Tarps, basha shelters and bivi bags for sleeping out with the minimum of kit. Lightweight waterproof tarps from DD Hammocks, Kelty and Highlander, now joined by bivvy bags from Snugpak, Highlander and Sierra Designs.
There are two ways to sleep out here, and they work best together. A tarp, or basha as it is known in the military, is a waterproof sheet you pitch overhead with cord and pegs for rain and sun cover, packing far smaller than a tent. DD Hammocks tarps run from the compact S Tarp up to the 4x4m and XL for full coverage, and the Highlander basha is the classic HMTC military pattern.
A bivvy bag is the other half of the setup, a waterproof and breathable outer that goes over your sleeping bag so you can sleep straight on the ground under a tarp or the open sky. The Snugpak bivvi bags and the Highlander Kestrel and Hawk bivi bags suit UK field use, and the Sierra Designs Backcountry bivy bags are the lightweight backpacking option. However you spell it, bivvy, bivvi, bivi or bivy, it does the same job of keeping the weather off your bag.
Pair a tarp with a bivvy bag for a true minimalist shelter, or run a tarp over a hammock. For full enclosure see Tents & Accessories, and add a sleeping bag liner for extra warmth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a basha?
A basha is the military term for a tarp shelter, a sheet of waterproof material pitched with cord and pegs or poles to create overhead cover. It is used on its own, over a hammock, or with a bivvy bag.
What is a bivvy bag?
A bivvy bag, also spelled bivvi, bivi or bivy, is a waterproof, breathable outer cover for your sleeping bag. It adds weather protection and warmth and lets you sleep out under a tarp or the stars without a tent.
Do I need both a tarp and a bivvy bag?
They work well as a pair but each stands alone. A tarp gives overhead cover and a bivy bag protects your sleeping bag from the ground and weather. Together they make a light, packable shelter for wild camping and bushcraft.
