Outdoor Research Advanced Bivy

Hey Stephen, There are 2 poles, one is 50" and the other is 59". Hope that helps!

Actually, on the right-hand sidebar, bc.com does list that there are 2 poles and that broken down, the poles are 15.4" long. However, not having a bivy to measure the pole length put together I can't answer that. Though I have no idea why you'd want to know that.

No it does not come with a foot print and one is really not nessecary. If you are sleeping on rock a lot it might be worth carrying a tarp. Grabber and SOL make some great tarps that are heat reflective and super durable. Plus this will add some warmth.

Joel,

I'm about 90% sure the specs listed for the Advanced bivy are a little off--the Advanced is a slightly bigger bivy than the Alpine (and the specs listed are the same). That said, the width is still not big enough to fit the Bison perfectly. The shoulder width is probably 2-4" short for the Bison.

However, since you do have the pole system, the usable interior space is greater than a standard bivy and so the excess width of the bag should still fit in the bivy just fine so long as you are comfortable with a little less shoulder room than you are used too.

I hope this helps!

I would not be too worried about fitting into either unless you are much taller than 6'6". the alpine bivy is 3" shorter than the advanced, other than that, the dimensions are the same. the advanced has a 2pole setup where the alpine has one (which is partially why the advanced weighs 5oz more).

Hey Matt,

The Aurora, Alpine and the Advanced bivys use Gore fabric for the most waterproof, breathable fabric you can get. Proven technology, 100% backed by Gore AND by OR. The Aurora does not have a pole, the Alpine has one pole, and the Advanced has two poles with a foot vent. The Highland Bivy is also good, made of Pertex which is WP/B too, but Gore is more proven technology. Check out the OR website to see a video about the Bivys: http://www.outdoorresearch.com/site/browse/Shelter%20Systems.html

Thanks!

The waterproof overlap on the foot vent is quite sufficient to keep your bag dry. The Advanced bivy is a bit larger than the Alpine Bivy and feels a more spacious. (for a bivy!)

I haven't used this in a rainstorm but I can be pretty sure that if you open the mesh footbox in a rainstorm you're going to get wet.

Hey. Your answer is NO!!! :)

It is the only waterproof breathable Gore system that doesn't have a polyurethane lining on it. Because most Gore is used against the skin, the polyurethane lining makes the Gore layer wearable--prevents the lining from sticking to you as you perspire, but also cuts down on the breathability a tad. Since this system is never meant to be used next-to-skin, Gore foregoes that lining, increasing breathability and can only be found in shelter materials.

Hope this helps!

The Advanced, the Alpine and the Aurora Bivy all use Gore Respiration Positive membrane. They actually did tests when the zipped a person inside and monitored them with machines in a lab. VERY breathable. Probably the most breathable waterproof membrane that Gore makes.

Nope, there's a mesh lined vent on the foot box. Simply zip it open to let in the fresh air.

W.A.G.=5*F

It's just the tent.

I'm large (6'3", 214#) and used this with a MtnHdwr Switch in the mountains; very comfortable on the ground or with a mattress. I found it comfortable, didn't need the mosquito mesh that time, but I got this bivy to meet any situation. It has a loop on the top to tie it up to something if you want it "pitched" off your bag (tie it loosely). I was surprised with the room I had, more than I expected.

Think of it as a microscopic tent!

You can keep your sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and bivy all rolled up together. You'll just need to buy a bigger stuff sack to hold everything. Makes for a quick deployment especially if caught by a quick and unexpected downpour.

There's no insulation in a bivy sack. It's just a very small & compressible, minimalist shelter.You will need a sleeping bag or a sleeping system of some kind.