Bothy Bags/Shelters??

Is anyone familiar with a Bothy Bag or Shelter. As I understand it, they're multiperson, water proof nylon shelters for emergency bivouacs in winter conditions. They're apparently common in the UK, but not so much in the USA. They're lightweight, and 2 (or more in larger ones) can sit in them, using their body heat to warm the inside space. A salesperson at REI was telling me about them yesterday, and they seemed like a good idea to carry on winter day trips for emergency bivouacs. He described being able to raise the ambient temp to about 20 degrees inside while outside it's -10F. Here's a UK outfitter link he gave me:
http://www.outdoorwarehouse.co.uk/acatalog/info_313.html

Anyone add any more info or experience about these?
thanks
Gerry

That bag looks pretty interesting. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> What it makes me think of is this: When skiing in a blizzard you're generally pretty warm, but when you have to stop you need a coat. If you put the coat on over your wet gear you will not warm up and the coat will be worthless afterwards, <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> but taking of your outer layers to put the coat on is not reasonable because you will expose your under layers to the storm. A bag like this would allow two people to stop for a rest and a bite and give enough shelter to change into warmer clothes. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />Any large bag would work, maybe even a bivy sack.
Jim
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />P.S. hey today is my birthday. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I've heard of them via various British web sites, but have not used one.

Hilleberg makes a windsack, which is a similar idea. http://estore.websitepros.com/1764795/-strse-1/Windsack/Detail.bok

Hey, Happy birthday Jim!

As for the Bothy bag, I've just seen them online. Pretty much a UK invention as far as I can tell. Kind of like climbing into a big baggie to wait out bad weather for a few hours.

Maybe some of our friends across the pond have seen one in person.

Outdoor Research has a version of this called the LightHaven



Runs about $99 and weighs in around 27oz. Major difference is that it requires pitching, but by being a shelter rather than an oversized 2-person jacket, if give more freedom to move around.

MNS

Integral Design has two NA versions of a Bothy Bag. Ski Guides Tarp, Guides Silshack