Camping gear review: Go ultralight with the Sierra Designs Zagori bivy sack

The Sierra Designs Zagori Bivy

Ultralight is the hottest buzz word in backpacking. Open any issue of Backpacker magazine, and you’ll see no fewer than a dozen references to it: Hike farther with a light load hauler! Lose weight fast! Cut six ounces by trimming excess pack straps! Ditch your top lid to slash up to 10 ounces!

Please don’t take this as an act of insolence or disrespect to Backpacker. Common sense dictates that you have to carry everything you stuff in your pack. Unless you have a Sherpa. So next time you strap on your pack, leave the tent at home and bivy sack it with a Sierra Designs Zagori.

Last weekend, while climbing Quandary Peak (14,265) in Colorado, my husband and I did just that. The Zagori is an exceptional camping tool for the following reasons:

• Six slider zippers let you adjust access for your head, face, and arms, and be able to sit upright while cooking or reading a book.
• Oversized foot box is large enough to stash your boots and socks, or other smaller items that you don’t want to get wet.
• Five stake-out loops will keep you and your sack secured to the ground.
• Two hood vents can be opened internally when the sack is completely zipped.
• A wire hoop holds the hood off your face if you have to suddenly cocoon yourself due to inclement weather; also helpful for eliminating the burqa effect that one can feel when zipped inside a bivy.
• Mesh face window keeps the bugs away while still allowing you to look up at the stars.

Construction is impressive, too. The Zagori bivy is made of Drizone™ waterproof fabric that repels rain and wind, but is breathable to keep your shelter dry and warm. Almost too warm. I found that I couldn’t sleep completely zipped because, despite the temperatures dropping to the mid-40s at night, I started to sweat and had to unzip. At least you know you’ll never get cold camping with this bivy.

Sierra Designs also added seam-welding technology, instead of sewn seams, to make the Zagori more durable and waterproof. And then there’s the weight issue. It’s a hair or two over one pound; our North Face Roadrunner two-person tent bumbles in at a porkish eight pounds.

I'll do the math quick: Eight pounds? One pound? Eight pounds? One pound? Eight pounds minus one pound equals seven pounds you don't have to carry.

Spankingly good news for my husband since he’s the one that always carries the tent.

To get the most comfortable night sleep, purchase five stakes for the stake loops. I didn’t buy these before our trip (they don’t come with the sack) so I ended up about 10 feet away from my husband during the night due to normal tossing, turning, and rolling. Also, if you’re camping under a tree, string a light rope or guy line through the top loop and tie to a branch to achieve the same effect as a pole.

I couldn’t be more pleased with the Zagori. It’s lightweight, minimalistic, durable, and roomy. It accommodated me, my camp pad, and a sleeping bag, while letting me star gaze before falling asleep. The stars always twinkle brighter in the mountains.

It’s simple to set up, too. Just remove it from its sack and spread it out on the ground. Reverse steps to pack up.

Props once more to Sierra Designs. A few action photos of the Zagori:
 

Pair this bivy up with an Origo Rendezvous Peak watch for an extra-safe backcountry trip. I'm sporting it on my left hand in the photo above. You can't miss it. It's huge.