The Observer series of bivy bags has set the standard for field shelters for years, appreciated by numerous European armies, including Poland—although in our case, the military traditionally receives an unlicensed copy made from inferior materials. The Observer is definitely expensive, but the price results on one hand from the manufacturer's reputation and European-based production, and on the other hand, from the use of a laminate based on the original Gore-Tex membrane, coated on both sides with polyamide instead of the polyester traditionally used in tents. In practice, this means the Observer is definitely harder to damage than other tents, while at the same time offering long-term waterproofness without being a plastic-like bag. The Observer does not require tent pegs and is easy to set up—especially considering that you can roll it up with a sleeping mat and attach it to your backpack, so it doesn’t take up space or dirty the inside of the pack.
