I'm looking for a bivi bag to be used on its own or with a small tarp if the weather looks like raining ...

My problem is a certain insect freaks me out (I know man up) so it must have a mesh piece near/around the face .

Has any one got or used a Rab ascent bivi ? Or know of another bivi that is similar ?

if its t be used with a tarp in rain does it need to be so meaty?


In all sorts of grim weather I've used a borah bivi bag and the smallest borah tarp. (I've also used the bivi bag alone on several occasions)
The pair together weigh less than the ascent and possibly cost less (maybe)?
The bivi has a bug mesh head section and I'd advise a side zip. Several people have said they like the wider version but I've never had a problem with the standard, inclusive of full size exped down mat and PHD winter bag.


http://borahgear.com/sidebivy.html

Love my Borah, I had reduced netting in the hood and the larger zip
Standard size for me plenty big enough for what i need

Would you consider making your own?

I made mine out of pertex 4. Weighed under 200g. Added a net and now weighs 220g. Cost £10 in materials.

Breathes well. Plenty of space inside. Always use with a tarp. So no need to be waterproof.

The problem with using just a bivvy bag is rain. Even a fully waterproof bag (Goretex, eVent, etc) will struggle to breath once the outside of the bag's wet. Adding a micro tarp (something to cover your head / chest) doesn't really help as much of the bivvy bag is still exposed to the rain.

Using something very breathable (Borah,etc) with a light tarp really does give you a lot more options.

With regard to RAB bags, I've got an Assault which is very similar to Ascent. It works very well but is heavy and bulky ... although I imagine it'll last forever

Is borah stuff available in the UK ?

Is borah stuff available in the UK ?

Sadly not, you've got to order directly from John at Borah.

The Borah bag looks a great piece of kit.

Is their a bivi similar but available in the UK ?

The Borah bag looks a great piece of kit.

They are.

Is their a bivi similar but available in the UK ?

Nope*, generally the industry in the UK seem to view bivvy bags as an Alpine thing, so they tend to be full coverage affairs, fully waterproof and fairly sturdy. The US on the other hand are much more intune with the ultralite thing, so you'll find lots of bags similar to the Borah ... Tigoat, Zpacks, Oware, MLD are just a few.

Just remember that these bags AREN'T waterproof, they're water resistant and are designed yo be used with a minimalist shelter of some type.

*The only bag that might do is a phd 'sleeping bag cover' ... although it doesn't offer any bug protection.

Then I think I'll stick to the Rab ascent / Msr Ac then (or another if theirs one !) . I'd rather something that lasts and at 625g the Rab isn't tooo heavy (is it !)

Thanks for the advice

I'd rather something that lasts and at 625g the Rab isn't tooo heavy (is it !)

Not really ... although it's over 3 times heavier than a standard Borah

Why not just buy a Hunka XL and stitch some netting over the opening?

Although I've only used mine twice (so far) my Borah gets another vote from me.
In fact if you leave your sleeping bag inside it you can push the whole lot into the same sleeping bag stuff sack, so you don't even notice the tiny extra weight.

I use a Rab Ascent. The midge netting thing works well enough and the material of the bag is fairly breathable. It obviously help if you can have the opening open The only time I ever had a problem with moisture was when I'd somehow managed to twist it around in my sleep so that the eVent side was somehow underneath me (this has only happened once though).

The only thing I think I'm going to do to it is to sew a little loop on the opening so that I can suspend it open under a tree or pole.

I have a phd bag cover/bivy which whilst good I'll probably sell now I have the borah one.

It's ~180g but needs to be on something water proof. I tend to just use my mat outside it. Neoair is tuffer than it looks!