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Despite my fondness for extended week-long treks and cross-country journeys, I still cherish the simplicity of brief overnight adventures close to home. For me, the allure of minimalist camping, carrying only the necessities, is just as exhilarating as a week-long hike. So, I was thrilled when Lifesystems approached me to try out their innovative Venture Solo Hooped Bivi, which promised reliable shelter without the bulk of a traditional tent.

Bivy bags offer adaptability, prioritising mobility and immersion in nature. They are preferred by hikers concerned about pack size and weight. Additionally, bivy bags serve as versatile supplements to tents or tarps, providing extra protection from the elements when needed. Their quick and efficient set-up makes them ideal for emergencies or stealth camping.

The Venture Solo Hooped Bivi features a sleek, minimalist design crafted with lightweight and durable 70D ripstop nylon. Its waterproof coating, reinforced seams, and ripstop nylon effectively shield against rain, wind, and abrasion. The bivy boasts a hydrostatic head of 11,000mm, ensuring reliable performance while maintaining a low weight and small pack size.

Breathability and waterproofing are essential when choosing a bivy bag for the often-rainy British weather. When I was a novice camper, my first wild camp was under a budget-friendly tarp in a bivy that was little more than a heavy-duty bin bag. That night was a suffocating and uncomfortable experience. I found that I had no choice but to sleep with the bag close to my face, and by morning, my sleeping bag was moist from my sweat and the condensation inside the bivy bag.

The Venture Solo Hooped Bivi addresses this issue with its built-in hoop design, effectively keeping the bag elevated from your face and reducing claustrophobia. The bivy's opening can be fully open, closed with mesh netting, or completely sealed for waterproof protection. The mesh netting option provides excellent breathability while keeping insects out. The hoop, breathable outer fabric, and mesh opening effectively minimise condensation.

Despite the bivy's breathability, I recommend using a synthetic sleeping bag over a down bag, as some condensation is unavoidable.

The Venture Solo Hooped Bivi excels with its quick and easy setup, taking less than a minute. Its four anchor points, two at the head and two at the foot help maintain the bag's structure. The hoop, secured by Velcro, is simple to attach, allowing for rapid setup at the end of a long day or ahead of a storm.

I’m 6 feet tall, prioritize sleep quality and opt for a larger sleeping pad for extra comfort and space. During my field testing, the regular-wide Rapide SL Insulated pad from Big Agnes fit perfectly in the bivy, leaving ample room for my small pack at the bottom.

I have since tried the bivi with an array of mats and found that unless you are using a particularly deep mat such as the NeoAir Topo Luxe (which, for context, is 10cm deep), your preferred mat size isn't going to be an issue with the Venture Solo Hooped Bivi.

The Venture Solo Hooped Bivi is a versatile companion for outdoor enthusiasts, whether embarking on an extended backpacking trip or competing in an ultralight adventure race. Its lightweight and compact design makes it ideal for solo expeditions or as a backup shelter in emergencies. The bivy bag can also be integrated into a modular shelter system, serving as a standalone shelter or enhancing tarp protection.

Andy Neil
Andy has been a keen long-distance hiker and wild camping enthusiast since he completed the Cleveland Way in 2015. Since then, he has walked thousands of trail miles all over the UK and is an active member of the Wild Camping UK community, being an admin of the largest wild camping community on Facebook. He strongly advocates for responsible wild camping and believes it is important to leave no trace when camping in the wilderness. He joined the UOG team in 2021 and works as a website developer and content creator. Read more from Andy Neil