The North Face Assault Bivy

2019-04-26T20:00:00

I am a Veteran of the US Army, so anybody that knows what the standard issued bivy is like there, they can understand my complaints here. This bivy is absolutely excellent for keeping the wind off you. Insects, no problems. Snow, depends on good your sleeping bag is, a thin bag will melt the snow quickly, leaving the major downfall of this bivy very obvious. It leaks, and I don't mean it seeps from condensation, or just a few dribbles here and there. I means it leaks from every seam. The bag for those whom are not aware, is made of two halves of decently durable light weight nylon like material. These halves are sewn together first, and sealing poorly after. This seal leaks. The front zipper leaks a bit as well, but it doesn't take much effort to simple plan your position better to avoid this. I have had this bag since about Oct of 2018. I have used it every night since I bought it. I have slept in a foot of snow with this and lightweight bag, which will remain anon, as well as the heavier North Face Dolomite One. The Dolomite One really made the different and showed me where the leaking was occurring. From where I stand, I paid less than what the bag is priced at here. I would buy this again, if I knew I wasn't going to get rained on. I have slept in this bag through a blizzard with 60 mph+ gusts at 10k feet. It was fine until the snow melted and I was drenched. I slept in a swamp, just to see how well it did with insects. Not an issue. The seams, they need to be redesigned. I would pay more and deal with more weight and large stuff sacks if only it didn't leak.

Owl

Originally posted at

2019-04-10T20:00:00

The Assault Bivy is a top notch minimalist shelter best used in high altitude conditions. I am also glad to say that it was very waterproof.

Jeofforey

Originally posted at

2019-02-02T19:00:00

The only thing I don't like is how difficult it is to get into. After using it a dozen or so times I decided to put in a 30" side zipper. Took a while to do but it works. Still nicely sealed up but now its WAY easier to get into. The zipper and extra fabric added 1oz to the weight.

RyanJ81

Originally posted at

2018-12-30T19:00:00

Perfect for fast and light alpine climb and as security tool in skimo.

alerea

Originally posted at

2018-11-02T12:44:56

Caution, the review by Jim R. appears to be for the North Face Asylum Bivy, not the Assault Bivy the review is attached to.

David M.

2018-05-05T20:00:00

I had to get this product for my order of the arrow ordeal and am I glad I got while all the other people were huddled under tarps I was bone dry in the product.

Hello W.

Originally posted at

2011-08-16T20:00:00

love how small this tent is, easy to set up, extremely light weight. I bring it with me when I fly and travel, the roll-up size for my tent AND pad (neo-air) is less than most people's pads alone. definitely makes people I hike with think twice about how much tent they need. honestly in retrospect I think I might go with the mica tent because of two things: first, you can sit up in it, and second you have head ventilation. The reason I went with the asylum is because it didn't have the separate rainfly and I'm super lazy, so less setup work the better. cons: - doesn't have a mesh vent by your head that you can have open in rainy conditions (if you leave the door fly open rain will get inside)... this can make you feel a little claustrophobic and will keep your head area a few degrees warmer than outside in warmer weather - seams are taped along the bottom of the tent, but the top seams will weep when it rains- you'll need to use some of that seam sealer goop stuff to fix it - you really need to crank hard on the front and back guy lines to keep the sides of the tent from sagging, not a huge issue but I'd be afraid over time that the fabric would stretch and eventually you'd run out of slack to take up... haven't had that happen yet but it might long-term - fabric looks like it's under a lot of tension. I always worry it's going to rip off the connections to the lines and poles but it hasn't yet. knock on wood. - not freestanding (the mica is), this can be a pain if you're in tight or rocky areas as you must guy-line this tent down... and I'm lazy pros: - smallest and lightest tent you'll find - sets up in about 3 minutes after some practice - NO SEPARATE RAIN FLY (and yes the fabric does keep rain out once you seal the seams, it breathes well too) - foot vent (it's there, you can't see it in the pics, and it works well in spite of the head vent) - glow in the dark zipper chords - place to hang you headlamp - small area near your head in tent for your hat/book/wallet/whatever - really nice quality poles

Jim R.