Our Modular Bivy allow a fully custom sleep system utilizing synthetic and down insulations inside an ultralight weatherproof outer shell.
Adaptable from 50°F (10°C) to 0°F (-18°C) these setups are equally at home on a summer FKT through to winter mountaineering, or for anyone favoring 'cowboy camping'.
The simplest option is the waist high Akula Apex Half Bag combined with the Skaha Apex Hoodie, a modern rendition of the classic climber's Elephant's Foot and mountain parka. Via custom options one can further build on coverage and insulation to expand the usage from mlld conditions towards higher and colder pursuits.
*The units are built with either synthetic Apex continuous filament insulation, or 900 fill power goose down.
*The recommended jacket is the Skaha Apex Hoodie, or, for winter applications, the Kobuk UL down parka, or if using the Nova insulated Bivy, possibly no jacket at all.
*For the half bag and its torso extensions the outer skin can be an ultralight waterproof/breathable ripstop nylon. This material offers moisture protection against splash, mist, heavy dew and very light drizzles/snow fall. These shells are not suited for prolonged exposure to rain and snow, and the seams are not seam sealed.
*For the jackets the same waterproof/breathable fabric is recommended, however the selections also includes non-waterproof, breathable options.
*The down filled Nano Liner Quilt is either 30° or 40° and offered with breathable, non-coated materials.
*An adaptable 3 season setup for the western United States mountains could read as follows:
1) Skaha Hoodie with 3.6 oz/yd Apex in torso, 2.5 oz/yd in sleeves/hood
2) Nova Insulated Bivy with 42°F foot/leg insulation and 50°F upper insulation
3) Nano Liner Quilt in 40°
Use this without Nano Liner quilt on warmer trips - add Nano for sub-freezing comfort.
The Basic consists of the Akula Apex half bag pared with a Skaha Apex Hoodie. Simple, lightweight and quick to deploy this adaptable setup is for fair weather recovery stops down to 35°. With full torso mobility one can cook, melt snow, eat; all from an insulated bivy. Find rock shelters or dense tree cover and extend the use to moderately wet conditions.
The Akula with the Bivy Sleeve option builds on the Basic by adding a simple waterproof/breathable sleeve to the half bag. Featuring a large draw-cord controlled opening one can adjust the utility from fully enclosing the user's torso and head with only a small face opening; to wide open with the option to pull the sleeve down under the arms for mobility, tasks and ease of getting in and out.
Build with an ultralight waterproof/breathable material matching the half bag, this uninsulated sleeve gives considerable weather protection, seals out drafts and adds a small amount of warmth in the torso region.
The Nova Insulated Bivy is no longer a 'half bag' but rather a full body insulated sack with a single layer fabric head cover. A zipper on the front allow ease of entry/exit and the use of arms outside the bag.
The insulation value can be custom selected individually for both the lower and upper half, to dial in the usage in combination with the Skaha Hoodie.
Selecting the 35° Apex through out the Nova, plus for the Skaha Hoodie is functional to well below freezing, but rather bulky and not particularly lightweight. A better option might be to add the Nano Liner below.
The down filled Nano Liner Quilt is a considerable cold weather boost to the system. It has a standalone rating of either 30°F or 40°F, and can also be customized with area weighted fill. The Nano is sized to optimize its role as an inner layer.
Features: Fully enclosed mummy like footbox flaring out to a blanket like upper and terminating in a drawcord controlled neck closure. Lightest weight, lowest bulk and ideal for regular, on-the-ground sleeping with the use of an appropriately rated inflatable pad. Easy to get in, simple to tuck and adjust, fast drying.
