First time bivi bag user

[connieboy]

Sorry for what seems to be a silly question, but I've just got a British army goretex bivi bag (thanks Bowlin) I've tried it out with the hood over my head, do you guys completely cover your head and face with the bag when you sleep or does that get a bit hot/stuffy/ Claustrophobic?
Thanks
Con

 

[woodstock]

I sleep with mine the other way round with the bag upside down best way I have found.

 

[lou1661]

I sleep with mine the other way round with the bag upside down best way I have found.

Same here when i used one, propped the flap up on a pack, extra head room.

 

[stone monkey]

Same here when i used one, propped the flap up on a pack, extra head room.

thats best if you expect rain, if not right way up and enjoy the stars

 

[IC_Rafe]

I use it under a tarp, and just use it like a sleeping bag. Right side around. No issues and you get the extra wind/splash rain protection.

 

[connieboy]

Thanks, I'll be using it under a tarp, didn't know it you covered your face with it to keep the bugs out

 

[boatman]

When I was allowed to solo (thanks Wife) I would have head outside with woolly hat on if it was cold so stars and mist etc could be seen. mentioned before the problem of wearing glasses, can be uncomfortable but worth it to see the sights.

 

[MikeLA]

I use it in the hills without a basha normal way up. Head out unless it rains then I just reach for the top and tuck it in over me.

 

[IC_Rafe]

If there are plenty of bugs, there are a few options:

- Use a bug bivy under your tarp.
- Wear a headnet in your sleeping bag.
- Use a sleeping bag with an attached headnet (For example the Carinthia Tropen, has a bugscreen you can zip over the face area).
- Drape a bugnet over your face area in general.
- Decide that a tent might be better in bug infested area's

In my area, there are some bugs, but not too many, so i stick with the Tropen option, for if it'd really get bad, but usually don't need anything at night.

 

[Tommyd345]

I can't stand being cocooned in my bivvy, I like breathing space, so have my head poking out the top and some sort of shelter over top

 

[Leshy]

I can't stand being cocooned in my bivvy, I like breathing space, so have my head poking out the top and some sort of shelter over top

Yep , I agree on this one .

 

[MikeLA]

You do get used to it. I used to have a diagonal zip bivvy bag and would zip instead it's leaving about an inch and half open on bad weather. Sadly bag damaged so now just use an old green issue bag

 

[Tonyuk]

I use mine with a tarp to keep the rain off, with a headnet for bugs.

Tonyuk

 

[inupiat1]

You can use a foam sleeping pad sideways inside your bivy. The sides will wrap around you and support the top to keep it from dropping low.

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

 

[MikeLA]

You can use a foam sleeping pad sideways inside your bivy. The sides will wrap around you and support the top to keep it from dropping low.

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

see what you can learn on forums like this a nice simple idea but clever and useful to those who don't like to be trapped in a bivvy bag Good idea

 

[Big Highlander]

The idea of the bivvi is to use with a basha (Brittish Army Standard Hotel Accomidation), but in a combat zone it is the idea that u can sleep anywhere warm and most importantly DRY, a bivvi bag works best when there is a breeze blowing over the bag as the breeze helps wisk away moisture from the gortex, u can end up with condensation in the bag if you breathe in the bag or have no moving air outside the bag, it's not for inside use ie a tent because it does not perform in that environment. It can double up as a bergan/rucksack rain cover