>>833847I've posted in bivy threads before.
I own a BD Bipod bivy.
Basics of using a bivy:
- Condensation will almost always be an issue. After about 5 days even in fair weather my sleeping bag noticeably loses warmth due to moisture.
- Getting in/out during precipitation will be an issue.
- Changing clothes / putting on/off rain gear will be an issue.
- Some bivy sacks are too skinny to allow thicker sleeping bags to loft property (my -40 cannot loft properly in the BD Bipod)
- Some bivy sacks are too skinny to fit an inflatable pad inside the bivy (my Thermarest NeoAir XTherm is too thick to fit inside and still have reasonable space for me+bag loft, even my -7C bag).
- Some bivy sacks have tapered foot sections which will again reduce sleeping bag loft - BD Bipod suffers from this problem. A bivy should properly have a boxed foot to allow your bag to loft around your feet for warmth.
- No space for gear storage, if needed.
- Cramped if you need/want to wait out inclement weather.
+ Basically impervious to wind
+ Lighter than a tent
+ Smaller to pack than a tent
+ Faster to setup than a tent or tarp
+ Small footprint, easy to select camp site
+ Free standing, no need for pegs, ropes, or guylines - can camp on hard ground without trees etc.
In my view the list of cons is much longer than the pros, HOWEVER I still think bivy sacks are useful have their place. I will be taking my bivvy on my next trip at the end of the month which will be 14 days straight backcountry. Most important to me on this trip is weight, packsize, and the ability to set up camp virtually anywhere.
