Whether you are on a mountaineering expedition in the Himalayas or you are camping locally, staying warm at night is of upmost importance to ensure that you get adequate rest and allow your body to recover from the days exertions. Without a good night’s sleep you will feel fatigued and lack concentration the following day, which in turn will affect your performance and enjoyment of whatever you may be doing. However, the use of a good quality bivi bags can ensure that you stay warm and dry in all conditions. Originally used by the military as a lightweight and compact solution to ensuring a good night’s sleep, the bivi is now used by a wide variety of people from all walks of life, from mountaineers, to fishermen and backpackers.

A bivi offers excellent protection from the elements with waterproof and windproof fabric which is also breathable. Did you know that the human body can produce a litre of sweat even on a cold night, which means that in a sleeping bag the occupant will be likely to suffer the effects of condensation which can leave you feeling cold and wet. However, choosing a good bivi bag will prevent this due to the latest innovations in Gore-Tex fabric which is not only breathable but waterproof, allowing moisture out but preventing it from getting in. In order to stay warm it is also recommended that you put down a camping mat as this will prevent body heat from being needlessly sucked away into the ground. This will also ensure an increasingly comfortable sleeping base, preventing any unwanted objects from digging into your body and hindering sleep.

The great thing about a bivi is that you don’t need to carry a tent and so can avoid all the extra hassle that comes with this , freeing up you backpack for other supplies. However, a bivi will work just as well in a tent and keep you completely dry and warm, making fully sure that you can get a good nights rest to be in top condition and ready to face the next day revitalized.