The 5 Greatest Bivy Sacks of 2024

Greatest General Bivy Sack

Out of doors Analysis Helium Bivy

SPECIFICATIONS

The Out of doors Analysis Helium Bivy provides incredible climate safety, consolation, air flow, and breathability, all in a comparatively light-weight package deal. Different fashions would possibly provide excessive efficiency in only one or two areas — just like the MSR Professional Bivy in packed measurement and weight — however the Helium is a real all-arounder. It carried out method above common in most of our take a look at metrics, and its general rating was larger than every other bivy sack throughout our testing course of. Not solely is it loaded with options, however all the package deal is available in at a couple of single pound, pole included. Put merely, it combines every part we would like in a bivy higher than every other mannequin we have examined.

We’re completely impressed with this bivy, so we’ll do our greatest to be goal and level out its weaknesses. With that in thoughts, know that if you happen to’re searching for the burliest, most sturdy mannequin, the OR Helium is not it. This mannequin is deliberately designed to be a lighter-duty model of the heavier-duty, extra protecting alpine bivy sacks. So, direct your consideration in direction of the Out of doors Analysis Alpine AscentShell if you happen to want a burlier possibility with optimum climate resistance. In an ideal world, you’d have a unique and specialised bivy for each scenario. In the true world, you are most likely restricted to at least one, and the OR Helium bivy carried out excellently in each take a look at we threw at it, from heavy rain to not weighing down our pack for prolonged outings.

Greatest Bang for Your Buck

Katabatic Gear Piñon Bivy

SPECIFICATIONS

The Katabatic Gear Piñon Bivy astonished us with its light-weight, roomy, and subsequently breathable inside and an extra-large mesh opening that made getting out and in a breeze. Designed for the light-weight aficionado, this bivy is meant for use with a light-weight tarp and a few paracord to deflect precipitation. Whereas it would not fare properly in a downpour with excessive winds just like the Out of doors Analysis Alpine AscentShell, we might gladly convey it into the backcountry with a fairly good climate forecast.

The Piñon Bivy lives as much as its identify, good for montane ecosystems the place you may string a wire between two bushes and connect one other brief piece of wire to a loop on the high of the bug netting, completely suspending the mesh. Rigged appropriately, there may be loads of respiration room above your face and loads of air stream so that you can get an excellent night time’s relaxation within the woods. With a cheap value, you will not be disillusioned with the Piñon Bivy if it matches your fashion of backcountry journey. Then again, if you happen to require higher safety in wet circumstances, the Out of doors Analysis Helium Bivy is a major decide that additionally will not value you high greenback like different premium fashions.

Greatest for Climate Resistance

Out of doors Analysis Alpine AscentShell Bivy

SPECIFICATIONS

The Out of doors Analysis Alpine AscentShell is a particularly weather-resistant bivy sack designed to deflect all of nature’s components within the alpine atmosphere. It carried out rather well throughout our testing, scoring extremely in all of our metrics, although others (just like the 7.6-ounce Katabatic Gear Piñon Bivy) have been lighter weight. The Alpine AscentShell is just below 20 ounces, solely a bit heavier than a lot of our top-scoring fashions. We have been very impressed with how packable this bivy is, particularly contemplating its burly building and excessive efficiency, resisting rain, wind, and snow. The aspect zipper has clean motion and permits ease of entry and exit whereas ventilating moisture.

Whereas OR Alpine AscentShell provides glorious safety from the weather, the tightly woven cloth is not very breathable in favorable circumstances. Taller people would possibly discover the size is a bit too brief. As one of many pricier contenders we examined, one should contemplate whether or not the high-quality building is well worth the excessive value. In case you are not prepared to take a position, the Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy is a breathable possibility at a fraction of the value. Regardless, the AscentShell is our high suggestion for inclement climate.

Greatest for Ultralight Safety

MSR Professional Bivy

SPECIFICATIONS

The MSR Professional Bivy comes out on high within the weight-to-protection ratio. Weighing in at a powerful 9.1 ounces, the MSR Professional is a incredible answer for these wanting so as to add an insurance coverage coverage to their uncovered ridge scramble or ultralight in a single day. On the floor, this bivy seems to be one thing to order only for the sudden emergent rain bathe. Nonetheless, relying in your tolerance for discomfort, this might function a particularly light-weight shelter for longer excursions.

The Professional Bivy is extra of a specialised instrument moderately than an all-arounder. In case you want a bivy that may face up to an enormous storm, try the Out of doors Analysis Helium. In case you’re out there for a bivy strictly for emergencies, the SOL Escape Bivy is our favourite. Nonetheless, as an emergency shelter or for ultralight missions into the hills, we predict the waterproof cloth, ample footprint, and ease of setup make this mannequin a welcome companion.

Greatest Emergency Bivy on a Shoestring Finances

SOL Escape Bivy

SPECIFICATIONS

The SOL Escape Bivy is a exceptional and easy emergency bivy. We now have used ours on and off for over a yr, and it has held up properly, which is asking quite a bit from a cheap emergency bivy. In our most up-to-date testing part, a small tear occurred, so we contacted SOL, and so they instantly provided to switch it free of charge. In case you’re on a funds and wish to guarantee you might have somewhat further heat and safety in your pack, the SOL Escape is an effective alternative. The proprietary “metalized spun-bonded olefin” cloth proved to be light-weight, very weather-resistant, breathable, and added a big quantity of heat to the 35-degree sleeping bag that we used throughout testing.

In case you’re venturing into a chilly and dry local weather, you can actually get by with the SOL Escape as your major shelter. Nonetheless, the footprint is much too small until you are below 5’11” and 175 kilos, and this mannequin cannot be absolutely closed. Whereas the SOL Escape is actually a far cry from premium bivy sacks, just like the Out of doors Analysis Helium, it is a superb emergency shelter you should use time and again with out shedding the attributes that make it so purposeful.

Examine Merchandise

Examine choose as much as 5 merchandise to match

	Rating	Product	Value
	78	Out of doors Analysis Helium Bivy Greatest General Bivy Sack	$225
	75	Katabatic Gear Piñon Bivy Greatest Bang for Your Buck	$139
	74	Out of doors Analysis Alpine AscentShell Bivy Greatest for Climate Resistance	$299
	70	MSR Professional Bivy Greatest for Ultralight Safety	$260
	66	Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy	$170
	66		$260
	61	Black Diamond Twilight Bivy	$190
	61	Black Diamond Highlight Bivy	$250
	56	SOL Escape Bivy Greatest Emergency Bivy on a Shoestring Finances	$69
	51	Survival Frog Tact Bivvy 2.0	$25

How We Take a look at Bivy Sacks

We thought of over 40 completely different fashions throughout our analysis course of earlier than shopping for the highest 10 contenders to place to the take a look at for this assessment. We examined how properly they protected us from wind and precipitation and the way they vented and transferred moisture from inside to out. We additionally paid consideration to packed measurement, weight, consolation, and compatibility with different gadgets. Testing was performed within the area in numerous environments, from swampy circumstances to snow to rocky ledges. This assessment is the distilled data we gained from a number of seasons of intensive testing, and we hope it should serve you properly in your personal choice course of. See our full How We Take a look at article to be taught extra about our take a look at routine.

Our bivy sack testing is split throughout 5 completely different metrics:

• Climate Resistance (25% of complete rating weighting)

• Air flow (15% weighting)

• Packed Dimension (15% weighting)

Why Belief GearLab

This assessment is dropped at you by OutdoorGearLab Evaluation Editors and multi-discipline out of doors athletes Brian Martin and Brian Smith. As a former member of Yosemite Search and Rescue, Brian Martin was tasked with researching, testing, and changing crew tools. This, along with his life-style centered round numerous out of doors pursuits, provides him a eager understanding of the options to search for in every kind of out of doors tools. He is as aware of mountain climbing as he’s with backpacking or mountain biking, and he brings this broad expertise to assist readers discern the benefits and downsides of various merchandise for various pursuits. Brian Smith is an authorized IFMGA/AMGA American Mountain Information primarily based in Jackson Gap, Wyoming, and spends a number of nights per yr camped out within the snow, within the desert, or at a bivy website on the aspect of a mountain. Whether or not guiding snowboarding, mountain climbing, mountaineering, or alpine climbing, Brian makes use of out of doors gear extra continuously than most human beings on the planet. His eager eye for element lets him catch errors earlier than they occur within the mountains in addition to acknowledge high-quality gear that facilitates having memorable experiences within the open air.

Evaluation and Take a look at Outcomes

Whether or not or to not convey a bivy is determined by many components, and every part from weight to the climate forecast to the accessible area in your pack can affect the choice. Earlier than buying a bivy sack, contemplate the circumstances through which you’ll use it. The excessive mountains in winter? A boggy swamp in spring? Every of our reviewed merchandise has distinctive traits which may create a compelling cause to think about it in your subsequent outing.

What is the Greatest Worth?

We goal to convey you the most effective of the most effective, but in addition the best worth, particularly in relation to efficiency and value. Our crew of specialists put every mannequin by a collection of assessments, awarding scores for a collection of metrics. Figuring out which bivy will fit your wants will definitely contain an inventory of execs and cons. What are you searching for? If the most effective worth tops your chart, search for the highest-performing product from our scores that matches your worth vary. Standing out among the many relaxation for worth, the Katabatic Gear Piñon Bivy is tough to beat with its low value, light-weight and packable measurement, consolation, and breathability (however requires a tarp and a few wire to enhance its water resistance). The Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy covers what most people want from such a product (low weight, snug, and weather-resistant) with out costing as a lot as most premium fashions. Or for emergency safety on a funds, the SOL Escape Bivy provides the additional safety and heat you would possibly want when the sudden happens but in addition would not put you out a ton of money. As at all times, we suggest discovering the product that matches your efficiency wants and monetary limitations.

Climate Resistance

From emergency bivys to the ultra-protective alpine expedition fashions, it is necessary to have a agency understanding of the traits of the bivy you are contemplating. Does it make sense to have an ultralight emergency bivy in addition to an alpine heavyweight? No matter your wants are, we completely examined every of those bivy sacks inside their meant boundaries (and past) to know the place their limits actually are. Waterproof materials and the power to totally zip and enclose the sacks are a few key efficiency concerns.

Probably the most weather-resistant bivy sacks we examined have been the Out of doors Analysis Alpine AscentShell and Out of doors Analysis Helium. Each have been fantastically waterproof and provided substantial safety from the weather. In our opinion, these fashions present the most effective steadiness of sturdiness, heat, and general safety.

Various kinds of materials work finest in several conditions. A completely waterproof materials, like Gore-Tex, will hold all of the rain out, however even probably the most breathable materials have a tough time letting water vapor from sweat and respiration escape. Ripstop nylon is light-weight and waterproof, if handled with a sturdy water-repellent (DWR) coating. It is usually extra breathable, nevertheless it’s solely preferrred for a lightweight rain because it is not totally waterproof. The SOL Escape deviated from the norm by developing a bivy from metalized spun-bonded olefin, which is usually used as a moisture barrier for dwelling building. This materials offered glorious climate resistance whereas sustaining some breathability. Nonetheless, as a result of this feature would not shut all the way in which, its safety from the weather is minimal.

Some bivy sacks are made for four-season safety and can be utilized in wintry, alpine circumstances. Different fashions attempt to avoid wasting weight and do not permit for an entire closure of the waterproof shell materials across the face, so that they’re finest reserved for emergencies or milder rain and temps. The least protecting are additionally typically the lightest choices. Simply because they can not hold you heat and dry in a heavy downpour doesn’t suggest they do not have their place. These light-weight emergency bivys will be value their weight in gold for quick and lightweight ascents, lengthy path runs, or fastpacking when some further safety is warranted.

Like all tenting shelters, the way in which they’re used can have an effect on climate resistance. When doable, deciding on larger floor or a clearing below a tree will add a bit of additional climate safety and keep away from pooling water in a nasty deluge. All the time verify the bushes overhead for lifeless limbs or “widow-makers,” which might break off dangerously (particularly in a storm).

Weight

When looking for a bivy sack, it is necessary to take a conscious second to think about what precisely you are going to be utilizing it for. Earlier than you have a look at weights and packed measurement, ensure that the bivy will carry out on the stage you want it to. In case you’re venturing right into a snowy alpine atmosphere with doubtless precipitation, you need one thing you may comfortably spend loads of time in and that you’re assured will hold you dry. In case you’re heading out on a burly all-day ridge climb however aren’t positive if you’ll have to bivouac, a light-weight emergency possibility could be extra acceptable.

In case you’re simply entering into the ultralight recreation, there are some incredible choices in the marketplace that provide respectable safety towards these shock rain showers or windy nights. The lightest reusable bivy we examined is the SOL Escape. Most bivy sacks weigh lower than two kilos and are far lighter than the most effective backpacking tents. Our high suggestion general, the OR Helium, weighs simply over a pound. In case you are prepared so as to add somewhat weight to extend climate resistance, the OR Alpine AscentShell is roughly 20 ounces, which is way lighter than a number of fashions that fell brief in our inclement climate assessments. Take note, although, that there are some ultralight tents that contest a few of the heavier bivy sacks, and they are much extra spacious.

Consolation

Consolation is at all times an necessary criterion for out of doors gear, particularly for gear that you simply depend on for shelter in backcountry conditions. Time spent in an uncomfortable or cramped bivy with creepy crawlies getting inside can flip a person away from bivy sacks for good. Contributing components to every bivy’s consolation score embody insect safety, roominess (quantity and ground plan), ease of use, and added options, comparable to gear pockets or straps to carry your sleeping pad in place.

In case you select a bivy since you need a shelter that weighs much less and takes up minimal area in your pack, it is best to anticipate much less area for you inside — simply hopefully to not the purpose of discomfort. We in contrast ground area, head area, and shoulder width when assessing our consolation rankings. The OR Helium and OR Alpine AscentShell earned the highest scores for this part of our evaluation. Each make use of a singular pole that enables for further respiration room and even sufficient area to learn a e-book.

Ultralight and minimalist fashions can typically be much less spacious to chop down on the quantity of fabric used. Conversely, four-season fashions typically have wire hoops or tent poles to assist enhance quantity, depart room for the face, and supply an expertise similar to sleeping below the celebrities with all of the safety of a tent. The Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy is a superb mixture of measurement and luxury options, comparable to the power to maintain the ceiling away out of your face with no added weight. The SOL Escape is on the comfortable aspect however nonetheless usable for our 5’11” gear tester.

Air flow

Air flow in bivy sacks could be a tough factor. Like several piece of waterproof gear, usually, the higher a sack protects you from rain and climate, the much less it breathes. How properly a bivy ventilates and the way a lot condensation builds up inside is a big think about its versatility and efficiency.

Many human components could make your night time depressing even in an distinctive bivy, so listed here are a number of actions you may make use of to ensure your bivy will carry out to its highest talents. The primary difficulty is that your condensed breath or further sweat from getting overheated can construct up contained in the sack, inflicting a “rain” impact when shifting or shifting inside. One of many best issues to do to stop condensation in case you have dry climate is to maintain the zippers open as a lot as doable. Even throughout downpours or prolonged intervals the place full safety is critical, we suggest “cracking” the mesh or zipper to permit some air flow of the condensed air inside.

If dry climate will not be within the forecast, the 2 important issues to bear in mind are to ensure your breath is directed towards the skin of the sack and to make use of a sleeping bag and pajamas (or no matter clothes you sleep in, if any) which are the suitable heat for the temps. If the temps are variable, otherwise you toss and switch in your sleep (and might’t simply guarantee your mouth stays on the bivy opening), it could be a good suggestion to convey an artificial sleeping bag as a substitute of a down sleeping bag. Why? Artificial insulation will retain its insulating properties and hold you heat if it will get damp and even soaked.

In case your bivy will be staked out or has a pole to offer you area across the head, benefiting from these options will add further air area between your physique and the bivy partitions, which considerably improves its means to ventilate. The Out of doors Analysis Helium and the Out of doors Analysis Alpine AscentShell each have this characteristic, making them extra snug than fashions that allow the material relaxation towards your face.

Packed Dimension

It doesn’t matter what you propose to do along with your bivy, packed measurement is necessary. Area in our haul luggage, backpacks, and bike luggage is at all times at a premium. Having a bivy that’s light-weight and will be crammed right into a tiny package deal is important. By dropping down from a tent to a smaller bivy, it is best to have the ability to save a number of liters of area, permitting for a smaller pack general or room for different important gear. Taking this even additional, if you happen to go for an ultralight bivy, you would possibly even have the ability to pack it all the way down to the scale of a soda can, saving a great deal of area in your pack.

We measured every product when packed up in its (often offered) stuff sack. Some fashions have poles that might be added to the identical stuff sack or saved in your pack individually. The Survival Frog Tact Bivvy 2.0 provides the smallest packed measurement of all of the merchandise examined (2″ x 4.5″), nevertheless it’s extra of a single-use bivy as a result of it may be simply torn and rendered ineffective (suppose large yard leaf bag). A way more sturdy and extremely inexpensive mannequin, the Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy, measures 3″ x 9.5″. Lastly, the top-tier high-high efficiency OR Helium and OR Alpine AscentShell measure 4″ x 12.5″ and three.5″ x 12.25″, respectively.

Conclusion

Climbers, mountaineers, and ultralight backpackers alike could also be focused on a bivy sack for quite a few causes. Along with being a light-weight emergency shelter, these merchandise could be a lower-weight and smaller different to a tent. A bivy’s smaller footprint also can help you sleep in a mess of locations the place a standard tent wouldn’t be doable. Many components must be thought of when deciding on a bivy, starting from climate resistance to pack measurement.