Bivvy Bag

[gisborne612]

Does anyomne have any experience with bivvy bags. Either commercial or military versions? Can you literaly use one in the open when raining, and plagued with insects?

[stu]

A mate of mine uses one of these - http://www.outdoorresearch.com/site/alpine_bivy.html

not the lightest option but they certainly look comfortable & minimise the Claustrophobia associated with the 'body bag' style of bivy.
Yes, you can sleep in it when raining & no insects due to the meshing.

[ninjapuppet]

I used an old army bivvy which was great because its so quick and generally waterproof, as long as rains weren't being driven sideways too much.
+ I like them in summer when i do very long 40+km walks, arrive at camp after dark, and just dump everything down.
- I find them hard to change clothes in, and in winter when it gets dark early, its abit miserable spending so much of your evening in an enclosed space.

At 1kg, why bother when there are now tents that weigh the same? The tarptent moment takes a minute to set up, and much easier getting changed in tents.

[gisborne612]

Was it an Australian army version, and did it have a mozzie net?

[Drifting]

I'd be looking at tarptents- the smaller tents are as light as bivvys, and they are a lot roomier!

[ninjapuppet]

Hi gisborne,

you seem pretty intent on bivvies, so Im not going to waste effort trying to convince you.

I got an old Australian Army version picked up from a friend. apparently he said its worth $400 new? (I think thats BS) weighed about a kilo, had a bug net and totally waterproof. made from authentic goretex material with a bug net . It was bug proof only if bugs didnt get in while you were getting in. once zipped up, it was bug proof. bugs outside couldnt get in, but unfortunately bugs inside couldnt get out either! a thermarest fits in with a sleeping bag just fine.

then i saw this Proforce bivvy from ebay http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Pro-Force-Bivi-bag-bivvy-tent-shelter-military-army-NEW-/330440213031?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_SportsLeisure_HikingCamping_Tents_JN&hash=item4cefc58227 For the price and its claims, i really had to get one.

it really does weigh 310grams as stated, for only like $30-40. made out of abtex (simlar to goretex) and it really is totally water proof with its seam seals. it is however only slightly less breathable than the real goretex at 1/10 the price.it is NOT bug proof since there is no mesh, but i sewed a mesh ontop of it so now it is waterproof too. Not a wasted purchase since i plan to use this one inside my single wall tents to protect my sleeping bag and add some warmth.
If i was starting out again for a proper bivy, i'd go one of those bibler or outdoor research ones, or one of those newer bivvies made out of event.

I have some hardcore friends still in the military who sleep in nothing but bivvies but as for me, i like to move around in my shelter abit and cook, and get changed, and read, and keep my pack under a shelter etc.

[dancier]

It's been awhile since I've had a bivvy bag but the reason for it, was Kayaking inspired. It was a Mountain Design bag and that was some 25 years ago so they should be better now. I remember on a few occasions sleeping in the rain, mind you it wasn't heavy but you could still feel the drops hitting the bag. From memory the only wetness of the sleeping bag was from a bit of condensation and the floor, which was always wet so you definably need a mat. It's a very claustrophobic feeling when sleeping in the rain because all the zips are done up but most of the time you just have the bug screen open so things can't get inside. I've been looking for another bag, mostly for cycle touring. Often I ride until I drop and sometimes can't be bothered setting up camp or I'm near civilization so being in stealth mode is a big advantage but the cost is the disadvantage. I'll probably end up with something similar to the Pro-force bag above or this bag - http://www.rei.com/product/794291