Anyone put a hoop/net in their bivi?

[Gotte]

I'm thinking of getting a 9ft army bivi. I'm wondering looking at them (on ebay), if it's possible to turn them upside down, and insert a hoop and mosquito net at the top to convert it into the hooped variety I see around (but which are more expensive)?

 

[RAPPLEBY2000]

does it fit? if so brilliant Idea!

 

[Gotte]

It might need some extra work, like splitting the drawstring hood so it's got a wider opening. But from pictures I've seen of the actual hooped/netted bivis, I can't see why it would't work, esp with having the extra length to play with. Trouble is, it means getting one first, and seeing if it could be done.

 

[Shewie]

I think Melonfish was playing around with the idea this summer, I sent him some surplus goretex trews to make up some channels for the poles.

Maybe give him a shout, saying that though I don't think he's very well at the moment so might not be online much.

Let us know how you get on with it though, would love to see some piccies

 

[Gotte]

I will do. Just looking for the right one on ebay.

 

[SCOMAN]

I did it years ago and in fact just sold it this week on here;

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64949

It's not too hard if you are handy with a sewing machine. For the hoop I used some fibre glass poles I picked up from B&Q(This was about 10 yrs ago). The track for the poles was climbing tape that formed a tube and I used an aluminium tube to join them. The material for the hood and midgie netting was from the well publicised fabric company on here who's name escapes me. For securing the netting I used iron on velcro.

 

[bikething]

The material for the hood and midgie netting was from the well publicised fabric company on here who's name escapes me.

Was it PointNorth - aka Profabrics ?

 

[SCOMAN]

That was the very people. As I've been thinking about it I'm sure I bought the 'pole joining tube' from them.

 

[Gotte]

Thanks for that. Great information. Great to see pics in your thread. How did you find it performed? Was the bag big enough to be more than a sleeping bag cover with a ridged hood? I'm hoping I can construct something that will allow me a bit of movement - not so much that I can get changed or anyhting like that, but maybe enough to roll over without the thing moving with the sleeping bag.

 

[SCOMAN]

Depends on yr bulk mate it was possible to turn in it but a bit of wriggling was necessary. It worked well I had it out in cr&ppy weather on Dartmoor. You just need to make sure that all stitching is taped on the inside, that came from point north fabrics too.

 

[Gotte]

Thanks for that. Much appreciated.