Trakker NXG Insulated Bivvy Mat (a) 210119

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The Bush Pro weighs in at a respectable 560g and has fully taped seams to aid with the water proofing. The nylon material is extremely sturdy and will not rip or tear easily. Length is a respectable 245cm x 95cm wide. We are massive fans of Snugpak gear – they are leaders in well thought-out, rugged outdoor gear. The Snugpak Ionosphere bivy tent is no exception and straddles the line between bivvy bag and compact 1-person tent really well. There’s no wonder it’s often used by the US military – not bad for a company from Yorkshire in the UK! The Ionosphere comes in two main parts – a double-hooped ‘undercarriage’ mesh section which forms the frame of the bivvy, and then a highly waterproof (5000mm HH) and breathable ripstop outer fly sheet which goes over the top. Both require pegging down using aluminum tent pegs which come with the Ionosphere. The fly sheet also has guy ropes to peg down to secure it. I have had it set up in severe gale conditions, and because of the low profile, there was absolutely no chance of it working loose and flying off. In Use At Outlaw Pro, our team of experienced anglers know all there is to know when it comes to Bivvies , Brollies and Shelters .

Our helpful 2021 guide below answers all the questions you could possibly want to ask when it comes to choosing the perfect Bivvy for you. There are two U-Shaped openings on the top surface of the Sierra Bivy. The largest is for getting in and out and has dual zips to accomplish this task. Because it can open so wide, getting in actually pretty easy for a bivy. The second opening is on the top surface and forms a little window with a fly mesh and cover. this allows you to lie out and look at the night sky before zipping up for the night. Nice. However, in an emergency situation, especially one that is wet and windy, a bivvy bag (or basic survival bag) can offer enough protection to save your life. For this reason, it is advisable that all trail runners carry a survival bag when running in high or remote areas – even if you’re not expecting to be out for long. Is a bivvy bag worth it? The hydrostatic head of the Helium is 20000 mm which is exceedingly waterproof and the Pertex material is also supposedly resistant to rips – however I didn’t wish to test this claim out! If you want to spend more money, then Outdoor Research also do a full Gore-Tex bivvy called the Alpine, but this is actually heavier. One thing to note is that if you are over 6ft tall (I’m 6ft3 or 195cm) then you may be stretched for sleeping space inside – the sleeping area is 213cm long but this includes a sloping roof. Something to bear in mind.

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The top of the bivvy bag completely zips up, but there is no way of keeping it off your face, and sleeping can get difficult. On warmer nights this isn’t a problem as you can open more of a gap. As a result, we would say this is three season only, but of course your mileage may vary! We have a few upgrades that can make a simple carp bivvy such as a groundsheet to keep your fishing gear off the damp terrain or a skullcap to extra layer of protection and heat retention over the top of your bivvy. In our bivvy accessory selection, you will also find a range of bivvy mats to wipe your fishing boots, bivvy tables for making rigs on, bivvy fans, heaters and bivvy repair kits. In the morning, turn your bivvy bag inside out. Hang it up somewhere with your sleeping bag to dry off properly. If it’s a damp morning, then you can do this later in the day if you have a sunny break. Outdoor Research should need no introduction. A fantastic company based in Seattle on the West Coast of the USA, they have continuously been at the height of innovation and quality since their inception in the early 1980s.

If light rain is predicted, then you can provide a bit of shelter by using a tarp (I recommend this one). Use bungees or the rope provided to pitch up your tarp between trees, a fence or your bike. Basically: if it fits and not in use, then get it under there. What is the right option for lightweight trips? Putting the bivy tent up for the first time took me about 10 minutes, but I think I could probably half that with a bit of practice. A short hoop is threaded through the foot region and a longer one up at the head end. The base structure is then pegged out with 6 pegs and the fly sheet added on top. This is then also pegged with a couple of guy ropes if it is windy. If there’s a chance of rain, I’ll also set up a tarp (see my heading below, ‘what do you do if you are bivvying and it rains’) How to reduce condensation in your bag

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Slide the mat under your bed once you are inside your sleeping bag, and the mat creates a barrier between the damp, cold ground and the underside of your bed. What you really get with the Geertop is flexibility. It can be set up simply as a standalone netted structure to sit in if the midges are getting at you or the additional outer waterproof camo fly can be added to keep the rain off. The OEX Bush Pro uses a 5000mm hydrostatic head top layer for decent waterproof capability, but we didn’t test it under monsoon conditions. With a vertical spray of a hose pipe to replicate rain I was kept dry inside using the OEX in my garden overnight. The fly sheet is 5000mm waterproof and the bivy tent has two ventilation windows – one behind your head, one at your feet and there is also a big side door which can be left partially unzipped. Total end-to-end length of the Geetop is 3m (although this includes a vestibule at the foot end), so this is definitely stretching towards tent territory, but who’s counting? The height is good too at 91cm. When you’re ready to camp, the Ridge Raider is effortless to put up. Thread the 8mm pole through a duct in the head section of the bivi, a bit like putting up a dome tent. This then lifts the top of the bivi off your head meaning you can easily lie down and read a book, or even tend a stove located outside close by.

The Nash Titan Hide is a lifesaver for those insect-ridden conditions, with its easy zip-in Mozzi Infill . And its Waterproof Infill , too, with both capable of being used at the same time, so there’s no need to choose whether you’d rather be dry or bite-free. Although it’s a non-permanent home for you, you still want it to provide several functions when bankside: to keep you and your gear dry, to keep you warm, and to provide you with a large and safe space to store items such as your carp bed chairs , Bivvy Organiser and Rods . We have a few upgrades that can make a simple carp bivvy such as a Trakker groundsheet to keep your fishing gear off the damp terrain or a skullcap to extra layer of protection over the top of your bivvy made especially for anglers with a Trakker bivvy.

For any Game of Thrones fans looking to go ‘North of the Wall’ then you’ll want the Bivvies’ stronger frames and increased pegging points, creating a sturdier unit for you to take shelter in. Alastair Humphrey’s Microadventure book has some bivvy inspiration plus other small adventure ideas As a cold sleeper, this is my biggest consideration when bivvying. Without the shelter of a tent – which warms up with your body heat – it is easier to get cold in the night. Nash has designed Magnetic Bivvy Hooks to add further storage options to the angler. Great for hanging carp lighting or a head torch, so you aren’t fiddling about in the middle of the night trying to find it when busting for a wee!