Want to head out on an adventure? Sleep under the stars in the wild? A bivvy is the perfect way to spend time outdoors. That said, you can't just turn up at a spot and pitch your tent anywhere you like. Bivvying is subject to regulations and requires careful planning. There are rules to follow, particularly around the equipment you carry in your pack. Some items are best left at home for safety or environmental reasons, while others are absolute essentials. Here's our complete list of must-have bivvy kit.
Bivvy kit list for camp
Choosing your tent
While it's possible to sleep under a tarp or in the open air, a tent is still the firm favourite. So, which tent for a bivvy? Your best bet is an ultralight tent, specifically designed for this activity. It's easy to carry in your backpack and made from lightweight, durable materials. For beginners, a slightly heavier tent is an option — it may be easier to pitch and a little more spacious.
In any case, we recommend going for a freestanding tent with a ground waterproofing of at least 1,500 Schmerber to withstand bad weather. Also practise pitching it and make sure you have all the components before heading out on your bivvy. Pitching the bivvy tent is also the first thing to do when you arrive at camp, so you're not left without shelter if the weather suddenly turns or night catches you off guard.
Sleeping bag type
For sleeping warm, a sleeping bag is a must-have. When choosing one, the comfort temperature rating is the first criterion. It gives an indication of which sleeping bags to choose based on the ambient temperature. Generally, a temperature range of 0 to 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.
The 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 of weight, temperature rating and compressibility.
Other essentials
Finally, other items can be useful at camp. For extra comfort and insulation, you can bring a foam or self-inflating sleeping mat. A mat's insulation is expressed as an R-value. The higher it is, the better the mat insulates against the ground — a useful indicator in very cold conditions. If you want an extra layer of warmth, a sleeping bag liner or "silk sack" is also a lightweight, compact option.
A head torch or dynamo torch is another essential item. It lets you find your way before dawn, light up mealtimes, see inside your tent or even start your hiking trip while it's still dark. When choosing one, look at the lumen rating and opt for a head torch of at least 100 to 150 lumens for camp use.
Bivvy kit list for cooking
The stove
The simplest way to cook hot meals on a bivvy is to use a stove. In general, a basic gas stove is sufficient in the French mountains. It offers good value for money with cartridges containing a propane and butane mix. In windy conditions, you can add a windshield. Bear in mind, however, that you cannot board a plane with a gas cartridge. Make sure you bring the right number of cartridges so you don't weigh yourself down or run out.
For your cookware, you can opt for steel, aluminium or titanium options, each with their own pros and cons. 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 can cook proper hot meals. What should you eat on a bivvy? For the sake of weight, freeze-dried meals are often the go-to bivvy food. They offer a space-saving solution, great calorie content and a variety of flavours. You can then supplement your meals with snacks such as energy bars.
On the hydration side, plan for around 1.5 to 2 litres of water per person per day of walking. 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 drink from local sources at your bivvy spot. Finally, you can bring tea, coffee or powdered milk to warm up at breakfast.
Hygiene and care essentials
Wash bag
When on a bivvy, hygiene remains essential to prevent illness or infection. Your wash bag is therefore an important part of your bivvy kit list. Here are some products to pack, 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 dry shampoo
- toilet paper, ideally untreated
When washing, make sure you stay well away from water sources to avoid contaminating them. The same applies when using the toilet. Move away from the campsite, trails and water sources. Dig a hole 15 to 20 cm deep for waste and cover it back over afterwards.
First aid kit: checklist
Minor injuries are very common on a bivvy and emergency services are often hard to reach. You must therefore carry a first aid kit so you can treat yourself in case of injury. It can include, for example:
- A pack of plasters and blister plasters
- Sterile gauze pads and a roll of medical tape
- Antiseptic
- Saline solution pods
- A painkiller such as paracetamol for pain relief
- An antihistamine for allergies
- A tick remover, tweezers, scissors and a needle
- Individually wrapped sugar portions
- A soothing cream
- A venom extractor
- A survival blanket
- Bin liners
Your first aid kit can then be supplemented with many additional items depending on your needs.
Clothing list for a bivvy
If you're going hiking and plan to bivvy overnight, you'll need to pack several layers. During the day, the three-layer system works best: a breathable base layer, an insulating mid layer and a protective outer layer. You'll be able to remove your hiking jacket or your fleece when working hard, or put them back on quickly if the cold or bad weather sets in suddenly.
For the evening and night, you can wear dedicated sleeping clothes, different from your hiking gear. The best option is to go for thermal underwear to sleep in your sleeping bag. To keep the cold at bay, protecting your extremities is an absolute must. Opt for a beanie, a neck warmer and warm socks to prevent heat loss. To stay dry in bed, you can also store your clothes in a dry bag.
Regulations in force
One final, very important point when preparing your bivvy kit: understanding the regulations in force. Bivvying is subject to certain rules and you cannot pitch your tent just anywhere. We recommend researching in advance to find out whether you can camp overnight in a national park or protected natural area. Generally, it is possible to 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 wildfires, which threaten already fragile ecosystems. You must also remember to leave no trace of your visit, to protect the environment once again.
As you can see, heading out camping is not something to improvise — it's essential to draw up a bivvy kit list before you go. This way, your nights will be far more comfortable and you'll avoid finding yourself in awkward situations. Being well organised is the key to an unforgettable night. And it might just be the start of a long series of bivvies to come.
Photos: ©Cyrille Quintard
