Many people have wondered if bivy sacks are actually durable and will keep you warm at night. In reality, though, it is difficult to find information about how well they work!
Most reports seem to agree that while some brands are more durable than others, all types of sleeping bags suffer from water penetration. If your bag gets wet, then your body can’t really heat up around those fibers so they may not fully retain warmth.
In fact, one survey found that almost half of respondents said their bivy sack would not protect them against moisture in cold conditions!
So what should you do instead? Invest in an alternative method of winter sleep such as using wool blankets or foam mats to lay on top of a normal bed frame. Both of these alternatives prevent water infiltration into the mattress area.
What is a Bivvy Bag?
A bivvy bag, also known as a bivouac sack, is an essential piece of outdoor equipment used for camping and mountaineering. It is a lightweight, waterproof shelter designed to protect a person from the elements while they sleep outdoors.
Bivvy bags are made from either a lightweight canvas or nylon and can be as simple as a large waterproof sack, or as complex as a tent-like shelter. They come in a variety of sizes and styles, making them suitable for a variety of camping trips, from a one-night stay to a multi-day adventure.
A bivvy bag is a great choice for anyone who wants to experience the outdoors without the bulk of a tent. It’s easy to set up and take down, and it provides a comfortable and dry sleeping environment. Some bivvy bags have a built-in mosquito net, keeping you safe from pesky insects.
Bivvy bags are most commonly used by mountaineers, who use them when climbing in extreme weather conditions. They offer warmth and protection from the elements while freeing up the climber’s hands to carry additional gear. Bivvy bags also provide a sense of security and privacy, which can be a great benefit when camping alone.
Bivvy bags are designed to be lightweight and compact, making them ideal for hikers and backpackers. They can easily be carried in a backpack or strapped to the outside of a pack, making them a great addition to any outdoor enthusiast’s gear list.
So if you’re looking for a lightweight, waterproof shelter for your next camping or mountaineering trip, a bivvy bag is a great option. It’s an essential piece of equipment that will keep you safe and dry while you enjoy the great outdoors.
What is the purpose of a bivy sack?
The bivy sack is one of the most versatile pieces of camping equipment available. It is a lightweight, waterproof shelter that is designed to provide shelter and protection when camping, hiking, backpacking, or any other outdoor activity. The bivy sack is designed to be lightweight and easily carried, making it the perfect choice for travelers looking to lighten their load.
But what exactly is a bivy sack and what is its purpose? A bivy sack is typically made of a waterproof, breathable material such as Gore-Tex or nylon. Its purpose is to provide an additional layer of protection from the elements. The bivy sack is designed to keep out rain, wind, and snow, while still allowing air to circulate, keeping the user warm and dry.
When using a bivy sack, you can either sleep directly on the ground, or you can set up a groundsheet inside the bivy sack. The groundsheet helps provide additional insulation and protection from the ground. This is especially important in cold weather when the ground can be extremely cold and uncomfortable.
The bivy sack can also provide shelter and warmth in more extreme weather. Many bivy sacks are designed to be used as a one-person shelter, allowing the user to stay warm and dry while camping. The bivy sack also provides an additional layer of protection from the elements, making it the perfect choice for travelers who are looking to lighten their load.
In addition to providing shelter and warmth, the bivy sack can also be used to store gear and other items. Many bivy sacks come with pockets and straps that allow the user to store items such as sleeping bag, food, and other supplies. This makes the bivy sack a great choice for travelers looking for a convenient way to store and transport their gear.
The bivy sack is an incredibly versatile piece of camping equipment that is designed to provide shelter and protection in any weather. Whether you’re a traveler looking to lighten their load or an adventurer seeking shelter in more extreme weather, the bivy sack is a perfect choice.
How do I choose a bivy sack?
Bivy sacks are essential for any outdoor adventure. They keep you dry when sleeping outside, and they also protect you from insects and other animals. The best bivy sacks are made out of ripstop nylon, which keeps water out while allowing air inside. A bivy sack should be able to fit into a backpack, and it should be comfortable to sleep in.
Types of Bivies Available
There are two main types of sleeping gear that can be categorized as either chemical or thermal insulation. Sleeping bags use heat-trapping materials to keep you warm, while blankets help regulate your body temperature by keeping you warmer or cooler depending on what material you choose.
Thermal insulators are made of wool or other heavier fabrics which retain significant amounts of warmth even when wet. A layer of the thermal blanket is then used under this fabric bedding to protect it further.
Chemical insulation comes in the form of goose down or polyester fiberfill that we pack into padding products like pillowcases and mattress covers. These products contain small particles of foam or plastic that work together to create an extra barrier against moisture and hot air.
Are bivy sacks reusable?
Bivy sacks are great for camping trips, especially when you don’t want to carry around all those heavy sleeping bags. They are also useful for hiking, backpacking, and other outdoor activities where you need to stay out overnight. However, they are not designed to be used year after year. If you plan on using them again, wash them thoroughly and store them in a dry place.
What technology from Pertex is used on the Outdoor Research Helium BIVY?
The outdoor research helium bivy uses Pertex Quantum 2.0 fabric which has been treated with a proprietary coating called “Pertex Quantum” that repels water while allowing perspiration vapor to pass through. This unique treatment allows for moisture management and breathability, keeping you dry and comfortable during extended periods of activity.
Buying Guide
There are many brands of sleeping mats and bags that claim to be “waterproof” or at least water resistant. While some may try hard to hype up this feature, there is no proof that they are actually keeping your bed dry!
Most people believe that products with this feature must also contain an anti-soil layer or membrane that prevents moisture from escaping. This is not true!
The term “waterproof” does not mean what it seems like it means! Many companies take advantage of this vague terminology to sell higher-priced versions of already inexpensive products.
They might call their product “waterproof” but if you look closely you will see that it only has a thin coating which can easily be worn off or scratched away. If you need absolute certainty that your mat will keep your mattress drier than a house, then buy nothing but black ones!
This article will talk about why most types of sleep system materials are not truly waterproof and whether buying a more expensive model makes much of a difference.
Bivys vs. Tarps
As discussed before, tarping up is your best bet for protecting yourself from wet weather while camping or traveling. However, not everyone has access to a tent with a built-in rain cover nor do they want to carry around another piece of equipment.
A more affordable option is bivvy sacks. These typically weigh less than one kilo (2 pounds) and can be used as either a sleeping bag or thermal blanket.
Many people have experimented with using bivy sacks instead of a regular warm layer when camping in the winter. By doing this, you will be very comfortable during sleep due to the additional insulation.
However, what if the bivy sack gets waterlogged? Unfortunately, most bivy sacks are not waterproof! This means that it may be possible to get wet if you lie down in heavy precipitation.
Luckily, recent developments have made it possible to purchase lightweight, fully insulated blankets that are also waterproof! Read on to learn more about these products and how to use them.
The Pros and Cons of Bivvy Bags
In fact, some people say that bivy sacks are actually worse for your gear than not having one at all! This is because they suggest that by using a good quality bag, you will get water seeped into your sleeping system, not to mention wet clothing in case of a nighttime weather change.
If this sounds like something you have been considering then read on we have gathered together all the information you need to determine if these fears are justified!
Firstly, let us look at why someone might choose to use a bivy sack instead of an adequate shelter such as a tent or cabin.
Some claim that it is due to weight savings but this really depends on what kind of camping trip you are planning. If going during winter then definitely keep hold of those saved pounds as snow shelters can be heavy!
Another reason given for using a bivy pack is the ease of use. However, this only applies if the person choosing the item has done some basic research first, making sure there are no risk factors involved in using them.
Something important to note is that even though a bivy may state it is dry-proof, this does not mean it is totally impervious to moisture.
Which One Is Better?
This article will talk about whether or not bivy sacks are water-proof. If you look up ‘bivy’ in Google, the first result is usually an advertisement for these products. That is why it is very important to know if their DERIVATIVE, OR COVER, IS WATERPROOF!
A bivy sack derivative that is typically overlooked is its PURCHASE FOOTING. If you purchase your bivy bag from Amazon or another large online seller like eBay, they often times use thin plastic sheets as a backing. These plastic layers are LIGHTWEIGHT AND EXTREMELY THIN! Some even say they may be harmful due to possible exposure.
This could pose a problem when trying to keep your bivy dry because this layer of material cannot withstand heavy rain. It would have to be either removed or reinforced which could potentially reduce the durability of the pack.
The Bivvies vs. Waterproof Backpacks
Most people use either bivy sacks or backpack covers to help them stay dry while they are sleeping. There is a very popular perception that because bivy sack brands advertise their products as being ‘waterproof’, then they must be truly waterproof.
This is not necessarily the case though.
Bivy bags with the word ‘waterproof’ attached to them come with limited waterproof qualities. They can be dried out and re-sealed many times before they become completely reliable.
Some companies will state that their product will keep your skin dry for an hour which is good but what if you need longer than that? You would have no way of staying warm and/or protecting yourself from moisture loss unless you had another method at hand!
That is why there is a second option available instead – backpack cover products. These do not contain any kind of material that can be sewn together like a bag, so they cannot be re-closed when opened.
They are just a piece of fabric that you pull over your backpack to protect it fully and to create more space in the compartment for other things such as towels. Because these covers are only a thin layer of material, most people find that they are enough to satisfy their needs even if the pack does get wet slightly.
Why You Need To Know About Bivvy Bags
As we mentioned before, sleeping in an adequate bed-like space is one of the most important things you can do to improve your sleep quality and nighttime rest. If you are spending lots of money on a new mattress or trying to find a comfortable temperature for your current one, then investing in a good size bivy bag may be your next best step!
A bivy sack is typically made of heavy cotton material and has a zipper closure that allows you to get access to the interior easily. The insulated interior helps keep the heat or cold out, depending on what season it is, and the lower cut-back end keeps excess warmth from rising. This also prevents condensation which could cause water damage to the pack if it leaks.
Many people use them as a warm winter weather sleep option or as a cool summer evening one. Either way, they work! Unfortunately, not all bivy sacks are designed with the same level of durability so here we will go over some pros and cons of different models to help determine which ones are worth your money.
Testing Out Our Own Bivvys
Over the past few months, we have experimented with many types of sleep systems to determine which ones are truly worth your money. Some work better for some people than others. Since this is a personal preference, there is no right or wrong way to do it!
That being said, we decided it was time to add another level to our test bed – the price! We wanted to see if these expensive mattress-cum-bivy packs were actually that much more durable than their cheaper counterparts.
So, here’s what you will need to know!
Briefly mentioned in my last article why investing in a good quality bivy bag is important, one of the key benefits of a sleeping bag/mattress combo is how well they keep your body warm while also limiting heat loss.
This is particularly helpful if you go off-grid for part of the night as most beginner backpackers probably don’t. Many inexperienced campers forget about staying dry during the night!
Sadly though, not all sleeping bag models feature adequate moisture management. This can result in excessive sweating, especially when you wake up in the middle of the night. This may be due to the materials used, but mostly due to poor ventilation.