Question about bivvys

[steingis]

can bivvys be used without having a groundsheet underneath? im thinking of doing away with my DIY tent groundsheet and using a bivvy instead as i already use a cheap light bivvy (karrimor x-lite) as a sleeping bag cover as i end up with my feet touching the fly or outside of the tent, i wouldn't trust using this bivvy alone as it ends up rolling down past my shoulders sometimes its also too tight and is stopping my bag from lofting properly.

i was wondering if any of these can be used alone without having a sheet underneath on a damp floor(is there any other kind?)

alpkit hunka xl- (has good reviews on here)

Sol escape bivvy-(haven't seen any reviews on here)

british army bivvy- (i have it already but haven't used it as its heavy approx 850g)

any other suggestions?

i would like it to be big enough to incorporate a thermarest 2.5cm and have enough loft for my bag and not be much over 500g im about 5,11 15 stone

 

[StuMsg]

Yes is the short answer - that's what bivies are for.

The karrimor is . . . well karrimor - I can only assume little application testing is done, hence the bivvy doesn't work well.

The alpkit XL and the military ones will be large enough for a good loft and sleeping mat - the military ones are designed for arm folk and their gear and I hear they carry a lot!

No experience of the soll - perhaps compare dimensions with the alpkit and karrimor ones to see what you can expect.

i use a Rab Ascent along with a fat thermarest neo-air xtherm without issue.

Stu

 

[Caerleon]

I agree - I've got a Rab Ridge Master and had it modded to allow the end of the bivvy to be zipped down in nicer weather with a no-see-um mesh so I can look up at the stars during the night (though that's not often in Snowdonia!). Hooped bivvy's are pretty much the half way house between a basic bivvi with all its limitations and a tent which I feel detaches you from your environment.

 

[Teepee]

I always use a groundsheet, don't want my bivvy getting dirty or excessively wet on the bottom.

 

[steingis]

in all pics ive seen of bivvys there has been a groundsheet underneath so is that just to protect the bivvy as that wouldn't be a major concern for me?
i read that because the escape bivvy is breathable it is not fully waterproof so i would be concerned using it without a groundsheet and the hunka xl looks to be similar in that it is breathable if its fine to use without a groundsheet i would go with the hunka xl

 

[Macaroon]

Apart from anything else, your bivvy bag will last ten times as long with a ground sheet under it, will be drier quicker to pack away and a ground sheet needn't weigh much to be effective.