Mountain bivouac covers

The mountain bivouac covers are not just for emergencies, but have become elements for unforgettable experiences under the stars. More and more mountaineers are spending more and more days in the mountains on long routes in winter and summer, whether walking or cycling. For these mountaineers, bivouac covers are essential companions for the route.

Don't you know what these covers are? They are a type of covers that cover sleeping bags, which are prepared for sleeping outdoorswithout the need for a tent. They are often used by mountaineers who enjoy sleeping under the stars, but they are also very useful for emergency situations. In the mountains you never know when the weather will change. If you get caught in a storm with heavy rain and strong winds, and a considerable drop in temperature, the bivouac cover may be your only shelter.

As in the technical mountain clothing The fabrics of the covers are specially designed to cope with the cold. At a temperature of 0 degrees Celsius and winds of 50 kilometres per hour, the body temperature drops to -8 degrees Celsius. In such a situation, without the protection of a cover, we will not be able to endure much without having an hypothermia. It is true that clothes are becoming more and more resistant to cold and rain, but after a while of getting wet all garments become damp and lose their ability to adequately warm the body. Bivouac covers usually have the following composition.

Composition of the bivouac covers.

When you go to buy a bivouac cover you will notice that the prices vary a lot. This is because different materials are used to make the covers.

The most economical covers are usually made from plastic or silicone. These are ideal for emergency situations, as they are cost-effective. For a more than reasonable price you will get a good quality and easy to carry case (Click to view). The disadvantage of the cheapest cases is that their materials they are not breathable at all. If you spend a lot of time inside it, it tends to condense and get wet inside.

If you are already planning to sleep under the stars, it is worth making a bigger investment, and buying a bivouac cover with improved performance (Click to view). The quality of good materials is often reflected in the price. These covers are waterproof, but also very durable. good breathability. Consequently, if the inside of the cover gets wet, drying will be quicker. It is common to find Gore-Tex® membranes in this type of cover.

The design of bivouac covers usually consists of two levels of fabric:

• The inner layer of the cover is usually made of a durable nylon that makes the cover waterproof. It is a material similar to tent flooring.

• The outer layer is usually composed of a fabric known as a ripstop nylon. It is usually made with a waterproof and breathable membrane such as Gore-Tex.

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Ferrino Rider Pro Sleeping Bag Leisure & Hiking, Adult Unisex, Green

37,99 EUR

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Main features of the bivouac covers.

Bivouac covers are designed for adventurers who do not always want to sleep in the comfort of a shelter. They are ideal for mountaineers who are going to spend long days in the mountains, and who want to sleep wherever they want under the stars. The main functions of these covers are twofold:

• Keep the sleeping bag dry.

• Increase the heating capacity of the bag.

To improve comfort, bivouac covers often have many different types of zips. Thanks to these, the ventilation of the cover can be varied. In addition, they also give you the possibility to take your hands out to cook or tidy up the equipment while it is protected by the cover. In addition, you can vary the size of the head opening. You can narrow it to create a small nostril for breathing, or keep it fully open in situations where it is not cold.

Frequently asked questions about covers.

These holsters are relatively new materials in the amateur mountaineering field, so there are many questions frequently asked by mountaineers. We will answer some of them below:

• Many wonder how it circulates the air inside the casing. When the fabric is breathable and waterproof, the vapour produced by the body heat is expelled out of the fabric. In addition, thanks to the various zips on these covers, manual ventilation is very easy.

• Some doubt the waterproofing of these covers. As long as the cover is made with a quality membrane such as Gore-Tex the feeling in the rain will only get a little sticky, but you will never get soaked.

• If you are very minimalist and always try to carry as little weight as possible in your backpack, you can opt for sleeping directly inside the cover. However, do so only in warm situations.

Recommended models.

In the following, we will describe two different models of recommended bivouac covers. The first one will be an economical model and ideal for emergency situations, and the second one will be a more sophisticated model:

• Shayson Emergency Bag (Click to view): is a holster specially designed to cope with unexpected and emergency situations. For this purpose, it is very light and weighs just over 100 grams. It is 213 centimetres long. It is an ideal holster to carry just in case inside your backpack. You can get it for the amazing price of 30 euros.

• Black Diamond Spotlight Bivy (Click to view): This holster is more sophisticated and has better features. Consequently, its weight is higher, and so is its price. It weighs just over 500 grams, and costs around 200 euros. It is completely waterproof and very breathable. It is also very spacious as it is 234 centimetres long.