Bivouac tent: definition, setup & advantages – brands in the test and camping tips

Bivouac tent – quick protection on hikes with a bivouac tent!
Experienced campers know that you spend most of your time in the great outdoors when camping and that temperatures can therefore fluctuate from time to time.
Sudden rain showers or raging winds can turn your trip into an unpleasant experience.
So that you are prepared for anything and can enjoy a carefree time on your camping vacation with a roof tent even in bad weather, you should always have a bivouac tent with you in case of an emergency.
Find out more about the structure, advantages and different brands here.

Bivouac sack and tent: protected from the weather in a small space

Camping is becoming an increasingly popular vacation option for young and old alike.
If you want to experience the feeling of complete freedom and closeness to nature again, then you should grab your loved ones and set off on a camping adventure.
However, even in summer there can be sudden showers or storms.
To ensure that you are not only protected at the campsite, but also have an emergency plan for excursions and exploration tours on the go, you should also have a bivouac tent in your rucksack.
A bivouac tent offers you quick and easy weather protection in the event of an emergency! But what is a bivouac tent, which bivouac sack is the best and where is bivouacking allowed?

Definition: What is a bivouac tent?

Bivouac tents are the emergency plan for a quick place to sleep!
They usually consist of a 1-person tent and a bivouac sack and combine the advantages of both products.
This means that you have a sleeping bag with a small waterproof tent around you, so to speak, so that you can take a break anytime and anywhere if the weather or your tiredness demands it.
However, it only offers space for one person and is therefore only used for sleeping in.
You can’t sit or move around much in a bivouac tent.
Information about the bivouac tent:

  • Combination of 1-person tent and bivouac sack
  • Sleeping bag with waterproof tent
  • Space for one person
  • Weather protection for emergencies
  • Quick shelter for on the go

Which bivy sack?
Different brands in the test

There are also different types of bivouac tents that differ in size, material and features.
So which brand is right for you?
Here you will find recommended bivouac tent manufacturers to help you find the right tent for your next camping trip:

  • Vaude
  • Globetrotter
  • Hofer
  • Carinthia
  • Jack Wolfskin
  • Grand Canyon
  • Coleman
  • Geertop

Watch a review of 4 bivouac tents in this video.
Which brand proves to be the best?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ush3i8jN2mI

Where is bivouacking allowed?

In general, you can bivouac anywhere, as this is not prohibited.
However, you should avoid public areas and look for a more secluded spot.
The area should also not be used by farmers.
You can pitch your tent at any time, but you should always check beforehand whether it is forbidden to camp in this area, for example because it is on private land.
Otherwise, nothing stands in the way of your small but weatherproof sleeping area!
You should bear this in mind when bivouacking:

  • In general, you can bivouac anywhere where camping is permitted
  • Avoid private properties and public spaces

On longer hikes, you can simply carry your bivouac tent in your rucksack and have a shelter at the ready!

The bivouac tent for 1 person

The bivouac tent scores points because it hardly takes up any space and is lightweight, making it very easy to stow and transport.
The bivouac tent is a practical companion that should be carried in your rucksack on every trip, especially when the weather suddenly turns bad, but also on hiking trips in general.
It can be set up quickly and easily and provides stable weather protection for one person in just a few minutes.

That’s why a bivouac tent is a must-have

A bivouac tent is therefore particularly recommended for passionate solo campers who like to spend a lot of time in the great outdoors and regularly go on long hikes.
Due to its low weight and quick set-up, it is often packed along on camping trips so that it can be pitched in an emergency.
A bivouac tent offers you these advantages:

  • Low dead weight
  • Small pack size
  • Easy to store and transport
  • Simple structure
  • Stable and robust
  • Durable material
  • Withstands wind and water

How do you bivouac in nature? Video

So if you are often out in nature and like to make spontaneous stops, attach great importance to light luggage and are also satisfied with rather limited comfort for one night, then a bivouac tent is just the thing for you and should definitely be packed on your next camping trip!
Watch this video to find out everything you need to know about the popular bivouac tent and get instructions on how to set it up quickly and easily: https://youtu.be/pnTUIofsY3I

Reading tips! Basic equipment on the campsite

If you are going camping, there are also other types of tent that are recommended for all situations.
Here you will find more articles on the essential equipment you need for a camping vacation in the great outdoors.
What else do I need at the campsite?
To get an overview of useful accessories that you should generally have with you when camping, you can find a helpful packing list here.

Tarp: structure and advantages

Especially if you are an enthusiastic camper with a roof tent, it is a good idea to also pack a tarp tent.
This can be used individually as wind, rain or sun protection and is therefore ideal as an additional living area.
Whether as protection or additional space – a tarp is definitely a flexible must-have on the campsite and on hikes and should therefore not be missing on your next vacation. Read more here:

Trekking tent: compact and ultralight

A trekking tent also offers you a quick shelter for spontaneous stops.
Even if you are traveling from one campsite to the next with your roof tent, day trips can still be longer than planned.
A trekking tent is therefore the ideal companion, especially on longer hiking trips where you are equipped with a rucksack.
It is very light and has a small pack size so that it can be transported in a space-saving manner.
Find out all about the advantages, structure and variants here:

Rooftop tent: comfortable luxury when camping

Nevertheless, it is also nice to come back to the campsite in the evening and sleep in a comfortable roof tent.
While sleeping in a classic tent is a good solution for a short trip or in between, a rooftop tent is the perfect solution for sleeping even more comfortably and easily, allowing you to enjoy your time even more.
Read all about this comfortable and super practical camping option here:

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Offroad
Raised and extra stable for road and off-road… What do you do if you are traveling in regions with poor roads or drive an off-road vehicle or SUV whose dome height does not fit conventional trailers? The solution: the off-road tent trailer from CAMPWERK – specially developed for extreme conditions. This unique model impresses with a raised and particularly robust AL-KO chassis that can withstand even the most demanding off-road routes. The entire body is made of lightweight but sturdy aluminum, reinforced with durable stainless steel components. So you are perfectly equipped for any terrain.
Black / Silver
Available now: The CAMPWERK Offroader in the exclusive Black/Silver Edition CAMPWERK is expanding its range and now also offers the popular off-road tent trailer in the coveted Black/Silver Edition. The high-quality aluminium body is completely anodized in matt black, while the mudguards are powder-coated in elegant “Gun Silver Metal”. An absolute eye-catcher on any road and in any terrain!
The off-road trailer from CAMPWERK impresses with its lightweight construction: Thanks to the aluminum body, the base only weighs around 300 kg when empty. With a permissible total weight of 1.5 tons, it offers an impressive payload capacity of up to 1.2 tons – ideal for small excursions, transport and even larger expeditions.

Visually, the trailer blends in perfectly with the appearance of an off-road vehicle or SUV with its coarse-tread MT tires and robust, full-length aluminium mudguards. The mudguards are also designed in such a way that they are ideal for the safe transportation of petrol and water canisters or gas bottles.

To ensure flexibility, the off-roader’s tyres can be individually adapted to the towing vehicle on request, so that only one set of spare wheels is required. The standard ball head coupling can also be optionally replaced with a DIN or NATO eye.
T-drawbar or V-fork ?
Thousands of trailer drivers know the problem of tight spaces only too well: if you drive into a narrow lane and have to turn, it is important to back your car as far as possible against the trailer in order to get around the bend without any problems. With a T-drawbar, you can utilize the maximum steering angle. This is precisely why we at CAMPWERK rely on this tried-and-tested technology – for optimum flexibility and maneuverability, no matter how tight things get.
T-drawbar
V-fork
T-drawbar
V-fork
Chassis
  • Extra strong square T-drawbar 100x100mm for maximum stability and best maneuverability
  • Axle up to 1,500 kg with maintenance-free hexagonal rubber spring axle
  • Optionally with watertight wheel hub
  • 2 crossbars
  • The chassis is exclusively from the renowned manufacturer AL-KO, market leader in the car trailer and caravan sector
  • Safety indicator on the clutch
  • Independent suspension
Aluminum body
  • Our aluminium trailers are equipped with anodized aluminium profiles
  • double-walled anodized aluminium side panels 30mm, 440mm high
  • Large emergency lighting with integrated rear fog light
  • Equipped with balanced tires as standard
  • Base plate stable screen-printed base, non-slip
  • Complete M8 stainless steel screw connection (V2A stainless steel)
  • Electrical system: Supply cable (wiring harness) standard with 13-pin plug
  • Tailgate latches very elaborate, made entirely of stainless steel
Wheels
  • Black powder-coated steel rim
  • 235/85 R16 tires optionally adaptable to towing vehicle
  • Mud Terrain tire tread
  • Special wheel connection for your towing vehicle on request
Terrain values
  • 350 mm ground clearance
  • 570 mm wading depth
  • 27° slope angle
Equipped for every situation thanks to the versatile accessories...

Raised dropside

20L canister

Towbar adapter for bike carrier with coupling connection

2-4 bike racks

Anti-drag clutch

Onroad

The perfect solution for your camping adventure:
Road trailer with tent
Imagine a first-class equipped road trailer that is ideal for camping trips in Germany and the surrounding countries.
This trailer comes with a sturdy holding device for a matching tent that can be set up in no time at all.
The result is your mobile home – ready for unforgettable tours!

Your decisive advantage: you are ideally equipped for your vacation in a particularly cost-effective way. And when you’re not on the road, you can use the trailer as a conventional utility trailer. We offer you the road trailer in two versions, depending on your needs: An unbraked version with a permissible total weight of 750 kg and the braked version recommended by us with a permissible total weight of 1,300 kg.
10-year guarantee
Our trailer base was not created in the laboratory – it was made for the real world. The robust construction is optimized for tough conditions. Oversized axles and virtually indestructible aluminum frames ensure exceptional durability. We are the only supplier in Germany to give you a 10-year guarantee on this unique quality!
T-drawbar or V-fork ?
Thousands of trailer drivers know the problem of tight spaces only too well: if you drive into a narrow lane and have to turn, it is important to back your car as far as possible against the trailer in order to get around the bend without any problems. With a T-drawbar, you can utilize the maximum steering angle. This is precisely why we at CAMPWERK rely on this tried-and-tested technology – for optimum flexibility and maneuverability, no matter how tight things get.
T-drawbar
V-fork
T-drawbar
V-fork
Chassis
  • 2 crossbars
  • Maintenance-free rubber spring axles
  • Independent suspension
  • The chassis is exclusively from the renowned manufacturer AL-KO, market leader in the car trailer and caravan sector
  • Safety indicator on the clutch
Aluminum structure
  • Our aluminium trailers are equipped with anodized aluminium profiles
  • double-walled anodized aluminium side panels 30mm, 440mm high
  • Large emergency lighting with integrated rear fog light
  • Equipped with balanced tires as standard
  • Base plate stable screen-printed base, non-slip
  • Complete M8 stainless steel screw connection (V2A stainless steel)
  • Electrical system: Supply cable (wiring harness) standard with 13-pin plug
  • Tailgate latches very elaborate, made entirely of stainless steel
Equipped for every situation thanks to the versatile accessories...

Raised dropside

20L canister

Towbar adapter for bike carrier with coupling connection

2-4 bike racks

Anti-drag clutch

Material and processing.
The tent fabric of our trailer tents is made from a high-quality, 450 g blended fabric, also known as canvas. This unique combination of cotton and polyester combines the advantages of a natural fiber with those of a modern high-tech material. The result is a robust, breathable fabric that impresses with its pleasant feel and high dimensional stability.

The tent fabric, which is also used by the military, is impregnated and particularly tear-resistant thanks to the ripstop process. In this special weaving technique, thicker threads are woven into the fabric at intervals of around 10-15 millimetres, giving the fabric its characteristic tiled structure and exceptional tear resistance. It goes without saying that our fabrics are opaque and therefore offer optimum protection and privacy.
The basis of our trailer tents is a robust stainless steel frame with a thickness of 3×3 cm. A 1.8 cm thick, water-resistant wooden floor panel is securely fastened to this sturdy frame with stainless steel screws. The frame of the trailer tents is also made of galvanized steel tubing and special stainless steel components that ensure maximum stability. The modern surface finish not only offers a high level of corrosion protection, but also gives the material a pleasant feel and ensures a durable, weatherproof construction.
We rely exclusively on yarn from the German market leader Amann. Thanks to the combination of a cotton core and a high-tenacity polyester core, this yarn is characterized by a particularly high tensile strength and excellent water resistance.

On contact with water, the cotton coating swells and closes the seam holes created during sewing. For additional protection, all seams in the roof area are fitted with a transparent sealing strip to ensure maximum waterproofness.
Less is sometimes more.
We are often asked: What about the water column? For tent fabrics, the impermeability of the fabric is specified in the form of the water column. For cotton tents, this value is usually around 300 to 400 mm. However, our tent fabric offers an exceptionally high water column for cotton fabric of around 750 mm. This means that theoretically more than 75 cm of water can stand on the material before the first drops penetrate.

A major advantage of cotton as a natural raw material is its ability to swell when it gets damp, which provides additional waterproofing. In contrast, synthetic fabrics, which cannot swell, must have a much higher water column (between 3,000 and 10,000 mm, depending on the material) in order to achieve comparable waterproofness.
Good night.
The comfort sleep set consists of a high-quality visco foam mattress that adapts perfectly to the individual body shape, ensuring a restful night’s sleep. The set is complemented by the innovative Froli bed spring system, which guarantees an exceptional sleeping experience. Perfect sleeping comfort in a well thought-out overall package.
Premium mattress.
An excellent mattress is the basis for healthy and restful sleep. Just as every person is unique, their mattress should also be individually tailored to them.
Our premium mattress adapts perfectly to the contours of the body and promotes orthopaedically correct positioning of the spine. Thanks to targeted pressure relief, back muscles and intervertebral discs can relax optimally. The innovative construction and high-quality materials create an ideal sleeping environment.
There are no compromises at CAMPWERK: We rely on flexible visco foam with memory function. The unique combination of supportive foam core and relieving visco foam topper ensures maximum sleeping comfort.
  • Visco-elastic mattress.
  • High-quality Tencel® cover (38 % Tencel®, 62 % polyester).
  • Four practical turning loops.
  • Four-sided zipper.
  • Removable, divisible and washable.
  • Four practical turning loops.
Suspension.
Good ventilation is crucial for your well-being and sleep hygiene. To ensure maximum sleeping comfort, we combine our mattress with an innovative Froli slat base. The flexible spring elements form a comfortable slat base with individually adjustable firmness zones. This combination ensures orthopaedically correct positioning of the body and provides targeted, pressure-relieving support. This effectively prevents tension and one-sided strain. The open, air-permeable cells also enable optimum ventilation and create a healthy sleeping environment.
Are you allergic or do you have special health requirements? No problem! We cooperate with a renowned German mattress manufacturer to offer customized solutions. Simply contact us and together we will find the ideal mattress for your needs.