Bivy Bags Affected By Condensation Factor

Sun., June 21, 1998

Q. Hey, gear guy, I have been looking for a bivy bag lately, but don’t know what to think. My buddies that have them are often disappointed with the waterproofness/breathability of their bags. I am wondering if anyone makes a quality bivy that is light and small, yet sufficiently waterproof and breathable. If you have any suggestions let me know.

Brock Holt

Gear Guy: I don’t think waterproofness is the problem, Brock. At least, it really shouldn’t be. Most good-quality bivy bags are made of taped 3-ply Gore-Tex that should be plenty waterproof. Condensation, though, can be an issue. Warm, moist vapors from a bag occupant’s body is apt to condense readily on the cool bag shell. Given that the average person perspires one or two pints of water a night, it wouldn’t take much to make a bivy feel pretty damp.

Bivy bags are always going to have this problem. The trouble is that people expect them to perform like a double-wall tent, and it’s never going to happen. Bivy bags are best for occasional/semi-emergency use. For comfortable camping, nothing will beat a tent or sleeping under the stars.

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