🏕️ Bivouac: essential accessories not to forget

Going on a bivouac is a chance to enjoy a wild escape, far from noise and screens. But to ensure the adventure remains a pleasure, it's best not to forget anything. Here's a simple and effective checklist of essential gear to bring for sleeping, cooking, eating, and staying safe in the great outdoors.

🛌 Sleeping

Sleeping well in the great outdoors depends on three factors: insulation, temperature, and compactness. The mattress, duvet, and shelter combination must be consistent with the season and the terrain.

• Lightweight tent or tarp, depending on the level of autonomy you're looking for. Check out Samaya if you're looking for a high-quality product!
• Sleeping bag suitable for nighttime temperatures (generally -5 to +10°C comfort).
• Inflatable mattress or foam to insulate yourself from the ground.

🔥 The kitchen and fire

Preparing a hot meal or boiling water is often a luxury when camping. You need a minimal but reliable kit.

• Compact and stable gas or alcohol stove. The well-known Jetboil is the Rolls Royce of camping.
• Stainless steel or titanium cooking pot with lid (saves time and fuel).
• Lighter, waterproof matches or flint for stress-free lighting (like the Leatherman Signal multitool for example).

🍲 Eat eat eat (and drink)

Food autonomy begins with good planning. Choose light, easy-to-cook, and easily digestible foods... like ours!

• Freeze-dried meals : organic, complete, tasty, they can be taken anywhere.
• Energy bars : made from natural ingredients, easy to digest during exercise.
• Water bottle or water pouch (1.5 to 2 L) + purification tablets if necessary.
• Protein bars for recovery in case of a slump or a big hike

🎒 Transport and organization

Everything should fit in your bag, be cleverly organized, and easy to access, even at night. Organization is key to ensuring nothing gets lost.

• 30 to 50 L backpack with chest strap and belt.
• Waterproof bags for compartmentalizing and protecting (food, clothing, electronics).
• Small rechargeable headlamp, with red mode for nighttime use. Check out Petzl , the benchmark in headlamps.

🧤 Protection and comfort

The weather can change quickly. Having enough cover, staying dry, and treating injuries can help keep your spirits up.

• Waterproof and windproof jacket.
• Dry change of clothes (socks, base layer).
• Small first aid kit: bandages, disinfectant, bandage, essential pills.

🧼 Hygiene and waste

Even in nature, we can limit our impact. Today, there are many compact, lightweight, and eco-friendly solutions.

• Biodegradable soap or compostable wipes.
• Minimalist kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper).
• Garbage bag to take all your waste back down (even biodegradable waste).

📱 Orientation and safety

Depending on the area, you may lose your network or your bearings. It's best to plan for a backup solution.

• Paper map or offline GPS app.
• Charged phone + external battery.
• Whistle or beacon if needed.
  
• ...and watch out for bears

Still reading? Read our article and our advice " How to set up your bivouac "