Arva Escape Zip Bivvy Bivvy

Product detailed description

We’ve always looked down a bit on “bivouc” sacks. Compared to a tarp, they’re almost always more of a “last-resort” option than a full-fledged solution for comfortable sleeping. The biggest problem with sleeping bags has always been poor breathability and the resulting condensation inside, and especially the virtually zero chance of using this sleeping system in the rain. Either way, you’ll need a roof over your head if you don’t want to spend the whole night rolling around in puddles of water. However, after testing a bivy made from a material backed by the SOL brand (an expert in emergency survival gear), we’ve changed our minds a bit.

The most important thing is to realize when using a bivy is appropriate and when it’s better to leave it at home.

It will certainly come in handy for climbers who need to bivouac on a rock face, whether planned or in an emergency. The Escape Zip Bivvy will definitely find its place in races like Adventure Races or, for example, the very popular 1000-mile race here and similar crazy events, where every gram counts and you don’t get much sleep. But when you need to take a quick break for an hour, there’s a big difference between shivering from the cold and staying nice and warm. In such races, a sleeping bag liner or emergency foil is usually mandatory gear—without it, they simply won’t let you start.

However, a particularly interesting use seems to be using the bivy as a substitute for a sleeping bag for purely summer use. I’m, of course, referring specifically to warm summer nights. In this case, you can save a significant amount of weight on your gear. Because the Escape Zip Bivvy weighs just 241 grams! The Escape Zip Bivvy will definitely come in handy for overnight stays in mountain huts when you know you won’t need a sleeping bag on your trip. If you’re looking for an even lighter option, there’s also a 155-gram version without a zipper or hood—Escape Lite Bivvy./a>

It also makes sense as a supplement to a sleeping bag when temperatures are at the limit of your current sleeping bag’s usability. The moment you put the bivvy inside your sleeping bag, your comfort will increase significantly. The manufacturer even claims a 10°C increase in comfort!

How is it possible that such a lightweight package achieves such great performance?

It’s all thanks to the non-woven fabric developed by SOL, which is fully waterproof, windproof, highly breathable, and—most importantly—features a thin layer of metal on the inside, allowing up to 70% of the heat you generate to be reflected back to you.

With dimensions of 213 x 79 cm, even a 90-kilogram man with a sleeping pad can fit inside the bivvy with no problem. The cut around the legs is designed for maximum freedom of movement. Thanks to the 60 cm long zipper, getting into the bivvy is a breeze. The hood has a drawstring, and the collar around the neck can also be tightened.

The Arva Escape Zip Bivvy is also available in an ultralight version without a zipper or hood - Arva Escape Lite Bivvy.

The packed dimensions are an impressive 10 x 18 cm.

We have also added a green version directly from the manufacturer SOL to our selection.

Arva Escape Zip Bivvy:

• Weight: 241 g.
• Dimensions: 213 x 79 cm.
• 60 cm zipper.
• Drawstring hood.
• Packed dimensions: 10 x 18 cm.
• Patented non-woven fabric from SOL with an inner metal layer that reflects up to 70% of heat back.
• Waterproof, windproof, highly packable, and very breathable.