BivyBag Duo

Everything about your day trip has gone wrong—you’re wet, cold, and far from your haulout—but if you’ve packed a bivy bag, your day has just gotten a bit brighter. The Exped BivyBag Duo UL, made of silicon-coated ripstop nylon, is similar to a large poncho and in seconds it can get you and a friend out of the wind and rain. Weighing in at about 10 oz, and only 4″ x 6″ when packed, the BivyBag is compact enough to easily carry, even aboard the smallest boat.

photographs courtesy of the author

As the name suggests, the Bivibag Duo can be used for a bivouac, in tent fashion for one, or as a double emergency sleeping bag for two.

Removing the BivyBag from its storage sack takes just seconds—quick deployment is a must for any piece of emergency gear. The bag itself is shaped like a giant T-shirt, with a 56″-wide opening at the hem and three smaller openings at the other the top. Each of the four openings is equipped with a drawstring and toggle to adjust or close it. The neck opening is wide enough to pull on like a turtleneck, leaving one’s head free, or it may be worn over the head as a hood. My arms easily fit through the two smaller arm openings, even when I was wearing a shirt, fleece sweater, and jacket.

The Exped BivyBag’s fabric is thin, but it easily sheds water. The fabric isn’t breathable, and so on a rainy day, the inside of the bag was somewhat clammy; but on a cold day the impermeable fabric holds heat in addition to moisture. Despite the thinness of the fabric, I found that the bag provided a noticeable insulating effect. With an air temperature of 48 degrees F and under cloudy skies, the temperature inside the bag rose nearly 8 degrees in about 15 minutes.

When worn as a poncho, the BivyBag is long enough to come down past my feet (I am 6′1″). To keep from tripping on it, I fashioned a belt out of a piece of webbing. While I’m sitting I can pull my feet inside and close the bottom of the bag with the included drawstring.

In a worst-case scenario, the bivy bag can be fashioned into a temporary—albeit floppy—tent by tying it between a few trees, its openings cinched to eliminate drafts but allow enough airflow for comfortable breathing. In less dire conditions, the bag can be a discreet covering for changing clothes in a public location, such as a beach or dock, or for privacy using a camp privy.

In punishing conditions, it can be tempting to hurry on to escape the elements, a course of action that might lead to hasty decisions. The bivy bag helps prevent that scenario. If the wind is blowing hard during a rainstorm, and you need to consult a chart or unroll a dry bag, pull out the Exped BivyBag and you’ll be surrounded by relative calm and a dry place to work. It creates not only an instant shelter but also the peace and presence of mind that comes along with a measure of comfort, allowing for the thoughtful decision making that is essential to any successful outing.

Bruce Bateau sails and rows traditional boats with a modern twist in Portland, Oregon. His stories and adventures can be found at his web site, Terrapin Tales.

The BivyBag Duo is available from Exped’s  retailers for around $125 (prices vary by retailer).

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