Most people think bivouacking means a night of discomfort—hard ground, little protection, and a sore back and muscles by morning. After we bivouacked using our Disc-O-Bed™ Bunk Bed and the Disc-O-Bed™ Single Cot, we learned that off-grid camping can feel more like home than hardship. With smart planning, the right bivouac gear, and a little creativity, minimalist camping becomes a cozy adventure rather than a challenge to endure.
So, what is bivouacking, and why do campers choose it?
At its core, bivouacking is setting up a temporary outdoor camp, often without a traditional tent. It is rooted in survival skills and used by hikers, climbers, and soldiers who rest wherever nature allows. The bivouacked definition includes minimal shelter, a quick setup, and carrying only what you truly need. It emphasizes function over form, which is exactly why gear choices are so important.
While it traditionally meant sleeping on the ground wrapped in a bag or tarp, today’s adventurers blend comfort with the classic bivouac approach. Thanks to products like our Disc-O-Bed™, campers can enjoy the freedom of off-grid living without sacrificing sleep or support.
When choosing to bivouac, you require a sleep system that can keep you dry, comfortable, and organized in varied terrain. Our Disc-O-Bed™ provides all that and more. This robust cot system is designed for durability and adaptability. A strong steel frame that stands securely on uneven and soft ground, and a 3-in-1 setup allows for a transformation into two single cots, a bunk bed, or a bench.
Made from high-grade 600D PU-coated polyester, each sleeping surface provides excellent support while remaining water-resistant and easy to clean. This material does not stretch, sag, or tear. Unbelievably durable and extremely comfortable with a weight tolerance of 500 lbs (227 kg) per single cot, this is the ready sleep solution for all. There is no need for a mattress and no annoying center bar to cause aches and pains.
The system features a modular design that makes setup quick and easy—no tools required. Packing up is just as simple: the cots can be disassembled effortlessly and stored in the included compact carry bag, making it perfect for mobile or spontaneous bivouac camps.
Its frame is powder-coated to resist scratches and dents, and anti-rust treated to prevent rust and wear. It is built to last season after season, and year after year, even in humid or wet conditions. Our Disc-O-Bed™ adds comfort without compromising on the core values of minimalist camping.
In places where space is tight or when solo adventuring, our Disc-O-Bed™ Single Cot is the ideal camping gear. Unlike other cots that wobble or sag, our cots provide a firm sleeping platform with a compact footprint, stable and grounded during wind or uneven terrain.
The same firm, strong fabric supports your body evenly throughout the night, and just like our other models, it packs into a convenient carry bag. What we loved most is how it fits neatly in small tents or bivouac shelters while still elevating you off the ground, keeping moisture, bugs, and cold from interfering with rest.
In remote areas where quality sleep is a high priority, our Disc-O-Bed™ Single Cot has proven itself reliable again and again. For those exploring what it means to bivouac with ease, this cot delivers all the essentials of great gear in a lightweight, compact form.
The key to a great bivouac is having a plan and sticking to the basics. Shelter, sleep, and warmth are vital. With our Disc-O-Bed™ setups, build your shelter around what you have—simple tarps, trees for tie-offs, and a flat area to position our cots. Your loadout is lighter, and camp setup is faster, as you do not need sleeping pads or tent floors.
Add the Disc-O-Bed Mosquito Net and Frame to your bivouac setup. It offers full insect protection with a fine mesh canopy surrounding your Disc-O-Bed™ bunk, it is fully collapsible and easily packed into a compact carry bag for convenient transport and storage.
In many ways, you can practice true minimalist camping, but without the discomfort so many associate with the term. You can bivouac in dry valleys, pine forests, and even riverside clearings. Each night is quiet and peaceful, without the stiffness and dampness that define your earlier bivouac trips.
Before setting up camp in remote areas, it is essential to understand the rules and regulations. Wildlife concerns or conservation efforts sometimes limit bivouacking. Always check local park or land use guidelines to ensure your setup is legal. Part of the bivouacking is being respectful of the land—leave no trace, pack up everything, and keep fires contained or avoided altogether.
With a cot-based setup like ours, the impact on the ground is minimal. Our Disc-O-Bed™ does not flatten vegetation or compress soil the way sleeping directly on the ground would. That is another reason to love our Disc-O-Bed™—it allows you to camp with a smaller footprint while enhancing comfort.
Once you have bivouacked with gear that supports you—literally and figuratively—it is difficult to return to ground sleeping or overly bulky, cumbersome tents. Our Disc-O-Bed™ and Disc-O-Bed™ Single Cot give the confidence to explore further while sleeping better.
From quick overnight treks to extended backwoods stays, these cots prove that bivouacking can be more than just surviving—it can be a relaxing and rewarding way to connect with the outdoors. They blend the compact needs of bivouac gear with the strength and support of premium camping gear.
If curious about trying bivouacking but worried about comfort, give our Disc-O-Bed™ sleeping system a chance. Experience the freedom of minimalist camping without sacrificing good sleep. And once you have bivouacked in comfort, there is no turning back.