There are some excellent alternative suggestions in the comments - thank you very much. I'll never claim to know THE way to do something, so constructive, friendly ideas and suggestions are always gratefully received and hugely important.
I’ve never rated bivi’s purely on the basis of space. For me I’d rather carry an extra couple of hundred grams and have space to cook and live after a ride. Watching the video I’ve seen nothing to convince me otherwise! Keep up the great work Simon.
I live in Canada where we have droves of mosquitoes and black flies (midges). I hate them because they love me. Because of this the smallest I go is a one man free standing tent. Gear selection is so personal and geographically specific. Pick what works for you as they say. Great video as always Simon and good advice on trying out new gear with over nighters before a big trip.
After going through several cheap pads, I can recommend to spend the money to get a Thermarest Neoair X-Lite in a wide version and never look back. Very light, compact, warm and comfortable.
I’ll second that recommendation for the Neoair x-lite, ultra light , ultra compact and very comfortable. Personally i would always go for a light weight tent rather than a bivvy bag . The extra weight isn’t that much for some tents and it so much more roomy. But if you were racing then obviously a bivvy bag would be the option. I think the Rab Neutrino sleeping bag is called that because buying it leaves your wallet with almost zero mass.
That’s one of the professionally produced and delivered pieces of content I’ve seen on RU-vid. I love my hooped bivvy and down bag combo. Super light and fits in my saddlebag for overnighters.
How do you manage to get ready when it’s chucking down with rain in the morning please? I’m writing this in the bivvy (again) having decided it might not be for me.
@@alwaysanotheradventure when I’ve used bivvies I’ve always had a tarp as well. I think if I was going for a small pack size setup I’d take my one man tent instead because it’s smaller and lighter than my tarp and hooped bivvy combined. It’s still cramped but I can get changed inside and wait out a storm.
Great video. My sister and I did a loop around Aberfoyle a few days ago. BRILLIANT until we wanted to set up camp in our new Alpkit hooped bivvys. Rain and midges all but make it impossible in Scotland. Never seen midges like it! I'm still covered in bites and scratching. A lightweight tent for me I think. The bivvys set up very quickly but I am fairly large and changing clothes or adding/removing layers in the night is impossible for me!
@@alwaysanotheradventure yes I find it better because I have bad arthritis in my right knee , and find it fairly difficult to get into a bivy through the front, like in your bivy
I know its a few more grams, gram keep! but u could get one of those mini triangle tarp or small poncho 200g max to place between bivi and bike for cooking if gonna rain, a bit of cordage and two pegs u can set it up for all sorts of wind rain lunch options while still keeping the setup fast and flexible 😀 👍
I have an old Bibbler snorkel bivy. Now Black Diamond. Love it. I have used it in combination with a Kelty Noahs tarp. Not the smallest package. But not big. Looking into a Haven hammock tent/bivy.. I haven't tried hammocks. Good luck!!
I’ve gone through a couple sleep systems recently. For years I used a Ray-way silicone/nylon tarp tent I sewed myself. 2-person version is very roomy, absolutely dry and great ventilation. But needing to also use the bug net in some conditions, as well as sometimes “creative” pitching had me itching for a simpler solution. I recently started using a Nemo Dragonfly 1-person tent. I got the bike packing version which is slightly heavier than the standard because of shorter poles (more joints) and a beamier stuffsack designed to mount on handlebars (which I could but haven’t yet left at home). Total weight depending on how much you bring is between 1-1.3 kg. I also used to use a Ray-way quilt I sewed. I recently swapped it for a Thermarest Vesper 20-degree quilt. 900-fill hydrophobic down, weighs 550 grams and packs about the size of a water bottle. I pair that with the Thermarest Neolithic X-lite pad (360 grams) here’s the key: I use a silk bag liner but I slip the pad inside the liner. The quilt comes with two detachable straps that go around the pad. I sleep great with this system and much prefer the bed-like feel and ventilation options of a quilt to stuffing myself inside a confining bag.
Hey Michael - what a great comment, thank you. I haven't heard "Ray-Way" in a loooong time! You're clearly better with a sewing machine than me! I have one of the GoLite versions of his tarp and I think I also have the attachable bug netting. For me it was too fussy and prefered the simplicty of Henry Shires' TarpTent designs. I also tried one of the GoLite versions of his quilts (2 person) that worked with the sleep mats, but we didn't get along with that at all. I think I like having the bag all around me, even if I flatten the down below my body. And it wasn't clear you put the pad inside the silk liner - that's quite unusual (I thought anyway). I always use the liner because it's easier to clean than the bag, but I suppose a quilt doesn't get quite so dirty. Fascinating system - thanks for sharing.
I've sometimes wondered about a bivi for a bike trip... Now I've seen the reality of it, I'll stick to a lightweight tent. 500g more for a better nights sleep. Sleep and recovery is too important on a trip to compromise for so little weight imho. Looking forward to seeing more of these though. Thanks.
Jeepers! I’ve done loads of camping through my life but at 55, I think hotels or our caravan are the roughest I’ll sleep after cycling these days. Well done Sir! Tougher than most!
Hugely interesting, look forward to more of your bivvy experience. Never used one but just got myself the Alpkit Elan and will be testing it soon. For me it's more of a back up and to keep the cost down, alternating hostels/B&B´s or hotels with bivvying
The challenge is deciding how much ‘back-up’ to take. Would you boil water? Cook? I’ve found all this tricky to nail down in my mind for a place I’ve never previously cycled.
Great video as always. I've tried many permutatuons of bivvy/hooped bivvy/tarps and tents. I've finally settled on a Rab Solo Bug Tent with DD Hammocks Superlight Tarp suspended from a dyneema line between a couple of custom carbon poles. Undoubtedly I'm carrying a but of a weight penalty which rules it out for many but it just ticks all the boxes; great view and feeling of sleeping out in the open, weatherproof, bug proof and I can cook under the tarp. I've also since discovered there are a couple of bug tents available as well that are much lighter than mine....
Hey Darren - how do you manage when there are no trees or obvious suspension points for the tarp? Can you rig something with the bike and a removed wheel?
The midge! The downfall of many a Scottish outdoor enthusiast! 😜 How many consecutive nights will you be in the bivi bag and sleeping system? You will find that over a number of nights, the damp will build up in the sleeping bag and bivi. At every opportunity I recommend you get them out and air them; at rest stops, lunch stops etc. Don’t leave it until you get to your overnight stop as it may be lashing down by then, and then there will be no chance to air things. I’ve been lightweight bike packing regularly for over a year now, so I am very interested in how your research goes in preparation for the big ride, as I’m always keen to I improve my gear and methods to make life easier on the trail. Thanks for sharing!
Spot on to highlight the issue of consecutive nights, and yes airing is on my to die list. I actually paid attention to that when I got home and hung the bags outside (although didn’t video it). They dry out fast which is good. In most cases on this trip I expect I’ll be able to pick and choose when I sleep out, so it’ll be a positive choice or emergency use.
Nice video. Tent most practical, bivy most fun. After using an Aguaquest hooped bivy a tent seems confining and claustrophobic. Bivy with tarp is nice.
Getting a sleeping bag with a built in / fold away midge net - one useful option. The SnugPak TravelPak range, and Vango's Zenith worth a look. The net needs to be of the type that allows you some 'stiff' adjustment, so that the net doesn't just flop next to your face - which will present much less of a buffer to 'death-by-midge'.
I'm still finessing this - but I think I've broadly come up with 2 methods/ 'set ups' - Hooped bivvy (with built in net) + sleeping bag of choice or Basic bivvy + sleeping bag with insect net ------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have a Zpack Duplex tent (with poles ~600g). It’s not freestanding but I think a newer version is. It’s two person (read one person and gear) and Dyneema means it shakes dry & packs small. I still will not cook in a tent but the space provides sanity & ability to change away from bugs/ rain. Before buying a sleeping pad, I recommend lying on the pad in the shop as some sleeping pads are super noisy if you move.
My choice of bivibag would be the Black Diamond with poled hood that had a fly mesh. I have spent many a night on a beach and elsewhere using only an envelope sleeping bag no sleeping pad and just a plastic bike cover with a clear area for the headlight which enabled me to see if anyone approached. Usually carried some tools for protection Oooops! bike repairs. Never needed.
Bivvy bags are great for stealth,but if you want some where to cook & change & keep your kit dry,The zips on the hoop Bivvy bags quite often fail,especially the Dutch model,you can't beat a uk army tarp & bomb proof Bivvy bag & they don't cost the earth
I like to concept of a hooped bivvy, but i think the video sums them up. They are great for fast pitching so late in early out stuff. I had a gortex dutch army bivy which was great, but I i found it claustrophobic when zipped in. So the plan is if there are no migies, then tarp and normal bivvy. If migies around then tent. I use the alpkit airbeam which doesnt nee ant poles, so it is about the weight of a tarp and normal bivvy..
If your bivvy is damp inside from condensation after a nights sleep, flip it inside out, before packing up, dries in seconds, unless it's raining of course, I also carry some cordage to use as a make shift drying line, making time for crucial gear admin and testing will save you from many potential headaches, a couple of solid steel pegs are worth the weight penalty in rough tough ground.
I get the sense that for most of us there is a lot of trial and error in finding the perfect combination of functionality, weight, dimensions and budget. I am still trying and failing to get to sleep in a tent. The bivvy bag is definitely a no for me. I have a sleeping bag that works (Aegismax) and a tent (Big Agnes). But I cannot find a sleepmat that doesn't leave me feeling like I've spent a night sleeping in a shop doorway. Keep testing and sharing please Simon. Oh and the pee bottle - the great unmentioned essential for any bloke over 40!
Hi nice video. Why did you choose the terra Nova and not choose the Alpkit Elan? That one is self supporting, although two pegs (front back) help you improve air ventilation.
I haven't used the Elan but for 900g I have a single skin tent that I felt would work better. I went for the Terra Nova because I've used a lot of their products over the years and I know I could borrow one in return for photographs. I don't have a similar relationship with AlpKit despite owning a lot of their kit. I'm not convinced the free-standing aspect is particularly useful. Perhaps more useful would be a way of supporting the other end of the bivi and adding a ventilation flap so there could be a flow of air, but then we're heading into tent territory.
An OMM Kamlika (?) but they have had lots with the same name. This one won a host of awards then was discontinued a few years back. I don’t know if the new ones are any good, sorry.
Thanks. Like all bivvis they're great - in the right conditions. For an equally light tent, suitable for a wide range of conditions (but not as stealthy) check out the Vango UL1 Helium. You can see it at 6:34 in this video ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rZoWvo9mC_o.html
Bicycle do require a sit pad, placed just outside the opening, for convient sitting. I carry a mylar laminated bubble wrap insulation square for this. It also insulates the bivy floor just by my head area at night. Cheers.
Have you ever tried using a vapor barrier liner inside your down bag? I used one all the time when winter camping, but haven't tried it in above freezing temps. With so little air movement inside a bivy bag, a vapor barrier might work well.
I’ve never tried one. They were a ‘thing’ a few decades back but I’ve not heard anything about them since and don’t really know how they work. They sound like they’d be clammy but I’m probably misunderstanding the principle.
I do like a bivvy (used the hunka since they were cheap) but never really seen the benefits of a hooped one since UL tents have come down significantly in price, an alpkit soloist tent is only a little heavier than their hooped bivvy and the same price. But that terra nova is next level (I'm not looking at the price mind). Generally though I'd only bivvy outside of midge season and usually try to get high to avoid them.
I had a gortex bivi which totally zipped up (no hoop) & I could get in it damp/wet in the evening & I'd be dry in the morning 😁 Sadly someone nicked all of my camping gear D my bike after a 4 day trip 😕
Nice Video - thanks for sharing. I have the Sonder "Broken Road" frame on order......can't wait. I'm also moving from traditional Bike Touring with a Tent (Hilleberg) to Ultralight and using Tarps and a Bivy Bag - I've lots to learn also - your Video was very helpful! - How do you find that Jacket and what was your Down Jacket please??
Hi Stephen - my issue with the Bivi / tarp combo is the Scottish midge! Otherwise it would be great. But if the combined weight is more than 1kg then there are great tents (Tarptent, TerraNova, VauDe) which do the job better in my view. The only advantage a tarp (I think) has is if base-camping and you want to set up a big shelter for during the day. We all like different things 😁. My rain jacket is an OMM - I forget the name but it's now discontinued. The down jacket is utterly superb, a PHD Vertex, but they only made a few of them two years ago when they had some of the ultralight material. PHD are simply the best down kit but staggeringly expensive.
That bivvy looks like sleeping in a coffin and after a hard day's ride I'd be looking for more space to relax in especially if it's raining. In the Alps here's no reason why pegs will be harder to get in than anywhere else in the world so why not take your wee tent? I often rig a 3x3m tarp inside out and hang a micro mosquito net from the loops. The bug issue will be easier to deal with on the TNR than the Scottish midge, in my experience.
Ask alpkit to try Auronaut 2. Alps is full of rocks so maybe use rocks to tie the tent down. I just used the vango expensive version of alpkit one and it was great on the NC4000. Weight don’t worry about weight too much it’s a issue but not the issue.
Looks a great tent but AlpKit don't lend out their stuff to me, whereas I have a long standing relationship with TerraNova - looks like being their Laser compact 1, which does need pegs (ie not self-supporting) but comfortable.
@@alwaysanotheradventure see if terranova can make a airbeam or Pole bivi the size of the alpkit aeronaut 2 . It’s nice and helpful beyond belief to have space but be able to bivi without the pole when a storm hits you or you just need to stop when exhausted and Kip.
I use the trekmates hooped bivvy on the West Coast- the advantage for me is I fit (as someone 6'3"!) And because it has an opening at both ends, there is a small draft and so condensation isn't an issue. Also gives more wiggle room for using a pee bottle!
I take them off at night and, when I can, wash and dry them in a hotel room. Rolling them in a towel really tightly takes off most of the water. And I have two pairs. I don't understand how people can cycle and camp for days on end with just one pair.
Thanks. I have two but I haven’t used any others to compare. If my other bags are anything to go by the Apidulira ones might be lighter and better made. They sort-of restrict the handlebars turning in a tight circle but you don’t need to do that very often. So they’re handy but not the first bag I’d put on my bike, probably the last and old for very long slowish rides.
In reverse order Robin - I didn’t roll it all together. I know people recommend leaving them packed together but the result felt too bulky to me. It’s easier to compress and pack the bits when separate. I’d have to extract the pad anyway to inflate it. Also, if the bags inside is wet after use I’d not want my down bag wrapped in it. I keep them in separate dry bags. Pad size is massively personal. Some ultra cyclists just crawl into a bag, kip for a couple of hours without getting changed, then crawl out and ride. For them - so knackered they could sleep standing up (almost) - a thin, folding pad just torso length is probably enough. The AlpKit ones I have are full length and I would like one a lot shorter (I’m always looking). Also they feel like a bouncy lilo. The Thermarest short nano looks good but I’m not paying £200 for a pad. I’ve still to get the pad right.
@@alwaysanotheradventure It is very good of you to help me here! Thank you. I have the Thermarest NXT Reg Wide that I use in my tent (another fav of yours I think - TN Starlite 1!). An expensive bit of kit as you rightly remark. Looks as though (at 64cm) it will be too wide for the TN Jupiter. So I will be in for a different bivy or a new pad for my new bivy!!! As always, thanks for what you do...
If you turn your bike upside down with the wheels in line with the sleeping orientation, front wheel nearest to your head, by putting a stick or something similar through the wheel behind the forks would you not be able to tension the guy ropes? I know that this has a slight possibility of creating problems with hydraulic brakes but a proper bleed before going should eliminate that.
videos never turn out the way you expect them to! Bivvys for the win! you can set them up anywhere. But obviously a few comfort drawbacks, but if you are on an unpredictable expedition in unfamiliar terrain... it's tops bru!
They start to appear in May and gradually disappear by end of September. But they don’t like heavy rain, bright Sun or high wind. So it’s dusk and early morning on overcast, calm days that they’re most active. Just when you want to be getting into or out of a bivvy.
Similar in how they feed but much smaller and hunt in huge packs. At first a few find you and you don’t feel you’re being bitten, they’re so small. Given time a vast cloud can form around you, getting in ears eyes and nose. They’re awful and the bites itch like crazy.
