Winter Bivy

When I first took this out of its packaging I was surprised at how light it was. I then opened it up and thought "how water resistant can this be?"



A quick shower test showed the fabric to be nearly water proof right out of the packaging but if water is allowed to pool on the bivy it will soak through in time.



The Epic fabric generates a lot of static electric charge in dry environments so at night if you want a lightning show just keep moving around...



The Epic fabric has prooven to be one of the more breathable fabrics I have used. Usually I feel all clammy in a bivy but this fabric seems to let the moisture out better than most.



I would recommend seam sealing the bivy if you are going to try using it in wet conditions.



I bought the winter bivy for emergency use and for use in a tent as an extra layer over my down sleeping bag.



So far I like and dislike the bag opening. It is across the shoulders and does not open as large as other bags I have used. Stuffing my -25 degree bag in was a little harder than other side opening bivys but not all that hard. I found it harder to get into and out of but liked that I could leave it open and it ran across my forehead and left my face exposed.

Considering the size and weight of this sack it does an incredible job at keeping moisture out.
The first night I spent in the sack there was heavy rain, conditions which the back isn't made for, and by morning my sleeping bag was only slightly damp. I wouldn't actually recomend using this bivvy bag under such conditions but it is nice to know that it will "do the job" if you are caught out with nothing else.
I have since sprayed a silicon based water repellent onto the fabric and seam sealed it to make it even more water proof. And this has only made it better.
All things considered I am really happy with it.

This is a nice thing to have on winter trips when using a down bag. It is small, light and works well.