Your personal bug bunker.
Consider the Outdoor Research Bug Bivy as your personal fortress against blood-thirsty insects when you're sleeping soundly under a brilliant canopy of stars. This ultra-light bivy lends itself to minimalist backpacking trips where two things are certain: swarms of biting insects and pleasantly clear weather. No-See-Um Mesh facilitates impressive stargazing on cloudless evenings while keeping biting insects from feasting on your slumbering self. Hydroseam (2-layer) floor material and fully sealed seams prevent ground moisture from seeping through and dampening your sleeping bag.
The Bug Bivy retains its structure in blustery conditions, thanks to a Derlin Single Pole system, three stake loops, and two guy line loops. The Derlin Single Pole system is removable for ultralight backpackers shaving every possible ounce of excess weight. Other key features include sleeping pad straps for a secure fit and an internal mesh pocket for stashing small essentials, such as your flashlight or glasses.
Details
- No-See-Um Mesh upper (polyester)
- Hydroseal floor (2-layer)
- Seam-taped floor
- Derlin Single Pole system
- Sleeping pad straps
- Internal mesh pocket
- Three stake loops
- Two guy line loops
- Item #ODR00G4
This item is made with PFAS chemicals.
- Material
- (body) [face fabric] 100% polyester mesh, (floor) [membrane/laminate] Hydroseal (2-layer), [face fabric] 100% nylon
- Poles
- yes, Delrin single-pole system
- Pole Attachment
- fully sealed
- Seams
- taped floor seams
- Interior Height
- 17 in
- Floor Dimensions
- 89 x 26in
- Trail Weight
- [with pole] 16 oz, [without pole] 14.9 oz
- Recommended Use
- backpacking, ultralight backpacking
- Manufacturer Warranty
- lifetime
Reviews
Q&A
What do you think about this product?
Overall Rating
4 based on 35 ratings
Review Summary
Customer Images
Here's what customers have to say
The Outdoor Research Bug Bivy is a lightweight and versatile bug protection solution for camping and backpacking. It is praised for being easy to set up, providing good ventilation, and keeping insects at bay. Many users find it roomy enough to accommodate a sleeping setup, and it packs down small. However, some note it may not offer adequate protection in peak bug season, and the poles can bend easily, causing the netting to sag. Overall, it is considered a good option for warm weather use, especially when paired with additional weather protection.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews.
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Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageJune 20, 2025
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I have not used this yet. Will look to pair with my tipi tent during mid season for bugs

Originally reviewed on ExpertVoice.com
June 15, 2025
Good product
I gave it 4 stars because it didn't come with instructions and the hole where I am supposed to put the pole in was sewn shut. I had to figure it out and cut the threads myself. It could easily be over looked by others.

Originally reviewed on ExpertVoice.com
May 31, 2025
Excellent summer bivy!
Easy to set up, light, and well built... love this bug bivy!

Originally reviewed on ExpertVoice.com
May 16, 2025
Poor directions
What a terrible purchase, might as well not even have directions. I guess I'm just not smart enough to set it up. Let alone there are no videos on this thing
Originally reviewed on outdoorresearch.com
September 4, 2024
Did well until major mosquito attach.
The only real problem that I had is that it rested on my toes. When the bugs were really bad, I still got bitten by mosquitos there. Otherwise, it provided the protection I was after.

Originally reviewed on ExpertVoice.com
June 4, 2024
Hard to get into, very cramped, and fragile.
You can only enter this bivy through the zipper in the top, and for a fully grown man, it's not an easy feat. Once inside, it's very cramped. On top of that, the mesh broke during the first use. Needs a serious redesign. Currently I would only recommend this for a very small and nimble person that would treat it with utmost care.

Originally reviewed on ExpertVoice.com
May 31, 2024
Worst money I ever spent
I bought this at a local sports store just v hours before sending my daughter off to camp. Spent a fortune on it! Brought it home just to realize it's nothing like the "drawing" and my daughter said it's like sleeping in a prison. She asked why she couldn't have a nice mosquito cover like all the other kids. Those covers are half the price but that store didn't have any left.
Originally reviewed on outdoorresearch.com
June 14, 2023
Pole issues after 1 night of use
Typically I'm big on OR, but this missed the mark BIGLY for me. I feel the quality is lacking in the poles. The ferrules are either plastic or worthless metal, one had a crack 7/8 its length, another was showing a weak line about 1/2 its length. TBF the bivy itself was quality one would expect from OR, but those ferrules were not. Also note that if one sleeps on a thick pad, best to put it under the bivy not inside or you'll be scraping the roof with your face.

Originally reviewed on ExpertVoice.com
June 13, 2023
the bivy does what its suppose to. its lightweight and setup in seconds. it is a very tight squeeze and may feel constricting

Originally reviewed on ExpertVoice.com
November 19, 2022
Bugs be gone
I spent the summer in the Southern Utah desert doing fieldwork. This bivy was great when the bugs got bad. I slept easy knowing I wouldn't wake up snuggling a snake or scorpion. The bivy is easy to set up, super light, and seems to be durable enough...I've spent about 25 or so nights in it with no issues.

Originally reviewed on ExpertVoice.com
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