Bivy camping is not only practical at times, it can be a tremendously rewarding experience. There is nothing quite like watching the natural world coming alive in the morning from amongst the elements. Unfortunately, because of the increased risk of exposure (or discomfort for that matter) many opt for a full tent. The truth is, without the right equipment and knowledge a tent can be just as uncomfortable.
A bivouac sack, bivy sack, or just plain “bivy” is a waterproof, one-person sized exterior shell that lines the outside of your sleeping bag to protect you from the elements, insects, and from damaging your sleeping system. They are most popular among members of the climbing, military, and ultralight hiking communities however increasing in popularity as more and more people get outside.
In years past many people avoided this type of camping because it truly is “rouging it;” you do not have the perceived protection of a canopy or enclosed shelter. The truth is everyone should try it. With the right gear, mindset, and techniques, you can become more connected to the outdoors than ever before.
Gear List
Bivy Bag (or Bivouac Bag)
Thermal Sleeping Pad
Down Sleeping Bag
Waterproof Compression Sack
Waterproof Tarp or Pancho
Blow up pillow (optional)
Other comfort items that will improve your experience:
Jetboil/Camp Stove with Fuel
Merino Wool Base Layer
Fleece or down mid-layer
Waterproof hard shell outer layer (preferably GORETEX or similar)
Chapstick
Plenty of socks
Nalgene bottle
The rest is personal preference
Here are some tips on how to bivy camp properly:
Pick the right bivy bag
Light weight is great but should be considered with caution because you are more exposed to the elements. The most important factors are weatherproofing and durability. Outdoor Research’s Alpine Bivy is your best bet for overall quality, headroom, durability, and breathability but comes at a relatively steep price. In our opinion, this is one item you do not want to skimp on. Alternatively, and at a lower price point, is the Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy with similar features. When you order the bag, be sure to take the bivy out of its compression storage sack and inspect all the seams and zippers then zip yourself into it to ensure its big enough. Nothing is worse than getting out there and realizing its not the right bag or its defective!
Invest in a quality sleeping bag
The old saying “pack light, freeze at night” is absolutely true. While this saying may have more to with mental toughness, it can have severe consequences if the temperature drops too low at night. The sleeping bag is essentially your cocoon of happiness that goes inside the bivy bag. It is designed to trap your own body’s heat inside the tiny air pockets of the down filling. The first and foremost feature you must consider is the temperature rating. Do not expect to be even a little bit comfortable in a thin summer bag during late fall in Northern Minnesota. The temperature rating on most bags is really just a squishy guideline with no real formal basis. As a general rule of thumb, add 10 degrees to any rating and that is the lowest temperature you’d want to sleep in that bag. For example, a 20F rated bag is supposedly rated down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, but reality is it will be cold once it goes below freezing. If you generally run warm, you can flex a little but if you are normally cold all the time, you’ll need more insulation.
For winter or summer camping camping, the best 20-25F bags on the market are currently the Marmot Phase 20, Western Mountaineering MegaLite, or WM UltraLite. All of these bags are rated for low temperatures but are light and versatile enough to bring on any trip. They are costly–ranging from $200 to nearly $500–but generally worth every penny at about 3:00AM on a wind swept hill. For those on a budget, check out your nearest Army-Navy surplus store and find a new in package “black bag.” This is the standard issue bag which was phased out by the US Army and Marine Corps years ago but is extremely durable, designed for all environments, and won’t break the bank (warning: its not lightweight).
Often times I see people make the mistake of sleeping outside in only a sleeping bag. This is a mistake because differences in body heat on the inside and the dropping then rising temperatures on the outside will create condensation on all exposed parts of your bag. This results in a wet sleeping bag which, if made of down, renders the insulation completely useless. You will shiver all night.
Smart spot placement
Selecting your sleeping location is almost just as important as the right gear. Use common sense when finding a place to bed down. Generally, you want your head slightly up-hill, away from anthills/wasp nests, out of the tall grass, away from standing water, and under some kind of canopy (if possible). Look for elevated terrain and do not park up in an obvious drainage channel (look at the soil for clues). The Instagram images you see where people are perched out on a cliff or rock outcrop is not recommended.
Thermal layering
When exposed, your body loses heat in a number of ways. The most common is through evaporation, where your body sweats or gets wet and the passing air evaporates the water thereby cooling your body. This is why getting wet at night while sleeping in any way will ruin your experience. The other most common way is through heat transfer into the ground. The Earth will sap your body heat. To deal with this you must create a thermal layer between your body and the ground. A sleeping bag will not cut it because it will get wet and compressed down provides no heat protection.
For a layer you have 2 options: natural and synthetic. Independently they are effective but together, they make a world of difference. Natural options include stacking pine needles, hay or grass, or similar. The objective is to put as much air between you and the ground as possible. For synthetic, you can either go with a blow-up or a fold-out mat. The blow up will cost you more and sacrifices durability, but will not compress over time and retains it. The hands-down best one out there right now is the Therma-Rest NeoAir XTherm. It packs small and the stuff sack it comes with doubles as a pump. If on a budget, pick up the Therma-Rest ZLite Sol sleeping mat.
Just as I mentioned for the bag and the bivy, ensure that it is long and wide enough for your body (try it out before you leave) and pump it up before you leave at least once to check for leaks.
Rain fly
Depending on the quality of your bivy and then environment you are camping in, you may need to construct a rain canopy. If you have the time but do not have a suitable natural overhang, then construct a rain shelter. If you’re running ultralight and do not want to carry a tarp with you, use a multipurpose item such as a poncho. Here is a great video on how to construct one using paracord and a military style poncho (Credit: Corporals Corner).
Waterproof your bag
Although many of the products we’ve recommended so far are advertised as “waterproof,” the material finish is usually either insufficient for total water resistance or worn over time from washing and use. At least once per year you should apply waterproofing spray to your weather-facing gear such as your rain jacket, tent fly, tarp, bivy bag, poncho, lined boots, etc. We recommend CampDry and have used it for years. It allows water to bead off the material and protects your gear. Apply the spray per the instructions and let it hang in a ventilated area such as a clothes line outside.
Use a “hot bottle” for warmth
If you have a means to boil water (we use JetBoil Flash), do so and pour the water into a Nalgene bottle. When it is time to bed down, put the hot Nalgene bottle inside your sleeping bag between your legs or feet. The added warmth will spread throughout the bag and last for hours.
Don’t breath into your bag
And lastly, resist the temptation to breath into your bivy bag. On chilly nights where the air is dry and cold, it feels great to slip your face into your bivy bag and capture the hot air coming out of your lungs. Unfortunately this will usually soak your body and sleeping bag in condensation, resulting in heatless and consequently shivering all night.
The best way around this is to find a bivy bag that has a proper vent on or around the head. Some have a netting which will allow you to open the bag slightly to allow condensation to escape.
There you have it! You are ready to embark on your next adventure. With the tools and techniques in this article you can expand your range and abilities when exploring the great outdoors. Stay safe and put any questions you have in the comments.
Disclaimer: We receive compensation from some of the companies whose products are linked in this post. This allows us to point you toward the best gear, advice, and products for the job. Thank you for supporting Field Athlete.
