Bivy Sack Gear List

Bivy sacks are lightweight, no-nonsense camping shelters. They are made of tentlike material and have no stakes, guy lines or poles. Large enough to fit only one person, the bivy sack is made for ultralight hikers who carry with them only the absolutely necessary items for survival and minimal comfort. This strategy of lightweight backpacking lets you go further on the trail each day. In addition to the bivy sack, you should need only a few items in your pack to go ultralight.

  1. Sleeping Bag

    • A sleeping bag is an important and typically necessary item for backpackers. Unless you are camping in a region with guaranteed warm nights, a sleeping bag will ensure you don't freeze during the night and that you get a good rest for the next day's hike. Modern sleeping bags can weigh as little as 2 lbs. Keep in mind, however, that weight is often directly related to the price of the bag. Switching a heavier sleeping bag out for a ultralight model can shave pound off your overall pack weight. When shopping for a sleeping bag, consider the insulating value of your bivy sack. The combination of your bivy sack and your sleeping bag can provide extra insulation and save your money and weight on your sleeping bag.

    Synthetic Clothes

    • Modern fabrics designed for runners, bikers, hikers and all other kinds of athletes are lightweight, breathable, fast-drying and insulating. These advances in clothing are a great advantage for ultralight hikers. Fewer layers and less changes of clothes are necessary if the material is warm and dries fast. For example, a single synthetic T-shirt can replace two or three cotton shirts.

    Sleeping Pad

    • A sleeping pad is an already lightweight item on most backpackers' gear list. More weight can be lost though, without sacrificing comfort. If your pad is the length of your body, shorten it. The major stress points when sleeping in a tent are your shoulders and hips. Cut the pad to a length that stretches between those two points and use your pack as a footrest and spare clothes as a pillow. This will cut both weight and bulk from your overall load and create a place for your gear in the small confines of your bivy sack.

    Water Purifying Tablets

    • The water purifying system is one of the heavier and more cumbersome items in a backpacking gear list. Use water purifying tablets or drops if possible to cut this item from your load. Tablets and drops are typically chlorine dioxide or iodine and will kill harmful bacteria in the water. This, along with a large-mouth water bottle that can be used for food, tea and water, will save weight on a long hike.