Bivy Sack

As for outdoor shelters, the bivy sack is about as simple as you can get. It can allow you to be closer to nature while you are being protected from the harsh elements. One of the biggest advantages of the bivy sack is that they are ultra light. As such, they are an essential element for every hiker  who must pack light.

There are different types of bivvy sacks out there. One such type is the storm proof bivvy. The storm proof bicy can be used to survive even the worst weather. With normal bivies, water can sometimes get through the fabrics or the seams of the sack. Storm proof bivies have Gore-Tex to prevent this as the material is waterproof and breathable. The top of a bivy is waterproof and breathable, but the bottom of the bivy sack doesn’t have to be so. Typically, silicone-coated nylon is used for the floor to keep you dry. The main function of the bottom is to keep water from seeping in up the ground. This is quite important as it allows the bivy sack to still keep you dry if there is some water on the ground.

A bivy sack that’s considered storm proof is only so if it can prevent all water from seeping in by having sealed seems and waterproofed closures.

The other type of bivvy is the water resistant bivy. This type of bivy sack does not have special sealed seems, waterproof fabrics, and waterproof closures. You don’t always need to have a waterproof bivvy all the time as watered proof bivies are much heavier than water resistant ones.

One advantage of a water resistant bivy is that they are less vulnerable to condensation. Because water proof bivvies are less prone to condensation, they are more comfortable. It’s a big deal when you don’t have to worry about condensation inside of your bivy sack – this can make your sleeping arrangements very uncomfortable.

Now, there is no fabric that can completely eliminate condensation, and you may still get some inside your sack no matter what type of fabric you use. Condensation happens when a warm body in a confined space mixes with cold temperatures outside of the back. The most vulnerable parts of the bivy sack are the head and food areas.

More guides to sleeping bags:

• Bivy Sack
• Lightweight Sleeping Bags

If you plan to do outdoor hiking of any sort and there is the possibility that you will need some sort of shelter, a bivy sack is really a must.