Winter survival gear, Pathfinder Survival Emergency Bivvy test.

In this video I am testing the claims of the Pathfinder Survival Bivvy in winter conditions. Do you have one of these in your survival pack? Have you tested how well it works?
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Lighting in this video provided by Olight Classic Lantern Mini and Olight Perun 2 mini
Olightstore Affiliate link:www.olightstore.com/s/R05V5U
10% Coupon code: SCS10
Backpack is Eberlestock Bandit : amzn.to/3GBg3ix
Pathfinder Survival Bivvy: amzn.to/4ap0f06
Hoodie is Brooklyn Armed forces OCP Anorak (Sportsmans guide, I cannot link to them here)

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

My intention is to test several commonly suggested "survival kit" items like this over this winter. It may take a little time, I want to try and test during somewhat similar conditions. I will film and upload as I can. If you have an item you think should be considered let me know in the comments below.

[@a.m.pietroschek1972]

People really tend to underestimate the prolonged exposure to cold, dampness, and discomfort. Also: Those emergency sleeping bags & blankets are mostly produced in Asia, where people are a notch smaller. Ain't an elite homeless, but your cloth did not look wisely chosen (add a wool cardigan to produce body warmth, better longjohns or pajama pants not made of cotton) 🤔 `Thanks for all your efforts, not just the grass roof shelter.´

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

@@a.m.pietroschek1972 Thanks for the comment, good advice for clothing. I agree the effects of the elements can create a war of attrition on the body. I think this bag is too small for sure. I am no arctic explorer but have carefully chosen what I am wearing: The top cover is a tight weave anorak to protect from wind and briars. Underneath is a heavy wool "5 button" US issue sweater, the loft of the sweater helps keep body warmth from melting snow that contacts the anorak. Also wearing an ECWS polypro neck gaiter, wool boot socks and merino wool base layer and have a wool cap in my bag. I was perfectly warm until I wedged myself into the human burrito ha ha. The scenario was exaggerated for the context of being in a "survival situation". The short of it is, I was colder inside the bag than out.

[@bradlevantis913]

I’m in the coast guard and worked extensively with the Para-Rescue people while on an assignment. Your advice to test your gear is spot on. Can’t emphasize this enough. The number of times we’ve come across people who say things like “this emergency kit is useless” or “the flashlight didn’t have batteries” etc is astounding. Try, test and train with the gear you have Great video. Thanks

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

Thank you for the feedback and comment! It always amazes me when reading reviews on items like this how many people will make comments along the lines of "looks well made should work good". Scary to think the first time they use it may be life or death.

[@bradlevantis913]

@@Scablands_Scavenger yep. It’s truly amazing. Thanks again. Videos like this are a big service for the public.

[@genafuscaldo1121]

We're you really lost ? Or was this a ( Try the product first ) Video ?

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

@@genafuscaldo1121 I was not really lost, but tried to portray the typical situation and actions that people have made to get into such situations.

[@larrymullins3853]

The smallest amount of bedding from any tree branches would make a massive difference. .rule 101 , get off the cold ground.

[@RT-fb6ty]

Good video as, You 'portrayed' all the most common mistakes that create survival situations. No map, no compass, kept walking around until after dark, did not pretest your gear, did not attempt to find shelter before full dark, and got wet. The reflective blankets hold moisture as they are vapor and moisture barriers, they are not insulative but will protect from the wind. A good military Poncho would definitely have been a better piece of gear because it would have reduced getting wet and has several shelter options.

[@clivedunning4317]

Great honest review with a great practical demonstration. Couldn't agree more with your statement . . . "Try Your Gear Out" . . . Even if you only use it your back garden or yard, so you know how an item operates.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

Absolutely, out in the field is not the time to find out it is broken, missing parts or just bad.

[@clivedunning4317]

@@Scablands_Scavenger As others have said in the past . . . "Using emergency equipment, in an emergency, for the first time, is a recipe for failure" . . . You've got to know the kit you carry and how to optimise it for supporting your adventures into the wild.

[@AlaskaMatt]

That bivvy was designed for temps above 40f . Below that the bivvy should be used with a insulation layer underneath of some sort. Natural or Synthetic will work. I have used it in temps of about 10f with a trashbag full of random leaves and vegetation for a cold barrier. I would suggest a wool blanket in conjunction with the bivvy. Another important thing is your rain layers are working against you by keep heat in as well.

[@dalejayne2461]

It seems like without any ground layers such as a sleeping pad or evergreen boughs you could perrfom the same test with a zero degree sleeping bag and you would be cold as well. I think we need to recognize that you need something to sleep on no matter what you are using.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

I agree, if using for sleeping/shelter building making a browse bed would help. I also think it is required that the "emergency survival" item either stabilize or improve the situation of the person using it. This item in my mind did not hold up to its marketing claims. I felt like it did not reflect my body heat, nor did it feel like I was keeping what heat I had from my clothing. I felt colder using it than when I took it off, not just the bottom side touching the ground but my entire body felt colder. It was difficult to get into, if I had broken my leg or arm it would have to be cut open to get into it, I think it would be impossible to put someone else in it if you came upon an accident or a party member was needing help. There is barely room in this for a person my size with middleweight clothing, and I hope larger people carrying these realize it may be too small to use. I plan on testing several other items that have been suggested to me over the years as "emergency must haves" and compare them, I am mostly interested in how they perform on their own merits and if they hold to their marketing claims. It is difficult to test an item like this and satisfy every different scenario, test all of them in a shelter, without shelter, as a self rescue or responder etc etc. The most important take away I would like to suggest is that people who buy this stuff actually take it out of the package and use it at least once. For me, at the cost of 50-60$ this is a fail, a 5$ blue tarp would do the same but be more versatile.

[@recon66661]

Your assessment is spot on! Thanks for sharing! Good to see ya !

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

Thanks ha ha, been a while !

[@kknives_switzerland]

I really enjoy your content. It got a relaxing vibe plus is really interesting.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

Glad you enjoy the videos, thank you for the feedback.

[@redsorgum]

So, basically you would have been a great breakfast burrito for a bear in the morning .......😂 If it was wider, I could see using this as an outer shell for a sleeping bag to add extra insulation. Of course, if you had a foam pad and at least a tarp, you would be in better shape. ✌️🇺🇸

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

Ha ha, yes this thing felt like a straight jacket... not something I want to be sleeping in on the ground in bear country. I cant imagine trying to wrangle into this thing with a broken foot or arm, was thinking of carrying it on my bike until I started testing it.

[@meanwhileinsooke]

Love these videos!

[@bacaworld7095]

Very good review- thank you

[@richardwulf1382]

Ty helps a lot !!!

[@calebvanderwolf1777]

Even with a good mat and a good bag, sub zero when im bivvying I always try to insulate with grass leaves, moss, anything. I think you are asking too much. But I agree its shite, you can't get comfortable when your cramped, and it is not fit for purpose. Just my thoughts bro, not disrespecting you. Good vidio, I might join.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

Totally agree, I am not helping by testing the item alone but I intend to test several options in the basic same way and kind of want a base line to judge each on individually. The big issue with this is the tiny size, even if I wanted to add grass inside it would be too tight for any lofting of the insulation. I think if I was near hypothermic, like fell into water while duck hunting or broke through ice fishing... I would really struggle to put this on myself ... or someone I was with. I appreciate the comments. I just see so many people throwing stuff like this in their bags without even trying it once and calling it good, kind of feel like they are setting themselves up for failure.

[@calebvanderwolf1777]

@Scablands_Scavenger absolutely, it is dangerous, if a product makes big claims, it could be putting people in danger. So fair play to you for testing these claims, and you done it honestly, I did wonder if you were paid to promote this product. But happily, you gave an honest assessment. I find it's better to make a bed of a couple of inches on the ground with insulating material, and then put your bivvy over it, rather than inside. Surprising how much difference this can make to the insulation. Stay safe my brother.

[@francoloma2971]

Great video - very realistic portrayal. Carrying a tarp or poncho like you said might be best.

[@preparedsurvivalist2245]

I would test this bivvy again in a slightly warmer scenario, and take some of your clothes off and boots off so the mylar actually has a chance to reflect your body heat. You'll also fit inside it better. And do your best to insulate it from the bottom with leaves, pine bows, and duff and make sure no snow is touching it. If the bag is sealed tight around you and its actually mylar, it simply has to contain heat. Its very important in a survival scenario to maximize the efficiency of whatever gear you have, and this means using it optimally.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

I think the bag is just too small. I tried it at home with t shirt and pants, no boots. still felt small and cold. I am looking for something to carry when I am hiking in the winter, in case of accident or emergency such as falling in when duck hunting or ice fishing. This would just not work in that situation, maybe if I just got lost and was already warm and had the ability to strip down to use it or construct minimal shelter. I will keep looking for other options that may work better, I would also hate to try and use this for someone else if they were injured or incapacitated to the point of not being able to help get into it, like a car or motorcycle/snowmachine wreck... or the other way around. I will look, but I am not certain this is made from mylar, I think it is aluminized coating and I think aluminum is generally used to conduct heat not insulate.. I could be wrong though.

[@corleyoutdoors2887]

Thanks for the honest review, I guess nothing beats the technology of a sleeping bag for the temperature you’re going to have to deal with.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

I agree, I think many people put items like this in a pack and think it is a magic cure for survival. I think as a baseline any item labeled for "survival" should improve or at least stabilize your conditions to be considered effective. I am interested to see how some of the other similar items work in the same conditions.

[@DamienNeverwinter]

Brother, if you have the funds try out the Helikon Swagman Poncho which is heavily insulated and turns into a sleeping bag. Its decently waterproof. Theres also the Helikon rain poncho which clips over the top of it and is completely waterproof. The rain poncho has both buttons and gromets, so you can either use it to snap on over the sleeping bag or run it overhead as a small tarp. I'm in UK and Helikon is European (Polish), but I think it should be at least a semi reasonable price in USA. As I said, they're a bit pricey, but I can attest that they have decent insulation as long as its not *freezing* cold.

[@samrutster]

Great video

[@shawndoe2834]

Thanks for Video. There still are large tracts of untouched land but not many. Chances are there roads and/or bush cutlines around the area your going to. Make a plan beforehand, use your compass, & know which direction it is to walk out to the nearest road instead of endlessly trying to find your starting point. Phones are absolutely amazing nowadays but I always carry two compasses.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

Agree, compass is a must. GPS, phone is a definite luxury at times but phone can die in minutes at lower temps when running Nav app/location when out of service. Problems are compounded when in heavily timbered areas, trees can block GPS or obscure land marks.

[@MAXCOBRALAZERFACE]

Yeah I’ve tried the SOL bivvy and I wasn’t impressed. Those space blankets are not warm.. Thanks for posting. I’ll stick with the mmss gortex bivvy. At least that one I can fit insulation in. 👍🏻

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

The gortex bivvy is solid gear! I am also partial to an old surplus poncho.

[@tom_olofsson]

Gotta get up off the cold ground.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

I agree 100%. I really debated on how to test these items, I considered making a browse bed or similar but then considered not everyone will have the same materials available, or what if you are ice fishing or in an area with little or no ground cover to use. In the end I decided to go with just testing the items against their own claims on their own merits so I can compare them to each other. I expected this to be cold on the ground, what I did not expect was how hard it was to get into with my clothing on, or how cold my top layer felt with it compressing my clothing. I had hoped it would be useful to maybe add grass or other natural insulation to, but being this tight I doubt it would help.

[@DeanFromTexas]

For starters, you should remove those boots, along with your jacket at least. You can bring them inside the bivvy with you. The reason you're not getting any heat reflection, is because your body heat is held inside your clothing - lose the clothes (Most of them) and NOW the bivvy will reflect the heat from your body.

[@divyesharma]

Please make a video on how to keep camp hot without wood stove heater, as many people say clay pot works.

[@swnorcraft7971]

Thanks for the real world test of this "survival" item. Just goes to show, again, that one has to test his gear before subjecting himself to the real world............ Be well.

[@Emilgod]

Could be decent off the ground , but could probably say that for a lot of other better options

[@ANgThur]

Just fyi, Columbia Sportwear put that insulation in the jacket and claimed that it’s the best, sells with high price, I bought it ( when it’s on sale), it’s worst than my regular flee jacket, it didn’t keep me warm at all. That technology is wrong.

[@indycharlie]

Wow ! An actual real review of a " Pathfinder " product by a guy who isn't just a Pathfinder shill . Pretty sad product by Lying Dave ! He couldn't even fit his big ass in that . Great , honest review . Now here is a product I and my family have carried in Fall and winter while doing DAY hikes , hunting and woods walking that does work . 2 Gosystems V4 Trifecta insulation Bivvy . And NO , I have ZERO affiliation with 2 go systems , none ! We have used them in the west taking breaks above the tree line in Colorado and the West . To reflect the sun , and to wrap up in, on breaks . Thankfully we have only tested them a couple of nights in Michigan on the snow wearing what we take for the activities I mentioned above . Canterbury should be ashamed of this product !

[@vukjovic1645]

When is the first time u start bushcrafting ?

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

I grew up in the country, we didnt call it bushcraft back then, we just called it playing outside ha ha.

[@vukjovic1645]

@@Scablands_Scavenger haha yea I understande

[@christiankammer2379]

I think it is super cool that you did that test and it appears that this bag should be a bit larger to fit bigger people and clothing. But I wouldn't have expected a thin, light weight survival (!) emergency (!) bag to be comfortable laying directly on the ground in sub freezing temperatures. If it was, people wouldn't be using sleeping pads and bags instead. Anywho, great you tested and shared this! Thanks.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

I agree completely, I really had a hard time deciding how to test these items, thinking if I made a browse bed or similar it may not be helpful to compare if you did not have the same materials available (ice fishing, or area with no ground cover etc). In the end I decided to just use the items by themselves so I can compare them to each other.

[@miken7629]

Too small, looks similar to the SOL Escape Bivy, I cut that bivy down the middle of the top leaving a 3 foot footbox, turned it over (bottom on top) and made it into a Top Quilt that can cover my head, combine this with ground insulation by making a nest underneath you, your clothes are your insulation and a top cover will protect you from wind & rain plus as a top quilt it is a looser fit.

[@oneeyedwillie1]

Luke of The Outdoor Gear Review tested a emergency bivvy on his channel and had about the same thing to say about them.

[@couchcamperTM]

I wrote Luke how not to use it... this one's Daves copy of what Luke had. And it seems to be the same size, which means, it is too small for normal people. But it really saved my b*tt when a night was 5 below freezing instead of the expected 5 above, it does help to boost insulation and works only with insulation from the ground. It's like a ultratight and ultralight breathable Jerven bag and like the original it can't change physics. Would be great if they made it a bit longer and wider.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

It is tough to test these items, everyone will have a different set of expectations. I debated heavily on how I wanted to test the items, considered adding a browse bed and minimal shelter to the test, but was reminded not everyone will have the same materials and many of the areas I frequent in the winter do not have much for ground cover or materials. In the end I decided to test the items basically by themselves and against their advertisement claims hoping to draw comparisons between them. The biggest surprise for me was how small this item was, how hard it was to get into and how being so small it compressed and nullified the insulation of my clothing effectively making it worse to be inside than out. I can not imagine being in full winter gear, parka, pack boots, this item would not be useable without taking clothing off. I would hate to be in an actual survival scenario and have to try and struggle into this thing. In the end it is nice that we have so many choices of gear to choose from and pick what we consider the best for our intended purpose.

[@ruairi970]

Handsome looking anorak there man. Where'd you get it?

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

I believe sportsman's guide still has them. Listed as "Brooklyn armed forces OCP camo Anorak". I bought mine years ago, they may be different now.

[@ruairi970]

​@@Scablands_Scavenger ill check em out. Thank you.

[@bernardweaver2416]

I really like this bivy and keep one in my GHB. I pair it with a light weight jungle sleeping bag and insulated air mattress. I only tested it down to 40F, but I'm sure I would be able to survive to at least 20F. I would not want to use it on its own unless I was in a really bad situation like what you've simulated here. I have to agree it is pretty narrow though.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

Thanks for the comment, I appreciate the insight. I may use mine for moto camping with small sleep bag. I wonder if the SOL bivvy is any bigger, comparing the two they look very similar. I was intending on carrying this while hunting during the winter, but will keep looking.

[@bernardweaver2416]

@@Scablands_Scavenger you might want to check out 2GoSystems. They make bivy bags with similar construction to the pathfinder, but made in the US. I carry one of their BOB ponchos as part of my kit. Many times I've just hunkered down inside while making tea or food while trekking.

[@jozefhorvat3625]

Simply USELESS !!! Thanks for video 👍👍👍

[@1SevenCirclesDesign]

3 downvotes are from Pathfinder Survival Emergency Bivvy

[@davidjacobs828]

This product is clearly shit ,thanks for the heads up , I'm definitely not buying one ...merry Christmas..

[@jimthogersen5642]

If you are in a REAL survival situation why did you not turn off the camera?

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

OOOoooooohhh you caught me, you caught me.

[@TaMoose101]

Staged and scripted, why play a game??? Just be honest and call it an exercise!

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

The video title has "test" in the name, thought that might work. The scenario is laid out in the intro to hopefully set the context of the video, but either way I film it some will still want explanation.

[@TelmoZanguitu]

It was just to make it more immersive, I did appreciate that little bit of fiction 😊