REI.com
  • Online: www.REI.com
  • URL for this product:
  • From the U.S. and Canada — Call 1-800-426-4840
  • Mon. through Sun., 4 a.m. through 11 p.m. PT.
  • International — Call 1-253-891-2500
  • Mon. through Sun., 4 a.m. through 11 p.m. PT. English language only.
Outdoor Research Aurora Bivy
mojo bluezoomZoom image

Outdoor Research Aurora Bivy

Item # 747829

$199.00

Item qualifies for annual
REI Member Refund (typically 10%)

1.

2. Qty

3.

Product Rating
Share It
Email this to a friend Email this to a friend
Bookmark and share Bookmark and share

Low-profile, weatherproof and durable, the Outdoor Research Aurora Bivy offers lightweight protection you can count on in the field.

  • 3-layer Gore-Tex® Respiration Positive fabric provides waterproof, windproof protection; all seams are taped to ensure waterproofness
  • Waterproof Hydroseal® coated nylon floor for extra durability; end-opening zipper is protected by a wide storm flap
  • Panel over the head can be configured to be fully enclosed by fabric or covered by only mesh when bugs are the main concern
  • End-opening zipper is covered by a stormflap
  • Small internal mesh pocket holds nighttime essentials
  • 3 stake loops and 2 guyline loops
  • Shoulder girth is 50 in.
  • Includes stuff sack

Made in USA.

Item 747829

Outdoor Research Aurora Bivy Specs

Specification

Description

Season4-season
Design typeBivy
Average weight24 ounces
Average weight - metric0.68 kilograms
Dimensions84 (length) x 25 (shoulder) x 21 (foot) inches
Dimensions - metric223 (length) x 63 (shoulder) x 53 (foot) centimeters
FabricRipstop nylon / Gore-Tex waterproof breathable laminate / nylon taffeta
Packed size4 x 13 inches

Outdoor Research Aurora Bivy Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Outdoor Research Aurora Bivy
 
4.1

(based on 9 reviews)

89%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Lightweight (9)
  • Comfortable (5)
  • Stows easily (5)
  • Easy to set up (4)
  • Sturdy (3)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Backpacking (7)
    • Cold conditions (4)
    • Mountaineering (4)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Avid adventurer (7)
    • What Is Your Gear Style:
    • Minimalist (7)

    Reviewed by 9 customers

    Sort by

    Displaying reviews 1-9

    Back to top

    Sep

    26

    2007

    (12 of 16 customers found this review helpful)

     
    3.0

    Lightweight GORE-TEX Bivy Review

    By txbackpacker

    from Austin, TX

    About Me Avid Adventurer, Backpacer, Hiker

    Pros

    • Easy to set up
    • Lightweight
    • Waterproof

    Cons

    • Condensation
    • Poor Breathing

    Best Uses

    • Backpacking
    • Mountaineering

    Comments about Outdoor Research Aurora Bivy:

    I bought this because it is supposed to be made of a special GORE-TEX that breathes very well. I found an article on the Internet that stated some of these bivy's produced did not contain this special GORE-TEX. I called OR and they assured me the bivy was made of the correct GORE-TEX. I went backpacking with it this past summer in the Olympic mountains in Washington. Each morning I awoke to condenstation so bad my sleeping bag was very wet. I backpacked in the same mountains last year with a REI mimimalist and did not have this problem. The bag is well made, but considering the consendation issues I would not recommend it.

    Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

    (12 of 16 customers found this review helpful)

    Was this review helpful? Yes / No

     - You may also flag this review

    Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

    Mar

    9

    2009

    (8 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

     
    4.0

    An All Season Must!

    By porter

    from MN

    About Me Outdoor Professional

    Pros

    • Lightweight
    • Stows Easily
    • Warm

    Cons

    • Compression Sack Needed

    Best Uses

    • Backpacking

    Comments about Outdoor Research Aurora Bivy:

    This is a perfect 4 season bivy. It allows me to cut down the weight of my sleeping bag in the summer for a light sleeping system or the ideal outer layer of a winter sleep system. I have had this bivy for two years now and about 300 nights in it, it never disappoints! It has held up to many cold and wet nights and is showing no sign of wearing. You do get condensation build up if you sleep with the hood closed but that's expected, if it's not raining don't close it, if it is raining, a little condensation is better than soaking wet under a tarp. This is a great addition to your shelter arsenal.

    • Gift:
    • No
    • What Is Your Gear Style:
    • Minimalist

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (8 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

    Was this review helpful? Yes / No

     - You may also flag this review

    Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

    Oct

    8

    2008

    (7 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

     
    4.0

    Great Bivy

    By bk in nyc

    from New York, NY and all over the U.S.

    About Me Avid Adventurer

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Lightweight
    • Stows Easily
    • Water Resistant

    Cons

    • Poor Hood Design

    Best Uses

    • 3 Season Camping
    • Backpacking
    • Cold Conditions

    Comments about Outdoor Research Aurora Bivy:

    This is a great bivy. Like all OR equipment it's very well built. Even though it is gore-tex, condensation WILL build up on the inside of the bivy, and it can make your sleeping bag damp. I hang up the bivy inside-out during breakfast to dry it off. The hood is made to be kept closed, so it has to be tied or clipped forward if you only want the mesh over you at night. I might try to keep the fabric off me on my next trip by adding a wire through the loops on the outside of the bivy.

    • Gift:
    • No
    • What Is Your Gear Style:
    • Minimalist

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (7 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

    Was this review helpful? Yes / No

     - You may also flag this review

    Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

    Oct

    26

    2007

    (7 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    What could be better!?

    By The Envelope Peasant LTD

    from Chico, CA

    About Me Avid Adventurer

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Comfortable
    • Easy to set up
    • Great protection
    • Lightweight
    • Packs well
    • Sturdy

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Backcountry trail running
      • Fastpacking
      • Mountaineering

      Comments about Outdoor Research Aurora Bivy:

      The inaugural use of my OR Aurora Bivy happened to be in an early season snow storm that caught us by surprise in the Mount Lassen backcountry. Despite unexpectedly harsh conditions and minimal extra gear, it kept me warm and dry. It seemed adequately breathable as well. This is a remarkable piece of gear, and a must-own for any ultralight all-season adventurer.

      • What Is Your Gear Style:
      • Minimalist

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      (7 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

       - You may also flag this review

      Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

      Apr

      9

      2008

      (6 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

       
      4.0

      It works for me

      By bikeclimbswim

      from St. Louis

      About Me Avid Adventurer

      Pros

      • Comfortable
      • Easy to set up
      • Lightweight
      • Sturdy
      • Waterproof

      Cons

      • Zipper could be longer

      Best Uses

      • Bike Touring
      • Car Camping
      • Hiking
      • Mountaineering

      Comments about Outdoor Research Aurora Bivy:

      I love this thing. It has completely replaced my tent on just about every camping adventure. I did have a problem with condensation one night, but that was only because I woke up breathing into the Bivy. Make sure to always direct your breath out of the Bivy and condensation will never be an issue. My only complaint is that it gets a little cramped when the weather calls for a larger sleeping pad. Also, I guess it would be nice if the zipper extended farther down the length of the bivy, but that could compromise the storm proofing.

      • What Is Your Gear Style:
      • Minimalist

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      (6 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

       - You may also flag this review

      Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

      Sep

      23

      2007

      (6 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

       
      4.0

      Compact and Handy in a pinch

      By morphius916

      from Corvallis, OR

      About Me Avid Adventurer, Casual/ Recreational

      Site Member

      Pros

      • Comfortable
      • Easy to set up
      • Fly Works Well
      • Lightweight
      • Sturdy

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Backpacking
        • Hiking
        • Mountaineering

        Comments about Outdoor Research Aurora Bivy:

        Great Bivy. Lightweight and quick to set up. Waterproof, but with the option to use the fly netting layer instead on warmer nights. A must for all risky ventures. Could use cinch-down straps on the stuff sack.

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (6 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

        Was this review helpful? Yes / No

         - You may also flag this review

        Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

        Jul

        12

        2009

        (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

         
        5.0

        Best lightweight comfortable bivy

        By Friar

        from Denver, CO and all around the US

        About Me Outdoor Professional

        Pros

        • Comfortable
        • Lightweight
        • Stows Easily
        • Warm

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • 3 Season Camping
          • Backpacking
          • Cold Conditions

          Comments about Outdoor Research Aurora Bivy:

          I first bought the Alpine last summer for a backpacking trip that was to go until I couldn't any more. I switched to the Aurora because I quickly found out that the one difference between the two designs is critical for how I stow it. I found using the bottom sleeping bag pocket on my pack makes an excellent stuff sack for the Aurora while my sleeping bag is still in it since its water proof anyway. The Alpine with its wire rim around the mouth didn't pack away as easily since the wire adds too much structure to it while stuffing it in there. While packing the Aurora like this set up was almost non-existent. I simply pulled it out at the end of a long day and crawl in; although I did controversially stop using the bed roll unless it was really cold out. Condensation can be somewhat of an issue if you don't leave the zipper open about 6 inches. However, I've slept with the top lip hung over the bottom but, other than the mesh, completely unzipped through a snow storm outside Colorado Springs, CO and was plenty warm enough (with the bed roll in there). As a stealth camper, I also really love the darker colors to be able to tuck away into patches on the side of the road and go unseen. The only complaint I could possibly think of could be a longer zipper down the side to get the bed roll in easier when needed, but its never really bothered me.

          • Gift:
          • No
          • What Is Your Gear Style:
          • Minimalist

          Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

          (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

          Was this review helpful? Yes / No

           - You may also flag this review

          Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

          Oct

          10

          2009

           
          4.0

          OR Bivy

          By jgaarder

          from Fairbanks,ak

          About Me Avid Adventurer

          Pros

          • Bomb Proof
          • Comfortable
          • Lightweight
          • Stows Easily
          • Warm

          Cons

          • No Full Length Zipper

          Best Uses

          • Backpacking
          • Cold Conditions
          • Wet Conditions

          Comments about Outdoor Research Aurora Bivy:

          I just got done using this on Kodiak Island Alaska on a Mt Goat hunt. It was some of the worst conditions I have ever hunted in and my down sleeping bag stayed dry in very wet conditions, and the inside only had a small amount of condesation around the head from my breath. I kept me warm and dry and preformed perfectly.

          • Gift:
          • No
          • What Is Your Gear Style:
          • Minimalist

          Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

          Images shared by jgaarder

          Example of the weather

          Image Thumbnail

          Was this review helpful? Yes / No

           - You may also flag this review

          Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

          Aug

          15

          2009

           
          4.0

          Pros and cons as with all

          By backcountry nut

          from Southern New Jersey

          About Me Avid Adventurer

          Site Member

          Pros

          • Lightweight
          • Stows Easily

          Cons

          • Can be sticky on warm ngt

          Best Uses

          • AT Shelter hopping
          • Backpacking
          • Cold Conditions

          Comments about Outdoor Research Aurora Bivy:

          I purchased 2 of these bags. I must say they are light and will hold out the rain on a bad night. They do get a bit warm and damp on hot or humid nights. Some string and a sapling go a long way on holding the hood open and adding circulation. I use them on section hikes on the At. They work great keeping the monster spiders and skeeters at bay during the night. Anyone who has hiked the shelters and the AT knows some areas and shelters get a bit buggy. They also are great on the trail Just slide in a pad and bag liner and you are set.

          • Gift:
          • No
          • What Is Your Gear Style:
          • Minimalist

          Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

          Was this review helpful? Yes / No

           - You may also flag this review

          Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

          Displaying reviews 1-9

          Back to top

          Outdoor Research Aurora Bivy Related Items

          You might also like:

          Join REI and Enjoy the Benefits

          Members are eligible for an annual refund on qualifying purchases. Plus, they enjoy many more benefits. Get a lifetime membership for $20.

          Add an REI membership to my order.

          How are we doing? Give us feedback on this page.

          • Shopping Cart 
          • |
          •  
          • Buy REI Gift Cards
          • REI Gift Cards
          • Fast, easy and one size fits all.
          • Buy now!
          • Join REI today!
          • REI Membership
          • REI member benefits include an annual refund (typically 10% on eligible purchases).
          • Join REI today!
          • Sign up for REI Gearmail®
          • and get 15% off selected items!
          • Store Locator
          • Locate an REI store near you.