Snugpak | Stratosphere | Shelter | 1 Person | 5000mm 100% Waterproof Outer

I purchased this item because I wanted an ultralight sleep system to protect me from the rain and harsh conditions of the Florida swaps. First, I considered buying a bivvi cover like the one I was issued in Ft. Benning. But when I saw the design of the Stratosphere I realized what I was missing out on. I decided to give the Snugpak Stratosphere a try due to the great reviews and the light weight and the use of poles that create more space (and breathing room) than the GORETEX bivvi bags. Think of this shelter as a tent and bivvi hybrid. While the Army issued bivvis are great, nothing can be done in them except sleep and perhaps write a couple of letters or reports. This shelter rewards very little work and effort (putting two poles in place) by giving you much more breathing room, temperature circulation, the ability to store a small pack or change of clothes, shoes (preferably in a plastic bag to prevent tracking in mud or water), and a rifle or weapon of similar or smaller size. The issued bivvi can also be too hot for use during the summer, unless you like suffocating and bathing in sweat. If you are not used to sleeping in a bivvi and this is your first time buying a bivvi shelter, understand that you will feel the wind and/or rain hitting any fabric against your body. I've had a couple buddies that had to get used to sleeping in the field with the sensation of rain hitting them (even though they weren't getting wet) but this isn't always a problem for people new to bivvis.I am extremely impressed with the Stratosphere and think that this system is probably the best shelter for use in warm weather because it has two screens that enable air to circulate and cool the unit. One screen remains open but is covered by a waterproof overhang (for use during rain) that can be rolled up (in clear weather) if desired to improve airflow. However, to do either of these actions, the occupant must get out of the shelter to roll up or extend and attach the overhang to the ground. In addition to the fixed screen, there is another that faces the foot of the unit. This screen works by unziping the shelter itself and using an alternate zipper (which has a rain cover) beside the main one. This screen does not have an overhang and must be closed during bad weather to prevent water from entering the shelter but this can be done from within.The material is very durable and lightweight. If the shelter is wet, it can be hung and dried in a matter of minutes. The nylon loops that secure the poles take a little longer to dry but that is expected since they are made of thick nylon. The zippers are good but one should use care to prevent snagging on the material (as with any fabric shelter). The shelter also includes excess waterproof fabric that double covers the zipper. I tested the unit using a hose and directly sprayed over the zipper area. Unless you are submerged in a puddle like a moron, no water will enter the shelter.The shelter (obviously) uses two poles that hold up the upper portion of the shelter (the area around your head and chest) up by about 2ft. I'm about 5'9 and the lifted area is from about my head to my upper waist area (the lifted area varies depending on height and bulk of the occupant). The poles are anodized and curved so they're not difficult to get into place. Also included are aluminum stakes used to secure the shelter to the ground (2 at the foot, 2 for the first pole, 2 for the second pole and 1 for the waterproof overhang for the rearward facing screen). The entire shelter (including stakes and poles) fits into a small bag (poles and stakes in their own separate bags within) that way you have the entire unit in one small compression sack (there should be a picture depicting the size of the entire shelter in the bag).If you research this shelter, you may find pictures of it with one nylon stake loop at the foot. This is not the model you should get (thankfully). Instead, the model that is shipped will have two nylon loops at the foot to help spread the material out and secure it to the ground. The color that you may see in some pictures can be a little misleading but the color in this photo is accurate: the unit is a very dark olive drab/brown. When I placed my order and saw the different pictures elsewhere, I was worried and contacted Snugpak because I wanted to be sure I got the updated model. To my surprise, the president of Snugpak USA, contacted me right away and informed me that I would be getting the updated model. Excellent, flawless, and fast customer service and communication.If you live in a region that is usually very warm, my suggestion would be to use the Snugpak with a poncho liner (aka "woobie") because a sleeping bag might prove to be too warm but a poncho liner can be wrapped under and above you depending on temperature, along with a a tarp set up above the shelter for covering your additional gear and allowing easier access into the Stratosphere during a storm. If you live in a colder region, the issued patrol sleeping bag paired with the thermal layer would be great. Hope this review proves useful to anyone considering buying this fantastic bivvi system. It is small, durable, lightweight, and versatile. To anyone planning to be in the field in a hot/cold region looking for an ultralight sleep system, look no further...

This is a pretty darned good bivvy shelter. It is well engineered, roomy enough, and lightweight as heck.Without the stakes, it takes about a minute to set up. The two poles are well designed and snap right into place. The result is about 2' of interior headroom. There are vents facing both front and rear in the head area. The vent at the head of the bivvy has a fly cover that stakes down to keep one dry in the rain. Alternatively, it can be rolled up to give a night time view through the bug mesh. The vent facing down is nice, but the shelter can be zipped up in the account of a rainstorm. There's a nice little mesh pocket in the roof of the bivvy where one can put a small lantern, phone, etc. When zipped up in a rainstorm, with a lantern and a book, a person is good to go.My Alps inflatable sleeping pad fits easily inside. With my sleeping quilt the room is taken, but I am warm. The bivvy adds to the temp rating of your sleep system. Now, for the zipper. There's a zipper part way down the right side that seals with overlapping velcro strips. For anyone who wonders how the heck they'll slither into a regular bivvy sack, this zipper makes it a lot easier. It isn't as heavy duty as it should be, perhaps, but I haven't found it lacking.I am 5'8", 200, with a 44" chest, and I like to sleep on my side. I can do that in this shelter. Granted, my sleeping quilt is contacting the bivvy shelter when I sleep on my side, but the point is that I can move around a bit. This shelter is not a body bag.The shelter is very lightweight. Light, as in, is this a *real* shelter lightweight. It packs up easily due to, again, good engineering. However, in my opinion, it works just as well if I take the poles out and throw them inside (they have a small carry bag, as do the shelter stakes), roll up my mattress and quilt along with the bag, throw a bungee around the not so large result, and throw it on my motorcycle like the bedrolls of old.In conclusion, this is a good investment. I don't see any significant improvement in far more expensive models. Of course, my uses are pretty forgiving. Nevertheless, it's a darned good shelter for the money, lightweight and well designed, and more than capable for the opportune camp site.

Great product. I have used mine for 5 different trips in the woods ranging from 3 nights to just overnight. The great parts are it is super low profile, light weight and very easy to take down.I’m six foot a bit over 200 and sleep on an inflatable pad, for take down I just pull the poles and roll the whole mix up. Plenty of room for me, a bit tight at the toe but I curl up so no worries. Temperature went from 45 down to 28 a couple of times and it held in my heat well.Some of tue down sides is that it is kinda hard to close from the inside, the zipper ain’t smooth when under tension, but you keep the tension to stay up. Also the poles could be better labeled for night set up. Another down side is on the night it rained water pooled by the feet. Didn’t make it through but the next morning I had an ice block by my feet. Not as awesome as you would think.Overall I would buy again, worth the money.

This thing is great and here is what you need to know.Its fast to set up.It's water proof. (I've heard others say it isn't)It's warm.It's tough I use it as a replacement for my normal Army issue bivvy.The color is great it's a good flat dark green.The pop up part is a nice touch but it still feels like a tight space. I leave it partially unzipped for more fresh air flow.The steaks are are good and durable and help stretch the structure out and get more space.I wish it was made for wide shoulder people because with a sleeping bag inside it can be a little too snug (no pun intended)