Sleeping under the stars on an open hillside is one of our favourite experiences, but so is travelling as light as possible. So when Alpkit announced their latest bivvy bag as 'one of the lightest and most packable fully waterproof bivvy bags on the market,' we just knew it would fit with our requirements.
Weighing in at a papery 284 grammes including stuff sack and easily packing to 12cm diameter by 22cm the Kloke quickly became more than just a planned overnight item, it became a 'just in case' bivvy bag thrown into our hydration packs as a safety measure on hill days. Far better specced than any of our emergency bags, it would actually make for a relatively comfortable night if necessary.
Yes, the fabric is thin and fragile, of course it is - that is a given with ultralight gear - but it never felt in danger as long as we were sensible where we threw it onto the ground. Quick clean of the site for sharp stones and roots, yes, throw it down onto a sharp stick-infested forest floor, not so much.
Once in the bag there was plenty of room and - joy - a two way zip to allow easy management of the breathing gap when the weather was poor. Stern warnings threaded on the zips when warned of not zipping up completely - if you did it there is a fair chance it would neatly turn into a body bag...
There was even an impressive amount of room in the hood once settled in, and it easily had enough room for spare clothes and other bits and pieces.
Overall we loved the Kloke and, as mentioned, it has become part of our everyday kit list as a result of being so portable. It does need respect and care, but if you do it should be a terrific addition to your kit at a very reasonable price.
