Sleeping Bag and a Bivy: A Different Way To Backpack

Midsummer in the high alpine terrain of the Rocky Mountains is the perfect time to go backpacking. So naturally wanting to take advantage of this, I planned a backpacking trip for the Bighorn Mountains. There was just one bump in the road: my sleeping bag went out of commission after many years of use. I had two choices at this point: buy another sleeping bag, or not go on the trip. I didn’t have the money to drop several hundred dollars on a down sleeping bag that would be useful on all my hunting, fishing and backpacking trips either. As I am too stubborn to give up, I found a solution to my problem: a Modular Sleep System or MSS.

The Logic

The first reason I chose the MSS is that it met all my criteria. I could use it in all four seasons. The entire system takes up only a little more space than my old bag and tent did. Being a “bull in the china shop” type, I need tough, versatile equipment that can endure having me as an owner. The MSS met all of my ridiculous demands. The second factor leading to my decision is you can find the MSS at a military surplus store for around $100. This is a fraction of the price of a down sleeping bag. More versatile at a lower price and it matches my favorite hat? Sold.

Tentless Sleeping

However, there is one fact a lot of people don’t like about this sleep system: it’s designed to function without a tent. The Gortex bivy is intended to keep you dry and out of the wind, making a tent redundant. Up until this point, I had never slept inside a bivy bag. Everyone I know views a bivy bag as a “getting by” solution. It’s not spacious, and you feel more exposed to the wilderness. Not like a tent’s nylon and extra cubic feet of space really do anything for safety, it’s a peace of mind thing. But I like to pull my mummy bag up over my head and really snuggle into the thing, so I figured I wouldn’t miss extra space anyway.

I purchased the sleep system, packed my bag, and marched off into the western wilderness.

Upsides

I found that I enjoy sleeping in a bivy bag. The MSS is very warm. Most nights I had to vent the bag and bivy to keep from sweating. It is also able to accommodate my extra large self without ordering a tall size, even with an inflatable sleeping pad stuffed inside the bivy. Setup is simple. Take the bag out of the stuff sack and unroll. If you know me, you’ll know I don’t really get along with tent poles and stakes. You can also fall asleep looking at the stars, which is my favorite part. The Gortex bivy kept me dry as well, even with a heavy morning dew settling during the night. I noticed my bivy didn’t seem to have condensation on the inside, where my tarp covering my pack did. During my research, I found waterproof bivy bags tend to collect moisture on the inside, leaving you damp. I did not experience this, although it could be because I let the bag vent during the night.

Downsides

Sleeping in a bivy bag is not for everyone. If you are claustrophobic, you’re going to have a bad time. The bivy lies on your face as you sleep unless you leave your face uncovered all night, which can leave you wet and cold. Your gear is also unprotected during the night. So unless you pack a tarp, you’re out of luck in a rainstorm. If you camp near people, you’ll have to dress and undress inside the bag as well. I prefer to do this anyway so I can stay warm and cozy until I have the proper layers on. So no love lost there. A lot of people find it difficult to sleep in a bivy because you feel less safe. I will admit, the first night was a little weird and I didn’t sleep well. The next four nights, I slept as good as I have ever slept in the woods. Lastly, it’s a solo sleeping arrangement, so no snuggling up for extra heat.

To Bivy or Not to Bivy

Bivy bags tend to fall into two categories: love or hate. I found that I fall into the love category. The bag allowed me to see some incredible places and introduced me to a different style of camping. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative to backpacking gear, try a bivy bag. I feel it provided me with a deeper connection to nature, allowing me to relax and enjoy being away from the civilized world. No matter what sleeping arrangement you choose, just get outside and adventure!