Comments about The North Face Simple Bivy:

Bivvies were intended to be used for fast alpine overnight and not warm weather rain shelters, tarps fulfill those adventure necesities.

That said, this bivy is great for fall, winter and early spring weather. I've use it for muontaineering and alpine mixed climbs when condensation is kept to a minimum. In summer I recommend a tarp and a mosquito net instead.

This is one of my favorite pieces of gear because it is light, small, reliable and, above all, allows me to be independent and free of loud stinky tent-users =p.

Warning: Some people might not be able to sleep without the "safety" of tent walls against wildlife. I personally love this thing.

Comments about The North Face Simple Bivy:

I've used this product once so far. All in all, what a great piece of gear. I packs so small! I'm 5'11'' and about 195lbs. I brought along an Alps self-inflating mat to keep me off the ground, and a tarp to lay underneath it. The only thing I lacked was a sleeping bag. I just had a sheet. I was sleeping beside a waterfall, so it got chilly on April 7th and 8th in Tennessee. I recommend this if you don't mind sleeping in a small area, but it has a zip area for you to open up and look out of. Good stuff for lightweighters.

Comments about The North Face Simple Bivy:

I used this bivy on a spring break trip for 8 days, it rained 3 nights out of that trip, and my sleeping bag weighed about 20 pounds the next day after the rain, it is NOT waterproof whatsoever. If you plan on staying in a shelter or under a larger canopy tarp then it should be fine. I also used this Bivy in February in the Adirondacks, and it was great for winter conditions where the water stayed frozen, it kept me nice and warm in the winter.

Comments about The North Face Simple Bivy:

I compared this bivy to the Minimalist from REI. REI wins on color, but I chose this bivy because it will zip completely shut to provide total coverage (the REI leaves a hole that is only covered with mesh).

I have yet to try it in rain, but it has worked to keep me dry from outside moisture (while also breathing just fine), leaving my sleeping bag dry in the morning. I have used it while backpacking in the Sierra in October, a few days after a measurable snowfall.

On the negative side, I like to have the ability to have a hidden sleeping spot, and the colors of this bivy are only moderately camo-like. Not a deal breaker this time.