Let’s start with yet another broken resolution. I find myself once again on an impossible trail, forced to climb… And I’m not turning back. But there’s almost no vegetation to force my way through, so my legs won’t end up bloodied. Not too far off from a little , health walk, really! Umm, how can I put this? With a photo!

Here I’m nearing the summit, but imagine climbing hundreds of meters of elevation gain in this way. Speed: less than one kilometer per hour… for an effort worthy of a legionnaire, or any total nutcase (like me – yeah, yeah, I know). My legs hurt a lot less than my upper body, my arms are completely stiff. After all the falls and bumps, the inevitable happened… I broke the other side of my luggage rack, which jammed my wheel. Does that remind you of anything? Once again, night is approaching and I decide to leave the bike behind to head to the nearest shelter, 5 km away. I’m carrying way too many bags to make good progress… But I don’t want to leave any food smells on the bike (bears, always bears).

I arrive just as the sun is setting.

I’m still in a nature reserve, Paklenica National Park. Here again, camping is strictly prohibited, and the area is patrolled. But the great thing is that there are unmanned cabins here that are true havens of peace. Judge for yourself : isn’t this paradise?

So the next morning, I set off again to retrieve my abandoned bike. I take the time to tie the bike down as tightly as possible with a rope. In the sailing world, where I come from, this rigging technique is called lashing!

It holds up for the descent, even while I’m carrying the bike. While I still have to be careful not to fall, it’s physically easier to handle. I’m singing ; I’m happy, even though it’s tough to descend from an altitude of 1,600 meters, which I’d worked so hard to reach, back down to 500… I’ve spotted a village with an auto repair shop that should be able to fix my bike rack. But before that, I find a rocky trail just the way I like it, perfect for a full-throttle descent all the way to the road. So I launch myself like a man possessed on a descent averaging 50 km/h. I needed those thrills so badly after all that hard work. God, it feels so good!! I even treat myself to a few jumps, which I admit is completely idiotic (sorry, Bébert, my trusty bike).

When I arrived in the village, I showed up at the mechanic’s shop, filthy and smelly. But hey, speaking of smells! I’m trying to document my entire trip. EN-TI-RE. Right down to the smells (at least the flies are enjoying it)…

Let’s get back to my new buddies, the mechanics. Just as dirty as I am, we seem to recognize and like each other right away. The boss, a bit of a joker with a twinkle in his eye, wins me over immediately. He’s really good at mimicking my French accent, and he makes me laugh heartily. Exhausted, with my clothes, face, hands, and legs caked in grime, I blend right into the background as I go lie down against the pillar in the entrance. While they work on my bike, I savor the moment. Exhausted, I finally get some rest, eat the sweets they bring me, and revel in the rough-and-tumble language of one of the mechanics. I don’t understand a word of it, of course, but there’s no doubt he’s mad at his engine. I’m overjoyed! Happiness isn’t always where you expect it to be.

With the bike back in working order, I find a campground. And the height of luxury, I’m sleeping in a trailer. I’ll be able to rest and think about what comes next. I absolutely have to change course ; I can’t keep going like this. My legs are covered in bruises, but I’ve always loved rainbows. No, the real problem is that my bike won’t last much longer at this rate. I decide to head due north, rather than east, all the way to Bosnia, which I’ll reach sooner than expected. I’m still in the Dinaric Alps, but the mountains are less steep, and I should find trails that actually look like trails. In particular, I’ll follow the Green Trail of the Via Dinarica. So be it!

Goodbye, Siddha! A German woman who’s been staying at her friend’s campground since August. We really hit it off and had some great conversations. I owe her some invaluable advice. Up until this point in the trip, I hadn’t dared to film or take photos of people. I was afraid of being intrusive, of taking something from them, basically. But she made me realize that I could simply ask. So I’ll do that from now on, making it very clear that my request is in no way mandatory. Thank you, my friend!

The closer I get to Bosnia, the more the landscapes change. And above all, the poverty becomes more apparent. Over there, the minimum wage is barely more than 500 euros (560 $), while the cost of living is relatively high. There’s little tourism, the economy is sluggish, in short, it’s a completely different reality. But I’m not there yet. For now, I’ve just climbed a long, rocky trail, lost in the mountains. Even though it’s fall, the sun has been beating down on me all morning. And what a relief, here’s the forest, right at the pass before the descent. A charming, shady spot, perfect for a break. I need to eat something and rest a bit. But I don’t understand, I feel uneasy here. I look all around, but nothing explains this bad feeling. So much so that I hesitate for a full five minutes before deciding to take my break anyway. Not a minute goes by before a huge Jeep comes barreling up, right in front of me. A cop gets out, nervous and aggressive. He barks at me, demanding to know if I’ve seen anyone, people who look like migrants. He’s on the hunt. After insisting heavily, he drives off, still at full speed. A few moments later, he comes back the other way, in a cloud of dust. And me? Well, I grab my stuff and get the hell out of here!!

The next leg of the adventure will take me to Bosnia, a country where I’ll end up spending much more time than I’d planned. But I can already tell you that I love this country.

See you soon, and poljupci poljupci (kisses kisses, in the local style) ♥️😘

From Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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I’m finally leaving Venice on September 17, and to put it mildly, my butt is on fire! It was about time to get going! Even the sky seems so moved that it’s weeping. But hey, a little restraint, please! Two thunderstorms and five hours of pouring rain, that’s enough, right? Well, now my butt is REALLY on fire (the skin’s raw, ow, ow ow). Eight hours of chafing from soaked cycling shorts is more than my butt can handle this early in the trip!

I’m overjoyed to have crossed this first border! On a bike, that’s no small feat, and I’m already thinking about the next ones… which I hope will be many! As for Slovenia, I’ve decided to take the shortest route through it. I was lucky enough to cross it on foot a few years ago. Far from claiming to know it well enough already, I nevertheless have limited time. So I’ve decided to focus on the rest of the Balkans.

As soon as I enter Slovenia, the elevation gains skyrocket. But on the pavement, it’s almost easy. Once I arrive in Croatia, the scenery changes dramatically. The good weather and my joy keep me going.

Joy, did I mention? Well, right now, it’s an absolute blast! Both for me and for these little Croatians, who are crazy about mountain biking. When they see me coming on my bike, loaded down like a pack mule, with a camera on my helmet, they immediately get all excited. I film them, we have a great laugh. Thanks, kids!

The next day, I’m bursting with anticipation. In a few hours, I’ll finally reach the hiking trail I came here to find: the White Trail of the Via Dinarica. Luckily, at that moment, I still don’t know what’s in store for me… The Via Dinarica is a long-distance hiking route, known for being difficult and poorly marked. The White Trail is the most alpine and the most challenging. Difficult and poorly marked? You can say that again!

I have to force my way through the vegetation, lift my bike over numerous fallen trees, and climb rocky sections. All of this on a mountain bike that must weigh 40 kilos, including my supplies.

It’s Sunday, and I run into several hikers. At first, they all look at me in shock… What the heck is this weirdo doing here with his bike? And how on earth did he even get this far!? Well, buddy, it’s just like when you’re struggling in life: one step at a time. Most of them are armed with bear spray and confirm that there are plenty of bears in the area. No surprise there… But what I learn, and what really sends a chill down my spine, is the strict enforcement against camping. The consequence? A €2,500 fine -> nothing left but my tears -> end of the adventure.

I reached the summit after five hours of struggling, falling countless times while carrying the bike, my legs scraped raw. Shortly before that, my bike rack had broken, and I’d had to improvise a makeshift repair (in a hurry to get out of there before nightfall). Since it was blocking my rear wheel, I couldn’t even push the bike anymore. Never mind, I’m finally at the top, and the view is magnificent. So I take a deep breath and soak up some positive energy. If I still had water, I’d find a secluded spot to sleep, and to hell with the bears. But I’m starting to get seriously dehydrated.

What follows is a race against the clock; I have an hour and a half left before nightfall. I make it to the bottom just in time, completely exhausted. What happened next, I owe to an angel. I’d met Marko that morning. He was a cyclist who’d stopped at a mountain pass, and I went over to ask him where I could find water. No water, but a warm smile and a heart of gold. He offered to let me stay at his vacation home. Come on! No need! Everything’s fine! I’m going to camp out tonight (yeah, right…)! I thanked him properly and took his number anyway.

It was a good thing I did. Marko and his wife Vania did everything they could for the miserable, down-and-out adventurer that I was. They fed me, gave me a comfortable bed, and a nice hot shower. Above all, even though I felt a little awkward about their generosity, they made me feel completely at ease. It was also a chance to talk about Croatia, France, our respective lives, and life in general. Thank you, my friends, I won’t forget you anytime soon!

The next day, I found a mechanic who fixed my bike rack. I’m ready for the next leg of my adventure, yay! I’m heading back to the Via Dinarica White Trail and the Velebit Nature Reserve.

The scenery is gorgeous, and I can sometimes see the Adriatic Sea. I’ll admit, I often have to push, but at least I don’t have to carry anything.

I also treat myself to some rides, just the way I like them!

I promised myself I’d turn back if I ever found myself on a trail that isn’t really a trail, where I might end up getting beaten up again… And I also promised myself I wouldn’t sleep in the woods in areas where there are bears. Oops, oops… I won’t be keeping any of those fine resolutions.

Starting with this campout in the forest. It’s beautiful and peaceful (for now), and I’m well hidden from the park rangers. The same can’t be said for the bears, of course. But I have a good feeling about this spot, so I’m staying. Around 11 p.m., I hear a hell of a racket in the trees. The animal is big; its movements are heavy. And when I hear its growls, I have no doubt left. I record it with my camera, but the footage is poor. The most surprising thing about that moment is that I feel no fear at all. There’s a bear 20 meters away from me, and I feel safe. Recklessness? I doubt it. I’m lucky enough, despite all my flaws, to have one quality I know I can count on: intuition. Especially since it sharpens while I’m traveling. Once the bear was gone, I fell into a deep, restful sleep until morning.

A little while later, I’ll have proof that my intuition works well. This time, my internal alarm will warn me of a danger that would otherwise be undetectable. But that’s a story for next time (which will come much sooner than this first post)!

With love, from Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mwah 😘🫶

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An emergency bivy bag… What’s the point for camping?

2. Protection against wind and moisture

This is a major advantage. It will keep you dry in case of excessive moisture while sleeping in a tent or under the stars.

3. The use of an emergency bivouac sack (and not just the name)

A bivy can serve as an emergency shelter. For example, if you’re injured and unable to set up a tent. Or if you don’t have camping gear, you can slip it into your backpack for day hikes.

Escape Lite Bivvy: quick overview

Designed by the brand SOL (Survive Outdoor Longer), it offers the following features:

• Weight: 155 g
• Material: olefin fabric with a metallic coating
• Thermal reflectivity: 70%
• Windproof
• Waterproof
• Breathable
• Reusable (unlike a traditional survival blanket).

On paper, this is an ultra-lightweight product that looks very promising. Now let’s see how it actually performs in the field, under varied and long-term use.

Field-tested SOL Escape Lite Bivvy review

In the field, the temperature gain provided by the Escape Lite Bivvy is very noticeable. When paired with a warm sleeping bag liner, I can confirm a comfort temperature gain of at least +10°C. This allows you to use a lighter down sleeping bag or gain greater versatility.

A key component of my sleeping system, offering great versatility

I never use my emergency bivy bag on its own. Here’s the sleeping gear I’ve used it with over these four years of testing:

• A 0°C down sleeping bag (entry-level/mid-range)
• A thermal sleeping bag liner (Sea to Summit)
• An insulated air mattress

The result is a system capable of covering a huge range:

• From -10°C (or even lower)
• Up to warm nights

An overbag to handle adverse conditions

Used as a third layer (over the down sleeping bag), a bivy cover protects you from the elements. Excessive, ever-present moisture, or a tent that leaks, are common occurrences when bivouacking. I bet you haven’t always stayed dry during your camping trips, have you? I’ve been completely soaked before… Like during a big storm when my bivouac area turned into a giant river. With your sleeping bag protected inside the bivy, you’ll avoid a dangerous situation. A soaked down sleeping bag offers no protection at all. If temperatures drop below freezing, you can’t fall asleep or you risk hypothermia. Yes, nothing less!

Sleeping bag protection for cowboy camping

A water-resistant bivy liner lets you sleep under the stars. When the weather is good and the setting is inviting, it offers a unique pleasure. Sleeping in a tent, even without the flysheet, cuts you off from the outside world. And while this creates a protective cocoon, it also limits your experience of nature. Finally, sleeping without a shelter or bivy is possible in good weather, that’s true. But then you can be sure your down will be soaked with dew in the morning.

Comfort and ease of use

Unlike a survival blanket, the SOL Escape Lite Bivvy isn’t noisy. Its wide, rectangular, non-sarcophagus shape offers enough volume to hold the sleeping bag. The material is soft and feels quite pleasant to the touch. Note, however, that I’ve always used it with clothes on, never directly against the skin.

Durability and ease of care

A major plus: it’s reusable, durable, and easy to maintain. I’ve machine-washed mine several times (on the delicate cycle without spin). And after 4 years, it’s still in good condition.

Limitations of the product and the test

Limited breathability

Yes, the synthetic fibers used are breathable… But there’s always a bit of condensation. Nevertheless, this is a physical trade-off, not a flaw. The more windproof a material is, the less breathable it is.

Limitations of the test

I did not use my emergency bivy sack on its own, nor in the rain. In addition to its water-repellent properties, which I did not test under these conditions, note the lack of a hood. Furthermore, the brand does not provide any numerical values for waterproofing, such as mm Schmerber (water column). I therefore doubt its ability to protect you during a heavy downpour.

SOL Escape Lite Bivvy vs other bivy sacks: comparison chart

To complete this SOL Escape Lite Bivvy review, I’ve compared it with its main competitors.

Sources for the table: Manufacturer data, user feedback from the outdoors (trekking/bikepacking forums), and field tests combined with my own experience.

In conclusion, I highly recommend the Escape Lite Bivvy if you’re looking to make your sleep system more versatile. If you’re reading this SOL Escape Lite Bivvy review to find out whether it’s worth buying, my answer is yes. That said, I wouldn’t consider it a fully waterproof bivy capable of replacing a tent in sustained rain. After four years of use, my opinion of the Escape Lite Bivvy hasn’t changed. It has become an essential part of my camping gear. At just 155 grams, it significantly extends the performance and versatility of my sleeping bag. And if you’d like to learn how to choose a sleeping bag, I’ve written this guide for you!

The post SOL Escape Lite Bivvy: my independent review after 4 years of testing appeared first on Dreams Can Be Real.

Down vs synthetic sleeping bag: which one should you choose?

In my opinion, the deciding factor is the type of trips you take. A synthetic sleeping bag is preferable for humid conditions. This is a no-brainer for sailing at sea or for trips without a tent.

Choosing the right sleeping bag size

The size of your sleeping bag is a parameter that should not be overlooked. Your sleeping bag must be large enough to allow you to close the hood completely over your head. In practical terms, this means you must be able to pull it down all the way to your nose. This will be especially important on nights when you encounter less than ideal weather. Why? Because the nose is a point of entry for cold air, making you more sensitive to it. Conversely, if it’s too large, you’ll lose some of its thermal insulation.
 
But be careful, don’t follow the manufacturers’ recommendations! They have a bad habit of giving sizes that are larger than they should be. A “regular” size for someone 1.80 m tall, for example… Whereas for someone over 1.75 m, you should go up a size. So, I’m going to give you a simple and foolproof guideline. To estimate the right size for your sleeping bag, add 30 to 35 cm to your height. Are you 1.80 m tall? Your sleeping bag should measure between 210 and 215 cm, quite simply.

Finding the right temperature for your trekking sleeping bag

Comfort vs. comfort limit: pay attention to the temperature rating

These definitions are crucial:

• Comfort temperature: a woman weighing 60 kg sleeps comfortably.
• Comfort limit: a 70 kg man starts to get cold, and camping is no longer a leisurely stroll…
• Extreme: Hypothermia limit, absolutely avoid!

The temperature you should consider when choosing your sleeping bag is the comfort temperature. However, some brands confuse the issue by highlighting the comfort limit temperature. This temperature can be given in either Celsius or Fahrenheit. So be sure to check which temperature it is and in which unit.

What temperature for your trip?

Here are some guidelines based on your upcoming itineraries:

• Hiking sleeping bag for spring/summer/autumn (excluding high mountains, average altitude above 2000m): Around 0°C comfort. This applies to most situations. In France, this is the case for long-distance hiking trails like the GR5 or GR20, for example. Elsewhere, for most of the world’s major thru-hikes, such as the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in the US, a 5°C comfort rating will suffice. For lower mountain trails, like the Camino de Santiago, a 5°C comfort rating will be sufficient.
• Mountain sleeping bag for winter bivouacs: -10 to -20°C comfort rating.

Note that these temperatures should be adjusted according to your personal sensitivity. But also… the brand! Testing protocols and standards vary, and this can lead to significant differences. For an accurate assessment, you will need to compare the fill power (CUIN). We’ll look at that shortly. But first, let’s see what other factors to consider to stay warm while camping.

Key details to consider when choosing a sleeping bag

Here are the details that are important for your selection:

• The shape. The most efficient shape for warmth is the mummy shape.
• The fabric quality. It can be more or less water-repellent or waterproof.
• The zipper length. The shorter the zipper, the more insulation you gain, but the more breathability you lose

Down quality and fill power explained

CUIN, or fill power: what does this rating mean?

The quality of the down is what determines the warmth of a down sleeping bag. Fill power is a measure of the loft of the down. It is measured in CUIN (Cubic Inches). Fill power is one of the best ways to compare down sleeping bags from different brands. The higher the fill power, the less down is needed to fill the sleeping bag, making it lighter.

Here is an example of the weight of a 0°C comfort sleeping bag depending on the quality of its down:

• 500 grams all included for a very high-end bag with over 850 CUIN
• 850 g for a mid-range 750 CUIN down sleeping bag
• 1100 g and above for a low-end 650 CUIN down sleeping bag

But beware of the trap! There are two standards for evaluating down quality:

• The European standard: EN 12130
• The American standard: IDFB

The tricky part is that these two standards are not equivalent. It is estimated that the European standard EN 12130 is 5 to 10% stricter than the American IDFB standard. So be careful if you are comparing two models from two different brands.

Responsible down standard (RDS) certification: animal welfare

Fortunately, there is a standard to guarantee that geese and ducks are not mistreated. This is the RDS standard, and here’s what it guarantees:

• No live plucking
• No force-feeding
• Animals raised in humane conditions
• Complete traceability of the supply chain, from farm to finished product.

How to choose the best sleeping bag for your needs: final tips

Now you know how to choose the right sleeping bag for your needs. Keep in mind that your sleeping bag will last for years. So be careful not to fall into the trap of choosing one based solely on your next trip.

If your expeditions involve significant temperature variations, you might need two sleeping bags. Otherwise, a thermal sleeping bag liner can provide temporary protection in case of harsher temperatures. This is the solution I’ve used for several years, along with a warm sleeping bag liner. This also has the advantage of keeping your sleeping bag much less dirty. When backpacking, sleeping in dirty clothes is a common occurrence. Finally, you can use it alone in very hot weather. The same applies if you’re sleeping in a mountain hut, where it’s often mandatory.

One last tip from my experience: use an ultralight bivy bag in addition to your sleeping bag and sleeping bag liner. This is an emergency bivouac bag that reflects body heat, much like a survival blanket. When used with a thermal sleeping bag liner, it can increase the comfort temperature by more than 10°C. Last but not least, it’s waterproof, windproof, and slightly breathable, allowing you to enjoy the pleasures of bivouacking under the stars.

These two small items make my camping gear much more versatile. Since they’re so lightweight, I always pack them in my backpack or panniers before setting out. Check out my unbiased review of the Escape Lite Bivvy SOL, after years of trekking and bikepacking use.

The post How to choose a sleeping bag: everything you need to know… and avoid! appeared first on Dreams Can Be Real.