5,000+ mile Mountain Laurel Designs Superlight Bivy Review
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- Опубліковано 10 вер 2024
- The MLD Superlight bivy is about as ultralight as I would want to go with a bivy, in this video we'll look at why! I personally used this on the Florida Trail, International Appalachian Trail, Appalachian Trail, Benton Mackaye Trail, and Pinhoti Trail, in conjunction with my Mountain Laurel Designs cuben fiber (dyneema composite fabric) poncho tarp. It worked great! But I also haven't used this piece of gear in my last 5,000 miles of thru hiking so clearly it isn't the perfect answer.
If you're a die hard tarp camper like myself I think this is a very worthy piece of gear to own. When it comes to extra warmth while camping, avoiding bugs, feeling safe from other predators, and dry from rain this really does well. The silnylon fabric with the full bug head net option really allows for a lot of breathability, and you won't find much if any condensation at all.
I still hold onto this because there are certain situations when I may want to use it again or need it sent to me for a brief period during a thru hike. Like on the Pacific Crest Trail in the sierra nevada mountains to add warmth and keep me safe from mosquitoes.
The durability of this is really great, and in all my time using it my only problems have been a tiny hole in the bug net that is only noticeable upon close inspection, and issues with the zipper. Since I did use it or so long it's understandable that I would have at least a few times gotten the zipper stuck in the fabric, or the zipper would just get dirty and stuck. So certainly not the worst of problems to have given how many miles and long distance hiking trails I have behind this thing!
One issue I can see others having is if they are claustrophobic in anyway... this is not the thing for you! I felt the bivy was my little safe haven away from the outside, somewhere I could escape to and sleep comfortably. But it could easily feel like living in a coffin for other folks. Especially i you're hiking in a place that gets a ton of rain, and you're stuck just living in this thing, or if you're hiking a lot in the winter when the nights are long. I personally wouldn't want to use this if I were planning on spending a lot of time in it.
check out the bivy here: mountainlaurel...
All in all I think most people would be much happier with a tent for the extra room and protection from the elements. Though if this light weight bivy interests you I would encourage you to give it further thought.
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When it comes to unparalleled minimalism you are paramount my dude!
A little late to the game but in the Mid-Atlantic a bivy or bug shelter is basically a necessity in tick season. Last year they tested thousands of deer ticks that were taken from every County in PA. 58% tested positive of Lyme's disease. If you don't use a bug shelter of some sort in tick season it isn't a matter of "if" you get Lyme disease it's a matter of when. In tick season I actually use the 1p Bug shelter from Yama Mountain Gear. I use my MLD Superlight Bivy, with half moon hood, in winter because it adds warmth as you said and limits drafts from my quilt. It also helps because when we can get pretty dry snow at elevation in PA and that will inevitably blow around and end up under your tarp, even if just a little bit, and so you get the added protection for you quilt or sleeping bag.
John, thanks for making a very important point about ticks, the risk of Lyme disease on the AT, and how to mitigate.
Wondering how you like the zippered entry on the Yama 1p Bug shelter. Do you usually enter through the top zip or through the head wall?
Yes, wind drifted snow is a challenge when winter camping.
@@karlk9316 I have the old version which only has the head wall entry
Hey Jupiter, just a small tip that works for me, a little silicone grease or wax (lip balm) on sticky zippers does wonders to get them moving smoothly again.
I personally use the Borah DCF bivy under my tarp. The way I look at it the net weight for me is only 2.5 oz since I can leave my polycro (1.8oz) and headnet (.8oz) at home (5.1 - 1.8 - .8 = 2.5oz).
For me the extra warmth and ease of use is worth the 2.5 oz especially since the extra warmth frequently helps me leave a piece of clothing at home.
Would have liked to see you set it up. Otherwise nice review
Lay it down and get in! Zip up. No poles! Wide enough to accommodate a pad and quilt inside it.
@Old Toby describes me perfectly lol.
👌🏼 Love to see a intro to tarps video for tent users.
I second this.
+1
Good video Jupiter. I have the DCF version, which comes in at 5.5oz on my scale. I like it because it eliminates using a polycro ground sheet (2.4oz), it has the bug net built in, and it definitely helps boost the temperature rating of my quilt. I leave my head net at home (.5oz). So all in all it adds 2.6oz to my kit which I think is worth it to keep all the critters out of my quilt. I’ve used my in Scotland, the entire AZT, and in the Andes.
how does that green dcf look from mld?
Have you experienced any/more condensation compared to users of the silnylon version bivy? Like what's the difference, just weight? Looking forward to hear from you.
I have used the MLD superlite bivy with a tarp for 4 years now. I only set up the tarp if I think it’s going to rain. I do sections of the PCT each year and cowboy camp with this bivy most nights.
Great video, Jupiter. For my use in Alaska and many people's usage in L48 even, I think coupling this exact bivy (I just ordered the dcf full net model) and a dcf mid is absolutely the best combo possible for the cold, windy, rainy, buggy conditions that are so prevalent. You kinda made it seem like those conditions are rare, and for most hikers in L48 yeah sure, but for a lot of us, the common L48 conditions you mentioned a bivy isnt necessary for are actually quite rare! Haha. But even then, it can act as a groundcloth if you dont wanna be inside it. Cheers, Jupiter! Thanks for all the videos.
I agree with this review 100 percent. As someone who only hikes in the northeast where it gets really buggy having bug protection wile tarp camping is essential. I use a bivy very similar to the mld bivy. Bivys like this are good if the night time temperature is below 70 or 75 deg. Anything hotter than that and this thing turns into a furnace and I'm reaching for my Catoma IBNS or tent.
Hahaha, when it comes to go radically light weight, you're the best, Jupiter! I love your vids.
I have a SOL Escape Lite bivy that i throw in my bag if i think it's going to be especially cold, wet, or windy. It's a nice extra bit of reassurance very cheap and good enough quality that i've used it for probably 100 miles so far with no noticeable wear and tear.
Im not convinced my pad and sleeping bag would stay dry with just my tarp, so i decided to get the Hilleberg "Bivanorak". This is a combination of bivy and raingear in one piece of gear - which is developed for the Sweedish air force pilots. Hilleberg says it weighs 550g, but mine only weighs 500g. I have not tried it yet, but it seems like it is good quality. It allows me to sit up straight in the bivy, with my head in the hood (which means minimum condensation inside the bivy - and i can i breathe fresh air and look around), and the arms in the sleeves (free to cook food or whatever). If i have my inflateable sleeping pad inside it, i need to open the zipper to sit up straight - and the main downside is that - at least with my "wide" sleeping pad in side it - it doesnt have enough space left over for me to roll over and sleep on the side. This means that i need to have my sleeping pad underneath the bivy, and use a rain cover for the sleeping pad... But at least this makes it possible to camp without bringing a tarp. If it rains, i could just roll over on the side, and the big hood will keep me dry. A tree could provide additional protection from the rain, and give me a semi-dry place to cook. The bivy is long and wide enough to fit my entire backpack beneath my feet (im 170cm). Not sure i would want to camp without a tarp for longer trips, but its definitely something i want to try for an overnighter in the rain, and see how it goes. I also have a small 1x1,45m 95g tarp that could be practical to bring with such a "minimalist" setup.
Was originally eyeing this one off for a while but ended up going with the MLD Bug Bivy 2. Its a little cheaper, lighter and can be staked out on the corners plus connected at the head and foot to give you some liveable room.
I know you mentioned you don't use bivies anymore but if you ever get another, it might be worth checking out.
I also have a review video on my channel if your curious.
Happy trails mate!
I like a tarp and bicycle set up. No ground cloth needed and no need to attach your quilt to a sleep pad. More versatile than a tent and generally lighter weight. Good for cowboy camping as aground cloth
Seems like a tarp with a mosquito net (a.k.a. hammock bug net) would be a roomier ul solution.
Can you do a set-up video ?
Two years ago I was like hmmppff bivvies but here we are. Thanks for the review.
I love my Borah bivy. 6.6 ounces and waaaaaaaay easier to set up than a tarp. Sometimes, you are just too tired and it's too dark so you just wanna take out your bivy and hop inside and nap.
I've been thinking about buying a Borah bivy. How often do you feel comfortable using just the bivy without tarp?
@@isaacmayer407 It's my preferred method. I do lay down a tyvek sheet usually and tie the cord that pulls the mesh from my face most of the time... but whenever I feel creative enough to try a cool tarp configuration, or the weather sucks, out comes the tarp. For a tarp I use an 11oz silpoly, 9.5' square with 19 tie-outs. This tarp can be configured for full enclosure too. So for around 1 pound, I'm happy with this set up.
What tarp please ?
Really enjoying your content. Thanks for the post.
my tarptent notch is bigger and I call it my sleep coffin too. Its great except when its constant rain and no shelters available but I still take it on every trip
Borah gear makes a pretty sweet bivy I've been looking at, quite a bit cheaper and little lighter than the mld and the design is basically identical.
Hi!
Again, a new week has begun. I hope you have a healthy/pleased day this week. ^O^
5,000 miles for Jupiter is like a weekend hike for the rest of us 😛
Very good video presentation. As usual. Now I have a better picture about bivys. I kind of feel the same way like you but would love to try it, at least once. I will do it the cheap way though. I think I would purchase the fabrics and make it myself so that this would be a cheap experiment. I am curious to know if you would rather use an inflatable mat, rather than us close cell foam mat, like you’re describing most of your videos. I know this has nothing to do with this videos subject but I’ve always been curious about that. I have, definitely, not seeing all your videos but all the videos of yours that I have watched you have always said that you only use a close cell foam pad. Have you ever used an inflatable one? If you did, why don’t you use it anymore? Thank you so much for sharing this video. It was very instructional. God bless you.
I just use the SMD Gatewood Cape for rain gear and shelter when i don't think it will be buggy. I've thought about pressing my luck by using the tarp instead of a tent when it might be buggy. How well does the head net work while sleeping? Do you leave your hat on to keep the head net (and the bugs) off your skin? Really liking the videos the past year+.
You should have gotten into it to fully review and show how it is used.
I agree with everything “Outdoor Charlie Chaplin” says in this worthwhile review.
Brilliant little bivy used mine on dartmoor several times plus the small hole one plus recently the event bivy (Tony Hobbs)
Been thinking about trying a bivy ,, had my eyes set on a borah bivy with a pocket tarp from zpacks
Managed to squeeze in an order for a Borah two months ago. I've started being a tarp only hiker, but want something for splash protection.
Well thought out, thanks.
What size is your bivy? Sorry I didnt catch it in the video. I want one lol and I'm not sure about the sizing on the website.
I’m a bit claustrophobic. So, I go with a tarp and a blanket, no tent, no sleeping bag, no bivy. Been a tarp guy for 50 years. Have evolved away from sleeping bag and only used a bivy when in the army. Would go with a tent before a bivy.
What tarp did you use in the desert on the PCT? I’d have thought a tarp wouldn’t provide enough protection from blowing sand, snakes, scorpions etc?
I used a 7x9 zpacks tarp with no bivy. I just don't think that these animals want anything to do with you. After using a tarp for about 15,000 miles of my hiking, including a lot of desert trails beyond just the PCT I've never had a problem
WHO WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT MY NEWLY ACQUIRED BIG AGNES BIVY?
It's huge. I can change clothes& my 66liter pack stands straight up next to my sleeping pad inside.
Even w/out the poles&stakes,which is not necessary, it's probably twice the weight of this MT. Lorrel, but don't need a tarp if you finagle in with poncho or sun umbrella. ☔
I can set my tarp up as s***ty as I want to, if I do at all. (Trying to work on pitches&knots. )
Bug mesh goes down to my thighs. Huge. More mesh square footage if you hang from the middle "tie out", or my pack acts as a center pole to the left of my pad, but the fabric is so light, it doesn't matter.
Lol. I ordered a Borah. It sounds like yours is a small tent, which is kinda what they issued in the military for mountain use.
They don't sell any of these things in Australia , only heavy tents and canvas swags, you can't walk with that shit, I sow my own waterproof ones up out of old tent flys.
Hilarious! Snugpack, vango, & hillinberg is all I see over in that European region. Lol
did you buy zipcare? - sierra hiker
So what are you using instead of a bivvy then
Hey! What size medium or large?
I got a paria breeze bivy. I wouldn’t say it’s UL but I don’t do big distances. In Australia it’s so important.
I feel like having a bivy would make it easier to transition from tent camping to tarp camping no? I have wanted to try and switch for a while but haven't had the opportunity. (only vacation time during cold months and when it's colder out I don't want to get rid of my tent)
Bivy really plays an important role in pushing temperature limits but the window is irrelevant for condensation. Me and a friend of mine have different styles of bivy bags and there is no difference.
In a windy conditions you would want a small window as it really helps shading off the wind.
As far as only using a tarp and being out for day after day - wouldn't you and your gear just get piss wet through? Or is an area with regular rain a case where you would use the bivy and the tarp?
Or are tarps more effective at stopping rain than I think they are?
Depends on how the tarp is set up.
Thanks for a great review. I have a question. I have the same bevy, but could never get comfortable with the slipperiness of the silnylon. May I ask how you kept from sliding around? Or keep the silnylon bottom from moving out from under you up on top of you as you sleep, covering your face, and causing condensation? It’s a great bivy, but it didn’t work for me.
Put a little seam sealer on the back of your pad to stop it from sliding around. A few spots should do the trick.
Please show us how this setup works with some video footage, I've never seen this kind of thing before.
If just to ward away bugs while sleeping under tarp, could you get one of those full-body mesh bug suits instead? All the protect of the bivvy, all the freedom and view of movement of no-bivvy.
Tent is also a good option now with all the silly light DCF tents out there, Zpacks Altaplex, Gossamer One, MLD SoloMid XL, etc. Bivy & tarp was a better option back when the lightest Sil tents were closer to 2#
Since you’re a fan of the Bora gear tarp why not the bora gear bivy? Just curious.
I have the Cuben Bug Bivy and am very happy with it.
Satisfied and happy with the Borah side zip and it’s slightly lighter...
Do you ever use just the bivy, without the tarp?
Did u seam seal it?
What about scorpions or spiders in the desert? I think I like the idea of a tent or a bivy pretty much everywhere. Insect scare the crap out of me.
Agreed! 😎
I want to try the tarp camping but it truly seems like a big hassle to save less than ten once’s. I think I would rather go with a Plex solo and just be comfortable. If you add that bivy you are essentially saving next to nothing in weight and having a miserable experience. We are talking going through all of this for next to nothing. At the end a long day I just want to relax and be comfortable. I guess I am just soft. I understand for you it works because you are putting in much bigger miles than most but to be honest I don’t think less than nine oz. would make much of difference. All that matters is it works for you. I do live on the Northeast, bugs and rain are definitely a thing. Take care
7.5 oz for an immeasurable amount of unfounded snake fear seems worth.
Also... how unfounded is it?
Read as... I really don't like snakes- so bivy seems worth. Also I know this sounds ridiculous
I would like to hear how many nights a bivy (or tents, sleeping pads, sleeping bags an things like that) is used.
A hiker can go less than ten miles or over 30 miles in a day, that will make a HUGE difference in how many nights things are used. And also, sleeping some nights in hostels, hotels or at trail angels places make even more difference.
How much is a thousand miles?
100 nights? 50? 25? 15?
There is a huge difference in the wear and tear I expect from 15 nights of use and 100!
And I expect next to no wear and tear from just being in a backpack.
Backpacks, shoes, clothes and similar stuff make a lot of sense to reference the mileage, since being used on the trail is what put wear and tear on those.
You should find and interview the legendary long distance hiker, Scott Williamson, if he is still alive.
Jennifer Pharr Davis talks about him and David Horton in her memoir about her FNT on the A.T.
Yeaaaah, nah. No breathability difference between the Silnylon and Dyneema, they both have zero breathability.
A lot of repeating to stretch the Video out over 10 Minutes
Yeh boyyyyyy