diy bivvy bag fabric

L

lsbivvy

Day Walker
Hi all, I'm after a lightweight bivvy bag for fairweather three season use (really just something to keep the wind and light rain/dew off my sleeping bag). I'm unwilling to pay the 'ultralightweight' tax so thought I'd try my hand at a DIY one. I'm a longtime jardine afficianodo and can use a sewing machine etc.

I'll loosely be following this template https://gerald-zojer.com/blog/simple-diy-bivy-bag-windproof-and-water-repellent-with-patterns/ with drawcord around shoulders and neck, but adding a head footprint with 'pocket' in which to stuff my pillow (down jacket).

I'll have a closed cell foam mat between bag and ground, so I will use the same fabric top and bottom. I'm aware of pennine outdoor/pro fabrics. Aiming for 300g or below in weight. Bivvy bag will be tailored to my mummy bag, happy to go without space for cooking/rucksack boots etc. Any tips on what fabric I should buy? Obviously its the age old trade off between durability/waterproofness and weight.

Thanks for any help :)
 
L

lsbivvy

Day Walker
thanks but I want to diy. I like the as tucas design though, might try to copy the head zip and also potential for using a tougher fabric underneath as per as tucas.
 
Whiteburn

Whiteburn

Thru Hiker
Stu Sibley said:
…………... Not sure if using a non-breathable upper part will be a good idea though in terms of breathability? Maybe someone has some input on that side
Click to expand...
It a very poor idea...….unless you want a very damp SB in the morning.
If in doubt try overnighting in a polyethene survival bag......you'll get the picture.

A cheapo solution maybe to give the Karrimor bivi a try, £25, supposedly waterproof & breathable (~10,000) which should be OK so long as you don't breath into it.
 
Teepee

Teepee

Thru Hiker
Sleeping in non breathable bivy bag/sleeping bag can make things quite soggy. It's not uncontrollable, but it's not often the comfiest way of spending a night. There are times when it's optimum, but not 3 season.

Looking at your preference for only having to shed very light rain/dew/fog, I'd not choose DCF for the top. Something highly breathable, very quick drying and very water repellent fits the bill. You'll have to go long way to beat parachute nylon coated with TX direct to give it some water repellency. It's 35gsm, tough and quicky drying. It tends to dry quicker than calandared.
If you want something posher, have a look at Ripstop by the roll in the states and get some Polyester..PE tends to dry quicker than Nylon and is inherently more water resistant.
 
Stu Sibley

Stu Sibley

Summit Camper
Whiteburn said:
It a very poor idea...….unless you want a very damp SB in the morning.
If in doubt try overnighting in a polyethene survival bag......you'll get the picture.

A cheapo solution maybe to give the Karrimor bivi a try, £25, supposedly waterproof & breathable (~10,000) which should be OK so long as you don't breath into it.
Click to expand...

I'd rather DIY than buy something as I have at least enough of either material (DCF, silnylon) for the bottom part

Teepee said:
Sleeping in non breathable bivy bag/sleeping bag can make things quite soggy. It's not uncontrollable, but it's not often the comfiest way of spending a night. There are times when it's optimum, but not 3 season.

Looking at your preference for only having to shed very light rain/dew/fog, I'd not choose DCF for the top. Something highly breathable, very quick drying and very water repellent fits the bill. You'll have to go long way to beat parachute nylon coated with TX direct to give it some water repellency. It's 35gsm, tough and quicky drying. It tends to dry quicker than calandared.
If you want something posher, have a look at Ripstop by the roll in the states and get some Polyester..PE tends to dry quicker than Nylon and is inherently more water resistant.
Click to expand...

Not too worried about posh, cheaper the better but lightweight and functional - do you have a europe/uk source for the nylon coated with TX? Or is something like this a good idea? https://www.adventurexpert.com/product/10d-fabric/?attribute_pa_color=forest-green

Thanks!
 
Teepee

Teepee

Thru Hiker
The stuff from Kamov is unknown to me but is along those lines. It'll save you 30% weight on the top section, probably 20g or so.

TX Direct is wash in Nikwax waterproofing. It's a home treatment for adding water repellency to fabric. Ive used it for years on parachute Nylons and various clothing.

Here's a load of Nylons..take your pick and I'd suggest going for 35gsm or similar. Your in luck if you like Orange, drab, or white. They all change batch, it's pot luck but they all tend to be good. https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=parachute+ripstop&_sacat=0
 
L

lsbivvy

Day Walker
Stu Sibley said:
I'd rather DIY than buy something as I have at least enough of either material (DCF, silnylon) for the bottom part



Not too worried about posh, cheaper the better but lightweight and functional - do you have a europe/uk source for the nylon coated with TX? Or is something like this a good idea? https://www.adventurexpert.com/product/10d-fabric/?attribute_pa_color=forest-green

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Pennine Outdoor or Point North for the fabric (UK). I went for 90gsm breathable ripstop nylon, project progressing slowly!
 
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