BivyBag Duo

Everything about your day trip has gone wrong—you’re wet, cold, and far from your haulout—but if you’ve packed a bivy bag, your day has just gotten a bit brighter. The Exped BivyBag Duo UL, made of silicon-coated ripstop nylon, is similar to a large poncho and in seconds it can get you and a friend out of the wind and rain. Weighing in at about 10 oz, and only 4″ x 6″ when packed, the BivyBag is compact enough to easily carry, even aboard the smallest boat.

photographs courtesy of the author

As the name suggests, the Bivibag Duo can be used for a bivouac, in tent fashion for one, or as a double emergency sleeping bag for two.

Removing the BivyBag from its storage sack takes just seconds—quick deployment is a must for any piece of emergency gear. The bag itself is shaped like a giant T-shirt, with a 56″-wide opening at the hem and three smaller openings at the other the top. Each of the four openings is equipped with a drawstring and toggle to adjust or close it. The neck opening is wide enough to pull on like a turtleneck, leaving one’s head free, or it may be worn over the head as a hood. My arms easily fit through the two smaller arm openings, even when I was wearing a shirt, fleece sweater, and jacket.