Gershon,

I used an Integral Designs bivy (not the Salanthe, but similar -- can't remember the name right now) for one of my AT thru hikes. It had a very light, flexible face ring, storm flap over the face and good bug net. It came in several colours including dark brown (mine was dark green).

It served me well, and I rarely used my poncho (though I had the cords and stakes to use it over my treking poles).

Once, without the tarp, in a driving rain of several hours, I got maybe three tablespoons of water inside.

Today I use a much lighter tarp/poncho and a much lighter MLD bivy, but still remember it fondly.

Only problem for me was that I couldn't cook inside and had to lay on my stomah and elbows to eat. In serious bug country, that did not work well.

best, jcp