GREAT bivy both for the price and the performance. I went through every major bivy sack maker and finally ended up going with the Salathe for a couple of reasons. First, Climbing Magazine had an article back in 1997 that went through all the major bivy sacks for climbing and chose the Integral Designs South Col. This selection was seconded by Gripped Magazine in 2000 (check I.D.'s web site http://www.integraldesigns.com/bivy-frame.htm). The only difference, basically, between the two sacks (the South Col and the Salathe) is that the Salathe breathes better b/c it zips open farther down the side (which also decreases the watertightness, but I haven't had a problem). Second, the sack is simplicity at its best. While I appreciate some of the pole designs on some bags, I just want simplicity without the bag on my face. I didn't want to mess w/ the damn poles and have to worry about losing/breaking them. The Salathe complies with an adjustable wire over the face that keeps the material off your face if and when you need to zip it up (granted clausterphobics might want the added room poles give). When I climbed Shasta's Casaval Ridge, we had to scrape out a small ledge on a steep slope to set up camp. My buddy's North Face Bivy's pole broke and he spent an hour trying to jimmy the thing. Third, the Salathe performs. It is made for climbers and light-weight backpacking. The zips go down to the waist in case you need to spend the night in a harness and there is netting (A MUST) for the bugs. I have had the bag on Shasta at 11,500, up at Yuba Pass in CA snowshoeing at 20 degrees, and in Utah on Mt. Timpanogos in 70 degree weather. Never too stuffy. Haven't had it in a torrential downpour, just light rain, but the seems are sealed and the company sends sealer if you want more. The Climbing Mag. article said that the Tegraltex (I.D.'s version of Gore-Tex) in the bag performed at least as well as Gore-Tex in their tests, and I certainly haven't had any problems. I got the long so my sleeping bag, pad, and anything I want to keep warm and dry fit fine, with everything stuffed to the bottom. ONLY complaint is that there are no stake out points if you leave it empty. I have to lay my pack on it to be sure it won't blow away when I leave it out and unoccupied. Bottom line, great bag and at least $100 cheaper than a lot of competitors.

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No need yet.

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First bivy and won't be going back to tents.

I've been using the Integral Designs Salathe Bivy for general backpacking for three seasons. The first season I spent about 20 comfortable nights in this bivy including one memorable night at 10,000' in the Sierra Nevada's in which six violent storm cells rolled through. We encountered everything from drenching hard rain to golf ball sized hail stones that night. In the morning, only my Salathe was completely dry. Three other brand name shelters had serious condensation problems or leaked along seams.

The long zippers along the sides of the bivy sold me on this model. They allow you to open the bivy on warm dry evenings, well worth the extra few ounces that the zippers add to the design, without compromising the integrity of the shelter. After opening the zippers, you just sit down in the bivy. No struggling in from a constricting top opening like those found in the OR bivies.

The bug netting also works like a charm.

What would I change in the Salathe? Make the wire in the hood removable, and offer a delrin rod replacement for those trips where an extra few ounces don't matter. I'd also add a few small tie outs for staking the bivy down when empty on windy evenings.

This one is a keeper! I haven't packed a tent since finding the Salathe Bivy.

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Walrus Micro Swift

I bought this bivy sac for light weight durability in the wet/cold northwest cascades. My first night was at Camp Muir @Mt. Rainier @10,000ft clear sky and cold!! with only light clothing on and a 15 degree down sleeping bag I was flat out toasty! My insulated pad fit right inside , the side zips where great for venting. I closed all the zippers and breathability was ok once in awhile I cracked them for air. I'm a restless sleeper and moving around in the biv sac was no problem. I woke up to a familliar crunching of frosted over biv sac (outside) dry on the inside!!The side zips were nice also for access to my stove for hot coffee in bed!! Space was limited @Camp Muir too, so I had no problem finding a spot ! I carry my bivy everywhere in my pack ,You never know . Snow camping a great plus for down sleeping bag owners no wet bag in snow cave or tent!!

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REI was selling them so fast I grabbed the last one off the display !! Good camparison charts and staff with experience.

I've used this bag extensively here in the Northwest, and as yet have experienced no serious drawbacks. I don't take it when I'm expecting rain, but the few times I've been caught it's held up admirably. For high bivouacs, it beats lugging a tent. And I love the zippers on either side that go to my waist, allowing me to fold down the upper half.

But the wire hoop is next to useless: I'm thinking of removing it altogether. (At least it's light.)

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I ordered direct, since the Salathe wasn't available locally. They helped me decide which bag was right for my style, and processed the order urgently for an upcoming trip.

i used this bivy first for a month long road tripon the west coast. i slept in it for 3 of 4 weeks and enjoyed every night. held up well against rain. the bug netting is an excellent feature. the wire they use to support it is very functional.you will have to leave it open a crack to allow air in on those rainy nights. an excellent purchase.