Last updated on January 19th, 2023 at 10:52 pm
One of the best ways to go ultralight and get closer to nature? Consider camping with a bivy bag. While not for everyone, a bivy does offer campers unique advantages that tents may not. However, to make a bivy camping trip enjoyable, there are several elements to consider. Here, we break down those essential bivy camping tips.
This guide will help you choose the right bivy bag, as well as provide critical tips you should know before heading out on your next ultralight adventure.
What is a Bivy Bag
Bivy camping utilizes a small fabric tent about the size of your body to protect you from the elements.
In fact, if you’ve never heard of a “bivy” bag, it helps to imagine a tent, but formed just to the shape of your body.
A bivy, which is short for “bivouac,” is a single-layer, weatherproof cover for your sleeping bag that you sleep inside.
Bivy (or bivouac) camping, is the type of camping that only uses a bivy bag. It can also refer to a type of temporary shelter, like a large tree or overhanging rocks.
When camping with a bivy bag, your temporary shelter simply becomes your bivy.
Bivy camping is excellent for hikers and mountaineers looking to keep their packs ultralight and low-volume. They are especially useful if you’re camping solo and desire a no-fuss, minimalist sleeping situation during your trip.
It’s also not uncommon for alpine climbers and hikers to carry bivy bags as a backup to their tent in case of accidents or emergencies.
Our Best Tips for Bivying
As we mentioned, bivy camping, or “bivying,” isn’t for everyone. Some campers claim it can be too cramped or uncomfortable.
However, many also claim that with the right preparations, bivying can be one of the best camping strategies of all.
Below are the essential tips for having the best bivy camping experience.
1. Choose the right seep system
Before you choose a bivy bag, knowing which season and what weather you’re preparing for is key.
For instance, during summer, you may be better off with an inflatable sleeping pad to use with your bivy.
And, see our related post Best Camping Mattress for Bad Back or Best Sleeping Pad for Side Sleepers to see some of our favorite sleeping pads.
While during winter, you may want to choose a closed-cell pad.
This is because closed-cell technologies trap and insulate heat more effectively than standard inflatable pads, which lose heat faster.
Since the ground can be very cold in the winter, it helps to choose the right pad that will be inside your bivy.
Weather is also a big consideration.
If there is the possibility of rain, choosing a water-resistant sleeping bag will help cover you if your bivy ends up with a hole.
Furthermore, it’s important to choose a sleeping bag that’s rated for your comfort in this season.
And finally, choose a bivy that has sleeping pad straps to prevent you from slipping off your pad at night.
2. Cover gear at night
Another thing to consider when bivying is your gear.
Unlike tent camping, your gear won’t fit inside a bivy with you.
However, purchase a backpack cover, like this one, that will keep your pack dry and secure overnight.
Plus, you’ll want to keep wet or muddy boots outside at night. And you’ll want to cover them like your pack. So, bring an additional backpack cover or a trash bag to protect them from further moisture.
However, if you’re camping in winter, and your boots are not soaked, we recommend sleeping with them on. You’ll be happy to have warm, malleable insoles the next morning.
3. Choose a sheltered nook
Additionally, location is also very important for a comfortable bivy camping experience.
Luckily, one of the benefits of bivying is that you can reach and sleep in nooks that would not be possible with a tent.
Ideal places to set up a bivy depend on the weather situation.
However, near rock walls or natural wind breaks offer wind and rain protection.
Furthermore, thick bushes may also help to block heavy wind.
In addition, thick canopies can also help protect from rainfall.
Overall, you want to look for a spot that is quiet and hidden as much as possible.
4. Note the contours of the earth
However, if you’re setting up near a rock wall or on flat ground, take a look at the contours around you.
Specifically, be on the lookout for water drainage channels.
These can look like shallow, small rivers on downward-angled slopes.
You want to avoid setting up your bivy on them, since water can come flowing through if it rains.
Finally, also be aware of animal or human trails, and avoid avalanche zones.
5. Change out of wet clothes
Importantly, before you hop in your sleeping bag and bivy, you must change out of wet clothes (including sweaty clothes).
Because bivy bags are small and body-fitting, condensation can easily build up inside.
And, condensation in your bivy can decrease your temperature rapidly.
6. Stay warm
Furthermore, if you’re camping in cold weather, staying warm in a bivy bag will be crucial.
To do this, we fill a hot water bottle or Nalgene with hot water and place it inside the bag.
Be sure to place the water bottle near critical areas like your chest, armpits, or groin to keep your organs warm.
Even though a bivy can actually be warmer than a tent, temperature can swing more abruptly in a bivy.
7. Keep mouth and nose out of bivy
Ideally, you want to either choose a bivy bag with a mesh head area or keep your head and nose outside of your bivy.
This is because your breath can create condensation and moisture inside your bag from breathing.
And this can lead to you becoming colder, faster.
To keep your head warm when outside of your bivy, cover your head and neck with a balaclava and/or scarf for protection.
8. Choose a bivy with a head hoop
Additionally, choosing a bivy with a head hoop is also important for comfort.
For instance, these hoops help keep the bivy bag material from draping over your face, which can interfere with breathing.
Plus, this can also create less of a cramped feeling, and can provide more shelter from rain.
9. Cook and burn far from your bivy
Next, as you would with a tent, position your fire and cooking a fair distance from your bivy bag.
For instance, snapping cinders can pop at and burn holes in your bivy material.
Plus, cooking food near your bivy bag can attract animals due to the odor.
And, being in a bivy, you may be more vulnerable than in a tent.
10. Hang your food
Moreover, speaking of food, be sure to properly and securely store your food away from your bivy bag.
Food smells can attract all types of rodents and bears, so you want to keep it at a distance.
The best method for securing food is to hang it in a tree using a pulley system to get it high enough to be out of reach of bears.
11. Turn inside out during day
In addition, a great way to make sure your bag stays dry and doesn’t collect moisture is to turn it inside out during the day.
Over time, moisture can build in the bivy bag material, which may stop you from getting warm at night.
12. Use a tarp and multiple pads in winter
If you’ll be camping in temperatures below 32 degrees or in the snow, there are a few essentials to consider with a bivy bag.
For one, insulation is a key factor.
Icy ground or snow can penetrate up into your bivy and sleeping bag, rapidly sapping warmth.
To avoid this, consider adding a tarp and/or two sleeping pads beneath your bivy.
This extra layer can act as a buffer against the cold ground. Plus, an extra pad is easy to carry now that you’ve eliminated a heavy tent from your pack.
Building up a layer of leaves underneath your bivy can also add quick, DIY insulation.
13. Pick only one luxury item
Additionally, when you’re packing light, every pound matters.
This is why it’s important to consider which “luxury” item you want to bring with you.
Consider something like a journal or pillow. Even a book can add massive value on long treks.
When you’re in the wilderness with such a small setup, you’ll appreciate this favorite item and the comfort it can bring you.
14. Pack a morale booster
Sometimes, bivy camping can be tough, especially in bad weather.
To prepare for this possibility, consider packing a “morale booster.”
For instance, morale boosters can be things like chocolate, candy, cards, or even a power bank so that you can watch a movie.
These boosters are extremely helpful in moments of agitation, boredom, stress and anxiety.
Pros of Camping in a Bivy Bag
Camping in a bivy bag offers many benefits that tent campers may not be able to enjoy. Here are a few:
Closer to nature
Firstly, when you’re bivying, you’re as close to nature as you can get aside from building your own bushcraft shelter.
With a bivy bag, there is only one layer of material between you and the earth.
Bivying allows you to feel extremely connected to your environment, since there are no tent “walls.”
Also, if it’s the stars you want to be closer to, nothing is better than being able to look straight up from your bivy.
Ultralight
Plus, most bivy bags weigh less than 300 grams, or roughly 17 ounces.
This makes them highly desirable for ultralight camping.
Not only can going very lightweight result in a more enjoyable hike or climb, but also allows you to bring more gear or luxury items.
In fact, many campers forgo the weight of a tent in favor of bringing along additional hygenic aids. Check out our Best Portable Camping Toilet post for ideas for your next trip.
Pack down small
In addition, bivy bags are not only lighter than tents, but also take up less space in your pack.
Again, this leaves room for more gear, water, or more morale boosters.
However, if you’re worried that you’re too tall for a bivy, we understand, Check out our post Best Backpacking Tent for a Tall Person for a list of our favorite ultralight options for taller hikers.
Can be warmer than a tent
Interestingly, bivy bags can actually be warmer than tents.
This is because the enclosed, insulated space holds your body heat in close, rather than dispersing it across an open space, such as a tent.
And, if you bring hot water bottles in with you, they will also heat up the small bivy bag space faster.
Very easy to set up
Does the idea of pitching a tent and doing a full setup sometimes make you want to groan?
One of the biggest advantages of a bivy bag is that it takes virtually no time to set up, so you can get to sleep faster.
And, this is a huge benefit when you’ve been climbing all day.
Cons of Bivy Bag Camping
Regardless of its simplicity, it can beguile even the avid camper. There are lots of extra things to consider before heading out with a bivy.
In fact, bivy bag camping also has its cons, and isn’t for everyone. We break these down here:
Condensation
Because a bivy bag offers little room and ventilation, it can easily gather condensation.
As a result, this can easily cause you to become colder, since moisture draws in cold.
Not as weather resistant as tents
Additionally, climbing inside an insulated tent can protect you pretty well from rain and snow.
However, bivy bags may offer less protection, especially considering that you need to stay ventilated even when it’s raining.
For instance, in order to avoid condensation, you may need to open a vent or unzip your head cover, which could let in rain.
Can be uncomfortable
Some campers also dislike the tight fit that bivy bags offer.
They are essentially an extension of your sleeping bag and are very enclosed.
Campers that are claustrophobic or enjoy sleeping in the fetal position may find the design of a bivy bag uncomfortable.
No privacy
Furthermore, bivy bags also lack another feature of tents: privacy.
For instance, with a tent, you can change clothes in an enclosed space with plenty of space.
However, with a bivy bag, you have to climb out of the bag and do everything outside.
Little room for gear
As mentioned earlier, there is little room in a bivy bag for your gear.
At most, you may be able to bring a water bottle, book, and small light inside.
How to Go Bivy Bag Camping
Bivy bag camping is very similar to ultralight backpack camping, with even more flexibility. Here’s how to do it:
What to Pack for Bivy Bag Camping
There are a few essentials to pack when you’re planning a bivy bag camp, including:
- Bivy
- Sleeping pad
- Food rations for 3 meals a day plus snacks like granola, protein bars, and nuts
- Backpacking camping stove with pot for boiling water or check out our Best Camping Teapot for Backpackers post for a great teapot option
- Backpack cover
- Thick trash bag or another backpack dover for your boots
- Balaclava
- 2 liters of water plus iodine tablets or a LifeStraw
- Lightweight tarp for shelter if needed, like when eating
- One luxury item as previously mentioned
- One morale booster as previously mentioned
In addition, we recommend camping at a designated campground if this will be your first bivy bag camp.
This will let you become familiar with the feel of the bag and your ideal setup.
What to Do if it Rains While Bivying
Regardless of your gear, rain can be a downer for any camping trip. However, a few ways you can shelter yourself from rain in your bivy bag include:
- Choosing a sheltered location, such as beneath rock outcroppings
- Choosing a water-resistant sleeping bag
- Covering your head hole to prevent water leaking in
- Prepping your sleeping bag with hot water bottles and/or hot rocks
- Turning your bivy bag inside out during the day to keep it dry and warm at night
How to Stay Warm While Bivying
Furthermore, two main factors will help keep you the warmest while bivy bag camping.
These include choosing a location with a wind block, such as large rocks, and choosing a cold-weather rated sleeping bag.
In addition, you can also add hot water bottles and hot rocks to your bag for extra warmth.
Does Sleeping Pad Go Inside Bivy
Whether your sleeping pad goes inside your bivy bag depends on the type of pad.
For instance, thin, inflatable pads can go inside your bed.
However, thicker foam and thicker inflatable pads can go outside. Additionally, you won’t want a thick pad to absorb precipitation, so consider wrapping thick, foam mattresses in your tarp.
Keep in mind that some bivy bags come with straps to secure your bag to your pad, so that it doesn’t fall off in the night.
So, this feature can help you decide where to place your pad.
Do You Put a Sleeping Bag Inside Bivy
Yes, your sleeping bag goes inside your bivy bag.
However, some campers may choose to use just their bivy in warm summer months, but using a sleeping bag is preferred.
How Do I Stop Condensation in My Bivy
Avoiding condensation in your bivy bag is essential.
Here are a few tips to minimize it:
Breathe outside
First, our breath contains moisture.
This is why you ideally want to breathe outside of your bivy bag to avoid this moisture collecting inside.
To protect your head and face overnight, consider wearing a balaclava and/or a scarf.
Opt for one with a mesh head
Some bivy bags come with a mesh head in order to offer ventilation and protection from bugs.
These can be ideal if you don’t want your head to be fully “free.”
Turn inside out to dry in the day
As previously mentioned, to keep your bivy bag dry turn it inside out during the day.
Remove wet clothes before getting inside
To preserve the dry environment inside your bivy bag, make sure to remove wet clothing before going inside.
This includes dampness from precipitation and sweat.
Hang sleeping bag to dry during day
Along with turning your sleeping bag inside out, you can also hang it to dry in the sun and in the breeze.
Check the Weather
Additionally, check the weather to prepare successfully.
In fact, if excessive rain is on the radar, you may want to opt for tent camping. It is easier to keep dry in a tent than it is in a bivy bag.
While this may add weight to your pack, eliminating redundancies and luxury items may remove some of the extra weight.
Plus, if you have a party of two or more, you can eliminate even more. For instance, each person doesn’t need their own axe or camping stove.
Sharing these tools can allow you to split the weight of tent parts between parties, averaging out the load.
Consider also that an ultralight two-person tent may be lighter than two bivy bags.
Do You Need a Tarp Under a Bivy
No, it is not essential to bring a tarp.
However, a tarp is a nice addition to your bivy setup for a few reasons.
For instance, during winter, it can help insulate you from the cold ground, which can make or break your warmth.
Plus, laying down a tarp can help protect the integrity of your bag and save it from rips and tears from branches and rocks.
Enjoy Your Journey More With a Bivy
Overall, bivy bag camping is an excellent option for ultralight camping and hiking adventures. Bivy camping is a way to get even closer to nature.
While not for everyone, it can allow campers to truly integrate with nature. Plus, you may also be able to access areas you may not be able to with a tent.
Regardless of its simplicity, it can beguile even the avid camper. Campers, climbers, and backpackers utilize bivies for enjoyable adventures.
About the Author
Sarah Sampsell
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