If you’re an avid hiker, the best bivy bags most likely came across, when you’re looking and packing your gear for your next adventure. If not however, perhaps you’re unfamiliar between the term bivy bag or bivy sack, and you’re looking to find out and get the best one there is. Bivy bags are sort of a one person tent if you will, however they are regarded more of a shelter.
You ideally would want to use bivy bags because they are extremely lightweight and easy to set up. They have a nylon flooring to protect you from whatever you’re laying on, and the top is usually water proof to shield you from rain. Many people spell the bivy sacks with two “V’s” so sometimes you would have it spelled as bivvy, but they are the essentially the exact same product.
Bivy bags, or bivy sacks as some refer to them, are basically an enclosure that go over your sleeping, or sometimes behave like a miniature tent for one person. Why would people use these as opposed to large tents? For one, even the best tent won’t compare to one of these as they are very portable, and are meant for those avid hikers who are looking to sleep very shielded. Read on to find out more about them!
What Type of Bivy Bags Are There?
Bivy bags come in a few different types. Mainly, the bivy bag is a sleeping bag cover that goes around your sleeping like a complete cover, to shield off any dirt from the ground, or any rain from above. Another type is a single one person tent, that’s almost the shape of the sleeping bag.
So it covers the whole bag whilst providing you with a shelter. Some may confuse these for an actual sleeping bag, but this is not the case, it is a purely shelter! They definitely add a huge benefit, especially because they are so portable and easy to set up.
Benefits of Best Bivy Bags
The benefits are plentiful in that they provide you with a sleeping shelter that protects your sleeping bag completely from all sorts of things such as the ground, condensation and rain. Moreover, as mentioned previously they are extremely portable and light.
This will significantly reduce your backpack’s total weight. This is why most people will opt for a bivy shelter instead of a full fledged tent because of its weight. Lastly, they are very easy to setup, usually lasting under 5 minutes.
Downsides of Bivy Bags
The downsides can vary in some way. The one thing we have come across during our research is that if you don’t find the correct bivy bag, you may come across those that are not completely waterproof. This may cause leakage through the bottom and into your sleeping.
It might even fall through the top if it starts raining, which you want to avoid at all costs of course, if you’re planning to spend the night outside. One thing is for sure, a bivouac sack is probably one of the greatest accessories to carry with you on a hiking adventure! Read on for our top 10 best bivy bags.
Top 10 Best Bivy Bags Comparison Table
10. Sleeping Bag Cover Waterproof Bivy Sack 350g Lightweight Mummy Compact Camping Nylon Ripstop
To cook off our list is a very easy and simple bivy bag sack that’s extremely lightweight coming in at 350 grams. It’s purely a weatherproof bag that will go around your sleeping bag to ensure protection against the weather. It’s a nylon product and the hipora coating on the inside will halt condensation from building up and getting inside.
If you’re looking for a very simple bag to protect you from the rain, this is for you. Extremely affordable and lightweight. It may not be the best bivy but it definitely delivers more than you’d expect.
9. Eureka! Solitaire
The Eureka! Solitaire is a bivy bag style one person mini tent with a great fibreglass frame that’s extremely easy to setup. The pockets on the end are for the pole so you can prop it up. The hood has a zip fly that you can easily open and close while inside so you can sleep with comfort.
It has a mesh roof as well, and also full coverage when raining. Customers have mentioned that this is very light and durable but also very affordable. It makes as one of the best bivy tent on the list as you could even set it up in under two minutes whilst in the dark!
8. Winterial Single Person Tent, Personal Bivy Tent. Lightweight 2 Pounds 9 Ounces
The Winterial Single Person Tent is a great bivy bag that’s very easy to assemble. This is a single person tent and is very suitable for hiking and backpacking as it is very light and will surely cover you during your sleep. They advertise themselves as a three season tent with a mesh roof for great breathability.
It has a large zip door for easy access and comes with all the necessities to prop it up. It’s perfect for summer nights where you can leave the roof open, or rainy weather and you close it up! This is something the military bivy sack could look like, as it has all you need at any weather condition.
7. Snugpak 92860 Stratosphere One Person Bivvi Shelter
The ultra compact Snugpak 92860 Stratosphere One Person Bivvi Shelter is a great bivy bag that is full length and suitable for one person. This is able to stand up to severe weather conditions and comes with aluminum poles that you can put up to keep your head in cool and breathable area.
The seams are all taped so you know rain cannot get through the bivouac bag in the weather conditions. It is a very snug bivy bag and will definitely keep you warm in the colder weather conditions.
6. Outdoor Research Helium Bivy
The Outdoor Research Helium Bivy is a very durable and weatherproof bivy bag meant for all year round seasons. This is a very lightweight and fully seam taped bivy bag. The bottom is lined with a nylon coating. You may ask yourself what’s so special about that little feature and the hidden secret is, that it fends off fungi.
One customer noted that while it will fend of the rain, it may become damp during heavy storms, which you should try and avoid. It is very lightweight and easy to carry around however so even if you end up not using it on your adventure it’s still ok to bring along as you will barely notice it!
5. Kodiak Canvas 1-Person Canvas Swag Tent with Sleeping Pad, Olive, One Size
The Kodiak Canvas 1-Person Canvas Swag Tent with Sleeping Pad is a professional grade bivy bag. This is a very roomy bivy bag that comes with a 2 inch foam mattress for extra amount of comfort. The top has a zip style window for you to have better air flow during the evening when you sleep.
The cotton is made of duck canvas, so you know you’ve got some top notch quality here. This is a very portable and high grade bivy bag that is sure to keep you at maximum comfort during your sleep! As far as a sleeping bag bivy goes, this is definitely one of the more comfortable ones.
4. Aqua Quest Mummy – Waterproof Bivy Sack – One Person Sleeping Bag Cover – Ultralight, Compact, Versatile, Fast & Easy Setup – Green or Orange
Next is the Aqua Quest Mummy – Waterproof Bivy Sack. This is a One Person Sleeping Bag Cover and is Ultralight, Compact, Versatile, Fast & Easy Setup. It comes in two colors, orange and green, and is ensured to be waterproof in all weather conditions. It’s titled the mummy, as this is exactly what it does.
It mummifies you so you are completely covered up in your sleeping experience. It has a fast an easy set up, where you just lay it down and lay your sleeping bag inside, and you are good to go for a nice, cozy and well protected sleep in the wild! This surely is one of the best bivy bags and you’ll almost feel like you’re in a hotel with it.
3. Chinook Summit Bivy Bag
The Chinook Summit Bivy Bag is a fantastic breathable and waterproof bivy bag. This has a rain and wind proof fabric while the bottom is lined with nylon to ensure nothing seeps through. The seams are also waterproof, something other manufactures often tend to overlook.
The top where the head lays, has a ventilation system for maximum breathability and comfort, especially during summer times. Included in the package is a carrying bivy sack. It should be noted that this uses the DAV featherlike poles to create a great mini-tent if you will. It’s also an ultralight bivy, weighing at barely 2lbs.
2. ACU Digital Bivy Cover
In second for our list of best bivy bags is the ACU Digital Bivy Cover. This is a camouflage pattern bivy cover that is 100% water and wind proof. It is designed cover you and your sleeping bag underneath in all weather conditions. It is machine washable, and furthermore is praised as a completely sheltered sleeping product.
This is indeed a military level cover as some soldiers have mentioned it identical to the one that they provide in the army. Knowing that this is a military bivy sack, you can be reassured that it’ll last through the entire year in all season.
1. Military Modular Sleep System 4 Piece with Goretex Bivy Cover and Carry Sack
In our number for our best bivy bags review is the Military Modular Sleep System 4 Piece with Goretex Bivy Cover and Carry Sack. This is an extremely durable sleeping bag and comes with 4 layers for the ultimate sleeping experience. The four layers can be taken out and varied depending on the season of the year.
Moreover, it has a Goretex layer that shields from the cold, and this product has been used by the military. Customers are extremely happy with this. One thing that should be noted, since they are military grade bivy sacks, these come second hand, but an excellent used product. Get your own goretex bivy bag now and make your camping friends jealous with one of the best bivy bags!
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