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Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy
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Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy

Item # 747832

$219.00

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If you like to travel light yet often find yourself in iffy weather conditions, the Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy offers rugged protection from the elements.

  • 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
  • Single overhead shockcorded Delrin® pole keeps bivy up and off of face when sack is closed; wide storm flap shields the zipper from wind and rain
  • No-see-um-mesh at opening keeps bugs off face while allowing ample ventilation; height is approximately 20 in.
  • Footprint is sized to accommodate thicker sleeping pads
  • Straps keep your sleeping pad in place, preventing the bivy from rolling over during sleep
  • High-volume foot section allows a more natural position for feet and is approximatey 14.5 in high
  • Small internal mesh pocket
  • 5 stake loops and1 guyline loop
  • Includes Delrin pole and stuff sack
  • Shoulder girth is 52 in.

Made in USA.

Item 747832

Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy Specs

Specification

Description

Season4-season
Design typeBivy
Average weight2 pounds
Average weight - metric0.91 kilograms
Dimensions84 (length) x 26 (shoulder) x 19 (foot) inches
Dimensions - metric213 (length) x 66 (shoulder) x 48 (foot) centimeters
FabricRipstop nylon/3-layer Gore-Tex laminate/nylon taffeta
Packed size4 x 15.5 inches

Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy
 
4.4

(based on 13 reviews)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Lightweight (12)
  • Comfortable (6)
  • Easy to set up (6)
  • Warm (5)
  • Stows easily (3)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Backpacking (12)
    • 3 season camping (5)
    • Cold conditions (4)
    • Mountaineering (4)
    • Hiking (3)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Avid adventurer (4), Casual adventurer (4), Professional guide (3)
    • What Is Your Gear Style:
    • Minimalist (10)

    Reviewed by 13 customers

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    Displaying reviews 1-10

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    (31 of 31 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    Worked GREAT!

    By Wacko for Waptus

    from Spokane, WA

    About Me Casual/ Recreational

    Pros

    • Comfortable
    • Easy To Set Up
    • Fly Works Well
    • Lightweight
    • Sturdy
    • Waterproof

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Backpacking
      • Hiking

      Comments about Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy:

      I needed to drop weight after a tendon injury. We were heading to the alpine lakes wilderness area near Rosland Washington. It's not a big hike, just 20 miles, but with the tendon injury, I needed to dump weight. I got the bivy bag to replace my tent. The first night, we got DUMPED on. I moved the bivy bag out to the open just to see how well it would keep the water out. There was mild condensation through the night but not bad. Some condensation may have been because the company says to leave the zipper open at least six inches to avoid condensation and suffocation. I had it shut down to about 2 inches to keep the water out as it was bouncing off the ground and into the bag since it was coming down so hard. The second and third nights, I was able to keep the flap open a bit more and I had no condensation problems. Wearing a baseball cap inside kept the gortex off my face. My only complaint about the fly design is there doesn't seem to be a good way to secure the waterproof flap open when the nights are nice enough to just use the mosquito netting. It did increase the warmth of my bag by about 10 degrees easily. There is enough room to put my thermarest inside and to get up on my elbows to read while the rain was dumping on us. With the thermarest inside, I was able to turn over during the night without coming off the pad, something I'm going to enjoy when we camp this winter in snow shelters. I'm a short guy at 5'7" so there was oodles of room in the bottom. I was able to shove all kinds of gear in the bivy bag. Getting out in the middle of the night wasn't as easy as with a tent. I had read a review, prior to going, where someone put down a ground cloth to help with that. So, I put down a ground cloth at the head and it wasn't bad. Getting dressed in the morning also benefitted from the ground cloth. I hear people complain about the space, but it wasn't any different than being in my sleeping bag in my tent. If I were stranded for several days, I can see where that would be a problem. However, since we were hiking, rain or shine, it was never a problem. Overall, I loved it! I will use it again and I would recommend it to anyone trying to drop weight off their pack.

      • What Is Your Gear Style:
      • Comfort Driven

      (23 of 24 customers found this review helpful)

       
      4.0

      Worth the money

      By Detent_ego

      from The OC

      About Me Casual/ Recreational

      Pros

      • Easy to set up
      • Lightweight

      Cons

      • Collects Condensation

      Best Uses

      • Backpacking
      • Hiking

      Comments about Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy:

      When I tried it out in the store, I wondered if it was going to be claustrophobic, but at night, that goes away. It doesn't feel any different than being in a regular tent. Loading the pad and the bag is a little like trying to get a pillow into a pillow case, but the overall set up is easy and fast - getting in takes longer. Condensation is slight to moderate (even with the recommended 6" opening) but manageable. It slept just fine and you can't beat the size/wt.

      Maybe this is obvious to some, but be prepared to adjust your habits. I'd recommend taking whatever you think you are going to need in the night and next morning in with you from the gitgo. Pack cover becomes a must! And bring something you can use as a "floor mat" for getting out.

      Expensive, but really good gear.

      • What Is Your Gear Style:
      • Minimalist

      (15 of 17 customers found this review helpful)

       
      4.0

      great bivy!

      By caramia

      from Boulder, CO

      About Me Professional Guide

      Site Member

      Pros

      • Easy to set up
      • Lightweight
      • Sturdy

      Cons

      • Needs a vent

      Best Uses

      • Backpacking
      • Mountaineering

      Comments about Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy:

      This is a great bivy! It's light, super easy to set up and definitely big enough. The one thing I would change is that when it is fully closed, I get some condensation on the inside of the bivy. If there were even a small vent that would be great.

      (12 of 12 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      Perfect!

      By Wildmed

      from Chicago, IL

      About Me Avid Adventurer

      Site Member

      Pros

      • Lightweight
      • Stows Easily
      • Warm
      • Water Resistant

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • 3 Season Camping
        • Backpacking
        • Cold Conditions
        • Hunkering Down

        Comments about Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy:

        Humphrey's AZ in the winter- very warm and cozy.
        Yosemite in early spring with rain- warm, dry and cozy.
        I don't mind close quarters and this bivy is just about perfect. One pole, packs relatively small, Gore-tex dry, though I did get a small amount of condensation that froze on the wall.
        There is enough room to move around a little and I spent some time inside and read a book in the rain.
        I think it is fantastic!

        • Gift:
        • No

        (12 of 15 customers found this review helpful)

         
        4.0

        Close to Perfect

        By SDMRT18

        from Southern California

        About Me Professional Guide

        Site Member

        Pros

        • Comfortable
        • Easy To Set Up
        • Sturdy
        • Waterproof

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Backpacking
          • Mountaineering

          Comments about Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy:

          I use this for mountain rescue and it has served me well in several drenchers and a bit of snow. I wish the zipper came down a bit farther on one side or the other.

          • What Is Your Gear Style:
          • Minimalist

          (11 of 21 customers found this review helpful)

           
          5.0

          The Best!!

          By J72186

          from Plattsburgh, NY

          About Me Professional Guide

          Pros

          • Comfortable
          • Easy to set up
          • Lightweight

          Cons

          • Too Cramped

          Best Uses

          • Backpacking
          • Hiking
          • Mountaineering

          Comments about Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy:

          This Bivy is one of the best on the market, it has yet to let me down on even the stormiest nights

          • What Is Your Gear Style:
          • Minimalist

          (10 of 12 customers found this review helpful)

           
          5.0

          Tested down to 32 degress, outstanding.

          By Hucktang

          from Missoula, MT

          About Me Outdoor Professional

          Site Member

          Pros

          • Easy To Set Up
          • Lightweight
          • Waterproof

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • Backpacking
            • Mountaineering

            Comments about Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy:

            I've tested the Alpine Bivy on several multi-day bowhunting trips and it works great. Temperature ranges from 32 to 43 degrees. I have a 15 degree down bag I use in it. Very little condensation. i was very impressed. I kept the vent most of the way open and was very warm. Also had some light rain with no issues.

            • What Is Your Gear Style:
            • Minimalist

            (9 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

             
            4.0

            Own two of these.

            By TertGuy

            from Salt Lake City, UT

            About Me Avid Adventurer

            Pros

            • Lightweight

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • Backpacking

              Comments about Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy:

              Spring alpine hike/climb. Dad bought bivy, son opted for plastic sheet. Got plowed by rain first night, both of us in our down bags. Son got wet and slept little, Dad felt guilty but slept great. Now we own two of them. Really, they don't get better than these. All the other comments below are pretty spot-on. The only thing you need to tweak is to hold the mesh off your face with a stick or strategic cord to a tree limb, etc. Both of us are 6' and don't mind the fit at all, just like a sleeping bag. Warm and comfy, no problem with condensation that was worth mentioning. Has always kept us bone dry. Great insurance when weather forecast is for no rain, but you are in the mountains where forecast doesn't apply... Sounds strange, but not a bad thing to sleep-in even if you have a tent. With a down bag, I never have to worry about tent leakage or seepage touching the bag, but I confess that I am pretty fanatic about keeping my down bag dry. Why carry a pound for a ground sheet when you can just stuff yourself and bag in this and protect your bag completely? I am still thinking about a one-man tent, but haven't been convinced yet that it would be a whole lot better...and who needs another pound or two to carry at my age? Just remember, it isn't a tent. If you travel in places where there are a lot of folks, you really don't have much privacy to dress...

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

              (8 of 10 customers found this review helpful)

               
              4.0

              Good W/ a few tweaks

              By MelGibskin

              from Tulsa, OK

              About Me Casual Adventurer

              Pros

              • Adjustable Hood
              • Lightweight
              • Warm
              • Water Resistant

              Cons

              • Poor Hood Design

              Best Uses

              • 3 Season Camping
              • Winter Camping

              Comments about Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy:

              This is a great bivy but....
              Two things i didnt like, there is no way to prop the hood open with the netting closed. And when the hood is up you have all this bunched up material hanging down in your face.
              The Fix: i use a piece of string and tie it thru the loop placed ontop of where the pole goes thru and sting it thru the netting zipper, then tie this to a treking pole stuck in ground, then take a clip and clip together all the bunched up material in the bag

              after that its perfect

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

              (6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

               
              5.0

              OUTSTANDING!!!

              By ScottyCO

              from Colorado, Utah

              About Me Avid Adventurer

              Site Member

              Pros

              • Adjustable Hood
              • Comfortable
              • Lightweight
              • Roomy
              • Stows Easily
              • Warm

              Cons

                Best Uses

                • 3 Season Camping
                • Backpacking
                • Car Camping
                • Winter Camping

                Comments about Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy:

                I have used my "OR Alpine" bivy a couple times now. I've had/used several others in the past and this one far surpasses the others in every way. The ONLY improvement I can see is a need for a way to secure the hood open when only using the netting (I will probably sew on some velcro tabs). Otherwise the is an OUTSTANDING BIVY SACK!!! It was very roomy for me (5'11"--210lb), added noticeable warmth to the sleeping bag, and kept me dry in the rain (wasn't a downpour, but still was a solid shower). All the others I have used had at least some condensation, but I zipped the screen shut and left the gore-tex with stiffening rod hang over the closure and had GREAT ventilation with NO condensation at all (I left it that way even in the rain, and didn't get rain inside either). I would recommend this bivy to ANYONE with no hesitation. This shelter will make packing light seem like car camping!

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

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