Most people think you need a roomy tent to sleep wild in the UK. Truth is, I’ve had better nights (and survived nastier weather) in a well-chosen bivvy bag than in some so-called “waterproof” tents.
If you want to keep things light, go stealth, or just avoid lugging a tent through bog and bracken, a bivvy bag could be your new best mate. But not all bivvies are built the same, and skimping on the wrong features means a miserable, soggy night. Ask me about waking up in a puddle near Glencoe. Once was enough.
Let’s break down the best bivvy bags in the UK right now—and help you pick the right one for your adventures.
What’s a Bivvy Bag (and Why Should You Care)?
A bivvy bag—short for bivouac bag—is basically a waterproof shell that goes over your sleeping bag. The goal is simple: keep you dry, stop the wind, and cut your pack weight.
Instead of wrestling with tent poles at midnight in the rain, you throw down your bivvy and you’re sorted. Set up time? Less than a couple of minutes. Great for wild camping on ridges, woodland, or that ‘discreet' spot at the edge of a field.
You lose a bit of comfort and space compared to tents, but what you gain is freedom—you’ll fit in places a tent never could, and you’ll move faster. Perfect for the unpredictable British weather, where rain, wind, and low temps are standard, not special occasions.
Key Points When Picking a Bivvy Bag
Here’s what really matters when choosing a bivvy bag for wild camping in the UK:
Waterproof Rating: Check the hydrostatic head (HH). You want 10,000mm or above for British rain. Anything less and water will seep in after a few hours.
Breathability: Without it, you’ll wake up wet—from sweat and condensation, not rain. Gore-Tex, eVent, and Pertex Shield fabrics are what you’re looking for.
Weight & Packed Size: Go light if you’re trekking hard. Under 500g is brilliant, 700g is fine for most, 1.2kg starts feeling like a tent.
Design: Basic bags are lighter, but hooped bivvies give you headroom and keep the bag off your face. A bug mesh is a lifesaver in midge country.
Value: Don’t pay extra for military surplus unless you need bombproof gear. Beginners, stick to decent civilian models unless you camp every weekend.
Alpkit Hunka – Budget Choice
If you’re just starting or don’t fancy spending big, the Alpkit Hunka is your best bet. It’s light (360g) and packs to the size of a loaf. The HH is 10,000mm, which kept me dry on a drizzly Dartmoor night—though I wouldn’t trust it in a proper downpour above the tree line.
It’s a no-frills, simple tube—no hoops, no mesh. Slightly tight for taller folk or winter sleeping bags, so consider the XL if you need room. Ventilation is decent for the price, but open up whenever you can manage. At around £55, you’re getting a waterproof safety net for a budget price.
Best for: fair-weather wild camps, as an emergency backup, or testing if “bivvy life” suits you before upgrading.
Outdoor Research Helium Bivy – Top Performer
When you want to go light but refuse to compromise on comfort, the Outdoor Research Helium Bivy is the standout. I’ve used this hooped bivvy for multi-day trips in the Lake District and Highlands—its ability to fend off wind-driven rain is top notch.
Waterproof rating is a beefy 15,000mm, and the fabric breaths well, so condensation is minimal unless you zip up tight all night. The single hoop keeps things off your face, and there’s a bug mesh for those midgie-plagued nights. Packs down small, weighs 484g—honestly, you barely notice it in your rucksack.
The kicker? It’s pricey, around £350 if you find it in stock. But it’s lasted me several wild seasons and still looks new. If you camp in serious weather or spend a lot of nights outside, you get what you pay for.
Lifesystems Venture Solo Hooped Bivi – Best for Balance
Want a balance between wallet and comfort? The Lifesystems Venture Solo Hooped Bivi is a solid pick. The 70D nylon takes abuse from rocks and roots, so you won’t worry about every stick under you.
It’s still under £130, so halfway between budget and high-end. Waterproofing is rated 11,000mm and it’s just roomy enough not to feel claustrophobic after a few hours. The single hoop and mesh panel make it bearable in warm weather or when you need to hide from Scottish midges.
A bit heavier at 681g, but you’ll get a good few seasons out of it without coddling your gear. Ideal for regular wild-campers who want decent quality without shelling out big dosh.
Carinthia Goretex Bivvy – For Durability You Can Bet Your Life On
If you live outside in all weathers or want gear you can drag through thorns, look at a military-spec Carinthia Goretex bivvy. These are the tanks of bivvy bags. True story: I borrowed one on a winter bivouac after my own bag leaked—woke up bone dry despite hours of wind and sleet.
Goretex is as breathable as waterproof kit gets, and these are designed for soldiers who can’t afford to faff about with broken seams. Weight is higher (closer to 1kg+), and you’ll pay £200+ unless you find surplus stock. But for regular, hard use—or if you know you’ll be out in foul weather—it’s proper peace of mind.
Other Reliable Bivvy Bags in the UK
Plenty of other bivvy bags deserve an honourable mention if those above don’t tick your boxes:
Snugpak Ionosphere: A bivvy/tent hybrid. Two hoops, decent weather protection, but heavy at 1.5kg.
Rab Ridge Raider: Event waterproof fabric, single hoop, high comfort, but heavier and not cheap.
Highlander Hawk: Good mid-priced all-rounder. Waterproof and breathable AB-TEX, under £100, decent for first-timers or regular wild camping.
For the full details and more reviews on bivvy gear, check out the best bivvy bags UK resource.
Comparison Table
Here’s a quick look at some top bivvy bags—weight, waterproofing, and prices side by side. Makes choosing simple when your brain’s fried after work.
Alpkit Hunka
Weight: 360g
Waterproof Rating: 10,000mm HH
Packed Size: 10 x 24cm
Features: Simple, no frills
Price: £55
Outdoor Research Helium Bivy
Weight: 484g
Waterproof Rating: 15,000mm HH
Packed Size: 31 x 9cm
Features: Hooped, mesh
Price: £349
Lifesystems Venture Solo
Weight: 681g
Waterproof Rating: 11,000mm HH
Packed Size: 33 x 10cm
Features: Hooped, tough fabric
Price: £120
Carinthia Goretex
Weight: ~1kg
Waterproof Rating: Gore-Tex
Packed Size: ~
Features: Military, bombproof
Price: £200+
Who Should Use Which Bivvy Bag?
Here’s the straight talk. Match your bivvy to your style, not what looks cool online:
Alpkit Hunka: For casuals, first-timers, or as a must-have emergency bag. Keep your pack light.
Outdoor Research Helium: For serious wild campers, hikers, or anyone expecting rain, wind, and wanting comfort.
Lifesystems Venture Solo: For budget-conscious regulars and those who want a taste of “proper bivvying” without breaking the bank.
Carinthia Goretex: For military surplus fans, bushcrafters, or full-time wild campers who hate leaks.
Don’t spend big if you’re only out once a year or in the height of summer. If you spend half your nights under the stars, pay for better comfort and less condensation.
Tips: How to Stay Dry, Warm, and Sane in a Bivvy Bag
Pitch Smart: Choose raised ground and away from running water. I once set up in a “dry” dip—woke up floating.
Ventilation Matters: Crack the zip or use the hood mesh, even in cold. You’ll stay drier.
Combine with a Tarp: Game-changer for grim weather. Gives you space to pack up, cook, and fend off British drizzle.
Bring the Right Sleep Mat: A warm mat stops you losing heat to the ground.
Stuff Sleep Kit in Dry Bags: If conditions turn ugly, this saves your night.
Test at Home: Seriously—try your bivvy out in the garden or local park. Learn the quirks (and zips!) before you’re freezing on a hill.
Conclusion: Pick Smart, Camp Happy
Choosing the best bivvy bag for wild camping in the UK is about weighing comfort, weatherproofing, and how rough you want to go. Ignore glossy “survival” hype—think about real conditions and how you actually camp. Budget options like Alpkit Hunka are great for spring and summer, while something like the Outdoor Research Helium Bivy serves you in proper British weather, year after year.
Whatever you choose, get out, get muddy, and enjoy a proper bivvy night under the UK sky. And for the love of all that’s dry, always check your hydrostatic head rating before you pack.
