Bivvi bag and tarp advice wanted

[Gibbo]

Perhaps at the risk of repeating past posts...

I'm looking for some recommendations for suppliers of bivvi bags and tarps. I canoe-camp so prefer things to be on the lighter side which is why I'm looking at this combo assuming it to be less than a tent. Probably be mostly summer use.

I've seen this tarp from DD Hammocks which looks o.k. but I've not had much success finding bivvi bags.

I'd like to keep the total price to no more than say £80 - is that reasonable?

Thanks,
Gibbo.

 

[Mesquite]

DD tarps are an excellent product and you won't go wrong with them

As for bivi bags, ebay have loads of ex British army goretex bivi bags

If you're worried about quality of an ebay product then try Endicotts in exeter, they're a great supplier and will sort you out a top notch bag.

Usual discliamer of no connection with Endicotts apart from a satisfied customer

 

[DV...]

Alpkit hunka bivvi bag if your not a large chappie, (Im 5ft9 12 stone and it fits me), otherwise Hunka xl (£35 & £50) including P&P, both are 1/2 weight of issue bag

No connections, just a happy customer

 

[Melonfish]

DD tarp 29.99, bivi bag £20-40 depending where you buy (ebay, here or endicotts are your best bet)
won't go wrong with those. keep you out of the wind and lovely and dry

 

[calibanzwei]

DD tarp 29.99, bivi bag £20-40 depending where you buy (ebay, here or endicotts are your best bet)
won't go wrong with those. keep you out of the wind and lovely and dry

Ditto here - have the same.

 

[SimonM]

Another vote for the DD tarp...I have the 3 x 3 and the XL 4.5 x 3 for hammocking.

As for a bivvy, like most on here I started with an issue bivvy bag. Since then I have moved to a Snugpak Stratosphere...not everyones cup of tea, but I like to be able to seal myself away from the bity things these days1

Simon

 

[sapper1]

I use a DD 3x3 tar and a highlander hawk bivi.Suits me fine and never been wet or cold.

 

[drewdunnrespect]

dd tarp and an issue bivvi does brilliant

 

[m.durston]

beware of buying off ebay especially if the bivi is second hand, sometimes the goretex is delaminated and is therfore about as waterproof as a cotton pillowcase lol
as others have said go to endicotts for the bivi bag as their grading system for their stock is second to none.

 

[Roe Ring]

sorry to jump in on this thread, but how small do the 3 x 3m DD tarps pack up?

Thanks

RR

 

[Highbinder]

sorry to jump in on this thread, but how small do the 3 x 3m DD tarps pack up?

Thanks

RR

Mines out in the shed drying so I can't take a snap but smaller than I can pack my 58 pattern poncho. Could get it smaller still with a mini compression sac.

 

[Roe Ring]

Thanks Highbinder, that sounds pretty small.

 

[Gibbo]

Thanks for the advice. Now I know what to buy myself for Christmas.
Gibbo.

 

[eel28]

Another vote for issue bivvy and DD tarp.

sorry to jump in on this thread, but how small do the 3 x 3m DD tarps pack up?

Thanks

RR

mine will easily fit in the leg pocket of a pair of combats if that helps?

 

[Highbinder]

Thanks Highbinder, that sounds pretty small.

Well I can pack it into the standard pouch it comes with easily enough, but then force it to almost half the volume with my hands. I was thinking about upgrading but tbh without spending funny money I don't think I could get a better tarp.

 

[Roe Ring]

That sounds good enough for me. Cheaper than an Austrailian army jelly bean tarp and nearly twice the size.

 

[Melonfish]

my DD tarp (3X3) goes in its stuff sack with paracord for hanging it up etc, then easily fits into a 2.5l pouch on my backpack. with room to put other bits in on top!
army combat pants, say C95? no worries you'd happily fit it into the cargo pocket.
folds down very small and is very light.

 

[The Lord Poncho]

I had considered the likes of the Alpkit Hunka bivvy/highlander bivvy myself for the weight saving over the issue bag, but was then put off by them being substantially less breathable. That said, people don't seem to have problems with them, and its probably only a bit of a drama on very damp/humid nights, or if you are using it for a number of nights with little chance to air your sleeping bag.

 

[DV...]

I kipped out in October in south wales in a hunka (no tarp up etc) and it piddled down. Bag didnt let in water at all. Climbing out whilst its pouring wasn't nice though Would recommend without hesitation.

 

[Paul_B]

backpackinglight.co.uk do DD tarps and even smaller ones too. Also look at Rab Survival Zone bivvy bags. More expensive but Field and Trek occasionally sells for about £40. Like the Hunka but much better fabric for breathability and slightly better water proofness. BTW BPL-UK have micro tarps which used with a bivvy provide as much shelter as you really need. The tarp covers your upper body and gear but the bivvy bag protects your body. The BPL-UK micro tarp weighs 148g. Combine with say a 230g bivvy you get a sleeping system minus your quilt/sleeping bag of only 378g or so.

The 3m square DD tarp is more than big enough for your use. Heck you can cave pitch it and it will be good in winter in the hills. Where you will be using it say by lohs or rivers it will be more sheltered so you can pitch in more open styles giving a huge coverage for the 3m square tarp. I use a 2.5m square tarp and it is huge for me. Even in the cave pitch style. I n the flying V style it is big enough to cover almost all of two people. Bear in mind I am 196cm or 6'5" tall it is more than adequate for me so the 3m IMHO would be excess fabric.

Contact Aiguille ALpine in Stavely. They specialise in canoeing tarps too. They make them above the shop and will make you a custom to your own specifications without any significant charge. I nearly thought of getting one made. They said they would be able to make a UL one for me. All I needed to do was lie down and get someone to measure the floor space I needed. They would make the trp to cover that floor space. No wasted fabric.