French Army Bivvy Bag Question

[Toadflax]

I've been meaning to get a bivvy bag for some time, and had pretty much decided on getting an OD British Army one, as I had used one on a course and my thermarest and sleeping bag fitted nicely inside it (unlike some of the civvy ones I've seen which are quite a snug fit)...

...but yesterday I saw a brand new French Army one (a bit pricey at £75) but with a nice weatherproof looking zip/velcro bit up the side. Just wondering if anyone had experience of the French one, as I like the idea of getting into the bag easily, without having to wriggle down into one without a zip. One thing I'm wondering is whether the zip is going to make the bag much bulkier than the British bag.

BTW, what do people think of OD vs DPM. I'd wanted to get an OD bag, just so I don't look too military, but new /unissued ex-military ones seem to be pretty much all DPM now. I suppose that as I have an Australian DPM Hootchie, a DPM bivvy bag isn't going to make a lot of difference.


Geoff

 

[andy_e]

Should be fine bulk-wise if it's anything like my Dutch one. You can get the Dutch one with zips, or add your own in 10 minutes flat for a lot less than £75, and it's OD.

I prefer OD myself, simply because I feel more comfortable wandering about in it than DPM. Oddly I feel it attracts less attention, but maybe that's just me.

Edit: Geuf is the guy to speak to if you're interested in a Dutch bag, as I think he may have a source for them over there.

 

[w00dsmoke]

I have used a lot of bivi bags and only kept a few...

My experience (I'm a big guy), is thus:

Civy bags are way too small in most cases, I've used 3, got rid of all of them.

UK DPM tunnel tent bivi-fantastic kit, huge as a bivi bag, small as a tent, not as breathable as modern mvp-I always got damp in mine, maybe because only half ot is goretex.

I've kept these-all the family use them

OG UK army issue one is great, cheap and does the job although smaller than the dpm one
DPM Uk army issue one, much bigger than the olive one, easier to get in and out of, great value.
Dutch one with own zip added in Olive...fantastic bit of kit esp with a tarp combo
Easy to get in and out of, not as waterproof because of the zip, so u do need a tarp or turn it upside down in heavy rain.

The last two are fantastic, although I prefer the uk dpm one in really bad weather despitnit's awkwardness getting in and out. You really do feel secure and dry in it. I often take it out on day hikes and climb inside on brew stops!

I've never seen a French bivi though.

 

[Toadflax]

Thanks for the tips, folks. I may just go for a British Army one - damp-security is high on my list of priorities. I remember too many occasions climbing into a wet Army sleeping bag in the days when your only weather protection was a poncho.

I'm with Andy on the colour - I'd probably feel more comfortable "in public" in an OD bag than a DPM one, though if I want a brand new one OD bags seem more difficult to get hold of now. For something that a good night's sleep depends on, I'm cautious of a used one.


Geoff

 

[JohnL]

I have a french army gore-tex one, but it does not have a zip?
Never actually used it, (I havent had it that long) but it looks good, masses of space, packs up small, I paid £50 brand new.
It is camo, but not british DPM, is got bits of white, brown & green.

 

[h2o]

Where do you people bivi for members of the public to see the colour of your bivi bag?

 

[bikething]

Where do you people bivi for members of the public to see the colour of your bivi bag?

Dartmoor - It's more an overall philosophy in my case.. one of my (many) pet hates is to look across a stunning landscape and see..... 4 miles distant.... the bright red blob of someones anorak on the side of a hill...

I don't like 'blots' on my landscape, and try not to be a 'blot' on someone elses, which is why I choose green / brown / grey clothing and kit for the hills

oh, and it means you're more likely to see the wildlife near where you're sleeping

 

[littlebiglane]

Looks like stalwarts Endicotts have just got some good looking Dutch bags in - looks like they have a velcro flap down the side. I notice they have the sleeping mat sleeves to hold them in place. No price yet but I am sure Kev will be sorting it out soon.

LBL

 

[Matt.S]

A phone call should sort that, or I've got the day off Wednesday, I'm sure it's a good enough excuse to pop in...

 

[Toadflax]

OG UK army issue one is great, cheap and does the job although smaller than the dpm one
DPM Uk army issue one, much bigger than the olive one, easier to get in and out of, great value.

Just wondering how much bigger the British DPM one is when rolled up, compared to the British OD one. I don't have a huge rucksack, so space is a bit of a premium.


Geoff

 

[irishlostboy]

sorry to weigh in at such a late date on this one.
i use the french DPM bivy bag with zip. its bulletproof. tougher than both the dutch and american bags, and the flaps over the zip are quite good. about the best i have found. very roomy too. yes, they are pricy, but you get what you pay with them.