REI Co-Op All-Season Bivy

Our take If you’re a minimalist camper or just want an emergency shelter, the sub-2-pound All-Season Bivy could be a lifesaver. Thanks to a waterproof/breathable membrane (eVent) on top and a 70-denier nylon floor, we had no problem weathering snow and slush in Alaska’s Chugach Mountains. A single overhead aluminum pole creates a little breathing room, and a structured visor allowed us to unzip for ventilation without getting a gust of snow in the face. Condensation was a problem, but no more so than with other bivies.

The details Thanks to corner guylines, the overhead pole, and an aerodynamic shape, we endured 45-mph winds without any buckling. A U-shaped zipper is easy to open and shut in a hurry, as we learned while escaping a swarm of mosquitoes on a spring day in Alaska. The 87-inch length is longer than average, and even tall testers fit gear at the foot.

Trail cred “I camped on a bed of rocks near the Kennicott Glacier and the bivy looks no worse for the wear,” our Alaska tester reports.

1 lb. 12 oz.