Are these packable shelters a waste of time or a useful tool?
The use of bothy bags in the hills is largely limited to the UK and Scandinavia. They have never really gained popularity in other large outdoor markets such as the USA. This post is a quick opinion piece on the pro’s and cons, explaining why I do carry one and rate them as a very useful bit of kit.
What is a bothy bag
A bothy bag is a portable shelter for one up to twelve people. As opposed to a tent type structure the group pull the shelter over them whilst all sitting facing the centre, using their bodies to provide the structure to the shelter. This creates an enclosed space free from wind or rain. They are typically made of ripstop polyester or nylon to provide a very lightweight option for sheltering the group versus a conventional tent structure.
The case for – What are they good for?
There are several unique characteristics of the bothy bag that differentiate it from the main alternatives, i.e. a tarp shelter, bivvy bag or tent.
- Speed of deployment – As there are no poles or guylines required you can set it up in a matter of minutes.
- Can be used anywhere – Unlike a tarp which will always require some form of poles and pegging, a bothy bag can be used on any surface, ice, rock, sand.
- Provides shelter from every direction – As an enclosed structure you can operate a stove, eat your lunch or read a map in shelter from the wind or rain. This enclosed nature also means they do warm up to some degree unlike an open structure like a tarp.
- Social – They allow a group to shelter together. A bivvy bag can accomodate 1 or 2 at a push, even a large tarp a handful of people huddled together.
- Lightweight – There is no lighter way to provide enclosed shelter for multiple people. Typically a bothy bag may weigh 1-200g per person.
A wilderness shelter can have a few different use cases. For day trip type use where you just want a quick shelter for lunch or to rest as a group they are hard to beat, whilst doubling as a useful emergency shelter. As they are designed for sitting in, not lying down or sleeping in, they are not something you would plan to use for an overnighter.
The case againt – Condensation and discomfort
There is a popular YouTube video which highlights some of the cons of the bothy bag as a shelter but in doing so shows a bit of a misunderstanding of the primary use case. It’s definitely not the primary choice for overnighting. However these cons can be summarised as follows:
- Body contact with shelter. As you are the structure for the shelter you may be in direct contact with a flapping wet piece of nylon or polyester. In cold conditions this means you are not as well insulated as you might like to be. Not dissimilar to touching the side of a tent in cold conditions, you can feel the heat sucked out. You can mitigate this somewhat by leaning on your backpack, sit/sleep pad against the bothy bag, or propping walking poles appropriately.
- The sitting position is tiring for long periods if you don’t have back support. Where there is a large group using the shelter the fact that you are all leaning against the bag naturally provides some support. However for solo use or when maybe you are an adult with children it can be useful to find something to lean against. e.g. a large rock or log.
- Condensation. Even if they typically feature some venting, multiple people breathing in a large plastic shelter will mean condensation. Not a problem for a half an hour lunch stop but definitely for a prolonged stay.
- Flapping in high winds. The lack structure means that they can flap in windy conditions. As ever better than being sat in the elements, but not as relaxing a place to be as a well pitched tent.
As an overnight shelter, for use for prolonged periods, they are not really the right choice. But as ever far better than being out in the elements. I mentioned a YouTube test which highlighting the above problems. However to be sat without the bothy bag, exposed to the elements for the same time would have certainly generated high risk of hypothermia.
Conclusions and shelter comparison
Despite some cons I find the bothy bag a useful bit of kit. Especially where you are hiking in environments such as the UK uplands where due to lack of trees, and rocky ground, tarps are difficult and slow to erect effectively. They offer a quick solution for instant shelter, whether by choice or in an emergency, e.g. a twisted ankle. This speed an versatility means you have the choice of a convenient lunch shelter while others are huddled in the lashing rain behind a wall, as well as an option for emergencies.
However if you are planning on overnights or even several hours inside one they are not the ideal choice. The below table summarises my thoughts on the four key shelter options and when I would choose each. I do own and have used all four in the mountains. Scores are my opinion from 1 to 4 in preference.
| Bothy Bag | Tarp | Bivvy Bag | Tent | |
| Versatility | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Weight per person | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Protection from elements | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Comfort | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Ease of setup | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Sociability | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| Pack size | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| Best choice for | Typical day hiking in the hills as a sociable shelter option for all weathers with backup as an emergency shelter. | Lightweight and versatile tool, a favourite for fair weather overnighting. Versatility comes at a cost of effort in getting the setup right, especially in treeless areas with poor pegging. | Lightweight option for overnighting as an individual. Can be claustrophobic and downright miserable in the rain. | For longer trips with multiple overnights simply the best shelter choice, with the most protection and highest level of comfort. |
The above hopefully gives a reason on the circumstances where I would opt for each option. Also perhaps some insight into why they work well in the UK. The UK with it’s relatively “small” wilderness, lack of wild camping permissions and treeless upland areas creates a natural emphasis on day hikes. The USA with much bigger scale and wildness seems to lend itself to overnighters. If you are planning on overnighting you would be carrying a tarp/ tent or bivvy so a bothy would just not make a lot of sense.
I would love to hear other thoughts on this so feel free to leave a comment.