This article gives a detailed review of all the best and most common bivvy/bivi bags available.
It contains a a buyer’s guide, recommendations of the best bivvy bags and comparison tables with details of every single bivvy bag available in the UK.
Jump to: Ultimate Comparison Tables | Best Bivy Bags | Full Bivy Bag Reviews
BEST BIVVY BAG 2021
In a hurry? I reckon these are the best bivvy bags in 2021. For details and more options, scroll down.
Best budget bivi: Alpkit Hunka
If you’re in any doubt about what bivvy bag to get, then look no further than the the Alpkit Hunka. It’s waterproof and breathable, not too flimsy but not too heavy either, and at £50, it’s reasonably priced.
Alpkit Hunka
from £50
Best luxury bivi: Rab Ridge Raider
For 15 years I have been recommending the Terra Nova Jupiter as the best bivvy bag that money can but it’s no longer made.
It’s closest rival then is the Rab Ridge Raider. A cavernous hooped bag made with triple layer waterproof eVent. At a cool £300 RRP, it is not cheap, but it is good.
Rab Ridge Raider
from £289
Lightest/cheapest hooped bivi: Outdoor Research Helium Bivy
The Outdoor Research Helium is a really good bivvy bag.
At only 510 grams (18oz), this is the lightest hooped bivvy bag by a long stretch. It also happens to be much cheaper than most others. It is less than half the price of the Terra Nova Jupiter.
I’ve been using one for a couple of years now and reckon it’s excellent. It is not as sturdy as the heavier Terra Nova Jupiter so will no doubt be more susceptible to wear and tear. But, all in all, it is a really good bag for the price, especially given how light it is.
(N.B. Alpkit have recently released a hooped bivvy that is much cheaper than the Helium. Watch this space for a review of the Alpkit Elan).
OR Helium Bivvy
from £135
Best back-up bivi: Rab Survival Zone
The Survival Zone is super lightweight and, if you’re not worried about waterproofing, you can get the even lighter Survival Zone Lite.
The next best thing would probably just be an orange survival bag.
Rab Survival Zone bivvy
from £92
BIVVY BAG BUYER’S GUIDE
This should help inform your purchase so you know what to look for in a good bivi.
Waterproofness
Waterproofing is measured with a rating called hydrostatic head (HH). 10,000 or more means you’ll stay dry in all but the worst weather. Lower than that and it will probably start to seep through in heavy weather and puddles. I have a bag with a rating of 1,000 which is fine for spills and brief showers but lets water through in anything more.
Any bivvy bag made with Goretex or eVent will be waterproof.
Breathability
Breathability is the extent to which the fabric will allow water vapour to escape. It is particularly important in bivvy bags because, unlike tents, any condensation that forms inside them will instantly make you and your sleeping bag feel damp.
If the bivvy bag you are interested in uses Goretex, eVent or Pertex then its breathability will be fine. Don’t give it another thought.
If it is not made with one of those branded fabrics, then look at its MVTR: moisture vapour transmission rate. That is a measure of its breathability. 10,000 or more is fine. Goretex and eVent should be 25,000+. Less than 10,000 becomes damp and sweaty.
If a bivi bag is cheap then it is very likely that it will either be not very waterproof or not very breathable. A bit of reading between the lines will usually tell you which.
Hooped or not hooped
Basic bivvy bags are just large, waterproof bags. They are cheap, lightweight and instant to pitch but can be miserable in wet weather.
Hooped bivvy bags are like tiny tents. They are more expensive and take a couple of minutes to pitch but they are much better in the rain.
Entry and exit
Non-hooped bags may have velcro, zips or draw-cords at the top closure where you get into and out of the bag. This is a matter of preference though I would probably opt for the simplicity of drawcords.
Spaciousness
Larger bivi bags (like ex-army bivvies or the Alpkit Hunka XL) have enough space to fit your rucksack and boots inside.
On the other hand, some ultra-lightweight bivvy bags (like the Rab Survival Zone Lite) might not even an inflatable camping mat.
The tables below do not show internal measurements but you can see them in my source spreadsheet.
Packed size/weight
Bivvy bags are generally fairly lightweight. The lightest one weighs just 200g.
However, some of the fancier hooped bivvies can weigh over a kilogram and ex-army bags are often 800g. Given that you can get one-person tents that weigh less than a kilo these days, it is worth paying some attention to the weight.
Weights of all bags are displayed in the tables below.
Cost
Prices range about £30 for a budget ex-army bag to a whopping great £350 for the luxurious Terra Nova Saturn. If price is an issue, you can always just get an orange survival bag for £4 and make do with that.
COMPARISON TABLES
The Ultimate Bivvy Bag Comparison Tables
If you think I’m missing any key bivvies or would like one added then just let me know in the comments section below.
Scroll down for a proper review of each bag.
a. Basic Bivvy Bags
| Model | Net | Weight | Ounces | Fabric | Waterproof* | Notes | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Survival Bag | No | 290g | 10oz | Plastic | 30,000 | Not breathable and no closure but cheap and waterproof. | £4 |
| Vaude Biwak I | No | 300g | 11oz | Coated nylon | 3,000 | Cheap, light but not very waterproof. | £25 |
| Ex-Army Bivvy Bag | No | 800g | 28oz | Goretex | 20,000 | Specs vary. Very good budget bivvy. Find on Amazon or Ebay. | £25 |
| Vaude Biwak II | No | 600g | 21oz | Coated nylon | 3,000 | Double (two-person) bivi! | £35 |
| Alpkit Hunka Bivvy | No | 376g | 13oz | Coated nylon | 10,000 | Excellent. Price has gone up a lot but still the safest budget option. | £50 |
| Highlander Hawk Bivi | Yes | 921g | 18oz | Coated nylon | 4,000 | Wire-supported mosquito net to cover face. | £54 |
| Alpkit Hunka XL Bivvy | No | 503g | 18oz | Coated nylon | 10,000 | Extra large version of Hunka. | £65 |
| Rab Survival Zone Bivy | No | 320g | 11oz | Pertex Shield | 1,000 | Lightest waterproof/breathable bivi. | £92 |
| Terra Nova Survival Bivi | No | 340g | 12oz | Coated nylon | 10,000 | Too narrow for full length mat inside | £100 |
| Rab Storm Bivy | No | 664g | 23oz | Hyperlite Storm | 3,000 | Good quality bivy but army and Alpkit are cheaper. | £110 |
| Alpkit Kloke | No | 254g | 9oz | Coated nylon | 20,000 | Not tested. | £129 |
| Rab Survival Zone LITE Bivy | No | 200g | 7oz | Pertex Endurance | 10,000 | Very light but not waterproof. | £134 |
| Terra Nova Discovery LITE | No | 300g | 11oz | Goretex Paclite | 20,000 | Lightest full length zip bivy. Very short and no longer made. | £169 |
| Terra Nova Moonlite Bag Cover | Yes | 210g | 7oz | TN Moonlite | 15,000 | Too narrow for full length mat inside | £170 |
| Rab Alpine Bivy | No | 495g | 17oz | eVent | 20,000 | Good quality bivy but Alpkit Hunka is so much cheaper. | £195 |
| Terra Nova Discovery Bivy (discontinued) | No | 530g | 19oz | Goretex FLO2 | 20,000 | Very expensive for a hoopless bivy. Discontinued. | |
| Karrimor (X Lite) Bivi Bag (discontinued) | No | 289g | 9oz | Coated nylon | 10,000 | Discontinued. |
‘Net’ refers to whether or not the bag has an integral mesh mosquito net.
To sort table by weight, use the ‘Ounces’ column. It works better.
For more details including pack size and internal dimensions, view the source data in Google Sheets
b. Hooped Bivvy Bags
| Model | Poles | Weight | Ounces | Fabric | Waterproof* | Notes | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trekmates Storm | 1 | 900g | 32oz | Polyester | 5,000 | Not tested. Trekmates contacted for a review. | £85 |
| Alpkit Elan | 2 | 900g | 32oz | Nylon | 10,000 | Not tested. Alpkit contacted for a review. | £100 |
| Snugpak Stratosphere | 2 | 1.1kg | 39oz | Nylon | 8,000 | Cheap but not waterproof. | £149 |
| Black Diamond Spotlight Bivy | 1 | 660g | 23oz | NanoShield | Not tested. Black Diamond's distributors contacted for a review. | £175 | |
| Outdoor Research Helium Bivy | 1 | 510g | 18oz | Pertex Shield+ 2.5L | 20,000 | Lightest hooped bivvy. Full review here | £199 |
| Terra Nova Jupiter Lite | 1 | 770g | 27oz | TN Moonlite | 10,000 | New Jupiter. Not waterproof. Better/cheaper bags available. | £230 |
| Rab Ridge Raider | 1 | 1kg | 35oz | eVent | 20,000 | Similar to Jupiter but bigger hoop/door | £280 |
| Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy | 1 | 907g | 32oz | Goretex Respiration Positive | 20,000 | New, extra breathable Goretex material. | £275 |
| Outdoor Research Interstellar | 1 | 546g | 19oz | Ascentshell 3L | 15,000 | Side entry for easy entry/exit. Can poke arms out and wear like a sombrero (!) | £290 |
| Aqua Quest Hoopla (discontinued) | 1 | 1.1kg | 39oz | Nylon | 10,000 | Discontinued. But sweaty and not recommended. Go hoopless or Snugpak. | £99 |
| Terra Nova Jupiter (discontinued) | 1 | 1.1kg | 30oz | Gore-Tex | 20,000 | Original Jupiter. Excellent but no longer available. | £279 |
*Waterproof rating is the ‘hydrostatic head’ of the fabric. 10,000 is fully waterproof.
All hooped bivvies have mosquito nets.
To sort table by weight, use the ‘Ounces’ column. It works better.
For more details including pack size and internal dimensions, view the source data in Google Sheets
REVIEWS
a. Basic bivvy bags
Your basic non-hooped bivvy bag is just a big waterproof sack that you get inside. Their beauty is their simplicity: no poles, no pitching and, usually, no zips. Their biggest downside is that they’re a pain in the rain: the best you can do is to flap a hood over your face and breathe Goretex until it passes. Here is an overview of the most common types of bivvy sack and the best:
Orange survival bag
>> Tested by the author
Available for less than £5, the orange emergency survival bag is lightweight, 100% waterproof and a viable option in some circumstances (e.g. if it’s breezy and/or you don’t really expect much rain).
The problem, of course, is that it is 100% *not* breathable so all the moisture and sweat from your body gets stuck inside the bag, runs down the sides and pools at the bottom. Not very pleasant. It also has no fastening at the top, just a huge hole. The best option is usually to sleep on top of it until it rains or you anticipate a heavy dew. Sleeping somewhere breezy and keeping the bag open will help circulate air, and lying downhill may help drain the moisture.
Summary: cheap enough that there’s no excuse not to bivouac but only a long-term option for the hardiest.
–
Ex-Army Goretex bivi bag
>> Used and recommended by the author
From here onwards, with one exception, you start getting quality bags and just need to choose your features and budget. British Army bivvies are the bench mark for bivi bags. They’re usually found on Amazon, Ebay or similar (try army, ex-army, british army, army surplus etc). They are big enough to fit your rucksack inside, tough enough to sleep on stones without tearing, waterproof enough for heavy rain and breathable enough to be comfortable.
All in all, they are excellent. The downsides are that they are surprisingly big and heavy (you can get one-man tents that weigh less) and, being non-hooped, just leave you to flap the Goretex hood over your face during the rain.
(N.B. “Ex-army” these days may not mean it’s ever actually been used by the army, which is fine, but just watch out for cheap imitations that are not Goretex. These will be more like the previous Hi-Gear-type bivvies described above).
Summary: big, tough, waterproof, breathable and cheap. An excellent bag. Quite big and heavy though and no hoop for the rain.
Alpkit Hunka bivvy bag
>> Used and recommended by the author
The biggest branded rival to the ex-army bags is the Alpkit Hunka which has been around for years.
This is the safest bet for a non-hooped bivvy bag: they are well made, waterproof, breathable and reasonably priced.
Summary: excellent, basic bivvy bag. Hard to beat.
Rab Storm & Alpine Bivvies
These two bags look broadly the same except for the fabric. The Storm is made from Rab’s own-brand fabric (thus cheaper) and the Alpine uses eVent (thus is twice the price).
eVent is the main rival to Goretex. Its key selling point is superior breathability. I have not used these Rab bags myself (I’ve used their other bags) but I suspect they are very similar to the Alpkit Hunka but more breathable, particularly the Alpine Bivy, and probably better quality i.e. will last longer.
Summary: good quality bivvies, more breathable than Alpkit’s Hunka but more expensive.
Rab Survival Zone & Survival Zone LITE
>> Used and recommended by the author (full review here)
Rab’s Survival Zone bags are sometimes described as “sleeping bag covers” rather than bivi bags. They are very thin and are quite a tight fit around camping mat and sleeping bag. However, they are extremely lightweight and pack down very small.
The regular Survival Zone’s Pertex Shield is waterproof in all but the heaviest showers (hydrostatic head of 10,000), the Survival Zone Lite’s is not waterproof (it uses Pertex Endurance with an HH of 1,000).
I would recommend them for protecting a sleeping bag from dew, spills and other damage; for Alpine climbing where you’ll sleep on snow and want wind protection but are not worried about rain; for ultra-running or other activities where every gram counts; in addition to a tent for extra warmth in winter or so you can bivvy outside when the weather looks good.
(My wife and I used two Survival Zone Lites for 16 months’ cycling around the world. In winter we used them for warmth, year-round when camping to protect our inflatable mats and in summer to bivi outside. Read my full review here).
Summary: light enough to carry in addition to a tent and excellent for Alpine climbing or ultra-running. However, the Survival Zone Lite is not waterproof.
b. Hooped Bivi Bags
The luxury option for bivouacers is the hooped bivi: these bags have one or more poles, like a tiny tent. That means you can zip yourself inside when it rains and still sleep comfortably. They also allow better air flow meaning less stickiness and condensation inside. Pegging the bags out means they stand up on their own, stay in place and improves airflow for better moisture management. The downside is that they are not instant to pitch and strike, and they weigh a little more too.
Aqua Quest ‘Hoopla’ (and other cheap plastic hooped bivis)
>> Tested by the author
Aqua Quest’s hooped bivvy tent is the cheapest on the market.
However, having tested it and seen a friend use it on a trip, it is the one bivvy bag that I would advise avoiding.
It has very poor breathability. It claims to be made from a breathable material but, having seen the pools of water that formed in my friend’s after a dry night, I would question that.
I would recommend either spending an extra £30-40 to get the excellent Outdoor Research Helium Bivi (above). Or, saving your money and just getting a bag without a hope.
Summary: not breathable and not worth buying in my opinion. Get the OR Helium or go hoopless.
Terra Nova Jupiter & Jupiter Lite
>> Used by the author
The original Jupiter Research Bivi was an excellent bag. I have been using for over 15 years in all sorts of conditions and it was always my default recognition
Unfortunately, whereas the original Research Bivi was made with Goretex, its replacement, the Jupiter Lite, uses Terra Nova’s Moonlite fabric which is not very waterproof. As such, I would not recommend it.
The Rab Ridge Raider is the closest to the original Jupiter Research bivi (big, solid, waterproof) and only marginally more expensive. Alternatively, the Outdoor Research Helium is cheaper and more waterproof.
Summary: there are better and cheaper alternatives available.
Rab Ridge Raider
>> Tested by the author
Very similar design to the original Terra Nova Jupiter except using eVent fabric rather than Goretex – perhaps more breathable but much the same – and having a huge hoop.
The big, square sided hoop makes getting in and out of the bag much easier than the Jupiter and allows more air in and out. It does increase the profile though so makes it a little more intrusive and may even suffer in high winds – not something bivviers usually have to worry about.
Summary: great bivi, good simple design, same as the Terra Nova Jupiter but with an extra large hoop and door.
Bivvy bags no longer manufactured
The following bags are not available any more. They are included for reference, although you may still find them on Amazon or Ebay.
- Hi Gear Adventure Bivvi Bag: 400g, 5,000mm HH, £25.
- Vaude Bivibag Active: 200g, 10,000mm HH, 230x80cm.
- Vaude Bivi 1P: two poles, 910g, 7,000mm HH, £135. I own one of these.
- Terra Nova Saturn: two poles, 1.1kg, 20,000 HH, £350.
Background
This review is based on over a decade of bivouacing across the UK and the world, from winter in the Scottish highlands, to summer on the Cornish coast, at 5,000-metres in Kyrgyzstan and roadside on Korean cycle paths, in ditches underneath dual carriageways to the summits of mountains through sunset and sunrise
I’ve read Ronald Turnbull’s Book of the Bivvy cover-to-cover and wrote The Beginner’s Guide to Bivouacing so hopefully have some useful knowledge.
More input is welcome though so do add your comments and questions.
Change log
UPDATED MAy 2016: Six Eight new bivvies added to the table from Alpkit, Vaude, Terra Nova, Snugpak, Highlander and Outdoor Research. Plus, hydrostatic head (HH) ratings included for all non-Goretex/eVent fabrics.
UPDATED JULY 2016: I’ve added some new software to make the table sortable by e.g price, weight and whether it’s hooped or has a mosquito net. It should also display properly on mobiles. I hope it’s helpful but let me know any problems.
UPDATED OCTOBER 2016: tables are now sortable by e.g. size/weight/price and the original source spreadsheets are now available online. Details below.
UPDATED MAY 2018: links updated. 26 bivvies now included.
UPDATED FEBRUARY 2020: links updated. Old bivvies removed, new bivves added. New total of 25.
Finally: is it bivi, bivy, bivvy or bivvie?
Bivouac is a real world that’s been hijacked, conjugated (e.g. bivouacing, bivouacking, bivouaced, bivouacer), abbreviated (bivvy, bivvie, bivi) and sometimes both (bivvying, bivvier, bivvied). I don’t think there’s any particular spellings that are “right”. I tend to go with bivi and bivvying but include all sorts of spellings to help people find these articles on Google. Similarly, they are sometimes referred to as bivy bags, bivy sacks, bivy tents and, simplies, bivvies.
This article is part of my Comparison Series. You might also like: Comparison of Camping Mats, Base Layer Materials, Multi Fuel Stoves and Gas Canister Camping Stoves.
For more comparison articles such as camping mats and base layer materials, see here.
136 Comments
Steve Fuller
Three others that I’d mention (not that there aren’t a million of them now) – Nemo’s GoGo Bivvy (LE and Elite), Titanium Goat Biivvies (Ptarmigan and Kestrel) and the Miles Gear Pico Bivvy.
Tim Moss
Thanks for those Steve. I think the range of bivis differs quite a lot between the US and UK. If the article’s popular over the Atlantic then I’ll add some more details for the American range.
nazzarena
How about the Pieps Alien Bivy Bag and the current ones from Vaude (BIWAK I and II). Thanks
Tim Moss
Hi Nazzarena,
The Pieps bivi bags look like non-waterproof emergency covers so good as a back up, in dry weather or underneath a tarp.
I’ve added the Vaude Biwak I and II to my table. Their hydrostatic head is only 3,000mm which means they are not properly waterproof, just OK for a light shower. They’re light though and very cheap.
Hope that helps.
Tim.
Pingback: Which Bivvy Bag should I Buy? | Bivvy Bags | Alastair Humphreys
Pingback: Best Camping Mats: The Complete & Definitive Guide
Pingback: Best Base Layer Materials - Merino, Bamboo, Synthetic & Cotton
Pingback: The Best Mid Layers - The Definitive Review
Karl Ek
First of all, thank you for a very good comparison and review.
There is one Bivvy Bag that you didn’t mention. A Bivvy Bag that I believe are in the same category as Terra Nova or maybe even better.
The name is “Bivy Bag T” and are made by TAIGA of Sweden. http://www.coldskills.com/bivy-bag-t-iir-p-847-c-363.aspx
Tim Moss
Hi Karl, thanks for the link. That does look like a good bivy sack and, as you say, very similar to the Terra Nova.
It’s heavier though (1.1kg compared to 840g for the Jupiter/Ridge Raider) and more expensive (£300 + £20 delivery to the UK). Another one to bear in mind.
Pingback: Wild camping on Dartmoor | VisitBath.org.uk
Ian Lewis
Nice review Tim -thanks for sharing your experience.
Can you comment on the US army sleep system or the Dutch army hooped bivi? Both look useful and are readily available through ebay.
Thanks.
Tim Moss
Thanks Ian. The Dutch Army Hooped Bivis look like they’ll have the same proprerties as a British Army Hoopless Bivi (i.e. tough, spacious, bulky, heavy) but with the obvious advantages of a hoop. For the prices on Ebay (~£90), they’re probably your best bet for a lower cost hooped bivy.
The US Army Modular Sleep System looks neat and is no doubt very durable. If you’re planning on using the sleeping bags as well and like the idea of an integrated system then I’m sure they’ll be good. Otherwise, my hunch is that a simpler British army bivy bag will be better (i.e. possibly smaller/lighter due to less attachments, easier to use with other sleeping bags and without a opening on the side which could leak).
I hope that helps. Let me know what you decide.
Jacqui McIntosh
Trying to choose a bivvy for my husband for Christmas. He’s a ranger with the National Trust for Scotland and spends a lot of nights out on the hill. My question is do all the recommended bags have a mesh window for insect protection? Midges are hell up here!
Tim Moss
Hi Jacqui, most bivvies do not have a mosquito net so it’s a good thing to check. Off the top of my head, I don’t know of any hoopless bivvies which have mozzie nets but the Terra Nova Jupiter and Rab Ridge Raider have them built in. They’re both excellent but expensive. You can, of course, just sleep in a cheap mosquito head net… but that might not be quite such a nice Christmas present!
Just shout if I can help any further.
Steve francis
Tim/jacqui….how about the ‘kelty trail’ for a hoopless bivy bag with a mozzie mesh?
Tim Moss
Thanks for heads up Steve. It looks good but I think it’s a little harder to that track down over here in the UK. For whatever reason, the range of bivys in the US seems completely different from the range available here.
Jacqui McIntosh
Thanks for the help, Tim and Steve. I’m quite handy with a needle, maybe I can modify a bivvy bag to include a mesh window. I’ll let you know how it turns out!
Jacqui McIntosh
Further to my last post, I have been looking at the Highlander Hawk Bivvy. Do you have any information on it? Many thanks for your help.
Tim Moss
Jacqui, so sorry for not replying to you. I’ve only just noticed your comment. You’ve probably long since made your decision but from what I’ve read, the Highlander Hawk Bivvy is a solid choice. Proper waterproof and breathable material with a mesh face cover and good reviews. In the UK, it’s on Amazon for £50: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003BBTX8U/?tag=thenexcha0b-21
Jake
Hi,
I was considering buying a Rab storm bivi, but could find no information about the Hyperlite storm fabric used in its construction, so I phoned Rab and the helpful chap sent me an email with the details of the fabric.. I was shocked to find that it only has a HH of 3000 and to top this it is a PU coated nylon that is not I repeat NOT breathable!!! Even though the advertising says it’s breathable!
Jake
Hi ya again,
Heres the actual e-mail i got from rab concerning their Hyperlite Storm fabric as used in the Storm bivi:-
Hyperlite Storm is a proprietary fabric of Equip Outdoor Technologies LTD. It is a fully waterproof nylon thanks to the clear polyutherane coating. Hyperlite Storm is not meant to be breathable; it is meant to provide worst-case scenario weather and moisture protection.
Main Properties
Composition 100% Teffeta nylon, Coating: clear PU, non-breathable, Yarn Size: Warp 70d / Weft 70d, Waterproofness: 3000mm HH.
Explains why lots of people are getting wet and having condensation problems in these bags!
Have fun
Tim Moss
Jake, thanks for taking the time to share that information. I was waiting for a reply from Rab. They said:
“There are two different fabrics used on the bivi. The base is made from a non-breathable fabric, which is used because of its high hydrostatic head of 10,000mmm. This is important as it is under direct pressure from your body on the ground. The upper fabric is under no pressure and so uses a lighter fabric which is breathable and has a hydrostatic head of 3000mm. This is still higher than many tent outer fabrics and more than sufficient to keep rain out.”
This obviously contradicts the email that you received but my hunch is that whoever emailed you made a mistake. All the literature suggests that the Storm Bivi is breathable and it would be a pretty poor design for it not to be. A non-breathable waterproof base, on the other hand, is common and good practice.
That said, several reviews do suggest that the breathability – regardless of the technicalities of the fabric – is poor.
Lisa Mac
Hi, the links you gave for the Terra Nova Jupiter no longer seem to sell that item? I can’t find it anywhere on the website that you link to. Mind you I’m tired right now, and it’s late, so maybe I’m missing it. Or do they no longer sell it? Regards
Tim Moss
Hi Lisa, that’s interesting. I’ve just done a search and it seems to have almost disappeared overnight. There aren’t even any sellers on Amazon or eBay and it’s been taken off the Terra Nova website. I’ve emailed them to ask about it and will let you know when I hear back. In the meantime, Rab’s Ridgeraider is very similar.
Tim Moss
Got a swift response from Terra Nova: they’ve run out of stock for the Jupiter’s poles so they won’t be in stock again until some time after June.
Nick
Thanks for a very helpful overview. Unfortunately, Terra Nova confirmed to me that they will no longer manufacture the Jupiter hooped bivvy in Gore-tex FL02. From January 2020 they plan to offer only the Jupiter Lite which is made of the much lighter Moonlight fabric. Two reviews I have read spoke of fabric pole fittings of the Lite version tearing off, so it seems to be a lighter duty item.
As I wanted something made from durable material I went for the Rab Ridge Raider with its 3-layer 40D Event fabric. The large pole makes it comparatively roomy, but it would have been nice to have the netting on the outside of the main fabric like the TN Jupiter — so the midges would not be able to sneak in when you adjust the size of the opening.
Nick
Tim Moss
Thanks Nick. That’s a shame about Terra Nova discontinuing the original Jupiter. It’s a cracking bivvy, and mine’s still going strong after 15+ years.
I’ve also heard the Jupiter Lite’s waterproofness questioned.
Hopefully I’ll be able to try a Jupiter Lite before too long. But until then, if I was after a lightweight bivvy that was very water resistant (rather than proof), I’d go for an Outdoor Research Helium.
I’m sure you won’t regret the Ridge Raider though. It’s really good!
Tim.
Pingback: Wild camping on Dartmoor | safarinewseg
Alistair
Great article thanks Tim… how about the Terra Nova Discovery Lite as a light weight high performance bag please?
Tim Moss
Hi Alistair, thanks for drawing my attention to that one. It’s not listed on the Terra Nova site so I’m not sure if it’s still being made but they’re still available online.
It’s PacLite so it will be both waterproof and have good breathability so, as you suggest, performance should be good.
Apart from it’s price (£170 for a hoopless bivy!), the most likely issues I suspect will be it’s size and toughness.
It’s only 200cm which is shorter than all of the other bivvies here and I’ve seen some reviewers who’ve sent it back because they couldn’t fit inside.
PacLite is notorious for tearing easily so it won’t be the toughest bag in the world but then the groundsheet is a different material and lightweight will always mean a compromise on durability. (Look out for new Goretex Active bivvies though – that’s a much tougher material that’s lighter than PacLite).
In summary, if you can afford it and aren’t too tall, then this should be a good quality lightweight bivy. If not, get a Rab Survival Zone or even an Alpkit Hunka.
dave woodhouse
Hi Tim, nice review. Tell me please do you have any experience of Outdoor Research bivis??
Tim Moss
Hi Dave, I don’t have any personal experience actually (I should probably write to them and see if they’ll give me one to test). The range in the US is very different from the range here in the UK and I’ve not yet tried to cover it.
However, they look decent to me. A good range using 3-layer Gore-Tex and Pertex Shield+ on the lighter models. Their weights are good, particularly the 500g hooped Helium Bivy. The Advanced Bivy looks very similar to the Terra Nova Jupiter which I’ve been using for over 10 years – both Goretex on top, toughened floor and single hoop (although the newer Jupiters are lighter than OR’s Advanced Bivy). It’s also interesting to see hoopless bivis with zips and mesh hoods which aren’t very common over here.
I hope that helps a little but just fire away if I can help with anything specific.
Paul Myerscough
I just returned from a wet trip with my Rab Storm bivi which I used in a MLD trailstar tarp. My biggest problem was getting in and out of the thing. I use a thermorest mat inside which means the bag becomes flat and stiff. Getting in and out at the top end invites clashes with the low roof of the tarp and is almost impossible without dragging myself and the sleeping bag onto the wet ground. Not to mentioned calf cramps from the contortions to get my legs out.
Surely there is and easier way?
Tim Moss
Hi Paul, getting into and out of bivi bags is certainly part of the fun!
I suppose options for improving your lot would be:
Put your mat outside the bivi rather than inside (obviously works better with solid foam roll mats).
Get a bigger bivi. Army bivvies are the biggest whilst the lightest ones tend to be the smallest.
Get a bivi with a zipped side entrance
Get a hooped bivi. They present their own challenges but at least they stay open.
Apart from that, perhaps you could do some practice drills in the safety of your living room?
Good luck!
Tim.
Iain
Any thoughts on the Terra Nova Survival Bivi Bag?
Tim Moss
Well, it looks very small, very light and very cheap. I’ve not tested it myself (although I’ve just emailed Terra Nova to ask for one) but my hunch would be that it’s either not that waterproof or, more likely, not that breathable. But if you just want something small and light to keep the dew off and protect your sleeping bag then it’ll probably be pretty good.
The lightweight alternatives are the Rab Survival Zones which are more expensive and a budget alternative would be the Alpkit Hunka.
Hope that helps for now.
Tim.
Pingback: REVIEW: Battle of the Bivys – Teil 2 : SPARTANAT
Palle Nielsen
Hi, Tim. Really nice blog you got here. I´m a totally beginner in this “bivi-world”. Do you have any experience with the Karabatic Gear Bristelcine Bivi or the Mountain Range gore-tex ?
Tim Moss
Thanks Palle. The Bristelcine Bivi is very light but it’s only water resistant so if it rains you’ll get wet. Do you have a link for the Mountain Range one? If it’s Goretex then you can’t go too far wrong.
Brian Coupland
Interesting article. Just a heads up to say that the Rab Ridge Raider is now on offer at Go Outdoors
Tim Moss
Brilliant, thanks for sharing that Brian. I’ve added links above or click here.
Tony
Mr. Moss,
Your knowledge is worth more than gold! Your gift of sharing it is truly beyond thanks. Would you please do a review of the top 10 bivouacs for USA market? Cheers!
Tim Moss
Thanks Tony. I’m hoping to add a comparison for US bivi bags in the near future but it’s several days’ work to put these articles together so I have to fit it around normal life and work. I’ll send you an email when it’s done though and feel free to ask any questions in the meantime.
Pingback: Best Liquid Multi Fuel Camping Stoves - The Definitive Review
Alfie Adens
Hi Tim, what about the Snugpak stratosphere bivi, I’ve got a loan of one to try this w/end in the western highlands? Great blog by the way.
Tim Moss
Hi Alfie, the Snugpak Stratosphere looks most similar to the Vaude bivi on my list i.e. a decent, lower budget hooped bivi.
It’s waterproof and breathable although I think it might be using coated nylon rather than a waterproof membrane which means, like the Vaude, it might be a little sweatier and/or lose its waterproofing faster over time.
Looks like a good bag though and I’m sure it will be fine. Enjoy the Highlands!
Pingback: Resources from the Cycle Touring FestivalThe Next Challenge | The Next Challenge
Mike Foley
Hello Tim. Great blog and extremely informative, iv read it several times.
I want to buy a hooped bivy over here in Ireland and pickings are slim.
Im thinking about the vaude or snugpak andwas wondering would an additional snugpak bivy sack around my sleeping bag be an idea towards keeping it dry from condensation or would it be counter productive?
Should I just hold off and buy a TN Jupiter or RAB ridge raider?? Thank you and once again, tread article
Mike.
Mike Foley
“Great article” that should have been
Tim Moss
Hey Mike, thanks for the kind words. Were you suggesting a second bivi inside another one? I’ve not tried it but I am pretty sure that would result in a lot of sweaty condensation. Bear in mind that the condensation inside a sealed bivi bag comes from your body so it’s not a case of keeping it out but letting it out.
The best way to reduce moisture in a bivi is probably just to pitch it somewhere a bit breezy and leave it open as much as possible.
Presumably you could just pay for shipping for an online order of the Jupiter / Ridge Raider?
Mike Foley
Hello again, thank you for the reply.
I thought as much as regards the 2 bivys alright. The method to my madness was to put the sleeping bag inside the bivy sack to stop the moisture from your breath getting onto the bag, and to stop the sleeping bag having direct contact with the walls of the tent
Then to be in the bivy tent (because id rather be sealed up when im out) but have the vents open and a tarp over the top. I realise im adding weight and bulk but I carry a tarp and bivy sac anyway even when bringing a tent so I can leave the main pack behind and not have to worry about shelter if anything goes wrong.
I can order on line but I wanted the “rab ridge master” because of the extra hoop at the foot end and also the side door entrance simple because with the side door and a tarp over the top I have a nice work and lounge area in bad weather. Unfortunately the rab ridge master has been discontinued.
Iv read great reviews of the vaude however. If it was made of event or goretex then I wouldn’t hesitate a bit
Thanks again for getting back to me sir.
Sincerely Mike.
Denis Fleming
OR Advanced Bivi was recommend to me by a Swedish friend so checked it out and it does seem like a good piece of kit – do you have any thoughts on this product?
Tim Moss
Hey Denis, I think the Outdoor Research Advanced Bivy looks good. It’s hooped, made with Goretex, follows a simple design and is similar in both weight and price to the Terra Nova Jupiter and Rab Ridge Raider so I suspect it will be a good piece of kit. Let me know what you decide!
Taith Ellie
I’ve also been looking at Outdoor Research, and whether or not to go for the Advanced Bivi with all the features, or the Helium one which looks like a basic one but hooped. Having used both simple and fancier bivis, for more frequent use would you say it’s worth splashing out on a better bag?
I’ve only ever used the ex-army and it’s done the job perfectly fine – wonderful living outside used with a roof, no complaints. On microadventures it held up fine in snow, but I got very wet when it rained on the beach. My hoodie pillow soaked up most of the water, so it wasn’t much fun in the morning, but I was only walking 30 mins back to the car.
I much prefer sleeping out in the open that in a tent, but I want to upgrade my bivi so that it’s more comfortable if (when!) it rains, if I then need to hike the next day. I’m currently in Chile and have friends coming from the US and UK soon, so I have the option of both markets. Too much choice if you ask me!
Also, great article, thanks!!
Tim Moss
Hey Taith, thanks for the comment. If you’re not bothered about a hoop then I don’t think there’s a big difference between the cheap (e.g. army and Alpkit) and the expensive.
I think there’s a big difference between hooped and non-hooped though. The latter are obviously simpler and easier to pitch/strike, not to mention cheaper and lighter. But a hoop is a vast improvement in the rain. Primarily keeping the rain off your face but also shedding water better by virtue of maintaining their shape and they often tend to have fully waterproof floors.
Personally, I have a hooped bivvy so almost always use it and find it much nicer. Some would baulk at the cost (including me now!) or just prefer the simplicity of non-hooped.
Outdoor Research contacted me recently so I’ll hopefully be able to review the Helium Bivi. 500 grams and hooped!
Pingback: Best Camping Stoves - The Definitive Review | The Next Challenge
Fabio.
Brilliant article Tim! I am considering a divvy and so far the sort list is the Highlander Hawk Bivvy, an american army bivy or a belgian army divvy (of course I am also thinking of the good old British bivvy . . . But I do want a mesh and I am on a budget. Any advice or notes, especially concerning the Highlander Hawk Bivvy and american body (to be used with my own sleeping bag) will be much appreciated. The hills are calling!
Tim Moss
Hi Fabio. You will never go wrong with an ex-army bivi. They’re often a bit big and heavy but always do a great job.
But if you’re keen for mesh (and don’t want to sleep in a mosquito head net) then the Highlander Hawk Bivi looks good to me. Proper waterproof/breathable material, built in mosquito mesh and good reviews. It’s heavy for hoopless (over 900g) but then so are army bivvies. In the UK, the Highlander Hawk’s selling for less than £50 too which is good value.
Fabio.
Many thanks for the advice Tim! I decided at the end to go for the ex-army bivvy: As you say, they seem to tick lots of boxes and are very affordable. Test it/use its few time to see if the mesh thing was something more in my mind that in reality (besides, slug cannot be that bad . . . can they?) an allnighter and take it from there. There is always a fall back position.
Tim Moss
Great stuff Fabio. Enjoy!
Dan P
Hello! Im looking for a lightweight, small pack size, and breathable bivvy that wont break the bank. I was hoping that the kne im considering was in your table but its not! Any thoughts on the Snugpak special forces bivi?
Tim Moss
Hey Dan, thanks for flagging up the Snugpak Special Forces Bivvi. Looks like I need to add that to the list.
What stands out from its stats is the hydrostatic head of 5,000mm (see Bivvy Bag Buyer’s Guide above for an explanation). That means it will probably be fine in a short shower but won’t keep you dry in heavy rain or if you lie on wet ground.
At 440g, it actually looks slightly heavier than the Alpkit Hunka which is cheaper and has a higher hydrostatic head (10,000mm) so that might be a better option for you. Back in stock this month, apparently.
Hope that helps.
Tim.
Chris
Tim,
Such a useful review on a complicated subject. I was also looking at the Snugpak Special Forces bivi. Their website claims 340g for the regular and 400g for the extra-long, which is not significantly heavier than the equivalent Alpkit Hunka, and lighter for the XL.
Also the Snugpak SF seems to be wide enough to fit a sleeping mat inside the regular if you check some of the YouTube reviews, which the Alpkit cannot unless you buy the XL. I haven’t managed to try this yet though so some mats may not quite fit.
Finally it has a zip which helps with getting in and out, which the Alpkits do not.
You are right about the waterproof rating though, which is 5000mm vs the Hunka’s 10000mm, although I do intend to use it with a tarp. It is also more expensive than the Hunka, although you can find them online for around £66 for the regular vs the Alpkit’s £48.
There is also a Snugpak (non-SF) Bivi which is bascally the same but lighter as it doesn’t have the zip.
Chris.
Tim Moss
Hey Chris, thanks for the notes. That’s really handy. If you get a Snugpak SF then do let me know how you get on with it.
Mary Hinge
Excellent review. My own bag is a WildCountry bag about 8 years old now. I can’t find any similar on the www, but it’s outstanding features are that as well as being sturdy and very breathable, the head end has a plastic window which can be held off the face either by a monopole and guy cord, or by suspending the head end from an overhead branch, fencepost etc, using a bit of paracord atatched to the purpose made loop on the bag. You get the same effect as a hooped bivvi but obviously you need to have something to tie it to! Other pluses are that is is big enough to put your sleep mat inside and that there are small peg loops at each corner if you wish to pin your bivvy down – it’s a good idea in this one as the floor panel is a nonbreathable material, and the upper is a nice olive green goretex material. Keeps your goretex bit clean and unworn if you roll over inside the bivvy. It’s kept me dry in Cumbrian monsoons – I still proof it and use it. The only downside – weight and pack size… my Karrimor one man tent isn’t much heavier.
I’ve used a HiGear bag once or twice – it’s just as you describe Tim.
Finally – just landed an Alpkit Hunka XL in sexy kelp….. it’s coming down in stair rods tonight. Maybe time for a field test!
Tim Moss
Thanks Mary. Sounds like an interesting bivvy bag! I’ve just got a Hunka XL myself and looking forward to testing it too.
Francis
Dear Tim, many thanks for an excellent article. For a light weight cycle your across the Alps I am planning to bivvy. I am deciding between rab alpine (more expensive but lighter), or the highlander hawk (cheaper, heavier, but sturdy, low profile). Given pros and cons, which would you go for? Thanks again.
Tim Moss
Hi Francis, good question. I think it just comes down to cost vs weight. The Rab Alpine will be the better bag at just over half the weight but it’s almost four times the price. If you’re feeling flush and going really lightweight (e.g. no panniers) then go Rab. If you’d rather save pennies or are using panniers then go Highlander.
Of course, you could get the Alpkit Hunka which is both cheap and light!
Robin.
Good article Tim. I often use a rab ascent bivi (similar to the rab storm but made of event). It’s quite a clever design in that it has a zip out bug mesh and a cord attached to the top flap That can be supported by a walking pole to hold the mouth of the bivi open. The bug mesh keeps the mozzies out but you get plenty of fresh air circulation.
I also have a ridge raider. One thing that I think would be worthy of considering in your article is whether each bivi leaves room for a sleeping bag to loft if an air matress is used.
I had a very cold night in my raider last winter because I used an exped synmat 9 UL in my bivi. I was sleeping in a rap ascent 900 bag but unfortunately the mat compressed most of the loft out of it. I was so cold my muscles cramped up and painfull. The storm was too fierce to risk moving as visability was only a few feet. (Pen y fan) I have since bought a thermarest Xtherm which is not as thick. Yet to try it in winter.
Rob
Thanks for that Tim. I live in the Alps and I’ve recently started taking my 7 year old son out hiking with overnight bivis and he absolutely loves it. After spending a very shivery night under the stars in october I thought it was about time we invested in some bivi bags and this page has given me all the info I need!
Tim Moss
Thanks Rob. I hope you find something appropriate. If you do buy one online, please do consider using my affiliate links above. Either way, let me know how you get on!
Tim H.
Hi Tim,
Thanks for all the great research and information. I need a bivi for a 6 month motorcycle trip through Central and South America. I plan to stay in cheap hotels each night. The bivi will be for emergencies only when I get stranded or can’t find a hotel. I hope to never use it. But if I must use it, it must be waterproof and hooped. It must protect me from getting soaked by a heavy rainstorm.
I understand as you stated that waterproof and cheap materials (non-gortex) means lots of interior condensation. So here is my question: In an all night rainstorm, 100% humidity outside the bivi, will it be any less humid inside the best gortex bivi versus the cheap AquaQuest “Hoopla” bivi in those conditions? My understanding of porous membranes says no, it will not be any better. Am I wrong on this? I think the expensive gortex will only help inside dampness if the humidity outside the bivy is lower than the humidity inside the bivy. Trying to figure out if the cheap hooped bivi that I hope to never use is the better buy for my application than the expensive gortex hooped (terra nova jupiter or rab ridge) bivi.
Thanks in advance for your reply.
From another,
Tim
Tim Moss
Thanks for the comment Tim and an interesting question. I’m not sure I paid enough attention in school to be able to answer it with science. However, even if you’re right about those nights that are 100% humidity and raining all night, what about all the nights that aren’t?
Either way, I love your thinking and would really like to hear how you get on.
For what it’s worth, if you’re really expecting long, wet nights then a tent is probably the only real way to stay dry. You can get some that way less than a hooped bivvy.
Good luck!
Tim H.
I looked into this a little deeper and if anyone is interested, here are my findings in simplified terms. Apologies in advance for the length of this. If you completely under the physics of partial pressures and equilibrium and the structure of gortex and why it works, skip to the last paragraph for the “nugget” in this whole thing.
Gortex material is a very fine grid or filter or screen. Each fiber in the grid is plastic that does not absorb water. The space between these gortex fibers that are woven together like a screen on your window, are open. The opening is large enough to allow gas to pass through the screen but not solids or liquids. A water molecule in its gaseous state (water vapor) is thousands of times smaller than a water molecule in it’s liquid state. So water vapor can move through Gortex in either direction but liquid water molecules are too big and will not pass through the open areas of the grid or screen in Gortex, so it will stay on whichever side of the Gortex it is on.
So the gortex is a porous membrane with a grid or screen size large enough to allow water vapor, a gas to pass through but small enough to prevent liquid to pass through. The laws of physics prove that nature wants to equalize the environment on each side of that porous membrane, the gortex. If there are 100 “pieces” of water vapor on one side of the gortex and 80 “pieces” of water vapor on the other side of the gortex, the side with the 20 extra pieces acts like it is of higher pressure and wants to equalize with the other side so both end up with 90 “pieces” of water vapor. The side with 100 pieces and thus more pressure pushes 10 pieces out to the other side and then the pressure on both sides is equal so they no longer change. The pressure difference in this example is small so the rate at which the equalization occurs is slow. If it was 100 pieces of water vapor on one side and 15 pieces of water vapor on the other side, the difference is much larger and thus so is the pressure and then so is the rate or speed of change to the equalization state.
When you create water vapor in your tent/bivi through perspiration (sweating) and respiration (breathing) and evaporation (your wet jacket and boots you brought in with you) you build up a certain number of “pieces” and “pressure” of water vapor on your side of the gortex porous membrane (inside the tent/bivi). If there are more “pieces and pressure” of water vapor on the other side of that gortex (outside the tent/bivy), it will try to equalize, bringing more water vapor into the tent/bivi until it is equal on each side of the gortex or in other words, the same humidity inside the tent/bivi as outside. And of course the opposite holds true, if it’s more humid inside the tent than outside, nature will cause the conditions to equalize, reducing the humidity inside the tent until it is equal to the humidity outside the tent. The rate or speed of that change occurring is dependent on the magnitude of the difference in the pressure on each side, which equates to the percentage or number of “pieces” of water vapor on one side compared to the other.
So what does all of this mean. Gortex works well and relatively quickly shedding your water vapor to the outside of your tent or jacket when there is a big difference between the humidity (water vapor) inside your tent/jacket versus outside your tent jacket. As the outside weather gets more and more humid and approaches the humidity inside your gortex tent/jacket, the shedding effect of humidity slows down and eventually stops when humidity is the same inside your jacket as outside your jacket. And, it can even reverse, pushing humidity from the outside air through the gortex to the air inside your jacket/tent if the water vapor (humidity) outside is greater than the humidity inside your tent/jacket.
So the nugget I found in my research that pertains to my original question is this. The humidity outside is seldom 100% at ground level when you are getting rained on. The humidity is 100% where that water vapor is turning into water (in the cloud) and then falling to the ground where you are but that may be happening 1000’s of feet above you and your tent. If you are in mist or fog, then the outside humidity is at or close to 100% and you will also be at 100% humidity inside your gortex jacket or tent very soon. But during a rainfall, the air outside of your tent could be at 65% humidity, still pretty comfortable compared to 80%-90% humidity inside a non-breathable tent/bivi. The gortex tent/bivi won’t exceed the outside humidity. See below a website address that explains this pretty well if I did not. http://andrewskurka.com/2012/breathability-its-importance-mechanisms-and-limitations/
Freya
Magnificent article, thanks! Which one do you think is more breathable: the Alpkit Hunka or the Highlander Hawk? Both are made of nylon, but the Alpkit is more water resistant (and cheaper) and thus might be less breathable. I’m thinking of fixing a mesh net in the Alpkit, so I would basically get a cheaper, lighter and more water resistant version of the Hawk – or at least that’s the idea.
Tim Moss
I’ve not used the Hawk yet I’m afraid but the Alpkit one is good and the breathability is fine. Alpkit stuff is always decent – not the best but reliable – so that would be the safer bet. The hydrostatic head of 4,000 on the Hawk won’t be good enough in heavy rain.
P.S. Sewing on a mesh net sounds great. If it’s too fiddly though, a mosquito headnet would be a crude alternative.
TheSurvival@Life
Thanks Tom for review and sharing, this post have all information i need :)
kevin steffey
The information is useful. It helps me know what I should buy. Thank you for sharing
Tim Moss
Thanks Kevin. Glad it was helpful.
Bobby Peer
Thanks a lot of your helpful post. That’s exactly what I need. The Rab Ridge Raider is quite suitable for me.
Tim Moss
Excellent. It’s a great bag and they’re reduced on Amazon at the moment: http://amzn.to/1MmfGaT
Ozzie
I like the Army Gortex Bivy Cover; the side zipper is very convenient, and it is nicely breathable. However, I also have the RAB Bivy (the model is yellow on top and black floor. I think the floor is nylon and the yellow top is event. The floor is the problem — I have never had an experience with it that gave me a dry night — the condensation (I believe caused by the nylon floor) spoils the whole experience.
Tim Moss
Thanks Ozzie. I think you might be describing the Rab Storm bivi. Other readers have had problems with it too (see here).
Army bivvies don’t usually have any zips – normally just a large draw cord at the top – so that’s interesting to hear. I’m glad you’ve found it useful.
Sherpa
Very interesting list, thanks for the effort! A few additional, lightweight contenders (I hope I didnt overlook anything in your list): Terra Nova Moonlite; Montbell Breeze Dry Tec UL Bivy; SOL Escape Bivi; SOL Escape Lite Bivi. If you have any insights on these, they would be very much appreciated.
Tim Moss
Hey Sherpa, thanks for flagging up those other bivvies.
Terra Nova Moonlite – I’ve seen this before but it’s currently out of stock so I’ve emailed Terra Nova to see if it’s coming back. It’s really light for a waterproof/breathable bag so I’d be interested to try it. If it’s still being made then I’ll add it to the chart.
Montbell Breeze Dry Tec UL – seems to be an American bag that’s not stocked in the UK. I’ve not included US bivvies here because their range is, for the most part, completely different. Perhaps I should do a separate article for them.
SOL Escape Bivis – these look really interesting as cheap, lightweight bags. The reviews on them look alright so I’ll see if I can get my hands on one. They also look like US products but seem to be available here in the UK too so I’ll get them on the table next time I update it.
Thanks again,
Tim.
Jas Holden
Hi Tim,
I wonder if you have heard of a new waterproof and breathable fabric called Hipora or Hypora that is coming from Korea? Several top brands of gloves for skiing and motorcycling have this. I recently bought a bivi bag with this Hipora from a Korean dealer on Ebay America for $35. I have not had a chance to give the bag a good test since I sweat very little and have never had condensation in the US Army goretex bivi. This is the first use I have heard of for Hipora other than gloves.
Somewhere on Youtube there is a video of a man wearing the gloves and putting his hands into a bowl of water and staying dry, and then pouring hot water into the gloves and having a cloud of steam form around the fingertips.
Anyway, here is a link to the bag I bought, it weighs 12 ounces.
http://campkor.com/product/buck703-hipora-tech-sleeping-bag-cover/
Tim Moss
Hey Jas,
Thanks for the heads-up. I’d not heard of Hipora/Hypora before but it certainly sounds interesting. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for any Hipora bivvy bags appearing in the UK.
Let me know how you get on with your bag.
Tim.
Pingback: Bikepacking Across the Cairngorms (Photo Blog)The Next Challenge | The Next Challenge
Pingback: Comparison of Lightweight Sleeping BagsThe Next Challenge | The Next Challenge
Pingback: The World’s Lightest Hooped Bivvy?The Next Challenge | The Next Challenge
Zac Caldwell
Hi Tim,
I’m going on the Fjallraven Classic hike in Sweden and only 15 years old. I’m looking for a bivy bag that can withstand the conditions of Sweden in August as well as being very small and compact. I have done some research and most of the products out on the market look great but reviews on most say otherwise. Most of the issues are condensation or not waterproof and too stuffy from being too small. The Outdoor Research bivy bags look very good but the Helium had little structure and looks like could rip of and rough objects hit the surface. The Advanced bivi of theirs looks amazing and everything I’m looking for but way out of my budget around £100-180. Do you have any recommendations? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again,
Zac
Tim Moss
Hey Zac, thanks for the message. If you want tough and inexpensive, go with an ex-army bivvy. They’re the toughest of the lot, breathe well and are huge.
Failing that, the Alpkit Hunka XL would be your next best bet.
Unfortunately, hooped bivvis that are tough don’t come cheap. The Helium is excellent but you’re right, it could rip on rocks.
Does that help?
Thanks,
Tim.
Pingback: Bikepacking Bags | Review | The Next Challenge
Tobias Christensen
Hey Tim!
Thanks for the great comparisons.
What bivy would you recommend for unsupported bikepacking races? It needs to be waterproof, breathable and light.. Seems impossible..
I will sleep under the open sky every night, so waterproofness is a must :)
Thanks again.
Tim Moss
Hey Tobias, I’d either go for the Rab Survival Zone (not the ‘Lite’ version) Terra Nova Discovery LITE. I’ve not slept in either myself but the former has been around for a long time and the latter’s made with Goretex so waterproofing is guaranteed.
Alternatively, I’d consider that little bit extra weight for a Outdoor Research Helium Bivy. Only 500g but it’s hooped which is so much better in the rain.
Eddy
Tim…. I know this is a long thread going over a number of years , a lot of knowledge displayed…… I have been looking for a twin hooped ex-army bivy that is shown on you tube …. supposed to be an ex SAS sniper set up ( handy for hunting) , they don’t seem to be available anymore … (A) any idea where I might locate one (B) there is a ex-Russian military set up advertised however it seems not to be breathable in the absence of the British army what do you reckon about the Russian ex-military observation twin hooped bivies ……Carinthian do a similar set up however they are Wayyyyyy over my budget.
For your help thanks .
Eddy
Tim Moss
Hi Eddy,
A) My only suggestions would be the obvious online searches (Ebay, Amazon, Google, Google Shopping and perhaps Gumtree) and trying local army surplus stores.
B) I’ve never seen a Russian military bivvy and I can’t find any online to look at. If it’s really not breathable then avoid it as it’ll be rubbish. Better to get a proper double-hooped bivvy (like the incredibly expensive Terra Nova Saturn) or settle for a single hoop (like the Snugpak Stratosphere or Helium Bivvy if price is the issue)
Thanks,
Tim.
Pingback: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO WILD CAMPING IN THE UK | Adventure with Adam
Jakub Čejka
“Super Light Cover” by the Czech company HighPoint (formerly Schwarzkopf) should definitely be added here! I just discovered it now and am buying it – so cannot review yet.
It weighs around 230g and claims a 20t waterproofness and 25t breathability (Writing from memory, maybe I am messing up the numbers from the heavier “Dry Cover” by the same company). I just suggest you check it out for yourself
Tim Moss
Thanks for the heads-up Jakub. I’d be impressed if they’d maed a waterproof (20,000 HH) that weighs only 230g. But, even if not waterproof, that’s a very light. Do let me know how you get on with it.
Daniel Bardsley
Hello Tim
This is an excellent page. Another bivvy that you might want to consider including is the Karrimor X-lite. I have one of these and on the several times I have used it there has been very little or no condensation. It looks almost identical to the Alpkit Hunka and the breathability statistics given by the manufacturers are the same, but it’s cheaper and more easily available.
Thanks.
Daniel
Tim Moss
Hi Daniel,
Thanks for the tip. I’ve added the Karrimor Bivi Bag to the list.
They don’t publish the size and weight unfortunately but I’ve written to them to ask for details.
Interesting to hear that it seems to breath well as that would have been my first concern.
All the best,
Tim.
Daniel Bardsley
Thanks Tim. To let you know, the weight indicated on the stuff sack of my Karrimor Bivi Bag is 206g, but on my scales the bag (including stuff sack) weighs about 260g. All the best, Daniel
Tim Moss
Thanks Daniel. That’s really helpful (and very light)! Duly added to the table.
Pingback: HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL ON A SOLO TREKKING EXPEDITION | Adventure with Adam
Pingback: WILD & FREE MICROADVENTURE: SLEEP IN A BIVVY BAG
Richard Brown
Bit more data on the karrimor x-lite, which i’ve just had delivered:
claimed weight (on the tag) 206g
measured on my scales: 289g + 6g bag
fabric ‘weathertite xtreme’, which states it is 10k mm waterproof and 10k mm breathable
100% polyester
made in china, handwash only
I haven’t tried the bag yet, but it is mummy shaped and looks like a would only accommodate a person and sleeping bag, not a mat
it has a two way draw cord
it’s black, but it has a large reflexive ‘karrimor’ logo down one side which may but annoying if trying to stealth camp by a road
the seams appear to be taped.
i have looked at an alpkit hunka before and they appear to be a similar fabric but i think this one may be slightly thinner
Tim Moss
Thanks Richard. That’s really helpful.
I’ve emailed Karrimor a couple of times for details but never heard back. As such, I’ve updated my table to include the weight you’ve reported: 289g.
I will be interested to hear how waterproof and breathable you find it. That is often the key test for budget bivvy bags!
Good luck with it and thanks again.
Tim.
Rich
Hi Tim
2017 since i first commented about the Karrimor bag… where has that time gone? I would say better late than never, but sadly it seems that perhaps it is too late as I believe that this bag l is no longer made / on sale. Karrimor is a once-great british outdoors brand that was bought by Sports Direct several years ago so i suspect that once they ran out of the existing stick they decided it wasn’t a popular enough item to keep manufacturing.
A shame as it turned out to be a great bag! I guess you may remove it from your list but i’ll report back here for interest’s sake and also as i suppose they might come up second hand from time to time. Apologies for not reporting back sooner.
I used it on a 3 month cycle tour, including sometimes in direct rain (tarp over my head) and it seemed as waterproof and breathable as my friend’s regular sized Alpkit Hunka. I’ve since borrowed and used his Hunka too.
It’s definitely almost exactly the same design as the hunka – the interior face of the fabric is identical. It doesn’t have the integrated stuff sack of the hunka which i suspects explains a bit of the Hunka’s weight difference. It also does pack down a little bit smaller than the Hunka. Perhaps it’s a little smaller dimensions (although definitely not that much). I also note that Alpkit say that the green hunka is 30g heavier so perhaps that goes some way to explaining the difference. It may also be that the drawstring stuffsac it comes with is more effective for stuffing it into than the integrated one of the hunka.
Anyway, i’m aware that the above is of limited value now… but maybe still of interest to gear nerds like us and perhaps it will be of use again one day if a suspiciously similar looking bag pops up again with another brand’s logo on it.
All the best!
Tim Moss
Thanks Rich. That’s a really useful review. Much appreciated! Tim.
Fraser
Tim just in to assist in your hunt for info / specs on the Karrimor X-Lite Bivi, there is a french site with some info on what appears to be the same product, I think it’s had a face lift but it’s the same. If you go to this page and use google translate – https://www.randonner-leger.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=24635 it lists the approx dimensions as Overall Length: 215cm (+/-) Shoulder width: 75cm (+/-) Width feet: 50cm (+/-). I’m going to order one as it seems quite a view have tested it and it appears to be a decent bit of kit, was a toss up between that and an British Military Bivi, but I think the low weight / bulk will be worth it.
Tim Moss
Thanks Fraser. Very helpful.
Do let me know how you get on with it. It’s cheap and light so I’d be interested to hear how waterproof and breathable it is.
Simon Clark
Brilliant Info Tim, thanks.
For feedback, I used an OR hooped helium bivy for 130 nights in a year running around the coast of Britain and stayed dry in all weathers, with varying condensation, throughout the year. The significant factor is my sleeping bag, though often wet on the outside,was never so inside. I love it.
Question: I want to buy a discretely coloured double, lightweight bivy for two of us, not bright orange, any leads?
Tim Moss
Hey Simon, thanks for the feedback. That’s very useful. My only concern with the Helium bivy was its durability but if it has survived 130 nights already then that’s good going.
As for double bivvies, the only ones I’m are of are those bright orange ones (Vaude Biwak II, Ortovox Bivy Double and Highlander Double Survival Bag)
My only other suggestions would be to get one custom made from a large sheet of Goretex or combining two singles. I will let you know if I come across any others and do come back if you find one yourself.
All the best,
Tim.
(P.S. For those wondering why Simon spent 130 nights in a bivvy bag, it’s because he ran around the coast of Great Britain!)
Benny P. Birmingham
I find the solar bag works way warmer inside a sleeping bag rather than outside. Regular bivy works way better in survival situation than light. The name of game is holding in the heat of your body and u spend most of your time trying to keep the bag snug around neck and is pain. I wish they made the hoodie version with draw string in the no zipper version like the lite. Too much heat loss with zipper.
Dennis Taylor
I bought The Rab Ridge Raider bivy sack. The upper part of the bivy sack is made of a 3-layer 40-denier eVent fabric which is known for its superb breathability and durability while the floor is made of durable abrasion-resistant nylon. The bivy sack comes with one DAC Pressfit pole so that you can suspend the material in the head area. When the head area is suspended the bivy sack offers an internal height of 58 centimeters which is indeed impressive for such a light and small (when packed) shelter. The pole comes in the external sleeve and can be secured with stakes to stay upright. Additionally the bivy sack is equipped with six stake loops and a no-see-um mesh door to keep the insects out. All in all, the Rab Ridge Raider bivy sack is a great option for lightweight hikers and mountaineers who want a shelter that is bigger than an ordinary bivy sack, but smaller and lighter than a one-person tent.
Tim Moss
Thanks for the details Dennis. You sound like a salesman!
Pingback: comparison table Rival Nemesis - Red NERF Rival Nemesis Blaster Coupon 2018
Pingback: Cotswold Vapour E Liquid | Tech Superb Blog
Aaron
Hey Tim!
Thanks a lot to share your impressing experiences in such a widespread comparison!
I’m in the market for a few weeks, researching a bivy bag to buy. Actually I’m comparing the RAB ridge raider with the TN Jupiter lite (yes, after some research I found one seller still having a few in stock). My major question right now is about the materials. There is a lot written about gore tex vs eVent but nothing about the “TN Moonlite fabric” used in the last iteration of the Jupiter bivy, wich appears to be the lightest breathable and waterproof hooped bivy on the market (only 680g including pole and pecs!). Do you have any experiences with the Jupiter lite and can you tell something about brathability and durability of the “TN Moonlite fabric”?
Thanks a lot,
Aaron
Tim Moss
Hi Aaron,
Thanks for the question. I’ve not used the Moonlite fabric I’m afraid and Terra Nova have never been willing to send me any bags to test.
Generally speaking, I’ve never found “own-brand” fabrics to be as good as Goretex or eVent. That’s not to say that Moonlite won’t still go be good, but personally I wouldn’t be expecting miracles.
Also, you mentioned that you throught the Terra Nova Jupiter Lite might be the lightest hooped bivvy on the market. I think the Outdoor Research Helium Bivy still holds that crown at 510g.
Full review here: https://thenextchallenge.org/outdoor-research-helium-bivy-review/
Cheers!
Tim.
Aaron
Hey Tim,
Thanks for your answer. Scanning the web for experiences with the Helium bivy made me worry that it does not perform very well in severe weather. Testers reported that they had water breaking through the membrane when rain got heavier than drizzle.
For me it’s pretty important to have a safe shelter even in thunderstorms because I had a lot of them on my last trip. But your commend made more clear to me that the combination of comfort, durability and safety from weather is indeed a factor of weight. It seems that all of them in combination produce products heavier than 700g.
Tim Moss
Those Helium experiences sound about right. After a night of heavy rain the foot of my sleeping bag was damp from a puddle that had formed, while my friends in (Goretex) Jupiters were fine. It’s an excellent bivvy for the price and weight but not as waterproof as a Goretex one. Good luck!
Aaron
Thanks for your wishes, I guess the Ridge Raider is then the option I will choose.
Keep on producing such good and elaborated content and much luck on your future adventures!
Cheers, Aaron
RVNeed
I live in the UK and want to start taking my kids camping under the stars. The biggest threat we will face in our first year is dew. Does it matter what sack you get at this point please? Thanks for your sharing so much..
Tim Moss
Hi,
Great to hear that you’re planning some bivouacking with your kids.
Dew is definitely an issue, but I don’t think the type of bag will matter too much.
For example, if it really is just due that you want to deal with (and not rain) then even the “water resistant” bags will do the job (e.g. Rab Survival Zone Lite or Vaude Biwak I). They’ll probably be nicer to sleep in too because even the most breathable waterproof materials (e.g. eVent or Goretex) are still pretty sweaty.
The only thing I can think of that that might reduce dew (besides a light breeze and camping on top of a hill) is having a hooped bivvy that’s pitched tautly. But it’s probably not worth the extra cost/hassle just for that.
To be clear, there is a difference between drew on the outside of the bag and condensation on the inside. The type of bag will certainly make a difference to the condensation inside, and I’ve commented on that in the article above (anything about breathability will influence the amount of condensation).
I hope that helps. Good luck!
Tim.
Chris
If you are in the UK I can recommend the Alpkit Hunka bag. I used one for 13 nights last year and it kept me dry both from dew and condensation. I also got rained on one night (under trees) and that was fine too, but Alpkit do some tarps too if you want extra protection.
Moose
Hi Tim! Great table. Thank you for sharing all your expertise! As someone who researches every purchase to the nth degree, info like this is priceless!
But I’m wondering if you have tried the Ultralight or Shield Bivys from Cumulus?
http://sleepingbags-cumulus.eu/uk/categories/sleeping-systems/ultralight-bivi?gid=69&vid=7 Made of Pertex Endurance
http://sleepingbags-cumulus.eu/uk/categories/sleeping-systems/shield-bivi?gid=69&vid=7 Made of Pertex Shield
Any thoughts on them?
If not, they’re made from Pertex Endurance and Shield respectively, so the same as the two Rab offerings, so you may still be able to help me out with a bit of advice. I bivy quite a bit in summer – nothing beats just stretching out in your sleeping bag under the stars. Have always had synthetic sleeping bags so moisture not really been a problem. I just lay out on my sleeping pad straight on the forest floor (or occasionally in my hammock). But last summer I decided I’ve finally had enough of always feeling mildly claustrophobic in my mummy sleeping bag (I’m a side sleeper who likes to stick my knees out, and mummy bags never seem to have enough room at the knees. Wish the barrel shape was more of a thing…), and I also want something that packs down smaller and lighter. So now I’m planning to invest in one of Cumulus’ Down Quilts. Perfect for a hammock, but on the ground… My knees always end up off my mat, and I’m not super excited about the idea of all the insects sharing the forest floor wandering into my bed, so my thought was to combine the quilt with a bivy bag that is wide enough to not be constricting. That way my quilt doesn’t get damp from the ground and the animal life can, as I’ve been used to in a bag, at least only get in where I can see them. Do you think the Cumulus bivis would work for that? Or can you recommend another that would? It should be as light and packable as possible (I’m a gram-shaving geek), and obviously breathable so I don’t end up with soggy down. I’m not fussed about hooped – I want simple. I have a tarp for when I’m expecting rain. (Partial) bug and draft-proofing, plus unexpected rain/dew insurance, are the primary aims here.
Looked at the Alpkit Hunka but it tapers so quickly I’m thinking it won’t be wide enough at the knee. The Cumulus bivys are a little wider (64cm) at the foot which is why I thought they might be better… But it’s so difficult to know; nobody gives a knee measurement! Also, would you recommend that I go the whole hog and get a fully-waterproof one for more versatility, or am I better with a lighter-weight one for breathability? I’m unsure how waterproof a bivy bag needs to be to deal with damp ground for example.
By the way I’m a Brit, but I currently live in Sweden. So I’m specifically interested in things I can get in the UK or Sweden.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Tim Moss
Hi Moose,
I’ve not tried those Cumulus bivvy bags, so thanks for the heads-up.
However, they have the same top width as the Rab Survival Zone Lite (87cm) and that is the tightest bivvy bag I’ve ever used. It’s more of a sleeping bag cover than a spacious bivvy bag.
If it’s space you want then the XL version of Alpkit Hunka is large and ex-army bags are huge. They are much heavier though, at 500g and 800g+ respectively.
I’m not sure if you saw it already, but I’ve published many of the bivvy bag dimensions in this spreadsheet: Non-Hooped Bivvy Bags Comparison Table.
Unfortunately, you might be faced with a bit of a trade off: the lightweight non-waterproof bags tend to be aimed at minimalists and thus are small/narrow. Conversely, the roomier bags tend to worry less about weight.
My only other suggestion would be to use a groundsheet, which would save you from the bugs and your knees from the mud. Perhaps you could then unstitch one side of a lightweight bivvy and use it like another duvet??
Finally, it might be redundant given what I’ve said above, but you asked about whether to get a waterproof one or not. For what you’re after – a bug/dew protector for use under a tarp – I suspect the add weight/expense of a waterproof bag probably isn’t worth it. Most of the ultralight ones that claim to be waterproof (like those using Pertex Shield) are emphatically not waterproof.
Thanks and do let me know how you get/got on.
Tim.
P.S. I’m really sorry for not replying sooner. For some reason, your comment slipped through the system.
Tool AIM
As someone who’s camped in the OR Alpine bivvy before, I find it to be a super cozy and lightweight option. In the winter your backpack tends to get weighted down by all the extra gear you bring, but using a bivvy can save lots of weight over a 4 season tent. Also, a 4 season bivvy will cost about half any four season tent, although they only fit 1 obviously. If you don’t mind the snug fit, they can be a great option, and if you’re worried about gear, you can always put it in a dry bag, or garbage bag to protect it from the elements.
Nick
Hi Tim, There is also the Macpac Bush Cocoon which is a side-zip hooped bivi made from eVent (weight 970g). It has an unusual asymmetrical design and one interesting feature is a sewn-in small external pocket and guy line so that one can insert a found piece of stick to support the rear end, if desired. They seem to be made in batches and appear for sale on the Macpac website from time to time. Nick
Tim Moss
Sounds interesting Nick. I’ll keep my eye out for them. Thanks for the heads-up.
Matthew
Hi Tim
Question on larger sizes please but, firstly, thank you for such a comprehensive review, it’s a superbly useful resource.
Do you have any perspective on hooped models which can be used with thicker and longer sleeping mats (I.e. longest and widest and therefore most suitable for longer / taller people who want to stay warm with a thick mat)?
I use a British army Bivi and have a Thermarest neoair xtherm Max (Large size: 196 x 63 x 6.3 (77” x 25″)). This max only just fits in the foot box of the Bivi, but leaves very little room for foot and leg space, meaning turning is difficult, the sleeping bag loft is tightly compressed, so not only uncomfortable, but colder. If you’re tall, you need the length to hunker down in, so can’t put something else in the foot box first.
After a night at -5 on Dartmoor earlier this year, with face poking out, realised I couldn’t continue with this setup. However *really* like the comfort and so switched back to a tent. However I miss the Bivi and started to look for something hooped, with a deeper foot box (I.e. not just wide but with enough height to it also).
My conclusion so far’s that the following can be considered (and that side entry is preferable if possible).
Alpkit Elan tapers to 72cm at foot box (webpage says someone 6’4” at Alpkit just fits their alpkit 194x62x7.5cm mat, but ‘it’s not ideal’)
Terra Nova Jupiter Lite at 220cm long tapers to 46cm (x 24cm high), but may be long enough for the mat to sit further up the bag.
Snugpack Stratosphere at 230cm long & tapers to either 48cm (19”), or 60cm (24”) depending on reports. Again, may be long enough to allow mat higher up bag
Outdoor Research Helium Bivi 208×66 tapers to 19” 48cmx37cm high ditto on length and mat being higher up.
Many thanks for your thoughts (and those of your other readers).
Tim Moss
Hi Matthew
Thanks for the comment. Fitting inflatable mats inside bivvy bags is definitely an issue.
Did you see the more detailed version of my table on Google Sheets? It has some of the measurements you’re after. Click here to view the source data.
The largest one that I know of is the Rab Ridge Raider. I’ve not got one to check but on paper it is by far the biggest and from memory, it’s massive.
Currently on sale at Tiso: £264.
The OR Helium is a much snugger fit than my original Terra Nova Jupiter (non-Lite version). It’s narrower and the height can be a bit of an issue with thick camping mats like a NeoAir. Having said that, I’ve used the Helium with the NeoAir Trekker (big, rectangular version) and used the OR Interstellar (which has the same dimensions but feels much roomier because of it’s huge opening) with a super-thick Vaude mat and both were OK.
Failing that, although I’ve never used one, I’d put money on the Snugpack Stratosphere being quite roomy. The newer, ultralight bags (like the Helium) are all slim line. But the older, unreformed types (like the Stratosphere) tend to be a little more generous.
In summary, Rab Ridge Raider is probably best. Outdoor Research bags are probably OK, although your feet/knees might touch the roof. Snugpack is probably somewhere between the two.
I hope that helps but do let me know how you get on. Good luck!
Tim.
Matthew
Thanks for your reply Tim. I bought a Trekmates Squall ‘ Bivi’ in the end. It’s double hooped so a little like a tiny tent at 225x80x60 – the foot box really is a good height, so I had minimal condensation and good comfort with the very largest mat fitting in no problem. At £80-90 in the UK it’s also good value. It won’t last as long as my british army Bivi bag, but it’s great for a light (980g), small packing and roomy option as a luxury Bivi. No regrets and I’ll try the better quality Rab Ridge Raider in future.. I’m sure to use this enough to find holes in the floor in future.