Trying to find a bivy that is not a mummy. Found a pretty good deal on a military surplus Gortex bivy on Amazon, but it is way too small for ground use in the winter both in the foot box and height wise. It seems like the only bivys out there are mummies, and I want a rectangular. Suggestions?

Despite the fact that they tend to afford the winter-trekker that "up-North-at-the-cabin" sort of feel, I wouldn't recommend hauling a biffy around on a winter camping trip--be it mummy or rectangular; they're heavy, odoriferous, and just take up too much dang sled space. A roll of tissue paper and a concealing conifer roughly the height of a crouching adult male will serve anyone who needs to take care of that sort of business in the wilderness just as well. Oh....did you say "bivy", rather?

Now that you mention it, I've never seen a rectangular bivy either. I suppose you could easily make one out of tyvex. I have a surplus military goretex one. I hate it until the weather gets well below freezing. It's like sleeping in a sauna.

quote awbrown: "Now that you mention it, I've never seen a rectangular bivy either. I suppose you could easily make one out of tyvex. I have a surplus military goretex one. I hate it until the weather gets well below freezing. It's like sleeping in a sauna. "

The only rectangular ones I have seen are the ones I've used at Wintergreen when I would take groups of students dogsledding/camping. Paul had them custom made en mass years ago for him, and they are really nice. I could make one, I guess, but I am running shirt on time.

quote awbrown: "Now that you mention it, I've never seen a rectangular bivy either. I suppose you could easily make one out of tyvex. I have a surplus military goretex one. I hate it until the weather gets well below freezing. It's like sleeping in a sauna."

If you try Tyvek, try it at home first. I made one and found it did NOT breathe well enough and wet out sections of my sleeping bag overnite.

butthead

If you try Tyvek, try it at home first. I made one and found it did NOT breathe well enough and wet out sections of my sleeping bag overnite.

butthead"
I would not try Tyvek, but would rather purchase a breathable fabric akin to Gor Tex. Too short on time right now, however.

I do not want to sleep in a tent, so I may just bring the military bivy and drape it over my bag if need be. I am also planning on bringing a couple of tarps, so I may just plop under one of them and not bother with a bivy.

my bivy sack is rectangular, more or less. i'd have to go to my very cold garage to find out what brand it is.

"I do not want to sleep in a tent, so I may just bring the military bivy and drape it over my bag if need be. I am also planning on bringing a couple of tarps, so I may just plop under one of them and not bother with a bivy."

If that is the case then I recommend you bring a tarp or a CCS Lean shelter. If you look around online you can find ways to erect a tarp as a 3 sided shelter. I think Portage Keeper even posted something on how to do it but don't quote me.

Yep, leave the bivy at home (or in the store) and just go it under the tarp...if no chance of snow, just under the stars is nice too.

I have a couple of CCS tarps, and I will use these; thanks! Gonna spend next Saturday in a local state park to see if my pulk will stay in one piece and how the sleeping system works.

quote Frenchy19: "I have a couple of CCS tarps, and I will use these; thanks! Gonna spend next Saturday in a local state park to see if my pulk will stay in one piece and how the sleeping system works."

Good luck...!