Can anyone recommend a bivi bag?

[Anonymous]

I'm still working on my plans for the Canterbury-Santiago walk and concentrating at present on the formidable difficulties the long walk through France. Now I have done enough research to find out where I'm going, it appears that the walk from Dieppe to SJPP will be around 900km, and in many places in France it is going to be very difficult to find affordable overnight accommodation. Consequently I began considering tents, but there was nothing under 2 kilos. Now I've discovered "bivi bags" as a possible solution.Here's one example I have been looking at, with weight under a kilo.

http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/ ... e8140fa08b

Has anyone got experience of using a bivi bag (particularly in wet conditions... France in May could be very wet!)

Gareth

 

[Barbara]

Gareth, don't do it! Camping is bad enough sometimes, and I have a good tent, sheepskins, a sleeping mat and a warm sleeping bag. There is actually a good deal of cheap overnight accomodation available here ( I live in central France) i walk with a donkey, and I camp so as to be near her at night, but it can be dire sometimes. May in a barn should be OK, but not a bivi bag. Bivi bags are for the rude licentious soldiery, not normal human beings. Email me privately with your route and let's see what we can find for cheap accomodation along the way.

 

[vinotinto]

Now I've discovered "bivi bags" as a possible solution.

You can have the red REI-brand bivvy sack I left at Roncesvalles last summer, if it's still on the freebie shelf...heck, I must've abandoned around 5 kilos worth of stuff between St. Jean and Najera...oh, the agony! :wink: :arrow:

 

[Anonymous]

i walk with a donkey, and I camp so as to be near her at night, but it can be dire sometimes. May in a barn should be OK, but not a bivi bag. .... Email me privately with your route and let's see what we can find for cheap accomodation along the way.

Yes, I can see why you wouldn't be in favour of a bivi bag if you walk with a donkey... Donkey + pilgrim in a bivy bag is probably not an ideal sleeping arrangement - though perhaps more restful than a night in a refugio with three snorers! Very grateful for your suggestion of help. Will contact you privately with email address. Many thanks!

Gareth

 

[Anonymous]

... the red REI-brand bivvy sack I left at Roncesvalles last summer, if it's still on the freebie shelf... :wink: :arrow:

Well thanks, but (A) It won't still be there; and (B) I'll be abandoning mine in the same place, when I finish with France. More to the point, tell me please if you favour a bivi bag (or bivvy sack, wot seems to be the Americanism for this ). I haven't used one, so tell me are they OK in wet weather?

Gareth

 

[vinotinto]

I haven't used one, so tell me are they OK in wet weather?

I never used mine outside - just a couple of times on a couch to try it out. I knew after my first day on the Camino that it would be useless to me. I wasn't going to sleep outside if I could help it, and even if I did, the weather was warm enough so that I'd be OK without it. And I didn't fancy being wrapped up in a cocoon - I don't like being confined (probably a feeling left over from my military days). Plus, someone could run off with my pack, and they'd be long gone before I could free myself from the sack. So, no bivy recommendations from me...sorry! :arrow:

 

[Arn]

Gareth,

Every person I've come across using a "bivy" has been disappointed. It's fine in perfect weather, but get bad weather and you'll have a bad experience. Take a one man tent until you get to SJPDP and mail it home...you'll be happy you did.

Buen "got no rain in my face" Camino
Arn

 

[Anonymous]

It's fine in perfect weather, but get bad weather and you'll have a bad experience. Take a one man tent until you get to SJPDP and mail it home...

Happy Easter. Thanks for your comments, Arn. I'm getting the picture here! Very useful to get a few different views on the matter. You'll be basking in the sunshine of Santiago as I'm still trudging through the driving rain in France in May! Cheers...

Gareth