How did I get on with the CHEAPEST BIVY ON AMAZON?? | Why was it so terrible? | Lytharvest Bivy

I love my camping and I'm always happy to rough things out when and if the need arises. But why on earth did I voluntarily spend the night sleeping in a cheap bivy, on a weekend break at the end of April, when the rest of the family were much warmer and far more comfortable, sleeping in the larger family tent?
There are numerous possibilities as to why I'd do such a thing, so I guess you just need to watch this video if you want to find out :)
If you watch - thank you! If you like the video, thank YOU!
And if you watch, like and subscribe, THANK YOU!
If you do none of the above, that's OK, have a great day, and thanks anyway for swinging by to check things out :)

[@fiona1963]

I love my bivy. I don't hoop or peg it. Always keep my face out, so no condensation. Use a tarp above if rain is expected.

[@RegMcPhee]

I suggest that you avoid allowing your groundsheet to extend past the edges of the tent. Tuck them in as needed. Otherwise, rain would drip down the sides and potentially roll under the tent and soak your bedding from underneath. Happened to me once during a thunderstorm. Regarding the condensation, did you seal up the door? Unless it's raining, you should just zipper the mesh to allow more ventilation. I also have a small single wall tent where the air vents do not carry enough air flow to prevent moisture build-up so I do not close up the vestibule.

[@DelsJogswithDogs]

Thanks for the groundsheet advice - certainly something to bear in mind. In terms if the condensation, I did sleep with just the mesh door to start with which allowed air flow, but closed things up halfway when it got a little chilly in the early hours. I preferred just the mesh to be honest - far less claustrophobic for me, being able to see outside!

[@michaelgilmore2417]

Hi, I'm hoping to go bikepacking on the Camino Portuguese, early spring, 2024, and I'm researching my sleeping options. This excellent presentation has answered a lot of questions. Thank you for sharing. Please let us know how you did in the competition. Mike from Moose Jaw. 0:29

[@oscar38]

​@@michaelgilmore2417let us know how you get on. Sounds brilliant. I like to bivvy in the woods, but the last 2 times an unknown insect has bitten me alive. Something to think about. Good luck

[@connorobridge]

Fantastic tip. Thanks for sharing your hard earned wisdom mate

[@dae46318]

I always leave the mesh half Open when i use One sheet tent to reduce the levels of condensation.

[@RainForestLeDoux]

I used this when going to the field when they would let us use more than our poncho liner and fart sacks.. absolutely love it for cool or hot weather camping when not aetting up twitch with air matteress.. when I camp with my family we go luxury.. when I go... a wool blanket. Sleep system and a bivy tent.. easy. Effective. Light weight. Water resistant and with proper venting can even keep you cool and away from bugs

[@TribusMontibus]

Good thing you experimented with it before the race. You don't want to run across such problems, for the first time, when it really counts. I had a similar experience last year (looks to me like I experimented with the same model). I was preparing for a 2000 km gravel bike ride, where I had to use my sleep system every night. I found its ventilation so bad that it kept me awake, breathing heavily. In the morning my sleeping bag was so wet from condensation that I left it behind (the experiment night was in the garden at my parents' house, 100 km from where I live). For the race I decided to use a regular bivy bag, keeping my breath outside. I slept well and never had a problem like with this suspended bivy roof. Kind regards and (much more) comfortable nights to you.

[@DelsJogswithDogs]

Wow! 2000km bike ride is impressive. Yes, in the end I just used the basic bivy bag that was provided. It did the job and I finished my race :) Hopefully more adventures for both of us, along with warm, dry, relatively comfortable night's sleep! Thanks for watching :)

[@michaelsboost]

That was the first bivy I got and I've never had a problem with it. Works great!

[@andnowi]

It would be ok subzero, apparently, as the condensation freezes. Otherwise, it looks pants. So you answered the question I've been asking myself: for now I'll stick to a tent.

[@lauriebloggs8391]

As you didn't get on with the Geertop Plume 2, I can't see how you would get on with this?

[@itsdeanya]

So if your groundcloth extends beyond the bottom of your tent or bivvy, then any rain will run right under you. Make your groundcloth just slightly smaller in footprint than your cover, so the rain can run off of it. Hope your event went well! Also, your mat can go under the bivvy instead of inside it. It's held in place by the guy lines staking out the bivvy.

[@itsdeanya]

sorry, just read another comment from a long time ago about the cloth. Happy trails!

[@DelsJogswithDogs]

Thank you! And thanks for the tips :) I can't remember the comment from before, but hopefully something made sense! Happy trails to you too, and thanks for tuning in :)

[@outofbounds2022]

I have used this bivy half a dozen times and the condensation has been an issue every time. It fills with condensation even when you are not in it. It's a moisture trap somehow. I'm not sure how that works

[@merson812]

Like you, I was concerned about condensation. Sorry you had a grotty night, what the very damp chill and the inconsiderate fellow camper. ✌️

[@MikeWD9JJV]

Can it be modified to put a vent at both ends? It just has to have more air flow.

[@DelsJogswithDogs]

There is netting so you could leave the outer zip undone to allow air movement. I was camping in April in the Canadian Rockies though, and it was too chilly overnight to leave it open. In the summer, it wouldn't be a problem though.

[@malacarabushcraft1451]

Y la condensación en el interior qué tal ???

[@DelsJogswithDogs]

Pretty bad as you'll have seen from the video, but to be expected given that it was a cheap option with poor ventilation. :)

[@malacarabushcraft1451]

@@DelsJogswithDogs Para usar solo en tiempo de verano 🙁

[@DelsJogswithDogs]

I think so, yes.

[@stevemorris3710]

Looks like a Lorra lorra fun!

[@DelsJogswithDogs]

Of course! That's what I keep telling myself anyway :)

[@kentwood9821]

Too bad they can't channel the water into a reservoir or something.

[@trailsandbeers]

you are doing a 200 mile race, why would you buy the cheapest instead of the lightest? fwiw when I'm fast tracking I use the Outdoor Research Helium, not the lightest but light enough and really good.

[@DelsJogswithDogs]

The purpose of using this particular one was to get used to using a bivy again, and being comfortable with being uncomfortable in preparation for my race. I never intended to use this one during the race :) We had a bivy bag provided for us anyway but i didn't need to use it and finished the 200 miles without problems :)

[@trailsandbeers]

@@DelsJogswithDogs cool, well done! I did my first 200 miler this year, also (surprisingly) no problems :)

[@akadog6319]

I just do not like getting in from the end.

[@mariofernandofreire4430]

👍🏕️🎖️🌷❤️

[@pauledwards499]

Definitely not the most comfortable way to camp, a standard bivi with a tarp is much better and much easier to get into

[@peesua]

A better deal for your money is the Trekmates Squall Bivy.