REI Co-op Minimalist Bivy - Long
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Leave the heavy tent behind! With its waterproof, breathable design and meticulous details, the long-length REI Minimalist Bivy sack is perfect for use in snow caves and as an ultralight shelter .
Shop similar products- 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
- REI Co-op brand is certified to The Climate Label; we actively fund efforts to reduce carbon emissions across our business and support climate projects around the world
Imported.
View all REI Co-op Bivy Sacks| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Seasons | 4-season |
| Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
| Weight | 17 ounces |
| Packed Size | 6 x 10 inches |
| Bivy Length | 88 inches |
| Shoulder Width | 32 inches |
| Ultralight | Yes |
| Sustainability | From a Climate Label Certified brand |
Better gear is built together
From feedback to field testing, all of our gear is dialed-in by REI Co-op members. Their adventures informed every stitch and detail—making for better, longer-lasting gear.
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Ultralight backapcking
I love how small the pack size and light weight the bivy is. Great two part zipper for putting your arms through in camp. The mesh panel gave me lots air through the night. I use mine for summer ultralight backpacking. The reason for 4 stars is width could be a little wider.
it's actually a bathtub!
The basic structure of this bivy has a surprising design flaw: IT ISN'T WATERPROOF! It is incredible that the bivy has no rain cover over the face area, so if it rains on you at night, the bivy is basically a tub that fills with water very quickly. You can try covering the face with a rain jacket but water will drip down from your shoulder (if you sleep on your side) and the jacket can easily blow off if there is wind. Even in a light rain you will be sopping wet within a few minutes. Also, with no foot ventilation there is quite a bit of condensation. I would recommend paying a little bit more for the Sierra Designs Highland that corrects these problems.
Condensation a problem
I bought this for an eight day August backpacking trip to the high Sierras. I woke up every morning to moisture and sometimes ice inside. The sleeping bag was always wet from condensation. I had to let the sack and sleeping bag dry every morning which usually didn't take long in the low humidity. I was careful to breath through the mesh rather than inside the sack to minimize the condensation but that didn't help. It never rained on us so I don't know if the sack is waterproof. I live in Georgia and won't even try it here due to the high humidity. It does pack very small and light.
Mildly Satisfied.
It did what it said, mostly. It's not so breathable. Couple of mornings I had ice on the inside of the bivy down by my feet on the outside of my bag. Biggest problem I had though was rolling side to side (side-sleeper) as it's floor-ceiling tall around the belly but not so much at the shoulder/face. I just kept winding up down in the thing and would have to inchworm my way back to the top so I could breath which, again, because it's sooo tight was a real PITA. For the $$ it's fine though. Like the multiple zipper pulls which allow you to make a vent at the waist areas. Thermalite Pro, Down Mummy REI bag sleep system. 5'11" 185. Long Bivy.
Minimalist is Right
I purchased the minimalist for shelter on backpacking trips to minimize weight. I will have to continue the search as after one outing with the minimalist there is no way. The condensation buildup was horrible. Woke up the next morning soaked from the condensation. Additionally, it was very hot in the Minimalist despite being a cool night and me having a warmer bag. The icing on the cake was the fact that I am 6'3'' tall and purchased the long bag. It was anything but long. I barely fit with a pillow. I am sure it is a great asset to have for back country hikes for emergency situations just not what I would look for in a ultralight shelter.
works as advertised
It takes a certain kind of person to enjoy sleeping in what is essentially a fancy plastic bag. However, if you're one of those kinds of people, then the REI Minimalist Bivy is pretty awesome. It kept me dry throughout a night of total rain, and was roomy enough to let me stash stuff like some extra warmth layers between the bivy and my sleeping bag. I'd buy the extra long one if they were the same price just so I could have some room at my feet to store stuff I didn't want to get wet. The only thing I didn't like about it was the claustrophobic feeling that persisted for the first couple hours of use. If you get this then try to sleep on your porch in it for a night before you take it backpacking so you can get used to sleeping in it. After the first night using it I slept like a baby. A word of caution: if you happen to fall asleep in it drunk while camping with your buddies, try to wake up before them: the mesh panel just begs to be farted into.
Like sleeping in a sauna
The Minimalist Bivy is exactly the sort of simple sleeping bag cover that I like. I got it to replace a 30 year old Gore Tex product that finally delaminated. I took the Minimalist around the world, using it in conditions from tropical to subalpine. In all cases, it failed miserably - I woke up every morning with my sleeping bag soaked with condensation (frozen in some cases) that had accumulated inside the bivy. I used it in the tropics without a bag, and sweated profusely inside of it. Had to keep zipped up because of the bugs! I do not recommend this product at all.
It's not waterproof.
Glad I tested this Bivy before taking into the field! Bought my REI Bivy based on other reviewers who said they experienced a dry experience - "water proof" Mine was not. This bivy is not waterproof. It wicked moisture onto my sleeping bag. I had plenty of ventilation, side zip open and no condensation formed in the head area. BUT! The overnight dew settled on the top of the bivy and wicked directly inside. I woke with the outside of my sleeping bag damp from the mid-section. Running my finger down from the middle inside of the bivy, moister everywhere. Big disappointment. Maybe I got a dud, 'cause others are saying they were dry from a night of rain? Not in this bivy they weren't. Pros: Light weight and a snug fit for me (6'2"), with 2 extra inches head room. (My underlay was an REI Half Dome 2 Plus Footprint and inside the bivy a Thermarest ProLite Plus Mattress Regular and sleeping bag was a Marmot Helium 15 long.)
So far, so good
I bought this bivy because of the weather forecast and, I need my sleep and I cant afford another soggy, wet and miserable night. My first night last night said a lot. first off a friend gave me my gear, sleeping bag, tent etc..they are for military summer camping, it is now winter time. My sleep was better than being held as a babe and rocked off to sleep, it was quite a refreshing sleep, my sleeping bag zipper is actually broken, but the shape of the bivy makes it feel brand new, traps in the heat and snuggles the body perfectly. I am not sure if it will do its job for the rain, as there will be possibly many, it looks like we will find out tonight or tomorrow and i will for sure update my review.
Performed as Advertised
Used the bivy for an overnight stay at 11,800 feet on Mount Massive and for two nights at Snowmass Lake. Got rain on Massive but not at Snowmass Lake. I stayed dry throughout. Nothing more than the normal amount of condensation expected with any bivy.