Bothy bags?

[Irish_Rover]

Anyone have one of these? They are quite expensive (for me anyway) and i'm a bit curious if they are worth the money. I have no doubt that they are handy if you (possibly with others) are up on the hill and the nasty weather rolls in. I am wondering are they designed for an emergency all night shelter if you maybe got lost/injured or just something to keep rain and wind for a short period, perhaps a few hours or just to have a cuppa. I saw one today in one of the local outdoor shops (which can be very pricey) and it was €70 for a four man bothy, of course if you had a few people that were normally hiking with you, the price could be divided up and one person could carry it. I think they are a good idea but depending on how hardy they are, im not sure they are worth the money.

 

[SimonM]

I have a few in different sizes, for use with Scouts and school.

They are intended as emergency type shelters and rely on people to keep them in shape...a person in each corner, sit down and lean back, keeping the fabric taut.

They can also be used as stretchers...lie the casualty down on top, roll the sides in and lift by gripping the rolled sides.

on a wet and windy day they make a cracking short term shelter to have a brew and a bite to eat.

On day walks, where I wouldn't have a tent, I have to be able to provide shelter for everybody in my group...my 8 man bothy bag packs up to the size of a melon and weighs very little, and is always packed near my FAK.


Simon

 

[Shewie]

Yeah that's pretty much it, emergency shelter in case of bad weather or exposure after an injury maybe, they're also handy for throwing up as a temporary shelter to get out of the elements while you take a break. I've not used one since school as I usually have some kind of shelter with me anyway if I'm in the hills.

They should last you a lifetime if you only use it in emergencies, they usually spend their life in the bottom of somebodies pack and never get used, but that's a good thing. If you're carrying a tarp or a tent anyway I'd use that for breaks.

 

[Tristar777]

Expense compared to survival if things go badly wrong! How much is your life worth?

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

I have a 2-3 person one which goes in my kayak/canoe or hill/climb bag for personal trips or group trips and I have a 12 person one for school trips.

With two people in the 2-3 person one is heats up very quickly.

Well worth getting one and better than a survival bag as you can't treat many casualties in a survival bag but in a Group shelter (bothy bag) you can as you are in with them and can access all their body.

They often have TREKMATES ones in TKMAXX for less than a tenner.

 

[Shewie]

There's usually some good deals at Field & Trek too, they stock Lifesystems and Terra Nova

 

[boatman]

Poundland had 8ft long 5ft high open-ended emergency tents for, yes, a pound. I have a couple.

 

[Irish_Rover]

Thats great info, cheers. I dont think i can afford one at the moment but maybe, like i said earlier, i could go halves with a mate. They sound like a worthwhile investment incase something goes wrong, but they also seem useful for just getting out of the elements for a break too. I dont think we have any Poundland shops here but ill keep an eye in the discount shops and TKmaxx too. thanks a mil.

 

[Dark Horse Dave]

I've got the 4 man one from this lot: http://jdscomponents.co.uk/, which I bought when I was taking the family mountain walking. We tried it out near the foot of Snowdon on a particularly cold & windy day, and it was very effective. It's a good bag too: good price and good service from a small British company (no connection other than as a satisfied customer).

 

[The Lord Poncho]

I have a JDS components one too- It has given years of good service, and remarkably cheap. The heat that gets generated within them just from body heat is remarkable. The worst thing about them is packing them up and getting back into the wind and the rain. Lunch breaks often get very extended!

 

[presterjohn]

I keep meaning to buy one. I assume as a solo walker etc I could tie one end to a tree or shrub or something. The UK is such a windy place on average I would assume they would make a much easier to sort out quick shelter than a tarp.

 

[northumbrian]

i have one too, they r miles better than those orange rubble sacks ,lol
p.s they have little plasic seats that you sit on to stop them blowing away presterjohn.lol

cheers andrew.

 

[plastic-ninja]

I think mine's a Terra Nova.Had it for years and never go up on the fells without it.
As has been said , it makes for a comfortable lunchbreak even when it is snowing hard and blowing a gale.
For around £30 I'd say money very well spent if you think it could well save you and your companions from hypothermia or frostbite.
70 Euros sounds hefty though.Have a look online.
Cheers , Simon