Polish lavvu

[knifeman]

Hi guys,
I'm thinking of getting a half of a polish lavvu for day trips and summer wild camps. I know it's fairly heavy but I'm big into my traditional kit and it looks quite nice.
So if anyone has any experience with them please let me know how you found it!

Atb George

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[crosslandkelly]

It's doable but a bit tight, with the one half. I prefer to use both halves.



[video=youtube;qV9qRDSSOZk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV9qRDSSOZk[/video]


Make sure you proof the Laavu before you use it.

 

[Nic Le Becheur]

Hi George,

I've never used these for a single-poncho setup. I am so fond of the double-poncho setup, though, that I find it well worth the extra load weight to pack both halves. That gives you a tent that can withstand any weather. The single-poncho shelter leaves one a bit open to the elements. For lighter-weight but traditional, I prefer the Norwegian army poncho, which is an elongated diamond shape, simply pegging down 3 corners and tying the fourth to a tree trunk, as here:

. If where there are no trees, you can always use a fence post or a rock in a drystone wall.

 

[Janne]

Why polish lavvu?

It is a Saami thing. No Lapps / Same people in Poland!

 

[knifeman]

Why polish lavvu?

It is a Saami thing. No Lapps / Same people in Poland!

Because they're polish army surplus


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[knifeman]

Hi George,

I've never used these for a single-poncho setup. I am so fond of the double-poncho setup, though, that I find it well worth the extra load weight to pack both halves. That gives you a tent that can withstand any weather. The single-poncho shelter leaves one a bit open to the elements. For lighter-weight but traditional, I prefer the Norwegian army poncho, which is an elongated diamond shape, simply pegging down 3 corners and tying the fourth to a tree trunk, as here:

. If where there are no trees, you can always use a fence post or a rock in a drystone wall.

Ahh thanks, I think you on to something there, I like the look of the Norwegian poncho



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[knifeman]

It's doable but a bit tight, with the one half. I prefer to use both halves.

View attachment 39960 View attachment 39961

[video=youtube;qV9qRDSSOZk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV9qRDSSOZk[/video]


Make sure you proof the Laavu before you use it.

Thanks mate. What do you use to waterproof it?


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[crosslandkelly]

I sprayed mine with,
http://www.screwfix.com/p/thompsons...4UxFwyHIM3MflzKJjRp5_5DD-qiTU2fQHMaAoPb8P8HAQ

 

[Janne]

Thanks!
A similar design used to be standard issue gear for the Swedish infantry.
Poncho, could be used as a shelter. 2 buttonned together made a 1.5 man tent.

 

[Laurentius]

Thanks!
A similar design used to be standard issue gear for the Swedish infantry.
Poncho, could be used as a shelter. 2 buttonned together made a 1.5 man tent.

Seems standard with variations for quite a few armies. I do wish someone would come up with a lightweight modern version of the Polish setup. What I like about the Polish Lavuu is how easy it is to pin out with a single pole. You can of course do the same thing with a tarp but it takes a bit of origami.

 

[Janne]

Years ago I had a "one man tarp", a slightly oversized poncho design, but without the cutout for the head, made by a company in Czech Republic, a company that makes tents and such, in Lomnice nad Popelkou.
I chose a very lightweight, water proof fabric, same as they use on the outside tents.
I had eyelets added on two sides.

They will make anything to your design.

 

[WildCamperUK]

I didn't get on too well with mine. They are heavy and get stiff and uncomfortable after a ground frost. I went back using my tarp and bivy bag.

 

[Laurence Milton]

Hi guys,
I'm thinking of getting a half of a polish lavvu for day trips and summer wild camps. I know it's fairly heavy but I'm big into my traditional kit and it looks quite nice.
So if anyone has any experience with them please let me know how you found it!

Atb George

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

1/2, or one poncho, is going to take up no space at all. I use two together (the standard "tent") For the price its untouchable, strong, weather/waterproof, stable and quick and easy up and down. I don't understand people saying they are short on room: I have no problem at 6'4", for one man and kit. The base circumference is 7 feet. And its canvas, which I love......
Can't rate them too highly............

 

[Laurence Milton]

1/2, or one poncho, is going to take up no space at all. I use two together (the standard "tent") For the price its untouchable, strong, weather/waterproof, stable and quick and easy up and down. I don't understand people saying they are short on room: I have no problem at 6'4", for one man and kit. The base circumference is 7 feet. And its canvas, which I love......
Can't rate them too highly............

Just succumbed.....and sown a heavy duty, double sided, open ended zip in the lavvu, that can still be buttoned over..............

 

[TarHeelBrit]

Make sure you proof the Laavu before you use it.

That's what I was going to do when I got mine until I read the brief instructions that came with my new Lavvu. Here's what they have to say about it

CARE: Canvas water-proofer can be applied as and when needed to USED canvas.
IT IS NOT ADVISED to apply water proofer to new or unused canvas ponchos. New or unused canvas fibres swell when wet and the weave will bond closer together after having been wet and dried naturally in shape. Applying water proofer prior to this process may prevent the fibres from swelling and ultimately the ponchos will not be as waterproof around the seam stitching. To speed up this process you can pitch the teepee/shelter on a day when it can dry naturally in shape, spray with a garden hose and leave to dry naturally.

 

[crosslandkelly]

Mine was well used when I bought it, your one may be unissued NOS.

 

[TarHeelBrit]

You could be right the thing looked like it had been folded at the factory and never saw the light of day until I bought it.

 

[Laurence Milton]

That's what I was going to do when I got mine until I read the brief instructions that came with my new Lavvu. Here's what they have to say about it

Interestingly, I have 2, don't ask.....one I've proofed, and one not, both from MM looking all but mint.....today I put the hose on , storm force, soaked them hard, and neither; proofed or otherwise leaked a drop. Brilliant, best £20 ever

 

[TarHeelBrit]

Interestingly, I have 2, don't ask.....one I've proofed, and one not, both from MM looking all but mint.....today I put the hose on , storm force, soaked them hard, and neither; proofed or otherwise leaked a drop. Brilliant, best £20 ever

Same here well actually my wife jumped at the idea of turning the hose on me. I couldn't set it up in the grass as I'd just put down weed & feed so I volunteered (or I WAS volunteered) to wear one while I was hosed down. She started of with a heavy downpour for a few minutes and saw that wasn't getting through so she switched to monsoon still nothing and getting slightly frustrated she wasn't giving me the soaking she had envisioned so she switched to full on high pressure jet and shot me in the back (I think she loves me ) I could feel the jet but nothing was getting through. I told her to use the pulse jet just to see and still nothing got through. The seams held perfectly and apart from soggy feet the rest of me was dry.

I agree with you the cost of the Lavvu was the best money spent in ages. We get two heavyweight ponchos and either two leanto's or a full tent.....can't ask for more than that, can you?