Bothy Bags and Emergency Shelter Advice
What is a bothy bag?
Bothy bags are essentially lightweight, compact and inexpensive shelters in the form of a giant nylon bag. They are often used by outdoor people in emergencies and even lunch stops. They are carried by people who will be walking, climbing, mountain biking and running in areas where they are unlikely to be able to get a warm, windproof, water resistant or waterproof shelter.
The benefits of bothy bags are clear to see. Bothy bags are superb emergency shelters, great for reassurance, very lightweight and are great for those just in case situations, whilst also giving yourself a break from the weather - and in UK's changeable weather, they're vital! That's why Mountain Rescue teams, walking guides, Scouts and other outdoor groups are particularly fond of them.
In the picture above you can see a 2 man bothy bag in use. Bothy bags come in a variety of different sizes to accommodate between 2 and 12 people.
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Bothy Bag Features
We know that the technical details of camping equipment and their technology is enough to flummox even the Einstein's amongst us, so here's a break-down of key features to consider to help you buy your next bothy bag.
Bothy Bag Materials
Because of the extreme weather and treatment that bothy bags get from being used as an impromptu shelter from the elements, it means that they must be made from resilient materials. Most good quality bothy bags, such as Terra Nova, are made from ripstop nylon, which, with inter-woven ripstop reinforcement threads in a crosshatch pattern, helps the material resist ripping or tearing. Ripstop nylon is also a very lightweight material, used in other products such as parachutes, hot air balloons and kites where strength and tenacity is vital. Bothy bags usually have taped seams to be water repellant or waterproof.
Bothy Bag Visibility
Some people think that if they have a bivi bag, then they do not need a bothy bag but they serve two different purposes. Bivi bags do not provide the high profile sides and high visibility that a bothy bag does.
With many items of outdoor gear, the more inconspicuous the better! Whereas when you're buying any sort of emergency or survival equipment, it's always a good idea to be seen with the use of bright, highly visible colours that stand-out from their surroundings. Bright yellow and red bothy bags are popular choices.
Windows
When waiting out the weather, bothy bag windows are a great way to keep your eye on the weather without letting the warmth out and cold in, whilst also keeping yourself entertained with eye-spy! Although, due to the weight of the polyurethane material, this is a luxury that is often not seen in ultralight or superlite bothy bags. Bothy bag windows also reduce the feeling of claustrophobia too. Some windows also have UV protection too.
Air Vents
As well as windows, it's certainly a benefit to have air vents, to help reduce condensation and reduce the feeling of claustrophobia with some airflow.
Bothy Bag Size
Bothy Bags come in a variety of different sizes, usually 2-12 persons. Get a bothy bag that's the right size for you, i.e. a bothy bag for 8 people, when you're using it with only 2 people will create a great deal of sag which will allow the rain to collect and wind to flap around. Although this can be avoided if you both sit far apart from each other, it does mean you will lose the benefits of warming a small space. So try to get the right size for the people that you're with, or maybe one more.
The other thin about bothy bag size is to consider the size on them packed down. See diagram below to give a general guide of a 2 man bothy bag.
...2 man bothy bags can weigh from as little as 230g to 360g, and be as small as 20cmx10cm. At this size, there's surely no reason not to carry one!
Bothy Bags & Walking Poles
Most bothy bags retain their shape by people leaning into the walls. An alternative is to use walking poles or sticks to prop up the corners.
Bothy Bag Seating
The bothy bag's sides come under the base to provide a 'seat' for you to keep yourself off the wet ground. They are not exactly a seat but rather a continuation of the bag material but always appreciated in the cold and wet!
Superlight / Superlite / Ultralight Bothy Bags
What ever you call them they're lightweight, compact and incredibly convenient. Superlite bothy bags are a great way for carrying the security of a bothy bag in your pack but at a 30-50% reduced weight. Bothy bags, such as the Terra Nova Superlite bothy bags, use a Si / Si (silicon) material, which is very lightweight, compact and water repellant.
Some luxuries on superlite bothy bags may have been removed such as walking pole sockets to prop your bothy bag up, and windows due to the extra weight of the polyurethane. Lightweight bothy bags are particularly popular with outdoor sports enthusiasts who like to travel light, such as mountain bikers, adventure runners and backpackers.
Essential Bothy Bags for Emergencies
Bothy bags are now regarded as a must-have item for emergency situations. It's always better to be prepared than wish you had. For the sake of a few hundred grams, it's not worth not having and they are incredibly affordable and durable too. Make sure you add a bothy bag on to your emergency kit list, along with your mountain whistle, head torch and fire starting aid, if you haven't already.
