Just to close the book on this (and in case anyone else is thinking of buying one of these/ for future reference) I laid it outside in the heavy rain for 30 mins this morning. For the first 10-15 minutes it resisted the water, after that it failed (as people advised it would).
So in conclusion, I might use it under a tarp in Spring/ Summer and it would probably stand up to a light shower or two. But you certainly couldn't use it without a tarp or when expecting a lot/ heavy rain.
Ah well, as with all things the learning curve continues, not too much of an expensive lesson though.
So, the hunt continues....I'm not willing to pay the prices of the USGI MSS and I'm happy with the sleeping bags I've got so I want to get a waterproof bivi bag for about the £50 mark.
So far I've seen mixed reviews on the British Army 'condom' style bag and whilst most agree it is 100% waterproof quite a few people don't like the weight and moan about the lack of an access zip.
A lot of people like the Czech Army bedroll, I can't seem to find any reviews which confirm it is 100% waterproof though, and again (like much military kit) it is heavy, but has a zipped access and a neat head closure/ mummy style.
I don't like the idea of the 'hooped' bivis or ones that are pegged to the ground so although the SAS and Dutch Army hooped bivis get good reviews they are not for me (similarly the snugpack bivi).
I haven't yet looked at many 'civi' bags as they tend to be a lot more expensive. (Although on another BCUK forum thread the Alpkit Hunka XL got a rave review)
So could anyone from personal use recommend a waterproof (not just showerproof) bivi bag, preferably with a mummy style/ drawstring arrangement around the head available for around £50? If not, at a push for less than £100?
Any assistance/ wisdom would be gratefully received.
Cheers
Steve