Where It All Began: My Love Affair With Bivis

Why Bivvis Get Reactions – and Why I Like Them

I often get complimented on my bravery, along with plenty of inquisitive comments about sleeping in a coffin. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, this refers to my love of bivis and why I enjoy camping in them.

A bivi bag, in grass on top of a hill and overlooking to sea and the purple dusk sky — *Bivi camping on the cliff tops of the Jurassic Coast in Dorset*

I know bivis – and small tents, which I’ll include here – aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. So I’d like to explain why they work so well for me.

I’d like to begin by saying, I don’t always camp in a bivi. There are times when a bivi wouldn’t be appropriate, or when I simply want to mix things up and use a different shelter. That said, I could quite happily cope with longer journeys using a bivi – and in the past, I have.

Learning to Use Bivis Early

I’m in my 50s now, and my love of bivvies goes back to my teens. Back then, a couple of friends and I went on a two-month cycling trip through northern Spain into south-west France, crossing the Pyrenees and heading down to the southern coast of France.

One of my mates was in the army at the time and supplied us all with bivis. They were simple drawstring bivis and certainly not luxurious. We slept in them through hot southern European nights, and had to pull the drawstring tight to keep the mosquitoes out. They were hot and very uncomfortable. After that trip, a friend and I promised ourselves that one day we’d own a Dutch army hooped bivi.

The Dutch Hooped Bivi: Years of Use

I’m not sure if my friend kept that promise, but I did. After moving back to the UK in 2010, I started camping again and bought a large Dutch army hooped bivi, which I used for many years.

Dutch hooped bivvy camouflaged in bracken with a tree on the horizon under a moon ona dusk during a UK wild camping trip — *Moon in the sky over a camouflaged Dutch hooped bivvy in the bracken, blending into the landscape.*

a bivi set up on the beach, surrounded by beach grass, and with the dark blue, and orange sky of dawn on the horizon — *A bivi set up on Knoll beach, with the dark blue, and orange sky of dawn on the horizon*

I really loved that piece of kit, and it was my only shelter so I used it on every camp I went on. It wasn’t perfect and does have a few drawbacks though. It’s heavy at around 1.7 kg (3.7 lbs), and in winter the thick Gore-Tex sits directly on you and your sleeping bag, allowing the cold to penetrate.

Freezing temperatures in the New Forest Hampshire

Even though it has a few negatives, there are way more positives.

What I Like About Bivi Camping

I find bivis fun and fuss-free, and they suit me because they’re no-nonsense and not flashy. They come second only to cowboy camping and tarp camping when it comes to no-frills shelters and a simple way to spend a night outdoors.

Dutch hooped bivi, open and stuffed with a sleeping bag, on the top of a hill in long grass, and over looking a castle ruins on top of a hill and next to a village. — *On the top of a hill in long grass, and over looking a castle ruins of Corfe Castle in Dorset*

I find bivis are large enough for me, there’s enough room for myself and my gear. But the thing I love the most is their stealth qualities. They’re low profile and they are able to fit into places a tent never could.

*A bivi set up on a narrow footpath on Bat’s Head on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast*

Why I Upgraded to the Nortent Skjul

In early 2025, I decided it was time for a much needed upgrade. I’m getting older, I still love the Dutch hooped bivi, it can be rough at times.

The Nortent Skjul set up in a moss lined gully in the forest — *A plantation forest camp with the Nortent Skjul*

After having a good look around and doing plenty of research, I decided to spend more money than I ever had before on a shelter. I splashed out on a Nortent Skjul for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it’s really light. It is expensive, but not the most expensive on the market. Secondly, is the design. It has a side access, and is double-hooped which helps to keep the fabric off you when you’re inside. But the thing that really closed the deal for me was the bug net.

Living With the Skjul

The bug net is pretty much a third of the length of the bivvi. It helps keep the temperature down in the summer, while allowing an incredible view of the sky while inside. The Dutch hooped bivi does have a bug net, but nothing like this.

The Nortent Skjul, set up in grass, with the top unzipped and the bug net exposed — *The Nortent Skjul with top unzipped and its bug net exposed*

It’s such a beautiful experience of looking up at the sky, while being protected from the biting beasties is awesome.

*Looking up from the inside of the Nortent Skjul, with a mosquito resting on the bug net*

I’ve used this bivi a lot since buying it. I’ve slept in many locations such as hilltops and coastal cliffs to forests and woodlands.

Compromises

I’ve found a shelter and a form of camping that suits me. I know compromises have to be made with owning and using a bivi, but they’re small compared to the enjoyment and the many positives I get from using them.

A British army basha set up over a bivi bag on a patch of sand surrounded by ferns — *A British army basha set up over a bivi bag*

Having been a bivis for many years, I’m not bottered by one of the biggest grumbles people have with bivvis- and that is that you can’t sit up in it. If I want to use a bivi and sit up, , I’ll bring a tarp. You don’t miss something you’ve never had.

Why Bivis Still Suit My Camping Lifestyle

Bivvis suit my style and approach to camping in the great outdoors. They’re simple, quiet and get the job done. Not that I have anything against brightly coloured tents. If I was on an expedition or camping on a secluded mountain without fear of being disturbed, I’d definitely be using two-person tent.

Nortent Skjul shelter set up on narrow hill path with coastal town lights in the distance at night — *Set up just before dark. Lights below, quiet above.*

But if you follow my camping, you’ll know I tend to pick small woodlands or exposed hilltops where I want to remain hidden. Where I live doesn’t have the luxury of high mountains and empty wilderness.

A Dutch hooped bivvi, set up on the pebbled coast next to a patch of short grass and the water. — *The bivvi set up, tucked away on a the pebbles of Chesil Beach Dorset*

I’ll continue to enjoy my nights out sleeping in a stealthily bivi that can squeeze into places other shelters can’t.

A Gentle Encouragement

If you’ve ever been curious about bivi camping but put off by how it looks or sounds, I’ll just say one thing. Bivi camping is not about roughing or going without the comforts. It’s just another way of camping.

I understand it won’t work for some people. But for others, especially those who want to keep things simple and low profile, it’s worth giving it a go and trying once. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. And you never know – you may actually enjoy it.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me via social media or the contact form which can be found on the contact page.

Your feedback is important. Let me know if you enjoyed the blog – and even if you didn’t, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks for taking the time to read the article.

Many thanks

Dan

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