What do you put under your bivi bag?

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Personally I always put my mat under my bivi (not in it) and a ground sheet (old lightweight poncho) under my mat, job done.
 
a foam matt inside the bivvy does some to stop condensation on the underside of the sleeping bag.
Another layer under the bivvy bag does stem the leekage of water if you puncture the bivvy groundsheet, giving water 2 barriers rather than one to get through. Holes repaired with contact adhesive or innertube glue.
 
This has got me thinking I always use a groundsheet of some kind
Do I need one ?
Not essential obviously but.......
I would have to be a lot more disciplined without a groundsheet
I have used many of the options mentioned IPK sheet,Tyvek-Blue, at present a cheapo garden tarp about 6 foot by 4 foot I found
I find a piece of fairly large waterproof material is light,folds up small,cheap and has multiple uses so I am happy enough to carry it
Always good to hear what others are using or not as the case may be
 
If I'm bivvying (rare) I don't have anything under mine, my mat goes inside the bivvy and the bivvy goes on the ground.

With Rich on this one, no probs in ten years of using a bivi.
( spruce and/or birch on perma-frost in the arctic in winter. )
Best.
da C.
 
Does anyone take their dog bivvying? I'm thinking of some kind of groundsheet for him, just in case I can't find a nice dry spot. And a dog coat for the night in case it's cold...
 
Does anyone take their dog bivvying? I'm thinking of some kind of groundsheet for him, just in case I can't find a nice dry spot. And a dog coat for the night in case it's cold...

Tried it a few times and it was a nightmare. Unless my pup is boxed in she just doesn't settle.
 
Tried it a few times and it was a nightmare. Unless my pup is boxed in she just doesn't settle.

Same here, my dog is great in a tent but if she can see the woods, she wants to keep exploring. She sleeps on a battered old down jacket with a bit of closed cell mat underneath. light and effective
 
I'm planning a couple of days up in Galloway late March/early April,tarp and bivvying. The dog is coming along but not knowing the area I want to be covered for any eventuality. So I'm thinking of a bit of waterproofing, a bit of insulation, a warm dog coat...
 

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