer service is the reason that paying a few extra $$ for the OR name is well worth it. I have always felt the floor material and coating was (and still is) too lightweight. However on snow it doesn’t really matter. As long as the new hydroseal does not become gummy with age or rub off like the previous version it should not be a problem if your careful.
Pros:
Very good construction on the top gortex half of the bivy. Hood provides a protected work space which sets this bivy apart from others. Unless you are in a snow cave, on a wall or surrounded by some other failing shelter system this is a must. You can even read a book in a storm. Outstanding customer service.
Cons:
Flooring fabric should be of a heavier weight and the floor coating could be improved by moving to a tougher, thicker coating. For my applications the added weight would be worth it. If it can't keep me dry it doesn't matter how light it is. However others may prefer a lighter material under more moderate use. In an outdoor market where serious gear is going down the tiolet in favor of cheaper materials and designs for the masses I give it a 5 star rating.
Customer Service: I'll say it again: OUTSTANDING customer service!
Similar Products Used: Noth Face Assault 22, BD Mid, Wildthings Bivy.
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