Truth About Using a Bivy - When, Where, Why and Why Not
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- čas přidán 15. 06. 2024
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This episode is all about Bivy's and Luke will be going over the Pros, the Cons, When, Where and Why to use them...also, when not to.
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Truth About Using a Bivy
The topic of this video deals with Bivy’s and specifically on when to use them and when not to. Before going any further, do keep in mind that these are my thoughts, my experiences and are based on using bivys for decades. Since I started the channel, you all have seen me use a bivy in rain with a tarp, in freezing rain and sleet all by itself, you have seen me use them in cold conditions below 0f and in the snow. I have also a bivy on warm summer nights in very humid conditions.
To start, lets go over what a bivy is;
Bivy sack, aka, bivouac sacks are specialized pieces of gear and like any tool will have a right time and place to use. This is true with virtually any piece of gear but bivys are especially polarizing in terms of use; they can be amazing in certain situations or downright awful!
It was invented to serve climbers who wanted lightweight emergency weather protection for sleeping bags during multiple-day ascents, particularly on big walls.
Early bivy sacks were little more than waterproofed nylon slipcovers for sleeping bags-good for shielding sleeping bags from rain, not so good when ventilating vapor produced by body heat.
Bivy design today involves 2 tiers of fabric:
· The bottom tier typically consists of a durable grade of nylon coated with urethane to make it waterproof. This is the same material used for most tent floors.
· The top tier is usually made of ripstop nylon (a lighter fabric) and treated with a waterproof, breathable laminate such as Gore-Tex®.
Types of Bivys :
Structured vs. Non-structured. Structured bivy sacks are great if you like a little bit extra wiggle room. They give you extra head space and breathing room. Non-structured are perfect for when you reach extreme elevations, and you really need to cuddle up to hide against the elements.
There are also Bivy Tents like the Ionosphere but that is more of a tent than a bivy and won’t be discussed in this video.
Fabrics. There is a wide range of materials which are used for bivys including gore-tex, nylon, and so on. Goretex in general is the most expensive due to the waterproof and breathable properties of gore-tex…those benefits translate to heavier weight. Nylon will be less expensive, less breatable, lighter in terms of weight.
Openings. Some allow for you to crawl in, some unzip and you plop yourself inside of. Some can be closed up completely to block bugs and some will remain open.
Size/weight. While fabric has a lot to do with the weight of your bivy sack, there are plenty of options to choose from in size. Because the bivy sack was created for the minimalist, you do have many ultralight options. Remember, not all bivys are light and in fact, some can be heavier than a 1 person tent.
Pros : Generally lightweight, can add up to 10 degrees to your sleep system which may be desired for cold weather trips, most are either waterproof or at least, water resistant, can be bug proof if your model is sealable, when using a bivy by itself and in good conditions, you are going to be able to make camp in places you never thought possible; locations were are impossible for tents and other shelters. Block the wind wonderfully. Super easy, simple and quick setups
Cons : Not a good solution for rainy and wet conditions unless used with a tarp, bivys add numerous degrees of warmth to your sleep system which you may not desire if it is warm and humid. Condensation issues are common with bivys, bugs can be unless your bivy features a way to seal up the entrance….if you can seal yourself in, you will be adding more warmth and will be limiting your venting…that equals more moisture. Bivys are generally very limiting in terms of space….if you love being restricted and having limited amounts of room to move around, you’ll love a bivy (most people don’t like either of these). If you are a fan of sprawling out and having a lot of space, a bivy can take some time to get accustomed to.
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Grea explanation Luke. Thank you!
Hell yea
@@markleavey1 x
Good summary, but there is an additional advantage which wasn't covered. In exposed areas where you might get caught in a storm, a bivy (or a very low bivy-like tent) keeps you safe at windspeeds that would destroy most larger shelters. The same goes for big dumps of snow.
As a grunt I lived in my bivy for 4 years!
Sounds terrible
@The New Crusader well, and because of physical strength. I'd like to see YOU haul 80lbs for a 10+ mile march... In under 4 hours, of course!
@bali song Hardly, only twigs get broke....
It’s actually easier for me to sleep in Bivvys over tents. Thanks Military. LOL
And let me guess, whenever you go backpacking you bring it up every thirty seconds and insist on carrying 60+ lbs because “i wAs aN 11B mOfo!!!1!1!1!”
Used them in the army and they worked very well. It downpoured for 4 night when we were in the field and it kept me dry all night long. I have never been so thankful for a piece of gear. That gear saved my life as the 4 days it rained, it was only about 45-50 degrees out.
I have spent literally thousands of nights in bivvys, I currently use the USMC Gore-tex bivvy and a poncho. When I day hike I always carry one as an emergency shelter, usually a British Army Gore-tex bag for emergencies. I only use a tent if the weather is going to be very wet or snow is likely. The humble bivvy takes me back to my glory days with British Airborne and I always sleep like a log.
how do you deal with bugs?
@@maximusjoseppi5904 not so much of a problem in Britan
Buddha Black depends where you are, midges can be horrific. Though mosquitoes and horse flies are a minor issue.
@@TheRflynn I had an issue with frogs one night
Aye, I bring my dd superlight hammock and tarp almost everywhere with me to prepare for all terrain. Usually I wouldn't mind walking a little further for some trees but my company might be wanting to set camp by a waterfall or whatever, and I can't blame them. Or maybe I just CBA walking further and don't mind dossing nearby when I'm tired. Being so open is amazing, and for me definitely worth the midgies etc. I only wish there was a super light solution to sitting up with back support, like a rock or whatever. On the contrary, while hammocking I wish I could cook without getting out haha. I have a lightweight slim table which stakes in the ground but still a little bulky for most occasions now. I could use something like a jetboil hung up on something but the table would probably be lighter and slimmer (slimmer being relative to my normal cookpot). Hammocking is grand!! What do you use for insulation below, an under blanket? I wish I did but having the exped downmat is good for ground and hammock dwelling :)
You can turn a regular military surplus Gore-Tex bivy into a structured variant with two items. Your shoes likely boots either side of your body or head inside and then a common pool noodle or foam that used to insulate water heater pipes etc. The foam can also be used between your back and your rucksack or pack when you’re hiking to carry it and add some padding. Doesn’t weigh much and the main key component is the foam tube or noodle. Give it a try works like a charm. Keep that Gore-Tex up off of your face and also allows snow and water to runoff.🎉😅
Very clever!
@@NathanTeaches thanks. Glad you got something out of it. Maybe I’ll use it this winter again. Bivy tends to be too hot in the summer where I’m at.
Im a retired Canadian Forces Veteran, and I loved using my bivy bag! Best thing in the world to have on a rainy right. Humidity will accumulate in your tent, but NOT in your sleep system. I have slept many stormy nights, with my lower body laying on an inch of water, yet completely dry inside of my Bivy. But the Bivy is not only a sleep system, we used it as a makeshift raft when we had to cross bodies of water. You would put your rucksack inside the bivy and close it firmly so that it is airtight and then cross the river using it as a raft. If you have a problem with condensation inside the Bivy, it is indeed too warm inside, just pull your sleeping bag down towards your ankle and you'll have the most comfortable sleep you've ever had. As a matter of fact, on hot summer days, I would not sleep in my sleeping bag at all and instead go naked inside my bivy bag, it was awesome.
We were using some draw cord and some tape. Canadian bivy did not have a zipper on the side making it a useful tool to cross bodies of water. I have the US MSS now, with the zipper on the side I doubt I could use it the same way. I wonder how the US force does this ?
Very good, honest, assessment of the use of a bivy. The thing that I missed the most (back around the turn of the century, while experimenting with ultralight hiking) was the ability to sit up, which I had in a tent which I already had at 1.5 lbs. more. I have since switched to a hammock and tarp system. I'm old now and don't feel like crawling through mud to sleep on the ground. Sleeping pads have gotten much lighter and more comfortable, but much more expensive as well.
I like to tell people that my favorite thing about hammocking is that my floor never gets dirty and I can swing my legs over the side and stand up to exit. No crawling or stooping. ☺
I have used an eVent bivy by Rab, and I was always damp from my own sweat, which once froze inside the fabric on a 0F night. It's supposed to be more breathable than Gore-Tex. From owning jackets of both materials, l can say that neither works (noticeably) for allowing sweat to escape in the rain while hiking, hence the ventilation zippers, and they must be washed regularly in special detergents and occasionally have the durable water repellant coating (makes the water bead up, critical to the breathability function) replenished, usually a special spray, or by ironing after washing. I never kept a bivy long enough to need to wash it. For me, it was only carried for winter overnighters or emergency shelter when climbing above treeline.
@Rich G underquilt and a good sleeping bag in combination with a a good sleeping pad you will be warm and comfortable
Or one could say that your floor is always dirty. Since it is just dirt....
My twin sister thinks I will fall on my head if I sleep in a hammock. We are 70 and it has been about 10 years since I slept in a hammock. My butt froze but now I know how to fix that. I found a hammock to be a lot more comfy than a tent. I have a tarp to use if it rains and some mosquito netting. Just had major surgery and since I didn’t die I guess I will start living and having some fun.
what would be your current pick for a bivy tent ?
I gave up on gotex years ago.
When I was in basic training, we had field events and slept outside in a bivy with the sleep modular system. In twenty degree weather and rain, that bivy was a godsend. Best sleep I ever had. Great explanation; bivies have a place and time to use.
Once hiking in the Smokies with my brother and his Son in Law we made camp right before a powerful storm blew through. Brother and SIL were using hammocks with tarp coverings. I had a tarp and US GI bivy. It was cold and the winds were shearing through the mountains. Brother's rig blew down. He had to try and put everything back together in total darkness. SIL's rig stayed together but he nearly froze and got zero sleep. I slept like a babe. Didn't know until the morning what the other guys went through. Bivys come into their own in terrible weather or for emergencies.
Lmfao.
Great explanation , At 77 I gave up crawling in and out of tents. However; I am concerned about finding trees for my hammock while motorcycle camping away from Michigan. So I have figured how to use my tarp and my bike to make a bivy like shelter with my hammock on the ground. I have not had to use it but I likely will this Summer.
I personally use bivys all around the year from overnighters to longer trips.
I think they are a great piece of kit and one thing speaking for them is the great prices you can get on military ones. At the same time you get a nearly indestructible piece of kit with an amazing quality. Yes there are lighter options but also at a much higher price and somewhat more fragile at times.
I never had a problem with condensation because you simply dont ever close it fully. It's just not safe to do that and leaving at least a breathing hole is always a reasonable thing to do in terms of oxygen.
I've never used one except in the winter, and now after your review, probably never will . I like my tarp with a skeeter net in the warmer months..the net weighs nothing and the tarp/net setup is much more versatile. I love this channel; you're so blessed to live where you do and get to hike that amazing area.
I like a 10x10 tarp and a 4' pvc center pole. You can close it completely in a 3 sided pyramid or open it like a teepee. When its opened as a teepee I just toss a mosquito net over it. The best thing about using the tarp system is its truely waterproof. Ive stayed under a tarp tent for days during lengthy down pours. Long as your not on ground that floods your perfectly set for any weather.
.... always for wild camping and emergency... perfect with tarp ... everywhere.... ✌️😁✌️
I always wondered about bivys because I've never used one. Thank you for the excellent info! Keep up the awesome vids man!
I like your style Luke, honest and to the point. Of course your experience accounts for the quality of your videos and the seriousness of your explanation. Sure helped me make up my mind about bivvy! Thanks keep up the good work you are helping people beyond your wildest dreams.
Awesome content as usual. Very concise, pros and cons really help make our own choices.
Glad to see you’re managing to keep up the content during all this, thanks for the video!
I've been thinking of getting a structured bivy for a while but now I'm rethinking things. Before this video I didn't think of the excess condensation problem that a fully enclosed bivy (w. bug net) would have. Thanks a lot for the video, it's definitely given me a lot to think about!
Great video. I personally exclusively use a bivvy. I’m too lazy to bother with a tent. I use an alpkit hunka xl. Bags of room for gear inside, relatively lightweight, waterproof (I’m in the UK) only thing letting it down is the lack of meshing to keep bugs out. But just use a head net. Wild camping isn’t really Legal in most of England so you have to go under the radar, and for that, the bivvy is perfect 👌 also paired with a DD magic carpet gives a tiny space for gear/cooking etc if it rains. All for about 500grams and a total cost of about £60
lol, how many nights? Did you ever get caught in a rain?
Bivi is always in my bag … always … sommer also winter … you never know what happens… Bivi is a live saver 👍😎✌️🍀🔥 …. Always with a tarp above
This was one of the best reviews of the Bivy I've seen - thanks.
Finally! I've read lots of books that use the word "bivouac" but this is the first time in my 41 years I've heard it pronounced.
Excellent video, Luke! I have been wondering about how a bivy works and you answered all my questions. Thank you for the great video.
I've used them occasionally for decades. Best uses are for climbing, where you may need to rest or sleep on a ledge, for protection from dripping water from melting snow inside of a snow cave or winter tent with dripping frosted walls. They are miserable to get into in the rain, or when clouds of mosquitoes or biting flies are swarming you. You can't just 'dive in' like through a tent door. Entering is a slow, squirming process, with high chance of zipper snags letting in a dozen bugs before you can get it sealed up! Those without any pole system to hold them off your face will leave your head and face getting slapped all night long with the fabric billowing in the wind, or feeling every raindrop hit your face through the fabric. I will use one under a BD MegaLite tarp shelter for glacier camping or ski touring as well. It's definitely a love/hate relationship!
We used them when I was a ranger in Ft Lewis. They're great when you only get 3 hours of sleep and you just want to maximize your sleep time.
how do you deal with bugs?
Maximus Joseppi by zipping it up
@@maximusjoseppi5904 Rangers eat them for the extra protein.
Bivy = Bear Burrito
Very, VERY good walkthrough of the pros and cons. Like you, i`m faiirly experienced. I found myself smiling in recognition most of the time. Cheers.
Great overview and explanation Luke. I have considered getting a cheap one to keep in my car for emergency situations, but have not purchased one yet. I have a better understanding now and feel better about what to look for. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us all. - Jeremy
Hi Luke I use this heavy camping bag made of goretex. There is also a version of the Dutch army with a frame and a mosquito net. Big enough to fit a whole backpack inside. I found 3 more pros you didn't mention. 1: I don't use any floor, only this bivibag, so the weight is not so bad 2: when you put the sleeping mat inside you will not find yourself on cold ground at night. 3: at night protects the sleeping bag from the spark from the fire. Greetings from Poland.
@Nikos Bushcraft and Survival not really, those military ones won't
Great overview as always Luke.
Just like a tarp, benefit of a bivvy is it's adaptability. In the summer I just use mine as a groundsheet, if it gets chilly I hop inside with either sleeping bag or bag liner. Combined with a tarp in A-Frame or plow point config, can't beat it. For the netting just add an mosquito net, such as from Friendly Swede.
I've got a British army bivvy which whilst a pain to get in and out its (I think) 8 foot long so even space for your gear if needed.
Certainly heavier than an ultralight tent but so many options and leaves you to experience the outdoors without the claustrophobic feeling of a backpacker tent.
Lee Wilson not to mention it’s probably a few ££££ cheaper 😆
Rowan I paid £30 for my British Army bivi, absolute a bargain
@@ianshodan Me too, on ebay, and it was brand new, or at least unissued and unused. Cracking bit of kit.
There was a time before we got issued bivvy bags, they were a god send. I always had to have my face out of it though, except when having a drag of me smoke. A wet gonk bag weighed a ton lol.
I only have an emergency bivvy, which I (thankfully) have never had to use. Tents will always be my preferred choice!
Wonderful video, man! I'm co sidering getting into it and considering options. This answered a lot of questions for me. Thank you
Great to hear from someone with actual experience. I agree that the best time to use a bivy is for short duration severe events. They'll never be as comfortable as a more spacious tent, but sometimes you need the advantages of lightweight bomb-proof protection. I was recently caught out in a winter storm with only a tarp. The blown-in snow buried me in my quilt and melted around my face wetting out my down bag. A bivy would have changed this from a dangerous situation to a relatively benign one. So best uses for me, winter camping, cold temps, and high winds, in combination with a floorless shelter like a pyramid or tarp. In situations (like mountaineering) where safety, weight, and simplicity are more important that comfort, the bivy-only setup can be great.
I’ve used the British military goretex bivi bag forever! In all seasons and can’t fault it and like you say it keeps you warmer and is windproof as well as dry!
I’ve never got condensation damp !
Great information that answered all my questions. I appreciate the unbiased review.
Awesome information Sir!! Thanks for clearing up so many questions. Blessings!
Interesting! I've used the Army Gortex bivy for years and never had any issues with humidity inside the bivy. It actually keeps me dry during overnight rain and the dewy mornings. In the military I usually just full-on cover my head and sleep on my side. Never bothered to dry it out after it got wet, found I never needed to since it drys out pretty quickly while I do my morning hygiene.
Same. I haven't experienced humidity issues with the army bivy. Then again, I haven't slept with my face covered by it. As far as normal body heat and whatnot, it hasn't been an issue. I just unzip it if I'm getting too hot.
I use a British ex army bivvi as well and I have never had any issues with condensation or dampness inside.
@@richardclayton2278 same
your bivy doesn't soak up water when it rains? my USGI MSS does, but the water doesn't soak through to my bags. wondering if i need to re-waterproof it.
@@brianjensen7977 May need some waterproofing then. But yea, mine never had any water soak in and I don't think anyone in my company had any issues either. We trained in New England and it gets rainy out there on some nights when we trained.
Great video! I use a light weight bivy in combination with a tarp in wintertime. It keeps the sleepingbag dry from the outside moisture and blocks the wind. I use it as an extra layer but don't close it over my head. That's the only way I use it. Once used it without a tarp in the rain and yeah, most uncomfortable and wet experience ever. Cheers, Marc
Hello from Romania. I follow you for a while now and you are awesome. Keep it going!
Great job. Your the only one i found doing reviews that good. thx
I love my military bivy. I use it every time I camp, whether I’m tent, tarp, or hammock camping. In the winter, yes it’s nice and toasty warm. In the summer, I usually use just the bivy no sleeping bag maybe a blanket. Also warmer nights I may just sleep on top and use it as a ground covering. Also it makes a great backpack. Just load everything in it, fold it up and attach it to my Alice pack frame.
Good comment.
I feel like having to empty your backpack (on the ground, I assume?) every time it's nap time is not the most convenient arrangement.
For some of my outings, I use in Oz what we call a "swag" and these range in style/types from something like the second two that you showed up to ones with support hoops and poles. They are almost always made from a good heavy-duty canvas, so they are NOT intended for backpack use at all, although their origin was meant for carrying on a horse or similar by stockmen. Crude earlier versions still being hand-carried by homeless people in the great depression years were basically a blanket or two rolled up and carried strapped to the back. From this use, we have the term "Swaggies" that is applied to roaming homeless people.
We 'swaggies' call others 'dorkies' bc that's what they are, dorks that bother us lol
@@andredeketeleastutecomplex be a proud swaggie not a boasting moron. For sure.
So that's what a "swagman" was, a man who carried a bundle on his back to sleep in.
Hello Luke, thank you for sharing this very informative video. All the best of good things for you and Susie. Please stay healthy. 🤗
Great vid Luke. The best thing about Bivy's is speed to set up and low profile for stealth camping.
I use a bivvy bag alot, primarily for wilderness Search And Rescue were speed of setup, and the ability to set up anywhere is a must. For example on a recent search we didnt stop to camp up till 0300 and in an area were there was no flat ground, our team of four all climbed into bivvy bags in a matter af minutes and slept sitting up against a cliff face.
Thank you for what you do with Search and Rescue ❤️
I use bivy's when traveling light (fewer gear) and when it gets cold in my hammock.
Thank you, quick clean without excessive words, good job
This is the earliest I’ve ever been for your videos lol Hope you and the family are doing well, Luke!
The ultralight weight ratio for tents are a pretty great reason not to take a bivy anymore. Except for the arena of mountaineering, I don't see much advantage to having one.
That being said: memories of my early days of backpacking and using the contractor bag bivy in a pinch still makes me smile. :-)
Thanks for the video!
I’d love to see a full review of the US military bivy, I don’t think you’ve done one on your channel yet
I’d love to see that too! I can’t go anywhere without mine!
Thanks for this great review. Keep these videos coming!
Another good and honest assessment. My current bivy set-up is the Gortex Military Sleep System with bug net and tarp. While it is a little confining and very heavy by many modern standards, it is still very effective and gives a wide temperature range of usability. That being said, I do not use that set-up on longer multi-day recreational hikes when lighter weight is the order of the day.
I think you left out some important things about condensation in relation to volume and outside temp and also air, moisture and gas permeability of different fabric types and laminates. Some do allow for complete closing whiteout running out of oxygen... but safety is an important topic for sure. Also, I missed a detailed discussion on design features.
I love bivies with bug nets hahah my favorite for stealth camping i slept in the middle of maastricht park in holland and noone saw me its one of the biggest cities of the Netherlands waa happy it had a net because that park was fullbof beavers climbing on my bivy sack lol
Thanks man. I've been contemplating a bivy for solo multiday trips and my condensation questions were answered.
Theres bivies out there that are double hooped so you have more space for ventilation and front and back a mosquito net. Those hardly condense. Especially if theres a small breeze and placing it so the wind can pass trough.
I personally use a defcon 5 extra large. Hardly any condense in it.. and that what is there forms on the raised part so doesnt touch my sleepingbag
Thanks for a comprehensive evaluation of "bivy use". The analogies & examples are concise, applicable and provide a useful "baseline" for potential use ... Cheers.
Excellent review of the overall use of a bivy. Thanks for the solid information. Your non-biased, straight forward opinions, experience & knowledge is refreshing & appreciated. I have found your reviews of gear invaluable as it is far too impractical & expensive to test & try so many different options as an average, casual user prior to making a final purchase. Cheers from Canada.
Thanks! To add my experience I'd say the bivy really shines when it comes to setting up a shelter in a rocky, uneven surface, like say on a mountain ridge - in this case bugs are much less of a problem than down in the valleys where a tent would be most useful. In these conditions typically the temperature plummets as you go higher and are exposed to high winds up on the ridge. Because of your inability to properly stake a tent out on rocky uneven surface, the bivy will not cause you to blow off the side of the mountain either. Pretty much any other situation I'd go with a tent.
What if someone is climbing down and they step on you? or if a rock falls on you? lol
I appreciate the candid, real world info.... Thanks for the education!!
I got a bivy for bikepacking because of how small it was when packed. I knew starting out how confined it was but forced myself to get used to it. Some people can’t get past that part so they’re definitely not for everyone. Great video!
I’m more of a DD Frontline Hummock good for both ground and between two trees but always with a tarpaulin .
Thanks for explaining the pros and cons of a bivvy.
Seems to me that any large enough tarp, e.g. a 7x9, could substitute for a bivi in a pinch:
Put the tarp on the ground, lie down on it, pull 1/2 over you, done .. add stakes to hold the top down, if needed.
So a small moskito shelter & a tarp sound really good (in Summer). In winter, when you need a more elaborate sleep system anyway, the weight of a tent doesn't really count.
Exactly. Using a tarp in place of a bivvy bag is especially useful when camping on a steep slope. Tie the tarp off to trees - or use stakes as you mentioned - and it functions like an arm sling to help prevent your body from sliding down the hillside.
That was 11 minutes well spent for me. Thanks!
This was extremely helpful and actually prevented me from buying the wrong product.
love a tarp and bivy for summer backpacking. I just use a lightweight sleeping bag liner instead of a sleeping bag. I also will use my bivy when I'm using a down bag as insurance against condensation. They are a great budget option for people just getting started. With a REI house brand bivy and a cheap tarp, you're well outfitted for less than a hundred bucks if you shop the sales.
U must live somewhere cold. In PA during the summer you can barely sleep naked on the ground because it's too hot. It's like 80 f right now at 6 30 am with brutal humidity
Well, I guess they’re not for me! I think I’ll go with an ultralight tent and my light Big Agnes sleep system as I’ve got to be comfortable. Thanks for the video!
Thank you!!!
I was wondering about bivy's and you gave me all the information I need for it. Love they increase heat.
Happy to understand so I can make an informed choice.
Thank you
I own a bivy, which I purchased a few years back. The only time I used it was in a tent, when the climate was cold. Enjoyed your presentation and it helped. Since we are in spring-summer mode will put it aside. Thank you.
This video definitely made my case and my love for my hammock tent, off the ground, no snake's, no mosquitoes, no running water in the event of hard rain and with the right system as I have used I have stayed warm and dry for nearly 6 year's of chasing flooded mountain Creek's and river's doing white water kayaking and in Arkansas from 2007-2013 we were in El nino quite alot and chasing water all winter long & into spring. Once you understand how to get in a x pattern for sleep and can rest without a rock sticking in your back you probably won't return to anything ground related.
Bingo
What kind you got? I have a Clark and love it!
What do you do when hiking to tree-less areas (if you go there)?
A hammock is awesome but to me I find it limiting in the regions I want to explore.
I'm ex British infantry and our sleep system was nothing more than sleeping bag, bivvi and a tarp. Even now as a regular wild camping civvy I still swear by that combination what ever the time of year.
I've got into hammock camping and 1 or 2 man tent camping and still swear by the old tarp, doss bag and bivvi combo. So easy, simple and quick to set up.
Granted there are comforts that could be prioritised, but I love it's simplistic ease and the ability to feel closer to nature.
Awsome information! Was thinking of buying a bivy recently, this will prove to be an intellectual boon in my quest.
Thank you for this information Luke we can always count on you and Susie ❤
There is no escaping the fact that if your sleeping in a Bivy with no added shelter and it rains your in for a bad night ..
I never minded it in the USGI bivy, spent many nights sleeping through some serious downpours and never got wet. I can't speak for the lightweight nylon ones though, I'd say it's pretty certain they'd leak a bit
Not true. In the military we would just throw our poncho over our rucksack and crash out in the bivy sack. Wake up everything’s all dry.
Luke has explained it very well, there are pros and cons. For me using a bivy it´s just part of my philosophy, the more in contact you are with nature better the experience. That´s all.
Great content! No bla bla, straight to the point! Awesome and thank you!
Thanks for another great video Luke.
I have the same surplus goretex bivy.
Living in Hawaii, it's mainly used as a windbreaker and rarely fully zipped up
It's on a surplus aluminum cot and under a very large tarp when out fishing and hunting
NO walking/hiking with it. Where the truck parks is where camp will be set up.
Not used if heavy rains are forecasted during outing. Sleep system goes in the back seat of my 03 Dodge ram 2500.
Apart from the situations you described, I use the bivi when I want to stay very low profile which can be often in UK if you do wild camping. The law here is a bit different I guess.
How do you find the situation with rain and dampness etc?
I'll be walking the UK and Ireland and was planning to use a bivvy bag to sleep in but I know it rains a lot so I'm not so sure now
@@cigh7445 yes you do need to be prepared for rain. I would take an ultralight tarp as shelter. Tarp and bivi are a great combination in changing weather conditions. Winter might be hard but can be done as long as sleeping bag is up to the challenge. I am sure it will be a great adventure!!
@@cigh7445 I do 4 nights in a house and 4 camping around cliffs along with 5-6 10-14 day adventures all camping mostly in the uk need any help getting set for a uk adventure let me know :)
1. The water will run off if you sit up before you open the bag.
2. You can easily put one or two flexible sticks in your bag to keep it off your face.
3. A zip up bug net for hammocks can cover the bag for bug proofing.
Awesome video, please keep up the videos about gear etc and dont ignore it in this time
They are too claustrophobic for me, I prefer and hammock and tarp myself. One with a larger structured area around my head might be OK I guess.
I put up a basha (largish tarp) or a poncho, with the poncho I cover the head area and it doesn't matter if my feet/legs are sticking out...so I do have a larger structured area around my head.
Bivys offer protection from weather and bugs, in a low profile form that can also be used in a hostel setting.
The downside is that you can't dress inside one. For that you need a tent with at least enough room to sit up within.
You can sit up while inside one... you can even stand. Balancing might be difficult, unless you lean against a tree.
@@fradee2830 Why not just stand up and dress?
Sounds like a sack race sack, as well! :D
*Truly, an excellent video. Thorough & illustrative.*
Good tips for carrying light and camping. Thanks for this interesting video.
Sounds like I need to trade in my USGI Bivy (packed it but never used it) for a Snugpak Ionosphere!
when i was in the brit army it was always a bivvy under a basher/tarp, but now i do as i want and use the ionosphere,love it would never go back to bivvy,treat yourself to a 1,you will be over the moon with it
I have the battle box one that they copied from the ionosphere and I like it , plenty of room in it for your gear
Hey Luke, great vid. I recently got the Snugpak Stratosphere bivy and surprisingly it leaked. I got in touch with Snugpak and they wanted to send me a direct replacement, but couldn't due to the fact of them only having one batch left and not wanting to risk sending me another defective one since mine came from that batch. They still wanted to " make it right" so they offered to send me the Ionosphere instead. Unfortunately though, I already have one so I told them I would just wait until they produced more Stratosphere. They replied back and told me they really wanted to compensate me now, and offered to send me the Sasquatch winter parka and Impact fleece jacket right away, and then send me a brand new Strat when they got them from production ! How's that for AMAZING customer service! I still get to keep the original Stratosphere too so I plan on re seam sealing it and giving it away to a friend or a lucky subscriber. I've always been a big fan of Snugpak, but after the way they handled this situation Im a customer for life. Great vid brother, keep em coming and stay safe!!!!! ~ Chesapeake
That is awesome customer service! I have their "cave" tent and a few other items of theirs. Great company.
@@SuperPangloss I've been eyeing the Cave or the Journey Quad for a while now. Of all the ground shelters I have, I don't have a 4 person tent. I've got the Ionosphere, Stratosphere, OneTigris Backwoods Bungalow 1.0 & 2.0 , different sizes tarps and bug nets, 2 & 3 person dome tents, a huge 3 room tent, etc etc. So when I take the family out ( and we can't hang) I've always gotta bring either one that's way too big, or not but enough. The Cave or Journey Quad would be perfect for us I think.
@@ChesapeakeHammockandOutdoors the cave is a rugged well made tent. Albeit a tad heavy @ around 11 lbs. Not really an issue though unless you have to backpack it for miles.
Excellent discussion. Cold weather use for me as well. One of my best outings was behind a rock wall on a very windy ridge, 10,000'. The protection offered by the bivvy was excellent and comforting. Quick to pack up in the a.m.. Note: anchor your bivvy on windy ridges.
Very informative and educational. Thank you very much.
Check your local Goodwill (once they open again) I got one of those gore-tex military ones at mine for $15
Ewww, goretex is terrible.
@Whiskey Tango Foxtrot 1. Heavy as hell.
2. Military issued bivvies are digital camo and contain non-reflective camouflaged material, making it difficult to find if you need to venture away from camp for any reason (unless you have a battle buddy to watch your stuff for you).
3. Don't breathe well. Military-issued equipment is lowest bidder trash and there are significantly better alternatives on the market that aren't that expensive.
R u on lockdown? You have the same massive back garden as all the other youtubers
He owns a bit of land about an hour from his home, I know that much.
Excellent information review, Luke, have forwarded this info (site) to friends.
Time and a place to use a bivy are some of the most logical words I’ve ever heard! Yes! Thank you. It makes all my time learning to use a tarp system worth it to know that there is this “fourth season” opportunity.
The Bivy is not a good thing in Florida to hot and humid all year.
What is ideal ?
@@taoyeahright Air conditioning! 😁 I would say, bug bivy with tarp, tent with lots of mesh, or hammock with bug net. A separate bug net will prevent mosquitoes from biting through the hammock (and protect against stinging insects and spiders), and, when it's uncomfortably hot, there's no other sleep system that allows air to pass underneath your body. Even a straight, non-insulated air mattress, being air-tight, doesn't allow air flow.
Not in St. Augustine in winter!
Robert Yeahright A hammock with big netting and tarp. Packs up about the size of two tall boys.
@@onionhead5780 have a recommendation? thanks for the response BTW!!
Great informative video. Thankyou for posting.
This video is spot on. Bivy covers are not the way to go in warmer climates, but if you tarp camp in the winter, it can be a valuable asset. For me, Goretex is the only way to go with a bivy. Yeah, it weighs, but I believe it's worth the extra weight when the temps drop way past freezing.
Thanks for the incredibly informative and straight-to-the-point video!
Excellent presentation! Thank you!
Good advice. Used to own a Camp 7 bivy that I absolutely loved and used year-round. Had it for about ten years before my truck was broke into and gear stolen. Bought it used at a swap meet and used on many backpacks and SAR missions in all kinds of weather. It was a sprung hoop type, could either seal it up or just netting over your head and shoulders. Used it in pounding heavy rain, a real deluge with water running around it and I stayed dry. Used it in high mountains waking up to discover an unexpected snowstorm had dumped a foot of powder. I've owned a lot of tents, simpler bivy bag too. But that Camp 7 was by far my favorite.
Spot on! Used one twice......never again! Good video
Thank you for this video!! Adding a structural one to the prepper kit!