Whereas there are numerous methods to hunt shelter within the nice open air, a bivy sack (extra formally referred to as a “bivouac sack”) is without doubt one of the most sensible choices. Light-weight, compact and straightforward to arrange and pack away, bivies are the final word place to sleep on fast out of doors overnights. You’ll be extremely cozy within the mummy like physique whereas being protected against rain and snow in addition to any creepy crawlies on the bottom subsequent to you.
Hold studying to find why you completely want a bivy sack and 5 of the perfect bivy sacks accessible right this moment!
Our Picks for Finest Bivy Sacks 2025
Bivy Sacks: Comparability Desk
What’s a Bivy Sack and Why Do You Want One?
A bivy sack is a light-weight tent various that you would be able to carry with you on hikes, backpacking journeys, or any form of out of doors in a single day the place you’ll want shelter. Once you’re prepared for relaxation, merely pull out the bivy sack, stick your sleeping bag in it, and voila! You’re now protected against pests, chilly and Mom Nature’s wrath.
Tents are superior, however bivies are even higher, particularly for solo vacationers trying to shed as a lot weight from their pack as doable. They’re nice for adventuring within the backcountry by your self or taking lengthy distance bike journeys with undetermined returns.
Bivies are nice in case of emergency as they’ll shield you from the weather and chilly, and splendid for minimalists who don’t want all of the bells and whistles that include a tent. Bivies have probably the simplest arrange on the planet. Neglect the times of fumbling with poles and latches, making an attempt to get your tent to face when all you need is sleep!
Lastly, bivies are the perfect for all of the star lovers like me, as you may go to sleep trying to find constellations as an alternative of watching a material roof.
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Sorts of Bivy Sacks
There are three most important sorts of bivy sacks that you just’ll come throughout in your seek for one which’s good for you. Right here’s a fast lowdown on every sort.
4-Season Bivy Sacks
4-season bivies can be utilized year-round and are extra much like tents than simply a normal sack.
This sort of bivy usually comes with poles or stakes to create extra room round your head, and is product of powerful and sturdy supplies. 4-season bivies are usually essentially the most weatherproof by design and can be utilized in a variety of situations.
The one draw back to four-season bivy sacks is that they are usually a lot heavier than minimalist choices.
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
On the opposite finish of the spectrum, you’ve obtained your ultralight bivies that are designed with minimalism in thoughts. These bivies don’t have any poles however are as an alternative ultralight and packable. They’re nice to have with you in case you want an emergency shelter.
Bug Internet Bivy Sacks
Lastly, you’ve obtained your bivies to guard you from bugs.
One of these sack additionally tends to be light-weight and is nice for utilizing throughout truthful, dry climate. These bivies will maintain the bugs out with the built-in web, however don’t shield a lot in terms of climate.
Select a Bivy Sack
As a result of a bivy qualifies as a wilderness shelter, there are some prime issues to bear in mind when selecting a bivy sack that’s best for you.
Climate Resistance
In relation to bivies, climate resistance is a should. Even in case you’re planning to make use of it in dry situations, Mom Nature is notoriously unpredictable and also you by no means know when a midnight downpour will strike.
Even when it’s not raining or snowing in the meanwhile, it’s possible you’ll discover that the bottom you resolve to sleep on is moist. With out weatherproofing, you’ve obtained a soggy sleeping bag from the moisture seeping by way of.
Weatherproofing additionally helps insulate a sleeping bag which might be nice for winter tenting, but in addition detrimental in terms of condensation. As a result of the weatherproofing retains water out, the material additionally has a tough time letting the air that’s contained in the bag out. This results in moisture forming within the sack.
Bivies which have excessive breathability are higher in terms of condensation however they received’t shield you from the weather as properly. That is the trade-off in terms of extremely weatherproof baggage and is one thing to bear in mind when weighing your choices.
Weight
In addition to defending you from the weather, bivy sacks are perfect for shedding weight in your pack. Like all different out of doors gear, bivies are available in all totally different weights. Your selection will rely on what you’ll be utilizing them for.
When you go for a four-season bivy, you may count on that it’s going to be a bit heavier than in case you go for an ultralight shell. You must also remember the fact that bivy sacks with poles add extra weight than these which merely unroll.
Air flow
One of the vital essential elements of a bivy is that it’s well-ventilated. It will probably already be a bit uncomfortable to be restricted in motion whereas inside your bivy sack so the very last thing you need is condensation inside as properly.
Select a bivy that you would be able to unzip with ease once you want air. It must also have correct air flow in direction of your head in order that air can escape as simply as new air might be let in.
You’ll discover that bug web bivies are likely to have the perfect air flow as there’s a mesh panel over your face, whereas four-season bivies can get slightly bit stuffy.
It additionally helps in case your bivy has a pole or might be staked out to provide you extra space round your head which will increase airflow. Plus, nobody likes to sleep with a chunk of cloth on their face.
Measurement (Unrolled and Packed)
In relation to bivy sacks, measurement can imply two issues.
For starters, it may be the dimensions of the sack when it’s unrolled. Is it lengthy sufficient to suit your physique? Broad sufficient to your sleeping bag to suit inside as properly? Is there a foot field or does it taper out on the finish? These are all issues to search for in terms of the dimensions of the sack.
Alternatively, measurement also can seek advice from how huge the bivy is when it’s packed up. That is an especially essential consideration as a result of the packed measurement will decide how a lot house it’ll take up in your backpack.
When you’re making an attempt to make extra room in your bag, you’re going to wish to have a look at the pack measurement to guarantee that it’s certainly as compact as you want it to be.
Poles
As talked about, bivies are available in many styles and sizes. In some circumstances, they’re basically a sheet of waterproof materials that will get wrapped round your sleeping bag so you may sleep with out the worry of rain. Alternatively, much less minimalist designs create extra of a cocoon for tenting in chilly climate and harsher situations.
The latter sort of bivy sack usually makes use of poles or hoops which create a mini tent-like ambiance contained in the sack. They offer you some extra cupboard space and room to maneuver round, in addition to the flexibility to shed water and snow with ease.
The draw back? They’re a lot heavier and costlier as properly.
This determination completely depends upon what you intend to make use of your bivy sack for. When you’re searching for a extra everlasting tent various, it’s possible you’ll wish to go for one thing with poles. However if you would like a bivy that’s for fast, rare journeys, a poleless one will in all probability serve you simply high-quality.
Consolation
Lastly, you’re going to wish to decide a bivy sack that’s as comfy as doable. Whereas it will not be the Ritz, the best bivy can certain really feel plush and comfortable, particularly after an extended day of adventuring.
Consolation can imply a number of various things, however the important thing issues to bear in mind are safety from bugs, an honest quantity of wiggle room as soon as inside, ease of arrange and packability, and at last something further that makes the bivy particular like pockets, straps or hidden compartments.
Finest Bivy Sacks 2025
Listed below are critiques of greatest 5 bivy sacks available on the market proper now. Every has some loopy cool upsides, with some difficult downsides as properly. Hold studying to search out one which’s greatest for you!
Outside Analysis Alpine
Finest Bivy Sack for Chilly Climate Tenting
Execs: Nice for intense climate | Weatherproof however breathable | Hooped pole | Mosquito web | Sleeping bag straps & mesh pockets
Cons: Heavy | Could also be too heat for milder climate
Among the finest bivy sacks for excessive climate situations, the Outside Analysis Alpine will maintain you heat and dry it doesn’t matter what’s happening exterior.
This bivy comes full with 3-layer GORE-TEX respiration-positive cloth. Because of this it retains the rain and snow out with out trapping condensation inside — whole win! The ground can also be crafted from hydroseal-coated waterproof cloth to make sure nothing seeps inside, regardless of how moist the bottom is.
The seams on this bivy are totally taped so nothing might be getting inside with out your data. The overhead hooped pole makes for a roomy and cozy evening’s sleep.
This bivy is superior as a result of it’s spacious, comes with a mosquito web and storm flap, and even has straps to your sleeping pad and mesh pockets inside to your valuables! Coming in at 30 ounces, that is splendid for carrying on any journey.
Simply bear in mind, that it could be slightly heat for milder climates.
Outside Analysis Bug
Finest Bivy Sack for Heat Climate Tenting
Execs: Hooped pole at head for further room | Waterproof ground | Light-weight
Cons: Can solely be utilized in heat, dry climate
When you like the thought of the Alpine however are searching for one thing for heat, dry climate, the Bug Bivy actually does the trick.
Basically a large mosquito web to place your sleeping bag inside, you’ll actually get a very good evening’s sleep realizing all of the creepy crawlies are staying far-off from you. The ground of this bivy continues to be hydroseal-coated waterproof nylon so that you received’t have to fret about getting moist from the bottom up. However remember the fact that this bivy ought to solely be utilized in dry situations!
The hooped pole close to the highest of the bivy sack is nice for offering some further house whereas inside. The sleeping pad straps guarantee that nothing wiggles round whilst you attempt to catch some shuteye.
This bivy is about half the burden of the Alpine however continues to be crafted from the identical sturdy supplies so that you’ll positively be capable of stash it in your pack with ease. You’ll discover this bivy is exceptionally straightforward to arrange and pack away, however it’s possible you’ll find yourself being fairly chilly in case you use it in chilly, moist climate.
Black Diamond Highlight Bivy
Most Snug Bivy Sack
Execs: Roomy | Mesh and cloth cowl | Single pole
Cons: Costly | Heavy
A high-tech bivy that may really feel (and look) very like a tent once you’re inside, the Black Diamond Highlight is nice for longer wilderness excursions. There are tons of added advantages to this bivy sack that make it outstandingly comfy and comfortable to make use of.
First, this bag is product of waterproof, seam-taped ToddTex materials, aka it’s loopy waterproof and sturdy so that you received’t have to fret about leaks or seepage whereas in use.
The bivy additionally makes use of a single pole to maximise headroom with out including a ton of additional weight. When inside, you’ll don’t have any drawback respiratory comfortably as air flow is ample. Plus, there have been no sacrifices made between waterproofing and breathability.
Among the finest components about this bivy is that there’s a big mesh panel on the highest of the bag that you just’re in a position to fully zip over you. When the outer layer of cloth is unzipped with the mesh nonetheless up, you’ll be protected against mosquitoes whereas nonetheless with the ability to see the evening sky. Does it get any higher than that?
Nevertheless, remember the fact that this sack is actually on the pricer facet and is a bit heavy as properly.
Learn Extra: Final Information to the Finest Light-weight Sleeping Luggage [UPDATED for 2025!]
Sierra Designs Backcountry
Finest Price range Bivy Sack
Execs: Good value | Light-weight | Versatile | Mesh web over face
Cons: Much less sturdy | No pole so cloth rests on face | Might run quick
An excellent fairly priced bivy that will get the job executed, this selection is light-weight and versatile, making it good for any form of journey you’re headed to.
Weighing solely 14 ounces and product of ripstop nylon, this Sierra Designs bivy sack is the right light-weight companion to slot in your pack. It packs all the way down to solely 3 x 10 inches however nonetheless has all the principle options of a top-of-the-line bivy.
This sack is totally waterproof whereas nonetheless being breathable sufficient to let condensation escape whilst you’re inside. There’s additionally a bug web possibility that means that you can pull mesh over your face (whereas sleeping on hotter nights) to let air in and maintain mosquitoes out.
Nevertheless, there are a number of downsides that include this bivy sack.
First, there’s no pole on this bivy. That is nice for weight however signifies that there’s going to be cloth in your face whilst you sleep. It’s additionally much less sturdy than different bivy choices at the next value. Lastly, it’s on the shorter facet, so you’ll want to pay further shut consideration to the measurements earlier than buying!
Rab Alpine
Finest Minimalist Bivy Sack
Execs: Extremely minimalist | Loopy sturdy | Tremendous heat
Cons: No pole | On the slender facet | Solely actually good for winter
For all you minimalist campers, the Rab Alpine is a loopy strong possibility for top-notch shelter in chilly situations.
This mummy-looking bag is product of light-weight 3-layer eVent cloth. This implies it’s nice for unpredictable climate like rain or snow, however will nonetheless enable condensation to flee.
The ground of the bivy sack is crafted from sturdy, waterproof supplies so that you received’t have to fret about it snagging on a stray department or rock whereas in use. And whereas this bivy is exceptionally heat and nice for winter, it’s nonetheless light-weight, packable, and straightforward to tackle any journey.
The one draw back to this sack, in addition to the truth that it’s greatest for chilly climate slightly than all-year, is that interior house is critically restricted when inside. Since there’s no pole or hoop, there’s not numerous room close to the top. Plus, the slender physique might make you’re feeling claustrophobic when you’re all zipped up.
Are you now satisfied that bivies are a necessary piece of drugs that every one out of doors fanatics ought to personal? Severely, having considered one of these is an entire sport changer. Climbing and tenting with out the ache of lugging a heavy tent round? Depend me in.
What sort of bivy do you want greatest? Extra high-tech or are you a complete minimalist? Drop a remark under to tell us and within the meantime, pleased tenting!
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