A tough foil bivvy with a whistle and paracord thrown in. Ryan tested it in a trench shelter in the Bighorn Mountains. It scores 79 out of 100 and ranks #3 in our best emergency bivvy guide as our best survival extras.
Best Survival Extras
Go Time Gear Life Bivy
- Weight (our scale): 4.1 oz
- Packed size: 4.5 x 2.5 in
- Breathable: no
- Coldest night: 38°F
Bottom Line : Tough for a foil bivvy, with a loud whistle and paracord that earn their place. Damp inside by morning in a Bighorn trench shelter.
Pros
- Remarkably puncture resistant for foil
- 120 dB whistle and paracord drawstring
- Airtight and windproof
- Small: 4.5 x 2.5 in
Cons
- Heavy condensation, like any non-breathable bivvy
- Damp pant legs by morning
In the Bighorn Mountains
Ryan used the Go Time Gear bivvy at a September survival skills workshop in the Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming, sleeping in a trench shelter on damp forest floor at 38°F.
The reflective shell returned heat straight away, and with the bottom and sides sealed there were no drafts.
He pushed it through gravel and sticks and it only stretched. It weighed 4.1 oz and packed into a 4.5 by 2.5 inch cylinder.
Where It Asks Something of You
Heavy condensation. Moisture gathered on the inner lining and dampened his trouser legs by morning, as with any non-breathable foil bivvy.
Spec Sheet vs Our Test
Retains up to 90% of body heat. Go Time Gear says it retains up to 90% of body heat. It warmed Ryan quickly at 38°F, but like the other foil bivvies, it holds your sweat in too.
4.1 ounces. Go Time Gear says 4.1 oz, and that's what Ryan's scale said. That puts it in pocket territory with the SOL Emergency, so it can live in a day pack or glovebox without you noticing; it packed into a 4.5 by 2.5 inch cylinder.
120 decibel whistle and paracord. Go Time Gear includes a 120 dB whistle and paracord. Ryan rates them as practical additions, not gimmicks.
Should You Buy the Go Time Gear Life Bivy?
Yes, if you're building a survival kit and want a whistle and cord in the same small package as your bivvy. It was tougher than foil usually is, and it warmed Ryan quickly.
It won't keep you dry on a long night. For pocket size alone, the SOL Emergency Bivvy is a touch lighter; for a dry night, carry the breathable SOL Escape.
Compare With
- SOL Escape Bivvy: our best overall emergency bivvy.
- SOL Emergency Bivvy: our best pocket bivvy.
- Tact Bivvy 2.0: our best backup for winter packs.
See all four, and how we tested them, in our best emergency bivvy guide.
Editor's Note, 17 October 2026: New review, from Ryan's field notes. He spent a real night in this bivvy and weighed it on his own scale.
Our Testers
This review was edited by Sean Williams and tested by Ryan Williams.
- Sean Williams, Editor-in-Chief. Sean built the team of researchers and testers behind our reviews and sets the rule the site runs on: we buy what we test, and we say what we found.
- Ryan Williams, Lead Tester. A heavy fleet equipment mechanic by trade, Ryan tests our generators, family tents and emergency gear.
