A bivvy bag, also known as a Bivouac bag is, to put it simply, a waterproof bag typically made of nylon, and very lightweight and easy to carry. It can be seen as a waterproof bag that can also be used as a sleeping bag. Imagine a bivvy bag in NZ with a thin lightweight outer cover that fits over both the sleeping matrices.
It is evident that it is far less expensive than a tent, being considerably smaller, and only able to hold one person and a few basic items like a phone or a book. It is small and allows you to sleep wherever you want as long as the surface on which you lay is flat.
The tightness of the bivvy
There is no single standard size of the bivvy bags in NZ. They come in various lengths and widths. Selecting the right bivvy for your body shape and size is very similar to buying the shoe with the perfect fitting. You have to try it before making a payment. So, before you set off on your adventure make sure to get inside it and make yourself comfortable.
Additionally, there should be some more space if you want to keep your other belongings inside your bivvy sack such as your phone, your phone charger, binoculars, and so on. Some prefer to buy bivvy that is completely sticking to the body while others like some extra wiggle room. Hence, you must keep this variable in consideration while making a purchase.
Air circulation inside the bivvy
It is a common misconception that bivvy bags are completely sealed shut and air cannot pass through. Bivvy bags have a very intricate system of zippers and over flaps that facilitate the airflow and prevent the inside of the bivvy bag to become extra humid from the body heat and water vapors.
Therefore, while buying the bivvy bags one must keep in mind that the zippers and over flaps are stitched together properly so that the air can flow freely from head to toe. Moreover, there should not be any gaps and pores that allow water to seep in. you would not want water to log inside your bivvy bag.
Is water condensation a variable to consider
Yes, certainly. A bivy is essentially a tent with one wall. Steam rises and meets cooler air as it leaves your lungs. A portion of this wetness may eventually stop being carried by the airflow and end up condensing on the waterproof coated bivy fabric’s interior layer.
While a tent has a dome shape to divert the condensed moisture, a bivvy does not. Therefore, the bivvy needs to let the vapor escape through the flaps and zippers.
The Warmth it provides
A bivvy must also be well insulated. The temperature of the forest or the mountains can be very chilling and it can cause health problems such as hypothermia. Hence the bivvy bag NZ should have enough layers that it can maintain your natural body temperature.
However, it should not be too insulated so that it would feel like an oven. The temperature inside of a bivvy bag is affected by the airflow, condensation, and fabric of the material. These 3 in combination determine whether it is too hot or not even warm inside the bivvy bag. Therefore, an ideal bivvy sack keeps an optimal natural temperature for your sound sleep.
Flaps for pillows
Some businesses produce thin pillows and fill bags with fleece coverings. People often use a softshell garment over a mountaineering rope or a long jacket with a pair of trekking shoes since they are lighter choices. A stuffed bag covered in fleece that can be rolled upside down and stuffed with plush garments is a good improvement for people seeking a more opulent camping journey.
Another option is a “camp cushion” made of an inflated bag. Like any other decision, measuring the heaviness of it will be carried on your back because these luxuries tend to pack on the pounds quickly.
Conclusion
Bivvy bags are like a tent to go to. Their simple and minimalistic design allows people to quickly install and use it. It is so easy to set up that unlike tents it does not require any instruction manual. It is waterproof and well-ventilated so it can provide you with more than just breathing space. It is spacious enough to let your snuggly sleep inside of it. It can have compartments where you can keep your gear such as binoculars, phones, and so on.
It is insulated at the same time and keeps an optimal temperature to give you a sound sleep. The bivvy bags are lightweight and easy to carry. They make hiking much simpler and easier.
