Adventure Medical Kits Sol Escape Bivvy

Product Information

Although not waterproof its highly water resistant so as an emergency bivy shelter it does its job, preserving heat and protecting your sleeping bag from the elements. Being tough it can be used over and again, especially if you are using it as a sleeping bag liner to enhance the rating of your bag.

The SOL Escape Bivvy is categorized as an emergency bivvy, with the usability for an ultra light sleep system. The bag is made out of a thin water resistant fabric with microporous to give it its breathable capabilities. It comes with a reflective interior that helps retain 70% of your body heat, and the seams are waterproof, ensuring heat stays in and the elements stay out. I first heard of the bivvy right before the Arizona Trail Race last year. A friend convinced me to use his as my entire sleep system (no pad or bag) since the weather was looking appropriate to do so. My attempt to race the 300 miles sleepless failed after nearly falling asleep on my bike. The smart decision was to lay down, and rest for 20 minutes. Although it would cost me 2nd place, rest helped and the bivvy kept me warm in 60 degrees with nothing but my bike kit on. So then you have to ask yourself... What's the point if you can't use it as a bivy?? That makes it nothing more than a poor performing emergency blanket. As a liner, it does add warmth, but it also removes all of the coziness of slipping into a comfy, fluffy sleeping bag. The material showed extremely promising waterproof capabilities, but on the others side, it does not breathe all that well. For the short naps it was not an issue, but after a full nights sleep, I woke up with moisture that was trapped inside the bivvy.

Windproof & Water Resistant

The inside of the bivvy is aluminized to reflect your body heat Here you see what the opening looks like with the zipper fully open Bivvy Design and Construction

I own and have used SOL’s much less expensive Sol Emergency Bivvy, which is non-breathable and functions as a vapor barrier. My questions upon receiving the Escape Pro Bivvy were: However, in an emergency situation, especially one that is wet and windy, a bivvy bag (or basic survival bag) can offer enough protection to save your life. For this reason, it is advisable that all trail runners carry a survival bag when running in high or remote areas – even if you’re not expecting to be out for long. Is a bivvy bag worth it? As a product its really dual use - if you decide that you need an emergency bivy option this one would allow you to uprate your sleeping bag by using it as a liner which will offset some of its weight (since you don't need to carry a silk liner), then if its not needed as an emergency bivy then carrying it has still brought some benefit. As an emergency bivy bag with a sleeping pad, it is reusable unlike less expensive emergency blankets Low weight and a compact shape are the most important factors for runners, since a bulky or heavy bag makes running feel awkward and also more strenuous. Is a bivvy better than a tent?

Bivvy Design and Construction

Barely tipping the scales at a half of a pound, the SOL Escape was one of the more impressive models we tested. Made from SOL's proprietary fabric (which feels similar to a DuPont Tyvec Lab suit) and an inner reflective coating, the SOL excelled at keeping us warm while also relatively dry on the inside. Before we go any further, it's important to note that this bivy isn't in the same ballpark as the much heavier, or even the mid-range adventure models. The Escape isn't suited for long expeditions or sleeping in snow caves unless you have tigers blood flowing through your veins; instead, it fills a niche for lightweight, durable warmth for ultralight endeavors. Is it that much of an improvement over the SOL Emergency Bivvy to justify costing almost 10 times more?