Adventure Medical Kits Heatsheets Emergency Bivvy

I bought this for a forthcoming Mountain marathon because I only had a foil blanket and not a bag as specified in the kit list. It is very light - about 100g and about the size of an apple, so hardly noticeable in terms of space and weight.

I have had one of these sitting with the emergency kit in my Dakine Poacher for several years. Last week I had to use it in earnest; a bivvy on a rock and ice ridge above the Saleina Glacier. It was absolutely essential and I will always ensure mine is with me in future. So small and light as to be negligible. I survived quite comfortably at 3000m and -8degC. Regrettably I had left my Annapurna Duvet in the valley, to save weight, but a ME Zero waistcoat helped. The bag is surprisingly strong; I wore my ski mountaineering boots inside it. There are a couple of small holes from rocks, not the boots, but those will easily repair with gaffer tape. Lack of breathability not an issue. The only thing I need to experiment with is how to keep the top sealed up without holding on to it all night. There is no drawstring - fair enough - but a piece of elasticated cord in the bag with it might be handy. Maybe seems expensive, but I wouldn't think twice about buying one of these, given my experience with it. Of course, ground insulation is also essential. A rope helped me. I will also now add a small piece of closed cell foam to my emergency gear; always handy for rest stops, anyway.

Received quicker than advertised, commsfrom Facewest good thoughout. Not had chance (thankfully) to use yet but material and product look and feel reasonable quality. Can't give 5 till had chance to use.

Bought as back-up emergency kit for mountain leader group use. Small enough to slip into a pack without the bulk and weight of afull sized bivvy bag. Pros: reflective surface better than normal plastic bivvy bags, low weight and very packable pack size. Cons: slightly expensive otherwise none to mention. Haven't tried re-packing and re-using it after 'serious' use but hoping it will stand up to this and still be usable.

Absolutely brilliant and essential. I had been meaning to get one of these for ages, but didn't want any extra weight. Now I know how good these are for so little weight, I take it everywhere. I have used it to have lunch in, in freezing conditions on the Cairngorm plateau, kept the Mrs warm on a breezy rest stop and lent it to a struggling stranger who was unprepared and cold. It always performs well, folds up easily and goes back in it's stuff sack, no problem at all. I'm so glad I didn't get a cheap one. These are worth every penny and a real life saver. Brilliant and highly recommended.