TENT VS BIVY BAG | Which Is The Best For Bikepacking & Hiking?

Camping on bikepacking trips is a great way to sleep out under the stars, but the question is, should you take a tent or bivy bag? This video will try to cover some of the questions you need to ask yourself for your next adventure.
Which one do you prefer? Let me know in the comments below!
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#bikepacking #wildcamping #cycletouring

[@npwn6569]

Bivy wins for me. Sleep under the stars, really quick/easy to setup/takedown, can literally camp anywhere. In high winds a tent can break, collapse or just be so noisy you won't sleep; no issue in a bivy. Condensation can be mitigated by simply putting a cheap 100g packable towel over the top of your sleeping bag. In heavy rain I just do exactly what I'd be doing in a tent; watch netflix, listen to an audiobook or sleep. I have no trouble getting changed etc inside my bivys and can even cook in there using flameless ration heaters. Storing gear is easy, small stuff inside, big stuff in bin bag outside but within arms reach. I would stay away from alpkit bivys , I have two and the condensation is quite bad. British and Dutch Army surplus bags have almost none for me (and are often cheaper)

[@visions.of.excess]

I did a bike trip around Austria and Norway in a Macpac Bivvy made out of pertex. It was great, I had no issues. There is a fly screen on the opening which is makes things more comfortable. I don't think anyone saw us camping the whole trip, except when we stayed at camp sites. It was fine with the elements but if feels a bit undignified sometimes.

[@miken7629]

Third option, a tarp, a 6x8 tarp is the smallest I would use & can be configured with a floor & rain protection.

[@no_soy_rubio]

I usually go somewhere in the middle and use a hooped bivvy 😆 light and easy to pitch, can be moved easily and mine has just enough space to bring my gear inside if I need to. Would need a tarp ideally for shelter if it's raining

[@CeriMiddleton]

Which bivy have you got? I've just bought the OR Helium hooped bivy and love it!

[@no_soy_rubio]

@@CeriMiddleton I have a snugpak stratosphere. Suits me well as its pretty stealthy for wild camping and takes 5 minutes to pack up in the morning. I love the mesh on the hoop on the OR Helium, nice piece of kit you've got there 👌

[@mokotramp]

I think most sensible 'campers' would also take a small tarp if taking a Bivvi. If packing around Wales, Scotland or Ireland, you'd be mad not to take a shelter of some sort, be it a small tent or a bivvi/tarp combo! 😁

[@nathaneadson2019]

I've biked gog to lands end three times. Take a tent n camo tarp. I travelled Twice on less than £200. N wild camped the lot. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL :-)

[@Sirrehpotsirch]

A tent needs a larger flat section of soft ground to accommodate ground stakes. A tent also requires more set-up time and effort and can be vulnerable to windy conditions due to its larger profile. A bivy bag is quick to set up but is vulnerable to rainy weather without a tarp and ground sheet. The tent is better protection from midges and biting insects. For me, the deciding factor is rain. If the weather forecast is for steady rain, I'll bring a tent.

[@saxoncrow2500]

thumbs up to make it 200! Also well deserved as well. Great vid :)

[@VagabondTurtle]

Woww, i love that view, sure it looks cold as hell, but that beach waking up, my god, it is cool :D I feel like I cannot even sit on my ass any more need to ride somewhere :) Also, the question you answered is very valid, I was wondering which I should get, so thanks, this definitely helps to get it right!

[@CeriMiddleton]

Yes it was awesome bivying on the beach, I'm currently editing the video for that adventure! Glad you found it useful 🤙🏾

[@531c]

Thanks for the vlog. Without doubt the clearest most concise comparison. I have both a tent and a bivvy but haven't as yet tried the bivvy. With pleasant background music and the panoramic view of dartmoor this presentation is bound to enthuse the viewer

[@CeriMiddleton]

Thanks Andrew. Glad you found it useful, it means a lot!

[@jonmacdiarmid3671]

I like using my Aegis Max light weight down sleeping bag with the Klone bivvy they work well together in a tent or if its warm, outside. They both together weigh less than most 3 season down bags but give the warmth of a waterproof, breathable 4 season bag.

[@ervinslens]

Congrats on this gorgeous video bud, so informative and enjoyable content.👌👌👌

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Excellent discussion and video! Awesome channel. New follower here. Well done. Crow✌️

[@alunjones9153]

Hi I tried a bivvy tent kept the rain out and I saw the stars and mine had a mesh inside I gave it a good review was gonna send it back but decided to keep it!! Mine cost around £40 & was easy to put up!!

[@outsidertank]

Great introduction to the bivvy, cant find many. i don't want to intrude on your channel but i do have a great tweak for the bivvy bag that illuminates condensation and gives you air flow. i wont post the link here unit you say its ok. keep up the awesome content..

[@CeriMiddleton]

Cheers for watching! Yes please share, would love to see how others deal with the condensation!

[@PortugueseMACPOW]

If I'm alone, I don't know why I would bring a tent ever again

[@itsacorporatething]

What's the point of the bivy if it's not going to rain? Why not just sleep under the stars?

[@AdamBoyes]

The problems I have experienced with bivy bags is sliding off my mat at night. To avoid this I have tried putting my mat inside the bivy bag but find the extra space this takes up compresses the sleeping bag against the inside of the bivy thus compromising the warmth capabilities of the sleeping bag. What has been your experience with mats and bivys?

[@Foxtrottangoabc]

British army gortex sleeping bag is quite spacious as designed to put kit inside , as well as being more waterproof than the the nylon dwr treatment designs

[@npwn6569]

Bigger bag helps but if you want to put the pad outside get a light af mat, cut a small section of it out (like 50x50cm) and place that between you and the bivy around the hip area to stop sliding. Can tie it on if needed.

[@sonofpiran5786]

Hi Ceri, great vid. What will you take on this years PCR?

[@Dan-Dans-Travels]

Do you add a sleeping mat? Is the bivvy strong enough to withstand any rough ground, just imagine getting a few rips.

[@michaelfrymus]

Wondering if this would be okay to get for emergency use too. The emergency one is nice, but what If I want to camp in it, but also use for emergencies, so instead of buying both, just have this one. Or is it not recommended?? -- Without sleeping bag

[@J.S.A.]

So not the three w’s exactly more WWE (for the wrestling fans) 😂

[@CeriMiddleton]

😂😂

[@NomadthaGod]

How does bivy bags hold up against morning dew?

[@sandracorso]

Great video. What sleeping bag do you use if you want to go light?

[@CeriMiddleton]

Glad you found it useful! I've got a Mountain Equipment Helium Solo down sleeping bag for summer which is fairly light, but only goes down to around 7°c. Like most things, it seems the more you spend the lighter the bag gets! I find the Ultralightoutdoorgear really useful, as you can filter by weight! ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/helium-solo-down-sleeping-bag/

[@TALKCalgary]

If view is important, why not simply use a tent with the rain fly removed?

[@joshuadench2055]

another great video, have you looked into the lanshan 1pro? ive just bought one, theyre super lightweight about the same as a bivy

[@CeriMiddleton]

Cheers Josh. I haven't yet but it looks interesting! Does it need a walking pole though?

[@joshuadench2055]

@@CeriMiddleton yes ideally 120cm. Or you can use a tent pole