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DUSTY OLIVE

REI Minimalist Bivy Sack - Regular

$99.50

(54)

Item # 794292

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Leave the heavy tent behind! With its waterproof, breathable design and meticulous details, the REI Minimalist Bivy sack is perfect for use in snow caves and as an ultralight shelter .

Breathable REI Elements® laminate adds waterproof, windproof qualities to the tough ripstop nylon shell; features a durable nylon taffeta floor and factory-sealed seams
6 zipper sliders let you configure mesh panel and arm openings a variety of ways
Differentiated zipper pulls (1 round and 1 flat) let you easily adjust hood and arm openings in the dark without confusion
Mesh bug panel extends from shoulders to top of head; can be rolled up and secured via toggle and loop when not in use
Internal sleeping bag attachment clips to the hang loop at the head of your sleeping bag to keep it from shifting around
Built-in rain-gutter flap below shoulders keeps dew and rain from rolling over mesh panel
Roomy configuration provides 64 in. girth at shoulders
Includes stuff sack

Imported.

Item 794292

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REI Minimalist Bivy Sack - Regular Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

REI Minimalist Bivy Sack - Regular

3.4

(based on 54 reviews)

65%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Lightweight (46)
Packs small (43)
Easy to set up (40)
Waterproof (34)
Durable (20)

Cons

Too cramped (7)
Not breathable (6)
Condensation (4)
Zipper snags (4)
Flimsy construction (3)

Best Uses

Backpacking (39)
Hiking (26)
Mountaineering (13)
Car camping (8)
Backyard (3)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid adventurer (40), Casual/ recreational (16), Environmentalist (5)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (37), Yes (3)

Reviewed by 54 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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Jun

2013

1.0

Worst Bivy I've ever used

By thewindnrain

from Kansas City, Kansas

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy To Set Up

Cons

Not breathable
Not Waterproof

Best Uses

Car Camping

Comments about REI Minimalist Bivy Sack - Regular:

This bivy soaks up water and seeps it into your sleeping bag. The water resistant fabric is very cheap and ineffective. I have been through many bivys and this one was by far the worst. Bought myself an outdoor research bivy and never looked back.

Comment on this review

Apr

2013

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

any day every day

By Rifleman68

from Gilberts, Illinois

About Me Avid Adventurer, Casual/ Recreational, Environmentalist

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Lightweight
Packs Small
Sturdy

Cons

Best Uses

Backyard
Car Camping
Hiking

Comments about REI Minimalist Bivy Sack - Regular:

this is my sons bag, he has used it several seasons now and still loves it, it has stood up to being used by a Boy Scout!!

Comment on this review

Apr

2013

2.0

way too narrow

By jwill

from az

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Lightweight
Packs Small

Cons

Too Cramped

Best Uses

Backpacking

Comments about REI Minimalist Bivy Sack - Regular:

I really had high hopes for this bivy. great design but just too small. I am 5'9" but have very wide shoulders. I can't even lay flat I have to hunch my arms in and try to fold them over the top of me. I simply cant lay flat without busting a seem. If this was made maybe 6" wider it would be a gold mine. I wish that they had a sleeve for a pole to lift the mesh of your face. I would use the heck out of this thing if only I could fit.

Comment on this review

Apr

2013

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Compared with SouthCol Event bivy

By rockon5eight

from Jax, fl

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy To Set Up
Lightweight
Packs Small
Sturdy

Cons

Best Uses

Backpacking
Mountaineering

Comments about REI Minimalist Bivy Sack - Regular:

I took this to an early spring backpacking trip to Linville Gorge, NC to compare it to my Integral Designs Southcol bivy, which uses Event. I have had good experience with the Southcol on big wall ledges in Yosemite, but it has no bug netting. My daughter is going to spend a month backpacking in Wind River area in WY early summer, and would like an option to use under a tarp or in a tent to add warmth (in tent) and mosquito protection(under tarp). So I did a comparison.
I was in cold 24-30degree weather, no rain, in a tent, with one other person, along a river which increased humidity. I used a 30 degree synthetic bag, and wore polypro baselayer, hat. I did not zip either bag up completely, keeping my head completely exposed. 2 sequential nights. Tent (REI ASL2 Cirque) had no major condensation, on either night with at least one door unzipped.
Both bags developed condensation inside the bivy between sleeping bag and bivy, where my butt pressed against the tent wall. About 3 0z I estimate. My position created a non breathable area and condensation was fairly abundant. I felt warm enough both nights, and my sleeping bag did not seem soaked.

Both bags had condensation to about the same extent. I mention this because I have been impressed with the Southcol not collecting water in the cold dry breezy conditions in Yosemite in October. My guess is that the wetter environment in Linville really made a difference. I interpret this to mean the REI product is an inexpensive but functional choice and noninferior to my high dollar and proven Event product, at least in the above conditions.
I wonder for my daughter's use though she might go for a well ventilated lightweight tent for bug protection instead of a supplemental bivy, and skip the tarp plan for her adventure. Perhaps an added synthetic quilt or heavier bag as needed to supply additional warmth.

Comment on this review

Apr

2013

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Good for minimalist campers

By Gaston

from Dillon, CO

About Me Avid Adventurer, Environmentalist

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy To Set Up
Lightweight
Packs Small
Waterproof

Cons

Zipper Snags

Best Uses

Backpacking
Hiking
Mountaineering

Comments about REI Minimalist Bivy Sack - Regular:

I used this bivy to keep moisture away from my down, 0-degree sleeping bag, and add some warmth. It worked great. We camped in a snow quinzee, just set my bag inside and set the bivy sack on a not-so-good foam matress. It worked great for what I intended for it. I am planning on camping next time in a little warmer place and just setting up my hammock and bring this sack in case of rain. Only bad thing I experienced was the condensation build-up, mostly because it was 15 degrees out and I kept trying to blow my breath in my bag, breath that later became moisture and got trapped between bag and bivy, I really dought that it will happen camping in spring, summer or fall. Overall another great product from the REI family

Comment on this review

Mar

2013

(6 of 12 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

WARNING!!! SERIOUS design flaws!!!!

By Mani A

from Orange County, CA

About Me Avid Adventurer, Environmentalist

See all my reviews

Pros

Lightweight

Cons

Condensation
Flimsy Construction
Major Design Flaws
Not breathable
Not Waterproof

Best Uses

Car Camping

Comments about REI Minimalist Bivy Sack - Regular:

SERIOUS DESIGN FLAWS
DO NOT BUY THIS BIVY

There are SERIOUS DESIGN FLAWS with this bivy that will absolutely ruin your trip. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

PROS:

-Lightweight.
-Cheap

CONS:

-NOT WATERPROOF. There is a HUGE OPEN MESH on your face. If it rains, you will be swimming.

-CONDENSATION. The fabric is NOT BREATHABLE. If it is a cold night, the inside of your bag will condense (this happens with ALL bivy/small tents). However, since this fabric is not breathable, that water will not evaporate out and you will be in a POOL of condensation in the morning, esp at your feet.

If you have a down sleeping bag, this will make your sleeping bag WORTHLESS since it will get WET!!

BOTTOM LINE:

You have been warned!!!!!!! Do NOT buy this bag. SERIOUS DESIGN FLAWS !!!!

Comment on this review

Feb

2013

(7 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

seriously flawed

By Flint Steele

from Boulder, CO

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy To Set Up
Lightweight
Packs Small
Waterproof

Cons

Flimsy Construction
Not Rainproof
Not Worth It

Best Uses

Indoor Sleepovers

Comments about REI Minimalist Bivy Sack - Regular:

I'm a fan of REI but this bivvy is seriously flawed. First of all, paying almost $90 for what you get is so not worth it. It's cheap, thin not-breathable nylon. Now, they have upped the price another $10. :-o Wow. Second, the purpose of a bivvy is so that you don't have to carry a tent. But, this one has a 18" x 12" mesh hole in it. I expected it to have a cover for the mesh hole so it was rain-proof. Consequently, you have to concoct some kind of shelter to keep the rain out of that huge mesh hole. The rest of the bag is waterproof all right - so much so that it doesn't breath. So, even if it doesn't rain, you're going to wake up with all sorts of condensation on your sleeping bag. You better hope it's dry enough the next day to dry your sleeping bag, hopefully not down, out cuz it's going to be pretty wet. I have another bivvy bag that I paid less for that does not have any of these problems. This is the first product I have purchased from REI that I am going to return.

Comment on this review

Feb

2013

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

I NOW PREFER THIS OVER THE TENT

By Bryan-Mountaineer

from Ocean Side Ca

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy To Set Up
Lightweight
Sturdy
Waterproof

Cons

Best Uses

Backpacking
Hiking
Mountaineering

Comments about REI Minimalist Bivy Sack - Regular:

I went up to MT Whitney in early March last year and decided to leave the tent behind. Took this bivy with the Radiant +10 degree down bag. 50-60MPH winds blasted me through the night. I did freeze but i did not make a snow shelter from the wind, my fault. Temps were in single digits without wind chill above 10,000 ft. My bag was dry, no condensation. My sleeping bag fit just fine in the bivy. The bivy packs up very small. the weight savings is worth not taking a tent. I would just dig a trench or snow wall to protect me from the wind next time. I have five tents and I keep taking this bivy over the tents.

Comment on this review

Feb

2013

(2 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

This is not a bivvy bag.

By Flint Steele

from Boulder, CO

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy To Set Up
Lightweight
Packs Small

Cons

Not Rain-proof

Best Uses

Comments about REI Minimalist Bivy Sack - Regular:

This does not fit the conventional definition of a bivvy bag. A bivvy bag allows you to sleep outside in weather like snow and rain without any other shelter like a tent. This bag has a big gaping 12" x 18" mesh hole. Consequently, you have to have additional shelter like a tent, tarp, or something to cover that big mesh hole. I usually love REI stuff but this thing has me thinking they seriously brain-uh-burped. Consequently, I'm taking it back. I just got a military sleep system that includes 2 nesting synthetic down bags with a Gortex bivvy bag that is rated to -60 degrees F for a little cheaper and it totally rocks. I had my wife spray me with the hose from every angle and stayed dry. Try that in REI's bivvy bag LOL no really - don't. And, since it breaths a lot better, there's almost no condensation overnight. Plus, it's super rugged. You pay for that ruggedness with weight though. Seriously, if you want a real bivvy bag, find one that closes up so you stay dry in the rain.

Comment on this review

Feb

2013

4.0

Pretty decent

By JD from Kalamazoo

from Kalamazoo, MI

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Cons

Best Uses

Backpacking
Hiking

Comments about REI Minimalist Bivy Sack - Regular:

I just got back from using this on a two night hiking/snow shoeing trip in northern Michigan.

First night it was used in a trench in the snow and the temps dropped to -9F. Upon waking up in the morning, my sleeping bag was completely dry, and there was only a light layer of frost on the inside of the bivy (which shook off easily).

Second night was more of the same, but not as cold. This time, there was some ice/moisture on the toe of the sleeping bag, but only a small area. (it may have been up against the non-breathable bottom of the bivy)

I was able to fit a 1.5" thick sleeping pad inside the bivy, which worked great. Overall, I am very satisfied with it.