Introduction
Constructed with wanderers in mind, Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy is one of the most notable and useful bivy sacks on the market today.
Apart from offering top-notch comfort, Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy can accommodate most sleeping bags, including 2.5-inch thick inflatable sleeping pad.
The roomy interior of this bivy sack provides enough space for stomach sleepers and those who tend to move and turn a lot while sleeping.
Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy features mesh ventilation and a breathable shell and can be used in each climate zone.
However, what makes it different from other popular bivy sacks like SOL Escape Bivvy or Rab Alpine Bivi, for instance?
Read on to learn everything you need to know about Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy.
Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy’s Specifications
Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy is ultra-lightweight yet it has technical specifications that few other bivy sacks have.
Available in two sizes – long and regular – this bivy sack is created to fit Sierra Designs DriDown Backcountry Sleeping Bag.
Though, you can use any sleeping bag or self-inflating pad you have.
The bivy has a bit tapered-cut design and features a mesh U-shaped window that can be opened during good weather.
The extra-long U-shaped zippered opening provides easy access to the bivy and can be opened from the outside and from the inside.
Made of one of the best possible breathable materials, Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy ensures the most comfortable sleep.
Plus, the bivy is waterproof and thus will keep you dry even during the rainy weather.
With a weight of 0.85 lbs, it may seem that this bivy sack is of low quality.
But in reality, you get a highly water-resistant, comfortable, and durable sleeping space.
The storage of this compact bivy is totally easy. Even if you haphazardly fold and roll the bivy, you can still fit it into your stuff sack.
Whether you’re going to backpack or car camp, you can store Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy in any bag.
Notable Weather Resistance
Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy has excellent weather resistance.
It guarantees you will stay safe and dry in almost all weather conditions, albeit it’s not recommended to use this bivy during heavy rains in extremely windy weather conditions.
Otherwise, a strong wind can blow rain into the zippers of Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy that are not water-resistant.
Even during a mild rain but a strong wind, there’s also a chance of getting a bit wet in this bivy. It wasn’t a large amount of water, but the wind subsided quickly.
The bivy fails in a prolonged and strong windy storm as well due to its zippers.
Thanks to the bathtub floor design of Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy, you stay dry even with rain and snow underneath.
Overall, the rest areas of the bivy, while constructed of lighter nylon, are waterproof.
The weather resistance can be increased with the help of the p-cord that helps to lift the bivy’s roof.
Experts claim this method is effective in keeping water running off quickly during the wet weather rather than collecting in pools.
Not all roofs of the bivy sacks can be lifted, so if you’re going to spend a lot of nights in wet weather conditions, you can never go wrong with Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy.
Impressive Ventilation Abilities To Keep You Comfortable
The multitude of various configurations Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy has, can help you keep control of ventilation.
When the weather is dry and warm, the whole front half of the bivy’s entry/exit section opens and sets to the foot, ensuring the high level of ventilation.
When the weather is rainy or snowy, it’s possible to button up the shell in a matter of a few seconds. You can do it in the middle of the night in case of unexpected rain or snow.
When the weather is extremely stormy, you can just unzip the screen for an instant ventilation flow. You’ll still remain dry and warm.
Even though the protective lip isn’t as stable or as beefy as some other bivy sacks, Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy works well during the stormy weather.
However, if an enormous gust of wind hits your bivy, the air can quickly become humid, if you don’t have anything a bit unzipped for ventilation.
Is Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy Comfortable?
Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy offers a high level of comfort, albeit it depends on how your body handles the waterproof materials the bivy is made of.
In general, not only does Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy protect you from rain, wind, snow, and sleet, but it also ensures comfortable napping or sleeping during the harsh weather.
Getting enough sleep no matter the weather is essential for campers, so it’s important to find out the comfort level of your sleeping bag.
The aim of adding the extra weight to this bivy – despite being ultralight, it’s a bit heavier than other similar bivy sacks – is to give you more comfort and safety.
This is particularly important during the colder months.
The majority of bivy sacks is very loud or cut in an incorrect way producing the feeling of wearing a straightjacket.
Sleeping in such sacks is hard and can cause sleep disorders.
Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy gives you tons of width and height and is comfortably sized to stay cozy without any dead space in the bivy.
Apart from offering a lot of space, Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy includes a tab to lift the roof using a fortunate tree branch and p-cord.
When compared with multiple similar bivy sacks, such as RAB Alpine, Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy has extra space inside gives any person with any bodytype maximum comfort.
Can I Use This Bivy In Any Situation?
Although there are some lighter bivy sacks like the SOL Escape Bivvy, Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy could provide more protection during the windy or stormy weather conditions.
When you have this bivy sack in your bag, you can be sure you have an effective emergency shelter regardless of where you are.
What Alternatives Do You Recommend?
There are a number of great alternatives on the market today if you do not think the Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy is right for you.
However, it depends on what your camping needs are. If you are planning on camping alone, check out tents that are easy to put up.
Are you going to be camping in the winter?
Check out our recommendations for tents with stoves and our article on the best extreme cold weather tents.
Pros and Cons of Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy
It’s difficult to state the cons of Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy, but they do exist. First of all, this bivy sack isn’t for people with a fear of sleeping in a small space.
The bivy doesn’t have a pole here, so you need to prepare to sleep with the fabric on your face all night long.
The fly has no window and this can be uncomfortable your first time sleeping with a bivy.
This might not be the con for you if you’re a stomach sleeper.
That seems to be the only con of Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy while there are plenty of pros this sack offers.
It’s waterproof, breathable, ultra-lightweight, and easy to set up. Plus, it can withstand most weather conditions.
Conclusion
If you’re searching for a durable, lightweight, compact, well-designed, easy to use, and waterproof bivy, Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy is an excellent option for you.
Designed for a comfortable sleep, no weather condition will prevent you from getting your essential hours of rest while you are in the great outdoors.
Lover of hiking, nature, camping, bird calls, and more. I run ATO and do my best to provide interesting information for my readers to help make their outdoor adventures more fun.
