Best Bivy Sacks of 2024

One of the best ways to cut weight when overnight hiking or mountaineering is eliminating a tent. A bivy sack is an excellent alternative to a tent. And, the best bivy sack can easily compete with the most lightweight tent on the market.

Bivy sacks have the extra value of being much smaller than tents as well. They’re well worth considering if you’re heading out for an overnight hiking trip. They can also be set up much faster than tents. This is a feature that is most useful in adverse weather conditions.

However, it must be said that on long-distance hikes, you might want for a backpacking tent. The disadvantage of even the best bivy sack is that it’s so small you’ll have to leave your backpack outside. In general, bivy sacks are ideal for (short) overnight hikes in colder and more humid climates.

For more of our top backpacking gear recommendations, check out the Best Backpacking Tents.

Reviews - The Best Backpacking Bivy Sack

Outdoor Research Helium

Specs

• Dimensions: 26" x 84" (x 19.5")
• Weight: 18 oz

Features

• Fully seam taped
• Anti-fungal floor coating
• Five-stake loop
• Pertex Shield material

BEST FOR: ALL-AROUND BACKPACKING

PROS: Lightweight, water and weather resistant, suspended head area, mosquito net

CONS: Low condensation resistance and breathability

View at REI

Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy

Specs

• Dimensions: 80" x 36"
• Weight: 14.46 oz

Features

• Backcountry Bed compatible
• Large u-shaped opening
• Mesh window panel
• Waterproof/breathable top fabric

BEST FOR: BACKPACKERS ON A BUDGET

PROS: Affordable price, clever stuff sack design, the ability to prop up the face without a trekking pole

CONS: Zippers are not completely waterproof

View at Amazon

MSR Pro

Specs

• Dimensions: 88" x 36"
• Weight: 8.9 oz

Features

• Weatherproof, breathable fabric
• Includes stuff sack
• Durable waterproof coating lasts up to 3 times longer than standard coatings

BEST FOR: ULTRALIGHT BACKPACKERS

PROS: Surprisingly packable size for something so spacious

CONS: Isn’t a suitable all-around bivy sack and doesn’t include any kind of closure system, such as zipper

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Outdoor Research Alpine

Specs

• Dimensions: 26" x 84" (x 20")
• Weight: 30 oz

Features

• 3-layer Gore-Tex respiration positive fabric
• Hydroseal coated waterproof floor
• Fully taped seams
• Overhead shock corded delrin pole
• Mosquito net
• Storm flap
• Sleeping pad straps
• Internal mesh pocket

BEST FOR: EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS

PROS: Durability, weather Resistance, condensation resistance and breathability, space, comfort

CONS: Expensive, heavier

View at REI

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Outdoor Research Bug

Specs

• Dimensions: 25" x 89" (x 18")
• Weight: 16 oz

Features

• Bug netting
• Hydroseal coated waterproof nylon floor
• Overhead corded delrin pole
• Sleeping pad straps

BEST FOR: CAMPING IN DRY WEATHER

PROS: Easy to use, durable materials, extremely light

CONS: Narrow, only for use in dry and warm weather

View at REI

Rab Alpine Bivy

Specs

• Dimensions: 31.5" x 92.5" (x 11.8")
• Weight: 18 oz

Features

• Lightweight 3-layer eVent fabric
• Durable floor
• Mummy shape

BEST FOR: MINIMALIST MOUNTAINEERS

PROS: Lightweight, weather protection, breathability

CONS: Expensive, minimal inner space, primarily for use in winter

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Black Diamond Hooped Bivy Sack

Specs

• Dimensions: 35" x 90-99"
• Weight: 30 oz

Features

• Sewn-in support wire
• Todd-Ex 3-layer waterproof material
• Bug netting
• Dual zipper

BEST FOR: ADVENTURERS WANTING A MINIMALISTIC RELIABLE SHELTER

PROS: Waterproof and condensation resistant, great weather protection, bug protection, durable

CONS: Small sleeping space, low head height, bulky, large packing size

View at Backcountry

Snugpak 92860 Stratosphere

Specs

• Dimensions: 42" x 90" (x 37")
• Weight: 39 oz

Features

• 7 L-shaped steel anchor pegs
• Roll-away mosquito net
• Aluminum poles
• Compression sack

BEST FOR: ALL-SEASON LIGHTWEIGHT BACKPACKING

PROS: Spacious, bug protection, ventilation, small pack size, water resistance

CONS: Heavy, low breathability

View at Amazon

Woodland Camouflage

Specs

• Dimensions: 35" x 82"
• Weight: 40 oz

Features

• Gore-Tex fabric
• Heat-sealed seams
• Military issue

BEST FOR: COLD WEATHER CAMPING

PROS: Waterproof, affordable, spacious

CONS: Very heavy compared with other bivy sacks

View at Amazon

WHAT EXACTLY IS A BIVY SACK?

Bivy sack stands for “bivouac” sack, from the French/German word for “standing guard.” This former military term has now become a word related to outdoor camping. A temporary camp with basic shelter is referred to as a bivouac. This is exactly what a bivy sack is.

A bivy sack is a small and lightweight shelter, not much larger than a human. Originally, they were nothing more than a waterproof sleeping bag cover. Modern bivy sacks have evolved into closeable, breathable sacks that can fit a whole human body. Sometimes they also feature a hoop, allowing for more space and better ventilation.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST BIVY SACKS

OUTING DURATION

Arguably the most important thing to consider when looking for the best bivy sack is how you will use it. Will you use it on mountaineering excursions or on overnight hikes? On long-distance hikes or just for camping?

There’s general consensus among ultralight hikers that bivy sacks are ideal for short overnight trips. This is because they’re lightweight, small and easy to set up. They’re also usable in all four seasons and are typically warmer than tents.

On the downside, due to their small size, bivy sacks limit the space you have to move around. Only fitting one person in a sleeping bag, they require that you leave your backpack or other gear outside. This is, of course, inconvenient when you’re camping every night for weeks on end—on a long-distance hike or bicycle tour.

WEIGHT

Weight is a significant feature in all outdoor gear, not in the least concerning bivy sacks. Their light weight is often the main reason that people buy them in the first place. If you want to limit the weight on your back, it’s recommended to compare different bivy sacks as well.

Even though they’re all lightweight, some are even lighter than others. This is usually due to whether they have a hoop (and therefore a pole).

SPACE

Space is just as important as weight. Space can mean two things, though. First, it applies to the room inside the bivy sack. This is often the main concern when considering whether to buy a bivy sack or a tent.

Bivy sacks can only fit one person and might feel claustrophobic. This inconvenience is, however, countered by their light weight and easiness to use. It’s up to you to decide if this trade-off is worth it. On short adventures, such as weekend hikes in dry weather, it often is.

Second, space also refers to the room the bivy sack takes up in your backpack. This is one of the main benefits of getting a bivy sack. Their pack size is exceptionally small, especially with those without poles. This makes it much easier to pack your backpack.

WATERPROOFING/CONDENSATION

Bivy sacks, because of their snugness, are warmer than tents. This is a feature might cause problems with condensation. Manufacturers of the best bivy sacks are always trying to improve the ratio between breathability and water resistance. This is also a tricky feature of raincoats and other waterproof gear.

Because you’re essentially sleeping in a bag, your breath condensates on the bivy sack’s inner walls. Higher breathability solves that problem, but not without making the bivy sack less waterproof. This is a balance that’s hard to find. So, bivy sacks are not recommended for use in areas known for heavy rain.

When buying a bivy sack, it’s important to consider the place where you’ll be using it. Is it known for its humid and wet weather? Or is it a dry or cold place?