Bivouac - Features & Buying Guide

Bivouac or "bivy" as it is commonly known, is designed primarily for hikers and mountaineers. It protects them from wind and rain, making it a great substitute for a tent. It is smaller than a tent which gives more options for a great location to set up your camp. To find out which bivy delivers a tent-like weather protection for mountaineers and climbers alike, let’s take a look at the distinguishing features.

Style
Rectangular and mummy bags are the two main styles available in the market today. The former costs less but are heavier and don’t offer that much warmth, while the latter is more expensive but is lighter and offers more warmth.

Shell
It is the outside layer of the bivy sack which is made up of different shell materials. Each material has different qualities. In wet conditions, a water-resistant shell or other waterproof breathable fabrics are ideal. If you want to save money and want to use a bivy sack for general camping, nylon, and taffeta or polyester shell materials are good choices.

Temperature Rating
It measures how cold the outside temperature can be before Sleeping Bags keep you warm. If you are new to the outdoors, be conservative with your temperature ratings when selecting a Sleeping Bag.

Lining
Located inside the bivy bag and it is the part that you actually lay on. It also comes in a number of materials like nylon, polyester, and taffeta which are soft fabrics, breathable, and comfortable. Other bivy bags have fleece lining which will make you feel warmer when temperature drops.

Fill
It is the insulating material inside bivy bags that will keep you warm. Some of the characteristics of good filling materials are lightweight and are compact when compressed.

Here are some things you need to consider when buying a bivy bag:

• Comfort


• Condensation


• Storm Protection


• Resistance


• Packability


• Livability


• Durability


• Weight


• Cost

Know what type of bivy bag you will need before purchasing one. In this way, you can save money and still get the right bivy bag for your needs.

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