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MOJO BLUE

Outdoor Research Aurora Bivy

$199.00

(17)

Item # 747829

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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

Imported.

Item 747829

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Outdoor Research Aurora Bivy Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Outdoor Research Aurora Bivy

3.5

(based on 17 reviews)

65%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Lightweight (16)
Comfortable (6)
Easy to set up (6)
Durable (5)
Packs small (5)

Cons

Best Uses

Backpacking (12)
Mountaineering (5)
Cold conditions (4)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid adventurer (14), Outdoor professional (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (4)
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Survivalist / minimalist (8)

Reviewed by 17 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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Sep

2007

(20 of 28 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

Lightweight GORE-TEX Bivy Review

By txbackpacker

from Austin, TX

About Me Avid Adventurer, Backpacer, Hiker

See all my reviews

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.

Mar

2009

(13 of 17 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

An All Season Must!

By porter

from Wisconsin

About Me Outdoor Professional

See all my reviews

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.

Apr

2008

(10 of 13 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

It works for me

By bikeclimbswim

from St. Louis

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

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.

Jul

2009

(9 of 9 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

See all my reviews

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.

Oct

2008

(9 of 10 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Great Bivy

By bk in nyc

from New York, NY - and all over

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

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.

Oct

2007

(8 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

What could be better!?

By The Envelope Peasant LTD

from Chico, CA

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

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.

Sep

2007

(7 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Compact and Handy in a pinch

By morphius916

from Corvallis, OR

About Me Avid Adventurer, Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

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.

Oct

2009

(5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

OR Bivy

By jgaarder

from Fairbanks,ak

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

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.

Dec

2009

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Nice Bivy!

By francus

from Charlotte, NC

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Lightweight
Packs Small

Cons

Best Uses

4 Season camping
Backpacking

Comments about Outdoor Research Aurora Bivy:

An excellent bivy. However, if you're not used to camping in a bivy sack you might be disappointed compared to using a tent.

It can be difficult to enter/exit the bivy and to get situated. Once in, and comfy, it's pretty easy to just drift asleep. If you don't like looking up at the stars, this will not be for you. If you need your gear inside with you, forget it. Plan accordingly and get a waterproof shell (duckback) for your pack and bring along a couple of trashbags for your boots, socks, and clothes.

That said, I love this bivy. I have used it from hot jungle expeditions to blizzard conditions in the Rockies. It's lightweight and doesn't take up much space. You will need to fashion a ground cover (if desired) and pick up three stakes. Other than that, it's all here.

When the weather is nice it is easy to move the top down and just leave the mesh over your face. It is also easy to zip up the top in the dark if a sudden rain storm appears. Even with the top tied to a tree branch or rock, the opening cover/mesh will rest on your face. For some this may take getting used to. Or, just hike further and you'll be to tired to care.

On the downside, condensation will form in the bivy if it is sealed up. As mentioned by others, this is preferable to rain in the bivy, but can be a problem if using a down bag. Also, it is a good idea if expecting a ton of rain to trench the ground a little above the opening to divert any runoff away from the bivy. I learned the hard way and opened my bivy in the middle of the night and an impromptu creek decided to fill the bivy. Thank goodness for synthetic fibers!!

Another nice point is setup. If you stuff the bivy with your sleeping bag and then pack it in the sleeping bag stuff sack, the camp set up is a cinch. Just add your sleeping pad when you get there.

Sep

2011

1.0

Failed

By CMM451

from TX

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy To Setup
Lightweight
Packs Small

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Outdoor Research Aurora Bivy:

Used this product for part of a AT through hike. While warm light and small, it failed to keep me dry. The condensation issue was minor, and while you can sleep on snow pack with it okay, if you have precip coming down your gonna get hosed. I switched out to a quarter dome t1 for the rest of that hike and was glad I did.