British Army Bivi and Dutch Hooped Bivi...

[Barney Rubble]

Hi de hi campers, hope all is well. I've recently started to film a series of videos focussed on the camping kit that I have used for the last 10+ years of wild camping. I'm trying to make this series a more insightful show and tell/tried and tested review.

My first video was looking at my collection of tarps. But my latest video looks at Bivi bags, specifically the British Army issue Bivi and Dutch Army Hooped Bivi.

I try to give a balanced overview of what they are, why I use them and what I like/dislike about them.

Geek mode was fully engaged on this video and for that I apologise for all the waffle. But hopefully some of you might find it interesting!

 

[TeeDee]

Kudos for creating something - don't know how you guys do it - the idea of being on camera makes my insides itch. Well done.

 

[captainhastings]

I enjoy your videos Barney keep them coming. Just finding my way in the bivy world

 

[TeeDee]

I have a double hooped Carinthia Observer bag - surplus , awesome bit of kit the additional hoop creates more of a head/shoulder bubble for some basic admin area , definitely alleviates the feeling of being enclosed.

 

[MrEd]

I have a double hopped Carinthia Observer bag - surplus , awesome bit of kit the additional hoop creates more of a head/shoulder bubble for some basic admin area , definitely alleviates the feeling of being enclosed.

I have a double hooped terra nova Saturn - I love it for the same reason

 

[Barney Rubble]

I have a double hooped Carinthia Observer bag - surplus , awesome bit of kit the additional hoop creates more of a head/shoulder bubble for some basic admin area , definitely alleviates the feeling of being enclosed.

Awesome, I liken them as being the Rolls Royce of bivi bags. One day I will have one too!

 

[Barney Rubble]

I have a double hooped terra nova Saturn - I love it for the same reason

I had to google that one as I didn't know you could get a double hooped version of the Saturn bivi. Very cool and I imagine that's quite rare too.

 

[Danceswithhelicopters]

Have you seen the British Army bivi with the big inset v shaped fillet at the front? Don't know how common but makes it easier to get on and out of. Green bag era so probably quite old now.

 

[Laurentius]

I do wonder considering the number of really lightweight tents out there, what is the attraction of a bivi, it is not the weight for sure. I suppose it is less bother than a tent.

 

[captainhastings]

I am new to this and I like the views being more out side and bit more niche if that’s the word. Once your sealed up in a tent you might as well be in the back yard

 

[TeeDee]

I am new to this and I like the views being more out side and bit more niche if that’s the word. Once your sealed up in a tent you might as well be in the back yard

For me the best balance is a bivvy and tarp - Tarp gives you a good sized panoramic viewed admin area to have a little seating area and working zone. Kick the bivvy to the back until ready to zed out and in you snug year round nice and cosy.

The other advantage bivvies have is no need for anything overhead to tie onto - I know the idea of lack of treeage sounds absurd to bushcrafters but it is a consideration if you are intending to travel light. Its unlikely to not find any anchor point but its a consideration. I prefer both - provides options and a way to site where you like and create a Leeward side.

 

[MrEd]

I had to google that one as I didn't know you could get a double hooped version of the Saturn bivi. Very cool and I imagine that's quite rare too.

Dunno never seen another, it’s a super bit of kit though. Weights around 800g

 

[Barney Rubble]

I do wonder considering the number of really lightweight tents out there, what is the attraction of a bivi, it is not the weight for sure. I suppose it is less bother than a tent.

You're quite right about the weight. My Dutch Army Hooped Bivi weighs in at 1.6kg so it's a bit of a lump.

The point already mentioned about being more open/immersed to your surroundings is a very good one and certainly something that I enjoy about bivi camping. I'm never concerned about getting carbon monoxide poisoning when I cook up my tea under the tarp!!

The smaller footprint of the bivi bag (and tarp) means that it is also more versatile when it comes to selecting your pitch. You only really need to find a spot that is big enough for you to lay down and there's a myriad of ways to pitch the tarp to suit your conditions. I've found this most useful when camping on Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor in wet and windy conditions as I've usually been able to find a nice sheltered spot behind a rocky crag. Great for hunkering down.

I also appreciate the simplicity of tarp and bivi camping. There's much less to go wrong with these products. Much more affordable too!

 

[crlthrn]

I am new to this and I like the views being more out side and bit more niche if that’s the word. Once your sealed up in a tent you might as well be in the back yard

If you really like the outside views, consider a hammock. This gent and his dog have slightly over-complicated the setup using tent poles, but one can still get scintillating view from a hammock like almost no other sleeping/resting-in-the-wild technique.

 

[MrEd]

If you really like the outside views, consider a hammock. This gent and his dog have slightly over-complicated the setup using tent poles, but one can still get scintillating view from a hammock like almost no other sleeping/resting-in-the-wild technique.

More comfortable as you get older to…..

 

[captainhastings]

I bought a hammock and will be trying it but I need to find trees with a view lol. Hard to find on the coast line so need some nice spots inland . Good thing bout Bivy pretty much any where works

 

[Laurentius]

You're quite right about the weight. My Dutch Army Hooped Bivi weighs in at 1.6kg so it's a bit of a lump.

The point already mentioned about being more open/immersed to your surroundings is a very good one and certainly something that I enjoy about bivi camping. I'm never concerned about getting carbon monoxide poisoning when I cook up my tea under the tarp!!

The smaller footprint of the bivi bag (and tarp) means that it is also more versatile when it comes to selecting your pitch. You only really need to find a spot that is big enough for you to lay down and there's a myriad of ways to pitch the tarp to suit your conditions. I've found this most useful when camping on Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor in wet and windy conditions as I've usually been able to find a nice sheltered spot behind a rocky crag. Great for hunkering down.

I also appreciate the simplicity of tarp and bivi camping. There's much less to go wrong with these products. Much more affordable too!

New photo · Sunday, Dec 4, 2011

Tap to view!

photos.app.goo.gl

https://photos.app.goo.gl/TjqF2QTWbxKuu2Wz5

My old charity shop Pro Action Tiger Paws tent. You can sit up in this and it can pack even smaller with a bit of compression than shown in the picture. I have not used it in a long while because of a zip issue, but I have recently reproofed it, and the water is beading off it again so it will be seeing a revival soon.

 

[gllct0]

I love the video, Thanks for sharing!