Want to head out on an adventure? Sleep in the heart of nature? Bivvying is the perfect activity for spending time outdoors. That said, you can't just turn up at a spot and pitch your tent. Bivvying is subject to regulations and requires proper planning. It's important to follow certain rules — particularly around what equipment to carry in your rucksack. While some items are inadvisable for safety or environmental reasons, others will prove invaluable. With that in mind, here is the essential bivvy kit list.
Bivvy camp kit list
Choosing your tent
While it is possible to sleep under a tarp or under the stars, a tent remains the firm favourite. So, which tent for a bivvy? The best option is to go for an ultralight tent, specifically designed for this activity. It has the advantage of being easy to carry in a rucksack and is made from lightweight, durable materials. For beginners, a slightly heavier tent is an option — it may be easier to pitch and a touch more spacious.
In any case, we recommend going for a freestanding tent with a groundsheet waterproofing of at least 1,500 Schmerber to withstand bad weather. Also make sure you practise pitching it and check you have all the components before heading out on a bivvy. Pitching the bivvy tent is the first thing to do when you arrive at camp — so you're not left without shelter if the weather turns suddenly, and so you're not caught out by nightfall.
The type of sleeping bag
A sleeping bag is essential for a warm night's sleep. The comfort temperature rating is the first criterion to consider. It gives you an indication of which sleeping bags to choose based on the ambient temperature. Generally, a rating of between 0 and 5°C is sufficient for a first bivvy, but it all depends on the time of year, weather conditions and the altitude of your camp.
Insulation is another key factor. A down sleeping bag will be lighter, more compact and generally warmer. On the other hand, a synthetic sleeping bag will be more waterproof, dry faster, be more durable and more affordable. The choice is yours — find the best balance between weight, temperature rating and compressibility.
Other essentials
Other items can also come in handy at camp. For extra comfort and insulation, consider a foam or self-inflating sleeping mat. A mat's insulation is expressed as an R-Value. The higher the value, the better the mat insulates you from the ground — a useful indicator in very cold conditions. If you want added warmth, a sleeping bag liner or "sleeping bag liner sheet" is also an affordable and compact option.
A head torch or dynamo torch is the final essential item. It lets you find your way before sunrise, light up your meal, navigate inside the tent, or even start your hiking when it's still dark. When choosing one, look at the lumen rating and go for a head torch of at least 100 to 150 lumens for camp use.
Bivvy cooking kit list
The stove
The simplest way to cook hot meals on a bivvy is to use a stove. Generally speaking, a basic gas stove is sufficient in the French mountains. It offers a great value for money with canisters containing a propane and butane mix. In windy conditions, you can add a windshield. Bear in mind, however, that gas canisters cannot be taken on a plane. Make sure you bring the right number of canisters so you don't weigh yourself down or run out.
When it comes to cookware, you can opt for steel, aluminium or titanium — each with its own advantages and drawbacks. Finally, multi-function cutlery and the classic Swiss Army knife can round out your cooking kit.
Food and hydration
Once you have your stove, you'll be able to cook proper hot meals. What should you eat on a bivvy? To keep weight down, freeze-dried meals are often the go-to bivvy food. They save space, pack a solid caloric punch and come in a wide variety of flavours. You can round out your meals with snacks such as energy bars.
When it comes to hydration, you should plan for approximately 1.5 to 2 litres of water per day of walking, per person. How do you carry water on a bivvy? Simple — use water bottles or hydration bladders. Do remember to bring a water purification system if you plan to source water at your bivvy spot. Finally, you can pack tea, coffee or powdered milk to warm up at breakfast.
Hygiene and personal care essentials
Wash bag
When bivvying, hygiene remains essential to prevent potential illness or infection. Your wash bag is therefore an important part of your bivvy kit. Pack a range of products — ideally eco-friendly ones:
- A toothbrush with biodegradable toothpaste
- a microfibre towel, which has the advantage of drying quickly
- a solid, biodegradable soap that can also be used for washing up
- a biodegradable solid shampoo or a dry shampoo
- toilet paper, ideally unbleached
When washing, make sure you stay well away from water sources to avoid contaminating them. The same applies when answering a call of nature. Move away from camp, trails and water sources. Dig a hole 15 to 20 cm deep for waste and fill it back in afterwards.
First aid kit: checklist
Minor injuries are very common on a bivvy and help is often hard to reach. You should therefore carry a first aid kit so you can treat yourself if needed. It could include, for example:
- A selection of plasters and blister plasters
- Sterile gauze pads and a roll of medical tape
- Antiseptic
- Single-dose saline solution sachets
- A paracetamol-based painkiller for pain relief
- An antihistamine for allergies
- A tick remover, tweezers, scissors and a needle
- Sugar in individual sachets
- A soothing cream
- A venom extractor pump
- A survival blanket
- Bin bags
Your first aid kit can then be supplemented with many additional items, depending on your needs.
The bivvy clothing checklist
If you are heading out on a hike and plan to bivvy, you'll need to think about several layers. During the day, the three-layer system works best: a breathable base layer, an insulating mid layer and a protective outer layer. This means you can take off your hiking jacket or fleece during intense effort, or pull them back on quickly if the cold or bad weather sets in suddenly.
For evenings and nights, you can wear dedicated sleep layers, separate from your hiking clothes. The best option is to go for thermal base layers to sleep in your sleeping bag. To keep the cold at bay, it is essential to protect your extremities. Opt for a beanie, a neck gaiter and warm socks to prevent heat loss. To stay dry in bed, you can also store your clothes in a dry bag.
Current regulations
One final, very important point when preparing your bivvy kit: compliance with current regulations. Bivvying is subject to specific rules and you cannot pitch your tent just anywhere. We recommend checking in advance whether you are permitted to spend the night in a national park or protected natural area. As a general rule, you can set up camp for one night, between sunset and sunrise.
Finally, regulations around campfires are very strict. They are mostly prohibited or restricted to designated areas. This helps prevent fires from breaking out and threatening already fragile ecosystems. You should also make sure to leave no trace, once again to protect the environment.
As you'll have gathered, heading out camping is not something you can wing — putting together a bivvy kit checklist before you leave is essential. It will make your nights far more comfortable and help you avoid finding yourself in tricky situations. Being well organised is the key to an unforgettable night out. And it might just be the start of a long series of bivvies to come.
Photos: ©Cyrille Quintard
