When To Use A Bivy Vs Tent?

I recently bought the new Winterial bivy tent. I am very happy with it. With the fishing season upon us, I thought of researching in what circumstances is it better to have a tent vs bivy sack. I searched around on forums, asked some friends and here are my conclusions. When should you use a bivy vs 1 person tent?

Bivy vs Tent: Choosing the Right Shelter for Your Outdoor Adventure

Bivies shine when it comes to wind protection. Otherwise tents have a miriad of advantages. I would use a bivy only on solo overnight trips during ultralight backpacking adventures. Visiting highlands, or vast incredibly windy areas with occasional rain is where a bivy has clear advantages to a single person tent.

A big advantage of tent vs bivy is the inner space it provides. If you want to have a little more comfort, cook or you need more space to sleep you are ought to go with a tent.

What Is A Bivy?

A bivy sack, short for “bivouac sack,” offers minimalist shelter. Originally designed for climbers needing lightweight, emergency weather protection, modern bivies balance waterproofing and breathability. They’re favoured by solo travellers, big-wall climbers, long-distance bikers, and those keen on reducing overall pack weight.

Pros of using a bivy:

• Lightweight – Due to having less stakes, and smaller size they are lighter than even a very tight 2 person tent.
• Easy to remove rainfly – due to their small size it is easy to remove the rainfly on hot summer nights. I love sleeping in open air with having the only the mesh inner tent between me and the nighttime sky. The mesh gives me enough protection from the bugs.

Tent Benefits

In my opinion single person tents have one big advantage to bivys: space.

You can sit up, change clothes, or even store gear inside. Apart from just sleeping in them there is not much else you an do in a bivy. Actually, if you need a shelter that gives you shade during the day, tent is the only way to go.

Tents can be freestanding, eliminating the need for staking in challenging terrains like sandy or rocky ground. They excel in prolonged bad weather, providing enough space to wait out storms comfortably.

Which Is More Waterproof: Bivy vs Tents?

On average tents can give you more waterproofing than bivies. Simply the freedom of design allows for stronger features. For example the Winterial bivy is only 1500 mm HH waterproof rated. Single person tents can have as much as 5000 mm rating easily.

On the other hand the shape of a bivy is excellent for surviving harsh, windy conditions. Bivies have a much more aerodynamic shape than single person tents. If I would go solo hiking to open highlands, my choice would hundred percent be a bivy.

Bivy vs 1 Person Tent: Key Considerations

• Weight and Packability: Bivy sacks are lighter and more compact, appealing to ultralight backpackers. However, modern 1 person tents have become increasingly lightweight. I recommend you check out the MC Tomount if you want a well designed single person tent with great waterproofing.
• Comfort and Space: Tents offer more room to move, sit up, and store gear, significantly impacting comfort levels and overall sleep quality. Even though the winterial bivy has a small vestibule, it is nowhere as big as the double vestibule of the Naturehike Mongar 2.
• Weather Protection: Both bivies and tents provide weather protection, but tents generally offer better ventilation and space to wait out storms without feeling claustrophobic. Imagine lying down in your bivy for hours, without adequate space to even read.
• Setup: Bivies are simpler and quicker to set up, which can be advantageous in emergency situations or when arriving late at a campsite.
• Terrain Flexibility: Freestanding tents are versatile across various terrains, making them preferable for areas where staking is impractical.
• Stealth Camping: Both shelters can be suitable for stealth camping, but earth-tone colors are recommended to blend with natural surroundings.
• Cooking: It is absolutely impossible to prepare any food in your bivy. If you plan on doing any activities during the day, a single person tent is the way to go.

Personal Preferences and Experiences

Choosing between a bivy and a tent can come down to personal preference too. Some friends told me they prioritise the simple approach of a bivy sack for short, solo trips. There is simply something romantic to listening to the raindrops falling on your bivy, a few centimeters from your face. You feel that much closer to nature.

And I know others who absolutely can’t sleep in bivies. They feel entombed, confined in a needlessly tiny shelter. Some hikers value the comfort and versatility of a tent, even if it means carrying a bit more weight.

Needless to mention if you have a dog with you, a bivy is absolutely out of the question. Sleeping in a bivy is the business of the lone adventurer.

Before you go…

Here is a list of the best 2 person backpacking tents.

You might find the best waterproof tents under 100 dollars here.