SOL Escape Bivvy (hood) review
By Tom Calder
Key specs
The maker's figures.
- Type
- Breathable emergency bivvy
- Warmth
- Reflects up to 70% of body heat (maker)
- Notes
- Breathable; hood
Breathable, so you don't wake up damp from your own condensation the way you can in a foil bag, with a hood. A step up from a foil blanket for a car or go-bag.
- Best for
- A reusable bivvy you can sleep in
- Skip it if
- You only want the smallest, lightest option
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Researched, not used. We haven't used this product. This review is built from the maker's specifications, owner reports and our own sizing.
What we like
- Breathable
- Hood
- Reusable
Worth knowing
- Reflects less heat than a foil blanket (70%)
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Our review
The SOL Escape Bivvy is a breathable, reusable emergency sleep sack with a hood. SOL says it reflects 70% of radiated body heat and cuts condensation, and lists the Regular at 84 by 31 inches and 8.5 ounces. It suits a car kit or cold-weather go-bag better than a foil blanket, though it reflects less heat.
What the Escape Bivvy is
The Escape Bivvy is a sack you climb into, made from SOL's Escape ThermaShell fabric. SOL describes that as a specialized spunbonded olefin fabric with a metalized coating, and calls it the most durable material in its range for resisting punctures and tears. It comes in orange, green and gray, in Regular and XL.
SOL's pitch is breathability. Foil bags trap the moisture you give off, so you can end up damp. SOL says this fabric lets moisture escape while keeping rain, snow and wind out, and that it cuts condensation. The hood has been enlarged in the current version for more warmth and protection.
Specs the maker publishes
SOL lists the Regular at 84 by 31 inches and 8.5 ounces, and the XL at 91 by 39 inches and 9.5 ounces. The XL is meant to give a taller person, or someone adding a sleeping bag, more room. SOL says the bivvy reflects 70% of radiated body heat and carries a 2-year warranty.
SOL also says the material is quiet and will not shred if punctured, which matters if it is stuffed in a pack or trunk for years and then used in the dark. Because it is reusable, you can sleep in it again, not just once.
Strengths and limits
It is light, packs small, and is not a one-night item. A hood and a body-length sack keep warm air around you better than a flat blanket that slips off.
The trade-off is heat reflection. At 70% it reflects less than the foil-style blankets and bivvies that quote higher figures, and SOL itself pitches this one as a breathable shelter, not a sleeping bag replacement. It is also a bag for one person, and it does not insulate by itself: the heat you keep comes from your own body and the clothing you wear inside it.
Cold-weather rules from CDC
CDC says to always carry extra warm clothing and blankets, and not to rely on a car to provide enough heat because the car could break down. If you get stranded, CDC says staying in your car is often the safest choice when winter storms bring poor visibility or ice, and advises wrapping your entire body, including your head, in extra clothing, blankets, or newspapers. It also says not to ignore shivering: it is an important first sign that your body is losing heat.
A bivvy is a good layer on top of that advice, not a substitute. Wear dry layers inside it, and see our stay-warm guide for home outages.
How it compares, and the verdict
On our emergency blanket and bivvy page, the SOL 90% Emergency Bivvy is the higher-reflectivity, smaller option, while the Go Time Gear Life Bivy is another sleep-sack style. Foil blankets pack smallest, and a proper sleeping bag is warmest for a long winter outage.
Verdict: a sensible, reusable upgrade from foil for a car or cold-weather bag, especially if you dislike waking up wet. Skip it if you want the smallest, lightest, lowest-cost shelter, or if you need real insulation for a long night outdoors, where a sleeping bag does the work.
A researched review, built from the maker's specs, manual and US listings; facts checked 2 Nov 2026. Sources: SOL: Escape Bivvy with Hood; CDC: Winter storm safety.
Who shouldn't buy this
Don't buy it if you only want the smallest, lightest option: a foil blanket packs smaller.
This is a Researched review: we haven't used this product. We check every specification against at least two independent sources, re-check the US price on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and say plainly who it isn't for. Commissions never change a rating.
If this isn’t the one
Best for A shelter-in-a-pocket for every bag
Read the review →Best for Real warmth for a cold house in an outage
See the comparison →Questions
How much heat does the SOL Escape Bivvy reflect?
SOL says it reflects 70% of radiated body heat. That is lower than SOL's 90% emergency bivvy, in exchange for a breathable fabric that is meant to cut condensation.
What size and weight is the Escape Bivvy?
SOL lists the Regular at 84 by 31 inches and 8.5 ounces, and the XL at 91 by 39 inches and 9.5 ounces. Pick the XL if you are tall or want to add a sleeping bag.
Is the Escape Bivvy reusable?
Yes. SOL describes its fabric as durable and tear-resistant, built for multiple adventures, and backs the bivvy with a 2-year warranty.
Is a bivvy enough if my car is stuck in a storm?
It helps, but CDC's advice is wider: carry extra warm clothing and blankets, stay in the car when visibility is poor, and wrap up your whole body, including your head.