DIY Bivy Sack

A bivy sack, or bivouac sack, is an ultralight, portable shelter no bigger than a common sleeping bag. While a bivy sack may be made from almost any fabric, it is best to use a waterproof, breathable fabric. Specialty outdoor gear and fabric supply stores carry this fabric in bulk. A bivy sack allows you to stay dry while sleeping in your own sleeping bag, giving it an extra barrier to the elements. Modify your bivy sack to your own body size.

Things You'll Need

  • Breathable, waterproof fabric
  • Sewing machine
  • Measuring tape
  • Lighter and scissors
  • Seam tape
  • Seam sealer
  • Three carbon fiber tent pole rods
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the dimensions of your sleeping bag. Draw out two patterns of the sleeping bag size on the breathable fabric and add 3 inches to each side. Cut out the pattern from the fabric so you have two same sized pieces of fabric in the shape of your sleeping bag. Cut out two strips of fabric the same length as the pattern with a width of 2 feet.

    • 2

      Run the edges of the cut fabric under the lighter flame to melt any strands exposed. This also prevents fraying.

    • 3

      Sew the side pieces to the top and bottom bag-pattern pieces. Sew the large outdoor zipper into either the left or right hand side of the bag, depending on your preference. The result is a large bag in the same shape as the sleeping bag, but bigger. This extra size gives you a little room to move in the bivy sack.

    • 4

      Assemble the three pole rods into one small pole. Bend the pole so it fits under the head side of the bivy bag and force the curved pole under the hood. This keeps the bivy sack off your face as you sleep.

    • 5

      Apply the seam tape to every stitched seam along the bivy sack. Apply seam sealer over the tape to add a redundancy to the waterproof seam tape.