User Review: Outdoor Research Advanced Bivy

Outdoor Research Advanced Bivy
Above: The current Advanced Bivy, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed May 2, 2008 by SRE

Rating:
Design: bivy bag
Sleeps: 1
Ease of Setup: 60 seconds blindfolded
Weight: 39 ounces
Price Paid: warranty

I just sent my old Advanced Bivy back for warranty because the seam tape had come loose around the base of the poles. Without comment, they sent me a brand new one... WHICH IS 10 OUNCES HEAVIER! The new spec weight (April 2008) is 39 ounces, not the 28 ounces of my old one and the even lighter weight mentioned in other reviews.

There are now several stiffeners around the zipper opening, and a new foot zipper, but the increase in weight means you are in the range of one-man tents now. Bummer. I loved my old bivy, and used it year-round for quite a while. Outdoor Research's warranty can't be beat, but the replacement isn't really in the same category as the original.