Dutch army bivvy upgrade

[Flecktarnmann]

I've got a Dutch army bivvy made by FECSA that I would like to upgrade by adding a fly so that I can cook food while it's raining, however I've hit a dead end in trying to acquire the needed fabric for it.

I want it to look somewhat professional (otherwise I'll just be bothered by it constantly lol) so I'm looking for the same fabric and not just any £5 DPM rain jacket.

Does anyone here happen to have either the single or double hooped bivvy bags made by FECSA that they would like to part with for very cheap? Preferably one that's broken, because it would be a shame to cut up a perfectly intact one.

 

[Moondog55]

A fly doesn't need to be WPB so why not just use a basha?

 

[Flecktarnmann]

A fly doesn't need to be WPB so why not just use a basha?

I ideally want it to be the same fabric because otherwise the difference in color etc. would just bother me the whole time. (I'm nitpicky).

 

[Falstaff]

There are a number of fabric suppliers on the market that sell this. Presumably you;ve done a search? I use a small plain green tarp and tie it to the bivvy frame & foot end for additional low cover. I can use an extra tent pole to raise it for cooking etc but have'nt tried cooking under it yet.

 

[C_Claycomb]

Z grade?
https://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/hopped-bivvy-bag-dutch-goretex-739298.html
Reads as pretty broken down and good for nothing but fabric.

Although, I think you are crazy looking for heavy GoreTex breathable dpm for a little fly sheet just because you want the colours to match Fly sheets can be light, and non-breathable.

 

[SCOMAN]

Go for a DPM basha, I understand the ‘pain’ but the basha will give you comfortable living space.

 

[Billy-o]

Yes Basha - https://www.ebay.ca/itm/124940624531

I don't think you will be able to count on one bit of DPM looking the same as another. There is a fresher and duller looking pattern anyway, different manufacturers, aging, different materials etc. mean you will get more or less similar, same pattern, like, but not quite exactly the same ... so, maybe go for plain green, or red!

 

[Flecktarnmann]

Z grade?
https://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/hopped-bivvy-bag-dutch-goretex-739298.html
Reads as pretty broken down and good for nothing but fabric.

This actually seems excellent. Listing states that the fabric is grade 1, but the zippers are broken (very common issue on FECSA).

Will also give me enough fabric to extend the length of my bag, if I ever want to do that. I've been thinking about adding a third pole similarly to the Summit Microtent/Observer prototype that I also have, but for that I'd have to find a repairshop which knows what they're doing + it would add more points of failure as seams are usually the first areas where leaks start.

 

[Flecktarnmann]

I just received the z grade bivvy. I must say I'm surprised by how good the fabric still is. The zippers, of course, were all broken (except for the small one on top)

If anyone's looking for a cheap single hooped bivvy, I'd recommend this one. You can probably fix the zippers for a few euros.

That aside, now that I've received it, I'll begin laying out possible designs that I'm going with.

EDIT: In fact I was able to fix the main zipper simply by removing the small black metal clip that's supposed to block the zipper from falling off. The mosquito net however seems to be unsalvageable without replacing the zipper or at the very least the zipper head.

 

[Flecktarnmann]

I have yet to make any modifications, but I have very recently managed to obtain the very rare Feuchter version in size XL.

It is surprisingly roughly 100g lighter than my FECSA model in size L, despite being around 60cm longer. The fabric is still regular "air permeable laminate", but it feels thinner and softer, like the Carinthia models.

I should probably make the head modification soon, because the rainy season is starting. I'll most likely make a detachable one, to save on weight since I would only need it on rainy trips. Will post images once it's done.