Can You Use A Bivy In A Hammock? | A Quick Guide

A bivy sack and a hammock are two different shelters that you can set up when you’re backcountry hiking or backpacking. Each has its own pros and cons that make none of them a universal solution for your camping needs.

However, what happens when you use both of them together on your next camping trip?

A hammock is probably the most comfortable outdoor setup, but provides no weather protection. A bivy, on the other hand, is the lightest and most versatile shelter available but can feel claustrophobic at times. When you combine the two, you get a comfortable yet weather and bug-resistant setup, but at the expense of inconvenient entry and exit.

I did some additional research on this and compiled a more detailed guide below.

Pros Of Using A Bivy In A Hammock

As I mentioned, a hammock is the most comfortable option for outdoor camping due to the relief it provides to your back after a long day of carrying the backpack.

However, it is also one of the shelters that take the longest to set up and has a steeper learning curve than the other shelter options (tent, bivy).

One of the major drawbacks of hammock camping is that it provides no weather protection unless and until it is used in conjunction with other gear such as a tarp, rainfly, or bivy.

Having said that, using a bivy inside a hammock isn’t the most comfortable or convenient way to stay dry during heavy precipitation, but it is an option nonetheless.

Here are some of the advantages of using a bivy inside a hammock:

1. Weather Protection

A bivy is usually made of highly water-resistant (if not waterproof) materials that keep outside moisture out.

Simply lay your bivy on your hammock like a top quilt, close the zipper or drawstring, and you’re effectively protected from the elements.

However, during heavy rain, water may form small pools in your bivy (unless it’s made of nylon), which is why it’s better suited for light drizzle rather than against the full force of precipitation.

A better option would be to use a tarp with your bivy.

If interested, check this article: Is A Tarp Necessary For Hammock Camping?

2. Bug Protection

Most hammocks already come equipped with a durable bug net that protects against all kinds of pesky critters like mosquitoes, rain flies, and so on.

However, there are times when it is not included; in those instances, you can take advantage of the mesh panel of a bivy sack (if it has one) that is well ventilated for summer camping plus offers complete bug protection.

That said, you can always purchase a separate bug net and integrate it with your hammock rather than purchasing a bivy solely for the purpose of bug protection.

Further reading: Are Bug Nets Needed For Hammock Camping?

3. Flexibility

When you have both a hammock and a bivvy, you are almost ready for any outdoor situation, whether it is uneven ground or high winds.

Although this is neither a lightweight nor a necessary approach to outdoor survival, however, having both of them at hand will allow you to camp in a wide variety of locations.

When there are high winds, it is best to sleep in a bivy, and when there is a chance of rain where water may form puddles on the ground, set up a hammock.

Further reading: Bivy Vs Hammock

Plus, using them together gives you the option of alternating between comfort and stargazing and a quick escape from the rain.

4. Setup

In comparison to a tarp, which takes some time and effort to set up to protect against rain, setting up a bivy is child’s play. Simply take the bivy out of its compression sack, rollover on the hammock, and you’re done.

Whereas in the case of a tarp/rainfly, you had to first set up a ridgeline (which you may already have with your hammock setup), then drape the tarp over the line and peg it to the ground.

Do you know the difference between a rainfly and a tarp? If not why not check this article on Tarp Vs Rainfly

5. Insulation

A bivy sack, believe it or not, raises the temperature of your sleeping system by at least 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12.2 degrees Celcius).

Although it is not designed for insulation and does not provide it at the levels of a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, or underquilt, nor does it replace either of them, it does provide a small buffer to your system.

For summer camping, it may eliminate the need for a blanket or top quilt, and for winter camping, having a few extra degrees of insulation is never a bad thing.

Cons Of Using A Bivy In A Hammock

With the benefits out of the way, it’s time to consider the disadvantages of sleeping in a hammock bivy combo. Here are some of the major drawbacks of sleeping in a hammock with a bivy:

1. Entry & Exit

As I mentioned earlier in the article, getting inside a bivy while it is in the hammock is quite difficult and if you are not careful enough you may actually risk falling over.

This is because, unlike a top quilt or blanket that you simply open and cover yourself with, getting inside the bivy, especially with a sleeping pad (use a foam pad and avoid an inflatable pad because it would make it even more difficult) requires wriggling like a worm and can be quite exhausting if the bivy isn’t large enough.

This is similar to using a sleeping bag inside a hammock, except the bivy is slightly larger than the sleeping bag.

2. Inability To Engage In Other Activities

You can easily use a tarp and hammock setup to use the hammock as a lounge to fall back and relax, sit up straight and use it as a chair, or even cook food and enjoy good company.

With a bivy, however, you are basically trapped inside when it rains outside and have to wait until the storm is over.

3. Condensation

A bivy is known for having condensation issues where due to lack of sufficient air exchange, water vapor exhausted from your breathing collects on the walls and roof of the bivy and may soak your other gear.

If the bivy is made of breathable fibers such as gore-tex or Sympatex, condensation formation is reduced; however, because no fabric is completely breathable and waterproof, getting wet from the inside is unavoidable.

4. Weight

A bivy weighs between 5 ounces (oz) and 3 pounds (lbs) whereas a tarp weighs between 6 and 12 ounces (oz). If you prefer light weight camping and prefer comfort over efficiency, then you may choose a hammock with a tarp.

However, if you are an ultralight hiker/backpacker, then you may just as well go with a bivy shelter only.

And if you are concerned about pack weight in general, choosing a bivy over a tarp for hammock camping can be difficult when comparing the weight differences.

Alternatives To Using A Bivy In A Hammock

If weather protection is what concerns you then look no further than a rainfly/tarp. It not only provides complete weather protection, whether snow or rain, but also allows you to move around, do other activities, and sleep without the restriction of motion.

However, if you’re going cold-weather camping and want insulation, a top quilt underquilt set is the way to go. Not only does it allow for more freedom of movement but it’s also very comfortable and cozy to sleep in.

And lastly, if a mosquito is what’s troubling you, then why not get a bug netting for your hammock that is easy to integrate and is much better ventilated than the bivy?

Don’t get me wrong, a bivy is a great shelter on its own and has the most versatility among all shelters, but when combined with another shelter it fails to stand out even on a single criterion.

Final Thoughts

If you’re short on gear or want to be adaptable while out in the field, a bivy with a hammock is a viable option. However, if you have the luxury of having gear that meets specific needs, it is preferable to use that gear rather than relying on a bivy.

After all, a bivy is primarily intended for use on the ground; using it while hanging eliminates some of its most advantageous features (easy to set up shelter, quick rain protection, etc).

Anyways, as always, stay safe and happy adventuring!