The TRUTH about SLEEPING in a BIVY

[@flat4-]

In the army we also got bivvy bags, and they were top of the line Gore tex ones. They were the most hate things we had to carry.Always wet, damp and no ventilation....I still prefer a tarp over a tent/bivvy bag, enough ventilation and beside snow storm or trashing rain it keeps you as dry as good tent. Bivvy bags are imo a life saver when you have an emergency but besides that, I always prefer a simple tarp or even a square of tent cloth folded over line....

[@MrSurrealKarma]

Same, although, I loved em in the military. Got one for a hike here, and I hated it. Much prefer a 1-man tent I can at least put my knees up in.

[@masterhacker7065]

they are so nice to keep your bag dry

[@c_lakindick]

Tarp requires fixing points for the lines, bivvy is good for places where there is nowhere to fix a line

[@marcodipietro8835]

@@masterhacker7065 if you can get changed while lying down (like me) I think a bivy bag would work great (def not in winter though)

[@getahanddown]

Yeah. I would take a bivy and light bag + extra food as a 'one day caught out' plan B. Wouldn't want to spend a day in one. Inner tent mesh under a tarp feels spacious though :)

[@jonfisher9214]

I've used various British Army Gore-tex bivvy bags for around 30 years. They are great in dry weather when your body perspires during the night and the moisture passes out of the bag. In wet weather the moisture is blocked from passing through due to the water laying on the surface of the bag. This is often mistaken for a leaking bag. The same happens in below freezing conditions. If your bivvy freezes it cannot function as a breathable membrane. A lightweight tarp over the top supported with trekking poles will prevent a lot of these issues.

[@falcor200]

Gonna try this tip ty 😊

[@chrischarlton6542]

I prefer the Dutch hooped bivy to the British open bivy. For me it is best in cold weather. However, if you use it in conjunction with a tarp..you may as well have used a small tent like a Lanshan 1 or similar as bivys weigh the same as a micro tent. It all depends on the occasion. For stealth camping you cannot beat a camo bivy. I am vey cautious about ticks as I lost a good friend to Lyme disease so I like to be totally enclosed. I practised using my bivy in the living room for a while before in the field as I am slightly claustrophobic. A panic attack in the dark woods is not like in a living room or the garden at home. For this reason I have a dedicated mini torch on the end of the opening zip puller so I can gain comfort and orientation instantly by putting on the torch ! A good, well maintained Gortex bag should breath..but these plastic ebay bivys will make you sweat like a roasted pig in foil !

[@philtowers1392]

I usually skip through these videos...boring...but this one stayed on from start to finish. Seems like a good, honest guy!

[@darra8882]

I would just like to say that this was an excellent video and your English is amazing! I love a bivvy camp, but as you say, only for one dry night at a time. If the weather is good there is so much less to worry about with a bivvy bag rather than a tent.

[@Crusty_Camper]

Bivy bags are great for lightweight use in the hills. But I once used mine on a campsite and while I was away from the site, someone drove their Landrover vehicle right over it, thinking it was some kind of speed bump on the grass. Damned lucky I wasn't inside.

[@bompetersen]

Damn lucky 😂

[@chrischarlton6542]

I know of people who have been trodden on by deer !

[@jontout]

I've got a fairly basic gortex army bivvy but always pair it with a 3x3 tarp using trekking poles to build a shelter if it's going to rain.

[@TheBonswah]

I've been looking at a similar setup for a while now. I have a 1person tent but it feels rather cramped, also because the vestibule is tiny. Do you experience a lot of condensation/moisture problems when combining a bivy with a tarp? Would love to have the extra modularity and extra space compared to a 1p tent.

[@samuelnewitt6978]

What an amazing location, the sunrise was gogeous. Kit layout at the end is a nice touch

[@Kuhanapomaranca]

I know where this is

[@victortellez4987]

@@Kuhanapomarancawhere?

[@Inreglod]

In the Swedish military we call this a "puppa" and it had loops all over the top of it so that you could produce sticks (and you really wanted to get the sticks) to go from the left side of the ground through the loop and into the ground of right side. The most important loop was of course on top of where your head rests, creating a "larger" room for you. Circulation is important. I spent 2 weeks in the field with one of these and it was dry every morning. Of course climates differs and such but, Circulation is important.

[@RainesMedia]

How do you get circulation?

[@m.k.7199]

I carry a Rab alpine bivy bag and Feathered Friends Vireo ul sleeping bag for unexpected bivouac in the mountains. But if I'm planning on spending a night or two, I carry a Snugpak Ionosphere bivy/tent, with a lot more room, low profile, and lightweight. Both bags keep you dry and no condensation.

[@RegEdmunds]

I had a Snugpak bivvy, but with the hood up I felt like I was in a tomb, so I sold it and bought a Hunka, I found that to be better but only with a tarp over my head area.

[@melesshuffle]

I don't know if it's just me but I've never had a problem with condensation in my bivvy (Snugpak Stratosphere). Normally I sweat like a ... sweaty thing, but in that bag (even when it's raining and I'm all zipped up) I seem to be good. The only times I've ended up wet were down to user error - there had been beer both times and I'd a) not closed it up and b) slept through the start of the rain. Obviously I was not up a mountain on either occasion. I use it for bikepacking and for that the small size and weight are more than sufficient compensation for the downsides you noted. Again, beautiful scenery and a great video.

[@vancer]

which country are you in? if you live in a dry climate or at high altitude it limits condensation, so im asuming if ur american u live in california or arizona or uv only been camping in the summer months.

[@melesshuffle]

@@vancer Me? No, southern UK or northern France. Neither known for their dry climates. Or indeed altitude.

[@DuBCraft21]

I've got the same bivy bag but I've had a pretty different experience with it. I've used it mostly around 4000-6000 feet (1100-1800-ish meters), but have taken it up to 11000 feet/3300 meters and have had very few issues with condensation. I've found it does help to keep the shell zipped up almost completely, with just the space in front of my face open. That way it is harder for water to condense inside of the bag. Another thing I learned is that 25" wide pads don't mix well with bivy sacks because the wider pad takes up more floor space, thus leaving less room for your sleeping bag or quilt to loft/make it easier to accidentally push through the insulation and get cold spots.

[@OlderandBolder.]

I have exactly the same bivvy bag. I rather like it as being a petite-ish woman I can stuff my backpack (unstructured) down in the bottom of the bag & like you arrange other bits of gear in the head space. I always leave a small unzipped gap in the outer & inner mesh to aid ventilation & thus reduce condensation. However, on cooler & windless nights condensation has occurred (as it does in tents) but not so much that it wets through my sleeping bag, and it’s easy enough to dry during the day. I agree with you that they’re best used in fine weather for a better experience. I have also changed the zip tabs as they were all black - they are now colour coded which makes it easier to differentiate between the outer bag closure & the inner insect mesh. I feel quite snug once inside the bag as it warms up much more quickly than a draughty tent! Thank you for your excellent detailed review amidst the stunning mountain scenery.

[@Claymore1977]

leave a gap and get eaten alive by mosquitoes where i'm from.

[@OlderandBolder.]

@@Claymore1977 I intended to add that I close the insect mesh, but leave an open gap in the outer shell! Fingers travelling faster than my thoughts or is it the other way round?

[@migigi899revert3]

Very nice review and a nice touch to add all of the gear at the end and in the description

[@nigellack2576]

I found this video to be candid, intetesting, informative, and'very useful', The mountain scenery was outstanding, too. I think I will still try the bivvi, but for one-nighters only. Thank you so much Steve, and keep up the good work 😊 - Nigel, Scotland (ps - your English is excellent!)

[@wyskass861]

I've been using a 1 person tent very close to this type of bivy bag for years, in all aspects except some key ones. Same footprint area pretty much. Also not freestanding and just requires 2 ground points for some tension to keep the poles vertical. On a rock ledge 2 heavy rocks are good enough. Difference being instead of 1 hoop there is a another smaller one at the bottom end so you get better ventilation keeping the material off your bag. It's almost all mesh, but the key difference is that the fly doesn't touch the mesh, so condensation drips down better off the sides. No fancy membranes needed which stops working when wetted out in humid locations. High altitudes and cold are less a problem. There aren't many kind of this tent around actually, because imo it's too basic and not requiring fancy materials or marketable language. One thing I'll admit is probably not the best for long periods of rain if confined to shelter, or real winter snow. But that's not what it's best for. I also sometimes forgo the fly and go with rain tarp if below treeline to hang it.

[@joetaylor486]

I am experimenting with other systems, but most of my experience is with a survival aids (maybe) taffeta backed goretex double-hooped bivvi. This was a fine piece of kit as essentially a single wall tent. It functioned flawlessly.

[@Vladimiradventurephotography]

Thanks for the video. Beautiful scenery. I have Outdoor Research Helium bivy and use it only as emergency bivy, when I go to the mountains for a day hike and don't want to carry my tent. Even then I will bring 7x9 DCF tarp in case weather changes, and in the mountains it often does. All together it comes to less than 550g. Nowadays there are tents lighter than that, but bivy allows to sleep in the smallest, most difficult places where pitching tent can be a problem. I usually have bivy with foam sleeping mat and quilt rolled in a tube in my backpack. This way my shelter is always ready,. Be well.

[@Jim-yk9zw]

I grabbed one of the carinthia xp2 bivvy bags and used it a few times in Nights at around 7-10 degrees celcius and was impressed with the absolute minimal amount of condensation. If there aren't many spiders and mozzies about I'm happy just going under a tarp though.

[@itsacorporatething]

People always say that "don't bring a bivy bag if there's rain......" The only reason I would go inside the bivy bag is if it started raining.

[@garyp.7501]

Dew will soak you. Hence a bivi bag or a tarp makes life a lot nicer.

[@tomsitzman3952]

for those who have never used Bivy bags there three basic variations. With many variations with in the variations. The basic Bivy is a simple envelope water proof on the bottom, and breathable on top with a zipper down the side for entery. Inside is your modular sleep system with ground pad, sleeping bag or quilt. A trap or tent is your rain/snow shelter. The third type of Bivy bag is a mini tent for rain and snow protection with a low dome over the shoulders and head for mosquito and rain protection and some wiggle room, .difficult to enter and exit. The second Version of the Bivy is between one and three. It is basically a water proof version of the simplest version with a low dome over the head. Maybe a good emergency shelter. I have used the simplistic version since the late 1960s. Out in the open on dry nights, inside the tent or tarp on most nights the top is breathable making it a nice summer time sheet. In cooler or cold weather The Bivy is the outer layer same as your wind breaker to allow moisture out and heat stays in and holds the whole MSS together preventing you from roll off your ground pad. The simple Bivy weights under a pound (16 oz) 452,6 gram. Bivy is short for bivouac which mean a temporary camp without shelter.

[@PSPmaster321]

Great vid bud! Beautiful spot and amazing sunset/sunrise! Really enjoyed it 🙂

[@johnwelbourn3811]

Fantastic video, great review of the bivvy bag, amazing scenery. Thanks you so much for posting.

[@oscar38]

I love my bivvys. I have a British army, and also a'highlander' bivy which is mega light. Both keep dry, and little to no condensation. Sold my alpkit hooped bivy, as it gets too damp due to condensation

[@c-historia]

I'm happy to have seen your excellent video made so well📽😄

[@NNordis]

Your videos are so good you definitely deserve more views

[@onyxdepth1742]

Got myself a Carinthia observer plus relatively recently and I haven’t experienced any condensation despite the exterior of the tent being covered in liquid water. This specific model has through flow ventilation which can remain open whilst being shielded by the storm screen. I haven’t had to fully zip up the bag even in rather torrential downpours. I have no reason not to recommend it as of yet, it’s big enough for myself (6’9”) and all my gear.

[@JV-ko6ov]

I've never camped at the top of ridges/mountains because they dont have water nearby. I have a 1 person tent from north face that cost 100$, it's kinda small but you can sit up in it. I bring a tarp though when i do, mainly to set out infront of the tent for a sitting area or overtop if clouds look angry

[@kayasper6081]

Nice video, interesting review! However, it only confirms me more that I stay with my little tent. Most trips I do are over a week or even rather longer, and I suppose that after a few nights already everything starts to get damp. Or even wet. Also the sleeping bag.

[@The_Reality_Filter]

14:40 Wow, what a sunrise! You got real lucky there...

[@nate-beard]

beautiful trip. nice video!

[@BurtReynoldstash]

I was admiring you sun hoody. Nice one for the Amazon link. I love fjallraven stuff

[@RegEdmunds]

Ive used a bivvy, but I then bought a Lanshan One tent and my bivvy became instantly obsolete. My Lanshan can be what ever I want it to be, a tent or a bivvy, and I can chop and change to whenever I want to. I never planned it this way, the realisation came to me as I started to use it. I have used my Lanshan as a bivvy, when I needed to stealth camp, or when the ground was rock hard, and when the weather was so bad I was forced to just draped it over me. When I first used a bivvy I quickly decided it was not very useful without a tarp over my head.

[@preparedforoutdoors]

Got the same bivy and air mattress and a similar synthetic quilt from Enlightened Equipment. The thing I love most about the bivy set-up is set-up and take-down time. It's basically instantaneous. On the first day of the trip or whenever else you manage to get everything dry, you can roll up the bivy, air mattress and quilt all as one and just unroll them. I don't even bother with the stakes any more. On a multiday when things need to dry, I loosely roll up the bivy on the outside of my backpack. I've found that condensation on the outside of a synthetic quilt will dry quickly once laid out and will not effect the inside warmth in any case.

[@zonik1775]

Sleeping on top of a mountain looks awesome!

[@Campingkayakride]

These work much better when it’s a bit windy then there’s not much condensation. But a challenge in wet conditions. I like the bivys but it’s certainly not everyone’s cup of tea 👍

[@frikkied2638]

I never sleep comfortably or well even in a tent, but I keep on doing it. It’s worth an uncomfortable nights sleep to be out there in nature.

[@alexpervanoglu7420]

I have a really old Rab Ridgeraider. The first one with the really annoying pole that goes on the inside. Combined with a tarp so i can leave the main door open so not too much in the way of condensation. Mind you it is Event fabric which sadly no-one seems to make anymore.

[@umbrellacorp.]

Yup, nothing like going up a mountain just to review a Bivy Bag.😌

[@DidYaServe]

I find camping above 800m to be really cold, based on Irish mountains anyway with the Atlantic air.

[@Potskol]

Great video, hope to see more

[@brotha-alphi]

SOLID INTEL.💪 Thank you.

[@MicaelKling]

Really good review and adventure!

[@sugar-yc4bg]

비비백 사용하는 백팩킹 당신은 진정한 산악인 입니다 자연과 산의 진정한 소리를 들으려면 비비백이 최고 입니다 항상 행운이 같이 하기를 ^^

[@iandavis385]

Great review and insight into using a bivvy bag.

[@albiniho7]

Great video, a lot of inspiration

[@sagehiker]

Your review confirms many of my experiences with bivy sacks. I have had two Outdoor Research (OR) bivy previous generation, front entrance, one GoreTex, the next Pertex top. The Pertex is more breathable but less rain resistance. The worst soaking I had was getting the top iced over in freezing fog. Literally stewed in my own juices. I still take my OR Highland bivy out on quick day and half trips when I do not expect rain or precipitation. Using a synthetic bag is best too.

[@jurgschupbach3059]

U Pomfritz

[@jonmathias6159]

I had an OR. Used it once in fine conditions (no rain). Sleeping bag wet in the morning. Sold it on. I don't know why anyone uses a bivi bag when proper tents are so light now.

[@davids9549]

Weight 528g and price on a par with a decent tent - like my (silnylon) Tarptent Notch, which weighs 790g and that's for a double-wall, double-vestibule spacious shelter which isn't even lightest-in-class. I can see where a bivvy might make sense, but outside those particular applications it does look like the worst option. Awesome site though, glorious.

[@GoSummitSolo]

Fellow Wild Camping Youtber here based in Scotland. I WOULD LOVE to go somewhere like this for a change, im always just in the highlands of scotland or lake district which is lovely but i want a change one day haha. I am keen on the cookin kit u were using? possible to ask what its all called. which pot ur using and gas system. I have just lways used oex jetboil or jetboils but I am trying to go ultra light weight for my injury with the hopes it doesn't come back cuz im lighter than 15 to 20 kgs. brill video, only just seen ut channel now, new sub.

[@knubbimami9959]

I would get scared shitless that close to the abyss

[@sdcoinshooter]

I know you’re not comfortable most of the time, but I have one with me for use as an emergency shelter, in case of an unplanned night in the wild.

[@ITER345]

what to luxury to be up there with no wind!

[@CragScrambler]

I've tried bivvy so many times, too cramped, no ventilation and some of them have silly prices, yes are light but some weigh nearly a kilo, so instead I get a light tent, 1.5kg, 4 season, a little more space and better ventilation. Tho I do carry a lightweight bivvy bag in winter, 250g to go over my sleep bag incase of damp lol

[@jasontr2011]

Nice job with the video!👍

[@OUTDOORSSWEDEN]

Beautiful scenery! Got the duch army bivvi.

[@figgythomas]

View is impeccable!

[@wyskass861]

Steve or anyone, can you identify the mountain range this was filmed in? Am curious as a fan of alpine backpacking

[@ferencczuczor7766]

I don't have any more questions, great sum up ;-)

[@lolandypanda]

where are you maaan? No wind on the top of the mountain!!!!

[@amonster8mymother]

I have the or helium bivvy. this is the new one. ❤

[@juliannuss123]

I would rather sleep under the stars than in a bivy. My few experiences with bevies sucked. A well set up tarp is better in every way.

[@victortellez4987]

What an Amazing place

[@Williamottelucas]

It looked as if someone had built circular walls from rocks. Was that for fun, I wonder, or for shelter?

[@ethangibbs183]

From my knowledge it’s for protection from the wind, like if you hiked up and wanted some food you wouldn’t want to be all in the elements

[@bobbyenglish7803]

Spent the most miserable night of my life in a bivvy bag in the rain and wind on top of Snowden in Wales. That was 40 years ago and I haven't used one since.

[@Storiada]

Where have you done the hike? Looks quite nice. ❤❤❤

[@davidherring6835]

leaving comment to see that too :D

[@Kavl123]

This is Veliki Vrh, Karavanke, Slovenia.

[@paulcarter8215]

Thank you, an interesting video - and sup a beautiful place.

[@RealFooking]

I love my FECSA Observer (Carinthia copy). Just too heavy, sadly. But I have not found any other alternative. They're either too flimsy or are more like tents (requiring you to use stakes etc).

[@maco1713]

Comfort always depends just on you!!!...

[@bmmmm27]

2:57 what a view to behold

[@edgyiguana2519]

holy that place is beautiful

[@shuii___]

Der internationale Boss

[@ironboy3245]

wait do you not get a tarp to put over the bivvy bag? Is that why condensation is such a big talking point?

[@androidrebel]

Maybe keeping the top of the flap open through the night got even more condensation as the mildew would fall into your bivy... Did you try keeping just the side open?

[@amonster8mymother]

❤ hello from Canada. 🇨🇦

[@ingridpulhug6072]

Great video. You’ve helped me decide about bivy bags. Definitely not for me. 🙂 Love the area though.

[@amonster8mymother]

Tarp is very ideal. 👍

[@maxvanc7151]

Great video! Never used a bivvy bag but might give it a try. What is the red spoon you're using?

[@dougieranger]

Liked & Subbed. 👌🏼

[@paulr7496]

Nice video. For further reading I recommend 'The Book of the Bivvy', by Ron Turnbull. He doesn't sugar-coat the experience, just points out the highs and lows and offers some experiential knowledge that may help you decide if it's for you.

[@etherealbolweevil6268]

The point of the bivvy is to wake up considerably less dead than you would have done without one.

[@sogseal8600]

I have a Sungpack Stratosphere bivvy, and one from Salewa. in the morning the sleeping bag is always soaking wet. none of these bivies really breathe.

[@alexandergutfeldt1144]

"Nanu", dachte ich, "warum zeigt mir KZbin das Video nochmals?" that 's when I realized you are speaking English, not German! Well done Stefan! 👍

[@ІгорНауменко-й3р]

expected that BIVY vs Tent must win by weight, but tent now exist so low weigt so no sence to have Bivy

[@phantomshtter]

The condensation issue is an absolute deal-breaker for me. Literally makes it pointless imo.

[@anon0_04]

What location did you film at?

[@RynaxAlien]

Lightning coming, then you are screwed.

[@billystravelogue]

Magnificent background you got there...

[@moonliteX]

bivis are not meant for good weather. they work extremely well in storms because the storm "pumps" air in and out. when there is zero to low wind, bivis will accumulate moisture CRAZY! I never even put up a tarp if it's not raining. for snowstorms and rainstorms a BIvi is PERFECT. as long as you are in the wind. for extremely muld weather you should NEVER isr a bivi unless for using it only as a ground cloth. and if it rains/snows just hang a tarp up. if the problem is bugs, you NEED a tent or something with a bugnet

[@I-nepukka-I]

Basically: it's neat because it's unique, but it's uncomfortable and impractical XD

[@yannikgutzeit2377]

are u german? 11:34 "los geht´s"

[@milehighclassics]

Just pull the blankets over your head and you can’t see the monsters

[@Breadman-k6d]

Not a very good camping spot - you're highly exposed to both lighting and wind 😅

Einfach mal alles noch auf Englisch gedreht ^^ Wird mir wohl angezeigt, weil ich alles von dir ansehe.

[@dayoltay]

Absolutely condensation.

[@easygroove]

Needs to be "Gas" or "Air Permeable Gore Tex" Everyone goin out .. looking for comfy comfort... should stay at home - its okay when it sucks!

[@bigout5901]

nice

[@Vlachynahasbeenhacked]

Poslali jste mu tam na kopec taky nějakou starou bábu?! Aby ho otravovala 25 kilometrů až do dalšího kempu?! 😂

[@harryrowland4734]

You can't have a wee in a bottle

[@MrMigido]

Yay 🇮🇳

[@jonhayes9750]

Just need s few ribs for it and bingo you have s bit more space.

[@NathanHassall]

you probably paid an extra $150-200 just because it says outdoor research. This bivy has extremely low value for dollar