Bivy Sack Vs Swag | Which One To Choose For Outdoors?

As the weather starts to cool down, many people turn to camping as an option. However, camping can be quite dangerous if you don’t have the right equipment.

This blog seeks to answer the question of which shelter to choose when camping – a bivy sack or a swag. Both shelters have their own strengths and weaknesses, and it ultimately comes down to personal preference.

A bivy sack is one of the most affordable shelter options, as well as one of the simplest to set up and use. It can be used in a variety of weather conditions but comes at the expense of a little bit of comfort. A swag, on the other hand, is much bulkier and takes up much more space than a bivy sack, but they are much more comfortable to sleep in (because they come with a mattress inside) and also take a lot less time to assemble than a traditional tent.

In this blog, I also discuss alternative shelter options if you decide that a bivy sack or swag is not the right shelter for you.

What Is A Bivy Sack?

A bivouac sack which can also go by the name bivi bag, bivvy bag, or even simply as a bivy sack is a lightweight, highly water-resistant shelter that can be used to sleep in during camping trips. Simply lay it open on the ground, crawl inside like a sleeping bag, and you’re protected from the elements.

Because they are so light, many people use them as their only shelter options (instead of carrying tents), making them ideal for those who want something simple but still comfortable enough for sleeping overnight without having to carry and assemble a heavy tent.

Originally designed for military use due to its quick and easy application, it has now become a standard piece of camping equipment used by ultralight campers and hikers to climbers and mountaineers due to the preparedness and mobility it provides.

Most bivy sacks are made of highly water-resistant (if not waterproof) materials such as Sil-Nylon and Gore-Tex, which protect you from elements ranging from minor rain splashes to full-force precipitation (depends highly on the quality of the materials used).

Further reading: Are Bivy Bags Waterproof?

What’s more, a bivy adds about 10 degrees F to your overall sleeping system, so keep this in mind when planning for summer camping or you might end up having a sweaty experience.

What’s A Swag?

A swag is a kind of a cross between a small tent and a bivy sack that is predominantly used in Australia. Originally, Australian miners and shearers used swags as their go-to shelter and were dubbed “swagman” as a result. In modern times, a swag is a complete camping shelter that includes a tent, sleeping bag, and a sleeping pad or mat.

Instead of carrying all of the above-mentioned gear separately, you can roll the sleeping bag and pad inside the swag and carry it as a single piece of gear that will protect you from the elements while also providing the sense of security of a tent.

They’re basically an open-sided tent (sometimes called “swag tent”) made of water-resistant canvas, which offers similar protection from the elements as you would get with a bivy sack or tarp.

However, because they are made of canvas rather than polyester or Sil-nylon, they are not as water-resistant as a bivy sack and will begin to absorb water over time. You can also treat the fabric with a DWR wash, but it is best to use a tarp over your head or avoid camping in the rain while inside a swag.

Because the entrance resembles a curtain, you can set it up as a porch and use it for other purposes such as shade and cooking area on your campsite if necessary. A swag is typically lightweight and can be used for backpacking and car camping excursions with ease.

However, they are not suitable for ultralight campers or mountaineers because every extra ounce (oz) makes a significant difference in their endeavours.

A swag, in general, is quite roomy on the inside and has numerous pockets for storing small items such as lighters or cell phones for quick & easy access.

As I said before, a swag is predominantly used in Australia; however, in the age of the internet, you can easily obtain one by using sites such as eBay or other similar websites; additionally, there are some online stores that ship globally from Australia. That said, keep in mind that swag can be quite expensive, with prices reaching as high as $500.

What Are The Differences Between A Bivy Sack And A Swag?

A bivy sack and a swag are both good options for outdoor shelter because they provide a lot of mobility and decent all-around protection from wet weather or moisture while also aiding in retaining your body heat.

Having said that, here are some of the most noticeable differences between the two:

1. Weather Protection

Both the bivy sack and the swag are generally made using water-resistant materials which does a decent job of shielding you against rain, snow or even light drizzle.

However, since the swag is typically made using canvas which is known to absorb water after long hours, it’s best to not use a swag for regions that are prone to downpours.

A bivy, on the other hand, when made with premium materials such as Sympatex or Gore-Tex, can essentially become waterproof and can withstand even the most torrential rain.

Winner: Bivy Sack

2. Setup

Again, both the bivy and the swag are extremely simple to set up and use, and they are among the quickest shelters available.

To be clear, both of these shelters can be erected significantly faster than a tent or a hammock, but when comparing the two, setting up the bivy is faster.

This is due to the fact that a bivy is similar to a raincoat for your sleeping bag; all you have to do is open it up and get inside.

To set up a swag, similar to a bivy, you must fully lay out the swag, use tent poles to create a hoop around both the head and tail of the swag, connect with the straps, and then use guy lines to properly peg it to the ground.

Winner: Bivy Sack

3. Comfort & Space

As I mentioned at the start of this article, a bivy is designed for mobility and on-the-go adventures. They are not created for comfort for three main reasons.

First and foremost, unless you raise the head of the bivy with a peg, it will stick to your face and be all uncomfortable.

Second, a bivy is notorious for having condensation problems, to the point where they are sometimes so water-resistant that they prevent water vapor from leaving and condensing inside, making everything wet and dirty.

Finally, there isn’t enough room for movement inside, which can make some people feel claustrophobic.A swag, on the other hand, has none of these issues because it is made of canvas, which is extremely breathable and does not contribute to condensation buildup.

They also have enough space inside to move around freely, as well as enough headspace (when pegged) to avoid any inconvenience.

Winner: Swag

4. Weight

A bivy on average by itself weighs around between 5 ounces (oz) and 3 pounds (lbs) whereas a swag can range from 15 pounds (lbs) to 25 pounds (lbs).

Notice this huge difference in weight?

It’s because swag is included with foam bedding which in it itself weighs around 1 pound (lbs) to 2 pounds (lbs).

Also, given that you’d need other gear like a sleeping bag and a sleeping pad with a bivy, to me it seems that the weight difference between the two shelters isn’t that significant. In any case, the bivy shelter is still the lighter option.

Winner: Bivy Sack

5. Price

A bivy costs around $20 and can go up to $300 whereas a swag starts at around $180 and can go all the way up to $500.

Like the weight, if you get the right bivy gear, the cost will go up when you consider both of them as a shelter. However, in comparison to their base price, a bivy is significantly less expensive than swag.

Winner: Bivy Sack

Table Of Differences Between A Bivy Sack And A Swag

Feature/Function	Bivy Sack	Swag
Weather Protection	Highly water-resistant (if not waterproof); high weather protection	Water-resistant (made using canvas); best not used under continuous heavy rain
Setup	Extremely easy	Relatively easy; a lot more steps involved
Comfort	Not comfortable at all; may seem claustrophobic at times	Very comfortable; lot of room to move around
Weight	Weighs between 5 ounces (oz) and 3 pounds (lbs)	Weights between 15 pounds (lbs) to 25 pounds (lbs)
Price	Ranges between $20 and can go up to $300	Ranges from $180 and can go all the way up to $500

Alternative Shelter Options

Here are some alternative outdoor shelter options:

Whichever option you choose, make sure to be prepared for the weather and know how to set it up quickly and efficiently. Not knowing how to set up a shelter could be the difference between life and death when you’re in need of shelter. (No Kidding)

Also, always make sure that your chosen outdoor sleeping option is suitable for the weather conditions where you are going!

Which One To Choose, A Bivy Sack Or A Swag?

Both shelters are lightweight and can be used as emergency shelters or for overnight backpacking trips.

However, the bivy sack is much lighter and more compact, making it a better choice for ultralight hikers/backpackers or mountaineers who want to minimise their pack weight as much as possible (even at the trade-off of comfort).

On the other hand, a swag is more for a more comfortable experience, similar to that of a tent, but it takes much less time to put together (than a tent, not the bivy).

So, which sleeping shelter is the best for you? It all comes down to personal preference and the type of trip you are planning.

If it were me, I would choose the bivy sack (between the two) for most of my trips since I like to be on the move all the time, and sacrificing a bit of comfort isn’t a big deal to me. However, for a shorter trip, a swag doesn’t sound like a bad idea either!