How 'Snug' Should Bivi Bag Be?

[CAL]

I recently got an Alpkit bivi bag (off here) and got around to trying it out today. However, its the first time i have used one and find in very snug and I'm not sure if its too small for me.

When I'm in it (thermarest type mattress, mummy sleeping bag) there is barely space to move my arms and the draw string hood area starts just under my arms and closes onto the bridge of my nose.

I'm thinking the bivi bag is too short for me as I expected the draw string hood to coincide or be above the hood on the sleeping bag.

If I do the hood up on the sleeping bag and do the hood up on the bivi bag I end up with a really restricted upper half of may face and an uncovered patch chin to upper chest.

Am I usng it wrong? For reference I'm 6ft 1" and medium build so maybe I need a longer bag?

Thanks,

Craig.

[The Cumbrian]

It's too small for you Craig. It might be sufficient if you're under a tarp as well, but if you're using it as a stand alone item then you'll have get a larger one. It might fit better if you take the thermarest out, but then you might roll off it.

Cheers, Michael.

[Leonidas]

Too small me thinks.
Always good to have a air gap and room to allow you and your clothes to breath.

Tom

[dwardo]

The military gortex bivi bag should see you right. The type of sleeping mat you use also makes a big difference, if its too wide it will eat up the space in the bivi.

[VirusKiller]

Alpkit make no secret of the Hunka being a "trim" bivvy bag which is why they also make the Hunka XL.

[andy_e]

I'm 6'1 of medium-ish build and while my hunka fits me, it is very snug - just big enough not to compress my sleeping bag. I don't put my mat in mine though. If they'd had the XL when I bought mine i would have gone for that instead.

[Noddy]

Most irritating bit about a too small bivvy is that the loft on your sleeping bag gets squashed leading to cold spots - hips, shoulders etc - which is a waker-upper.

The XL is the way. Pity is Alpkit seem to have pretty much ditched green as a colourway option this year

[CAL]

Thanks for that. I'll look out for an ex issue bag.

I bought this off another member on here cos it was a bit small for him. Looks like I'll be putting this up in the classifieds too.