Berghaus Big Wall Bivi Bag Review

Even though it looks frighteningly like a body bag, this hasn't fallen off the back of a hearse – it’s actually a lightweight, waterproof and breathable bivvy bag that allows you to sleep warm and dry without a tent, no matter what the weather.

 

The entire bag is made from Gortex with waterproof zippers. The bottom half is just like a normal sleeping bag, with an insulating layer of Permaloft, while the top section is a single skin of Gortex.

 

This configuration has pros and cons: it makes it more lightweight and easier to pack, but means in cold conditions, you might need an inner bag or thermal layers on the top half of your body.

The insulated section extends higher at the back, so in warm weather, your kidneys and lower back are at least still insulated.

 

However, on warm wet nights, your own body heat will be enough to keep you snug.

Its asymmetric shape also means that when you detach the two sections, you can keep your top half dry in the cloak and because it's cut higher at the back calls of nature can be answered without any worries.

When you're inside the bag, even with the hood completely zipped over your head, it doesn't feel claustrophobic. The breathability of the fabric and the small mesh section near your face means that you have plenty of air.

 

A small window allows you to stare at the stars or watch the lightning above you, snug and dry as the rain pelts down.But a major design fault is that the zip around the top of the bag only has a tag on the outside. Pull it too tight and the only way out is to fully unzip the hood from the lower body section.