Best bivvy bags of 2024 | Lightweight shelters for solo campers, tested by a backpacking expert

Try a lighter, more adaptable approach to wild camping by ditching the tent and packing a bivvy. Not sure what you need? Let us take you through the best options.

A range of bivvy bags being tested by LFTO

by James Forrest |
Updated on

While there are some impressively light and compact hiking tents around today (some one-person tents weigh in at around one kilogram), you can do even better with a bivvy bag.

Spacious they are not, but a well-designed bivvy bag provides an excellent little sleeping pod to use during your overnight outdoor excursions. They should be just big enough to fit you and your sleeping mat, with maybe even a reasonably sized hiking backpack at your feet.

James Forrest putting mattress inside Terra Nova Jupiter Lite Bivi
©LFTO

What are the best bivvy bags of 2024?

Best in Test: Outdoor Research Helium Bivy

Best value: Alpkit Hunka XL

Best premium bivvy: Rab Ridge Radier Bivi

The bivvy bag market isn't as extensive as tents, largely due to them being reasonably niche. There are, however, still a solid range of dependable options.

Some bivvy bags are very uncomplicated, consisting of weatherproof outer material and not much more. These are the lightest and usually least expensive options but others occupy a space between tent and bivvy bag, often with a hooped pole over your head. These offer more internal space, but are a bit heavier and more expensive. In this guide, we cover the best bivvy bags of all types and budgets.

How we tested the best bivvy bags

Hiker bivvying in a bivvy bag in England's Lake District mountains
©LFTO

The selection of bivvy bags you'll find below were all tested alongside one another by our British wild camping and backpacking enthusiast James Forrest.

The outdoor kit we review is usually tested as a group test in order to directly compare rivals in real world conditions. James is arguably our most dedicated wild camper, and that's quite a feat because the LFTO team is made up of some very keen trekkers and backpackers. It's what we do.

What we look for in bivvy bags is an ability to nail the core aspect of a basic shelter: weather protection. To us, bivvies don't need to be fancy but they do need to be effective. We also compare levels of quality, packability, space, and comfort.

Read more on how we test here

The best bivvy bags reviewed:

best in test

LFTO
Price: £250.00
https://redirect.viglink.com?key=0c3fa8a06d4fce794e2be1c426980136&prodOvrd=PCR&opt=false&u=WBdHFlsXTkdBExoEAgZcWlsQXBYXSE1XXVsWV0VFV18MQUsTXRJVVxZXDk4NUlVdEF9PB1gVTR9ZXUoAAVQC&x=v1

Over the years this bivvy bag has become to be our benchmark against which we measure rivals. It does pretty much everything right: it's lightweight yet highly weatherproof; it's spacious yet compact; it's fully featured but not outrageously expensive.

For the avid minimalist camper, the Outdoor Research Helium is ideal.

Managing to weigh less than 500g for a hooped bivvy bag is quite impressive, especially when it has class-leading waterproofing and breathability ratings. To help with stability, it also includes two diagonally positioned pegging points (pegs aren't included).

Inside, the hooped design provides a relatively generous space in which you can move and organise yourself quite easily. That said, for very tall people it might feel a tad restricitve.

Read our full Outdoor Research Helium Bivy review

Pros

  • Protective
  • Versatile
  • Lightweight for hooped design
  • Better waterproofing and breathability than most rivals
  • Surprisingly durable

Cons

  • Not as roomy as some rivals
  • Some rivals have superior eco credentials
  • Construction
    4.5
  • Comfort
    4.5
  • Performance
    5.0
  • Packability
    4.0
  • Value
    4.0
  • Sustainability
    3.0
Weight494g
Packed size31 x 9cm
Dimensions208 x 66cm (shoulder)/48cm (foot)
Main materialBluesign-approved 30D nylon 2.5-layer Pertex Shield Diamond Fuse (40D nylon floor)
Waterproof rating20,000mm HH
Breathability rating20,000g/m²/24 hour

best value

LFTO
Price: £69.99

alpkit.com

Fans of the simple, pole-free bivvy design can't do much better than the Alpkit Hunka XL.

As far as features go, there aren't many. There are no zips, just a drawcord around the hood; the other notable 'luxury' is a mesh pouch at the foot of the bag for storing gear.

But in terms of quality and performance, this is a great bivvy bag. The main fabric is recycled and PFC-free, and has a high waterproof rating of 20,000mm HH. It's breathable too (although not class leading).

The fabric is certainly capable of dealing with rain but the hood can't be fully closed so the Hunka XL is never fully weatherproof. For those in need of a fully enclosed bivvy, we'd recommend a design with a hooped pole rather than the Alpkit Hunka XL.

XL is in reference to size, which (you guessed it) is larger than the standard Hunka. It's great that there are two sizes (and three colours) to choose from.

Read our full Alpkit Hunka XL review

Pros

  • Fantastic value
  • Lightweight
  • Compact
  • Unfussy and minimalist
  • Quite sustainable

Cons

  • Can't be fully sealed up
  • No zipper
  • Construction
    4.0
  • Comfort
    4.0
  • Performance
    4.0
  • Packability
    4.0
  • Value
    5.0
  • Sustainability
    4.0
Weight482g
Packed size23 x 16cm
Dimensions235 x 98cm (shoulder)/72cm (foot)
Main materialRecycled and PFC-free 30D 2.5-layer nylon
Waterproof rating20,000mm HH
Breathability rating10,000g/m²/24 hour

Best affordable hooped bivvy

LFTO
Price: £104.95 (RRP £120)

www.outdooraction.co.uk

Bivvy bags are supposed to be the camping minimalist's tent but despite this, some models can be astonishingly expensive. Particularly those with a hooped pole.

Mercifully, the Lifesystems Venture Solo bivvy is on hand to help address this issue. At £120 (at the time of writing), it's a welcome addition to the lineup of hooped bivvies costing upwards of £200.

Is it any good? We thought so. The Venture Solo is very similar to the Best in Test Outdoor Research Helium in terms of design, while even managing to offer slightly more interior space. We liked its relatively tough 70D material too, it makes the Lifesystems bivvy feel reassuringly durable.

Although the material is relatively thick, the Lifesystems bivvy still packs down to about the same dimensions as the Outdoor Research Helium. It is, however, noticeably heavier, weighing around 200g more. Nor can it match the Outdoor Research bivvy for waterproofing and breathability.

Read our full Lifesystems Venture Solo Hooped Bivi review

Pros

  • Great value for a hooped bivvy bag
  • Fully featured
  • Weatherproof and breathable
  • Durable fabric

Cons

  • Heavier than premium Outdoor Research Helium Bivy
  • Construction
    4.5
  • Comfort
    4.5
  • Performance
    4.5
  • Packability
    4.0
  • Value
    4.5
  • Sustainability
    2.5
Weight681g
Packed size33 x 10cm
Dimensions225 x 68cm (shoulder)/59cm (foot)
Main material70D nylon
Waterproof rating11,000mm HH
Breathability rating15,000g/m²/24 hour

Best for stability

LFTO

The Terra Nova Jupiter Lite bivvy bag is an interesting one. It offers excellent stability thanks to six pegging points (pegs are included), two guy lines, and high quality materials. As one expects from Terra Nova, this is a very high quality product too and built to last. Where this is most noticeable is the pole. It's aluminium alloy instead of the plastic used on the Outdoor Research and Lifesystems bivvy bags.

However, it occupies a middle ground in other aspects. It's light enough, but the Outdoor Research Helium is lighter. It's waterpoof and breathable, but the OR Helium is more so.

Internal space is pretty generous. The pole gives the Jupiter Lite a ceiling height of over 50cm; it's reasonably long and wide too.

All in all, if you appreciate quality and longevity, this is probably the bivvy for you. It's a joy to use and camp in. But, there are lighter options out there if that's what you desire.

Read our full Terra Nova Jupiter Lite Bivi review

Pros

  • Stable, durable construction
  • Pegs included
  • Relatively spacious

Cons

  • Some rivals have higher waterproof and breathability ratings
  • Heavier than some rivals (but still far from bulky)
  • Construction
    5.0
  • Comfort
    4.0
  • Performance
    4.5
  • Packability
    4.0
  • Value
    4.0
  • Sustainability
    3.0
Weight580g (excl. pegs)
Packed size36 x 11cm
Dimensions230 x 70cm (shoulder)/45cm (foot)
Main material15D Moonlite ripstop nylon (groundsheet: 70D Waterbloc nylon)
Waterproof rating10,000mm HH
Breathability rating15,000g/m²/24 hour

highly recommended

LFTO

The Trailhead Bivi is Rab's least expensive and most simplistic bivvy bag.

On test, we found it ticks most of the boxes for a basic bivvy bag. Its materials are reliably waterproof and breathable; comfort is good with enough room for our gear and even some wiggle room leftover; it's reasonably lightweight and packs down very small; and it's quite durable.

It competes squarely with the Alpkit Hunka XL but loses out to it in terms of price. At over £100, the Rab bivvy is a tad expensive for a basic design. Granted, Rab is a reasonably sustainable brand as that is worth paying a premium for, but Alpkit is a responsible outdoor brand too and still manages to offer a model for £40 less.

Read our full Rab Trailhead Bivi review

Pros

  • Minimalist design
  • Button closure
  • Durable
  • Quite protective and waterproof
  • Rab scores well on sustainability

Cons

  • Pricey for a minimalist bivvy
  • Can't be fully sealed
  • Construction
    4.5
  • Comfort
    4.0
  • Performance
    4.0
  • Packability
    4.0
  • Value
    3.5
  • Sustainability
    4.0
Weight450g
Packed size20 x 12cm
Dimensions250 x 85cm (shoulder)/60cm (foot)
Main materialPFC-free 40D nylon
Waterproof rating10,000mm HH
Breathability rating10,000g/m²/24 hour

best budget bivvy

LFTO
Price: £36.99
Alternative retailers
Mountain Warehouse USA$19.99View offer

This Mountain Warehoue bivvy is the most affordable option we tested and by some margin. In addition to the very attractive price tag it has some other enticing aspects such as a very low weight and packed size. It has decent internal space and volume too, with ample space for a sleeping bag, sleeping mat, and space for your pack at your feet.

But, predictably, we did find this bivvy is rather limited in its performance. The fabrics and components don't feel especially durable and it also lacks the reliable waterproofing that the other options on test have. It's rated at just 3000mm HH, and can only fend of some spits of rain rather than any substantial rain.

So, if you are keen to try out the bivvy experience, and don't want to invest too heavily, or are solely a summer time camper, this might be the option for you. But we would suggest, for those who go more frequently, to choose the superior Alpkit Hunka XL.

Read our full Mountain Warehouse Waterproof Bivvy Bag review

Pros

  • Very affordable
  • Ultralight and packable
  • No frills design is quite refreshing
  • Adjustable hood

Cons

  • Much lower waterproof rating that most rivals
  • Not partiuclarly durable
  • Construction
    3.0
  • Comfort
    4.0
  • Performance
    3.0
  • Packability
    5.0
  • Value
    5.0
  • Sustainability
    2.0
Weight363g
Packed size25 x 10cm
Dimensions246 x 83cm (shoulder)/50cm (foot)
Main material63D polyester
Waterproof rating3,000mm HH
Breathability ratingNot provided

Best premium bivvy bag

Rab Ridge Raider Bivi

This is a regular feature in any of our bivvy roundups, and with good cause. Freestanding and less claustrophobic than a typical bivvy thanks to its hooped main pole and micro upright pole at the foot, it’s made from Pertex Shield Air fabric, which is both waterproof and breathable (HH of 15k and an MVTR of 20k), keeping you dry and reducing condensation. The zipped entry provides easy access and has a mosquito mesh door.

It’s not as compact and lightweight (or as low priced) as a bivvy bag, nor as roomy and liveable as a tent, but it offers an excellent compromise between the two, opening up a world of overnight adventure opportunities.

Pros

  • Spacious
  • Freestanding
  • Great weather protection

Cons

  • Not as lightweight as pole-less bivvies
  • Construction
    4.5
  • Comfort
    5.0
  • Performance
    5.0
  • Packability
    4.0
  • Value
    3.0
  • Sustainability
    3.5
Weight890g
Packed size32 x 15cm
Main materialPertex Shield Air 3-layer 15D ripstop nylon
Waterproofing15,000mm HH
Breathability20,000g/m²/24 hour

What to look for in a bivvy

Hiker using a bivvy bag, Lynn Idwal, Snowdonia
©Live For The Outdoors

Are there different types of bivvy bag?

The most basic bivvy is a waterproof sack that goes over your sleeping bag and sometimes your sleeping mat. Some people find this set-up cramped, claustrophobic, and a little like a body bag, so prefer poled bivvies. These use short poles to lift the canopy – usually over your head – and make the interior feel a bit more spacious.

Six bivvy bags in stuffsacks piled together
©LFTO

How much should a bivvy bag weigh?

The bivvy is the spork of the tent world. It's compact and lightweight. Yet, the weight of a bivvy can vary dramatically depending on the material it’s made from and whether it requires poles. You’ll need to consider which is most important: light weight and packability, or comfort and protection.

Are all bivvy bags waterproof?

A bivvy should prevent you and your kit being soaked by rain or the ingress of moisture from the ground, so the fabric must be waterproof. However, their single skin construction makes it difficult to prevent condensation on the inside, so the fabric should be breathable too. If provided, check out both the Hydrostatic Head (waterproof) and Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate or RET (breathability) figures of the fabrics – the higher the HH and MVTR numbers the more waterproof and breathable the fabric.

Closeup of Terra Nova peg
©LFTO

What features should I look for?

Opening: While most bivvies can be sealed completely with a zipper, and some have a mesh panel that allows ventilation without letting in bugs, some cheaper bivvy sacks cannot be completely closed, leaving an opening around the face.

Pegging points: Tents are pegged into the ground for stability, and some (but not all) bivvy bags can be too. Ranging from just two up to six or so pegging points, this is a useful feature to look out for if you know you'll need the additional stability.

Bivvy or tarp: which is the best lightweight shelter?

It depends what you're after here. An open-air, uber lightweight option is the tarp. A bivvy (particularly a fully enclosed bivvy) gives you more protection both from the elements and the bugs.

Many people like to pair the two together to improve weather protection but still have that sleeping in the open experience.

About the author

James Forrest
©LFTO

James Forrest is a prolific peak bagger and long-distance walker who’s one of the most high-profile outdoor writers in the UK.

He writes regular features and route guides for Trail and has been one of our main gear testers for the last few years. James is based on the edge of the Lake District so when he isn’t off on his latest crazy adventure or challenge, he’s walking in his local fells.

James reviews every type of outdoor kit for Trail and is a real authority on everything you need for wild camping and packing light for a multi-day walk.

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