MSR Trailhead Bivi

Jump to: Our Verdict / Features / Specifications

Rab’s Trailhead Bivi is an ideal product for bivying when rain is not expected, or is only slight, it will prevent your sleeping bag getting soaked from dew in the morning. Combined with a tarp it will work for wet and windy conditions.

Rab says:

The Trailhead Bivi can be used as a standalone sleeping bag cover for lightweight mountain days or as extra protection under a tarp on backpacking or bikepacking trips. The lightweight waterproof construction keeps the worst of the elements off your sleeping bag, whilst an open face style offers great ventilation to reduce condensation.

Ideal for fast and light adventurers who find a zipped face bivi constricting, the Trailhead Bivi is 406g and packs down to just 18cm x 12cm. Stashable, simple and protective, it’s built for the hardy outdoor adventurer.

Our Verdict

Rab’s Trailhead Bivi is one of the simplest bivys available, it has an opening about twelve inches from the head end which is across the full width of the bivy and is closed using press studs (poppers). There’s a stiffener across the top edge of the opening to give it some structure but because it doesn’t fully close it is open to the elements.

The waterproof and breathability ratings are reasonable but not as good as some fabrics, such as Gore-tex or AscentShell (used in Outdoor Research bivys) so you’ll find a bit more condensation by the morning.

This is an ideal product for bivying when its not raining, it will prevent your sleeping bag getting soaked from dew in the morning. Combined with a tarp it will work for wet and windy conditions.

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• Lightweight and breathable waterproof ripstop nylon fabric
• 10,000mm Hydrostatic Head 
• MVTR 10,000 g/m2/24h 
• Taped waterproof seams 
• Simple snap opening entry with stiffened peak and integrated rain gutter 

Specifications

• Our weight: 411g (excluding bag)
• Length: 250cm
• Shoulder Width: 85cm
• Packed size: 18cm x 12cm

Material & Construction

• Top: 40D ripstop nylon with PU coating (108gsm) with fluorocarbon-free DWR HH: 10000mm MVTR: 10000g/m2/24 hrs
• Base: 40D ripstop nylon with PU coating (108gsm) with fluorocarbon-free DWR HH: 10000mm
• Main: 100% polyamide with polyurethane coating 
• Second: 100% polyamide with polyurethane coating

Help & advice:

• About Rab
• Hydrostatic Head
• Rab Sustainability and Responsibility