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The Katabatic Bristlecone Bivy is an ultra light stripped down solution to sleeping dry and comfortable in a sleeping bag without the weight and bulk of a full tent. For just 7 oz you get protection from the damp and condensation when sleeping out in the open or under a simple tarp. Its also useful in very damp cold conditions when condensation can form on the inside of a tent to help keep your sleeping bag etc dry. With enough room to store your bag and a useful bug proof mesh area to protect you from bugs the Bristlecone Bivy does a superb job for emergency or ad hoc ‘quickie camping’. I would make this an essential piece of kit for multi day Fastest Known Time Trail record attempts too.

In Depth Review

If you are reading this you probably understand that using Bivy Bags is not at the luxury end of camping. In fact other than some pleasant ‘cowboy camping’ in the summer with one most of my bivy experiences are during long distance multi day trail adventures that usually involve trying to break a record time. In those circumstances I sacrifice comfort for speed and lightness but this bivy provides way more comfort whilst maintaining lightness. Its easier to think of this as a baby tent rather than a bivy bag.

Materials

The Bivy itself is made from a fully waterproof base combines with a pertex water resistant top. The top gives you plenty of breathability and stops the bivy getting too damp and soggy overnight.

There are also two hooks to allow you to tie the ends upwards to a trekking pole or nearby tree. This allows you to keep the upper part of the bivy raised so you don’t have any material resting on your face or body. It makes it much more into a ‘mini tent’.

Bug Net

There is a built in bug net for the face area to keep the no-see-ums away and also allow you to breathe without getting the inside of the bivy too damp.

Waterproofness

The lower half is fully waterproof. The upper half is designed to keep the odd rain shower off and damp and dew that often forms on cold damp mornings. This bivy will not keep you dry in a full rain storm but it wasn’t designed too. If you feel you will be out in rainy weather a lightweight tarp hanging above is all the extra you need. By keeping it breathable you don’t need heavy waterproof zips and it allows you to breathe through the mesh area. Its important that you DO NOT block up the mesh when raining with anything close fitting because there is a danger you may suffocate. Leave plenty of space for air to circulate.

Who is this for ?

This is a great option for cowboy camping or even for someone that wants an additional warm layer round their sleeping bag. It’ll be a big hit with people on multi day adventures with overnight stops where the need to travel light and easy is top of the list. I love how easy this is to set up when you are tired and its dark and you just want to get to sleep as quickly as possible.

Verdict

The Katabatic Bristlecone Bivy is an ultra light stripped down solution to sleeping dry and comfortable in a sleeping bag without the weight and bulk of a full tent. For just 7 oz you get protection from the damp and condensation when sleeping out in the open or under a simple tarp. Its also useful in very damp cold conditions when condensation can form on the inside of a tent to help keep your sleeping bag etc dry. With enough room to store your bag and a useful bug proof mesh area to protect you from bugs the Bristlecone Bivy does a superb job for emergency or ad hoc ‘quickie camping’. I would make this an essential piece of kit for multi day Fastest Known Time Trail record attempts too.

BUY $125

Specs and Features

Large Mesh Panel– No-seeum mesh window over your head provides ventilation.

Long #3 YKK Zipper– Long inverted U zipper running from waist level to above head, allows easy entry and exit.

Waterproof ROBIC® Nylon Silicone/UTS Coated Floor– ROBIC® high tenacity yarn and UTS coating provide extra tear strength, abrasion resistance, and it is less slick than a traditional silicone coating.

Bathtub Style Floor– Reduced seams in the floor for increased weather resistance.

Pertex Quantum Air Upper– This highly breathable, water resistant fabric features a long lasting DWR coating that outperforms and outlasts other DWR treatments. Increased air permeability reduces condensation while remaining highly wind resistant.

Internal Sleeping Pad Attachment– Internal sleeping pad attachment keeps your sleeping pad in place. The Cord Clip locations on our quilts line up with the pad attachments in our bivys. Cinch your pad in place in your bivy, then simply clip your quilt onto the same cords.

Full Bug Protection– Full bug protection keeps the creepy crawlies at bay, making the bivy ideal for use under a tarp or floorless shelter.

Elastic Hang Loops– Tie loops at the head and foot to keep the bivy fabric off your face and quilt.

Generous Dimensions– Allows room inside for gear storage. Both regular and wide versions fit 25″ wide sleeping pads.

Stake Loops at the Corners– Ribbon loops at the corners facilitate drying or allow staking.

Stuff Sack Included– Included stuff sack for storage. Adds 0.25 ounces.

About Katabatic

Just like you, I really love being in the backcountry. Hiking, pedaling, paddling: I love it all, but it started with hiking. I had been backpacking (the traditional, “heavy” backpacking) for more than a decade before I decided that I really like to be comfortable, too. That’s about when I started transitioning to lightweight and ultralight backpacking. It’s also when I designed my first quilt.

I thought quilts were a great idea to reduce weight, but at the time, I couldn’t find a single one that kept the cold drafts out and my body heat in. I mean, there’s a big gaping hole in the back, so that’s not easy to do! Add to the mix that I’m a pretty active sleeper, and quilts just were not working well for me. I had some ideas on how to design a quilt that would keep me warm, so I sewed up my own version of a quilt, and took it on a thru-hike of the Colorado Trail.