For all those people who use a bivy, I'm kinda curious, under what conditions do you carry it? Do you consciously plan on using it (as a primary shelter in lieu of a tent), or is it an emergency backup shelter for just in case? So do you carry a tent and a bivy, or just the bivy alone? And do you carry it everytime you go out for a hike, even when you don't plan on being out overnight? I'm starting to wonder if I'm overlooking the usefulness of the bivy.

LED,
what part of Socal do you usually hike? I can think of a few places that might require additional protection, but given our mild weather most of the year I've never really worried too much about shelter. If I had to spend an unexpected night out, I'll probalby be cold and miserabe, but I think with a couple of garbage bags and my normal dayhiking gear, I can survive pretty easily.

If you're still interested in a bivy, I'll sell you a brand new one <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />, it's exactly like this in black

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductD...EI_SEARCH#specs

BTW, way before i could afford a bivy, I've used a surplus bodybag as a cheap alternative when campign without a tent. It worked okay, not as nice as a traditional bivy, but hey it was only $10. Just make sure you get a NEW surplus bag. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />