When it comes to bikepacking, it’s not all about riding a bike. It’s often more of a lifestyle of sleeping, eating, and enjoying local cultures. Here at the Bikepackist, we get asked some amazing questions. Still, one I seem to be getting a lot is “Bikepacking Tent Or Bivvy?”

I have been lucky enough to be a user of both, not only on bikepacking adventures but also when ultra racing and even touring. The difference between the two is huge, and I have a rule about what to pick and when.

In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know. We are going to be discussing:

• What Are Bikepacking Tents
• What Are Bikepacking Bivvys
• Bikepacking Tent Vs Bivvy
• Which Is For You, A Bikepacking Tent Or A Bivvy?

What Are Bikepacking Tents

Bikepacking tents are pretty special. They differ from your average tent, which you can buy from an outdoor shop. They are smaller, lighter, and made to be incredibly compact to fit on a bike. You will also find they come made from very lightweight, resilient materials. 

You get two different types of tents generally. Freestanding means they have their own structure using poles and can be easily moved around. You also have non freestanding. These tents are fixed to the ground, and you struggle to move when built. 

The biggest struggle with a bikepacking tent is how it needs to break down. Unlike a normal tent, you can’t strap it to your back or throw it in the back of a car. It needs to go on a bike, which can add complications with sizing. 

The Bikepacking Tent Pros

• Very Comfortable
• Can Sit Up
• Keeps You Away From Poor Conditions
• It Takes You Out From The Elements

The Bikepacking Tent Cons

• Heavier
• Take Longer To Setup And Put Down
• Take Up More Space On The Bike
• Can Be Expensive

What Are Bikepacking Bivvys

The bivvy is the choice of many bikepackers. It’s very compact, easy to set up and put away, and very lightweight, with some weighing as little as 300 grams. They are very easy to set up. You just take them out of the bag and get inside with a sleeping bag on. 

Bivvys generally come in two different types. You have the standard bivvy, which has no support, and what they call a hooped bivvy, which has structure at the opening and sometimes further along.

Something very special about a bivvy is how small it can compact down to. It means it can be put in any of your bikepacking bags, and it’s flexible, often without any poles needing to be put in a frame bag.

The Bikepacking Bivvy Pros

• Very Lightweight And Compact
• Easy To Store On The Bike
• Cheap To Buy
• Fast And Quick To Build

The Bikepacking Bivvy Cons

• Not As Comfortable
• Sometimes Not As Warm
• Difficult To Get That Indoor Feeling

Bikepacking Tent Vs Bivvy

Now, let’s break it down. The best way to understand what is best for you is to explore what you can expect. Here’s what you need to know.

Comfort

The first thing to mention is comfort. A tent provides something special compared to a bivvy. A tent can have much more space, you can sit up in a large tent, and have room to put things.

You don’t get this in a bivvy. It’s small and tight, with little room to move around freely. Bivvies are just really to get your head down, and many don’t have much of a door to them, which doesn’t scream comfort to me. 

Performance

I never thought I would speak about the performance of a tent before, but it’s a very important consideration. When it comes to bikepacking, especially in poor conditions, you need all the help you can get.

A good tent you find is better at keeping condensation out and protecting you from the elements but is more space to warm up. A bivvy tends to not hold off poor weather as well, but in the right weather, you can warm up very quickly. 

Weight

When it comes to weight, you can expect a tent to weigh anywhere from 500 grams to 2 kilograms. They are not the lightest of kit but serve a great purpose when it comes to finding comfort when sleeping outdoors.

A bivvy can be as little as around 200 grams to 500 grams. This makes it a lot lighter when it comes to carrying on your bike, which is a big difference when climbing lots of hills and trying to be quick.

Packability

Regarding packability, there’s no denying that the bivvy is just so much easier. It can go in nearly all your bikepacking bags and be squished up without worrying about it breaking. This comes in really handy when traveling light. 

A tent is a bit particular to pack. Not only is it much bigger and takes the space of a whole bikepacking bag, but it’s also difficult if you have one with poles, as these are really difficult to keep anywhere, especially on a smaller frame.

Stealth Functions

Many countries in the world offer wild camping, and with this comes stealth camping. This is getting into a hidden place in the cover of darkness and ensuring that you are not seen by anyone passing.

A bivvy is the perfect tool for this. It sets up super quick, stays very hidden, and often comes in various dark colors to keep you hidden. With a tent, this is much harder to do, and often, people find that it makes wild camping difficult. 

Set Up And Put Down

When it comes to setting up your tent, you have to allow time. This could take 5 to 10 minutes to get the poles ready and build your little home. A bivvy doesn’t need this time unless you have a hooped bivvy, which is generally much faster. 

The bivvy is the way to go if you are looking for speed. It is so much faster that you can roll it up and you’re ready to go. Packing a tent is different. You have to be very organized. 

Traveling With A Partner

When it comes to traveling with a partner, both are a great solution. If you are happy to stay in a tent with them you can share warmth, it cuts the setup time down, and you only need one-two person for you both.

If you want your own space at night, you might want two tents, or in good weather, a bivvy is always an option. It depends more on the trip than anything else. 

Which Is For You, A Bikepacking Tent Or A Bivvy?

When it comes down to it, there’s a lot more to think about than just picking one. I use both because it depends on the conditions and trip I’m going into more than anything. Here are my recommendations. 

Senario	Best Option Tent Or Bivvy
Extreme Conditions	A tent is by far the best option. There’s no fun in having to bivvy in extreme cold or pouring rain. I could be a trip ender in a bivvy.
Long Trips	When it comes to long trips I always recommend a tent. It gives you an escape from the world each night and is so much more comfortable for quality sleep.
Short Trips	I prefer a bivvy for shorter trips. Providing the weather is good then my life is so much easier carrying much less and being able not to set up a tent.
Ultra Racing	For ultra racing I much prefer a bivvy in most circumstances. Packs better, lighter, and faster. The only exception is poor conditions or cold nights, then a tent.
Traveling With Others	I much prefer a tent when on trips with others much easier to carry and organize. Even if you both take a tent it gives you your own space at night.

What Trip Are You Going On?

I believe more than anything, it comes down to the trips you want to do and the experience you want from bikepacking. I highly recommend if you are on a long trip or going into extreme conditions there’s no substitute for a good tent.

If you are doing an overnighter and the conditions will be nice, then you should enjoy a bivvy and sleep under the stars. If you are racing, they can give you a great advantage over a tent user. 

There are many options available in modern times which offer a little bit of something in between. The biggest recommendation I can personally make is to look into the reviews of what other people say. If you can invest a little more in going with a big brand, it will make a difference. 

A Final Note: Bikepacking Tent Or Bivvy?

When it comes down to either a bikepacking tent or a bivvy, it really comes down to the situation you’re going into. Pick the best tool that will give you the best experience. Thanks for taking the time to read my article! 

If you enjoyed this article, you might like Bikepacking Routes: How To Plan Your Own, The Ultimate Bikepacking Kit List, and Dealing With Dogs When Bikepacking.