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Tent Alternatives: What is a Bivy Tent, aka Bivy Shelter?

A bivy tent, sometimes called a bivy shelter, is a small, one-man "tent" which is a cross between a bivy sack and a small tent (I talk more about bivy sacks here). It is hard to tell the difference between a bivy tent and a regular one-person tent. Bivy tents normally have tent poles, stakes and a rain-fly is often available. The true bivy tent is shaped like the human body laying on its back: wider and taller at the front end and narrowing as it goes towards the foot area. This allows for a small amount of movement within the tent, yet still being considerate of not adding too much weight to your overall camping equipment.

Bivy tents come in freestanding and non-freestanding models - the type you select depends on where you plan on camping. Freestanding models are great if the terrain is hard and winds are light while non-freestanding models are desirable if your camping environment tends to be windy. They are made of fabric that is both breathable and waterproof, which allows human vapors and moisture escape while repelling rain. Bivy tents are basically single wall tents, so in colder climates the warm air expelled by humans may collect within the bivy.