Hooped Bivi Bags.

[torc]

If anybody is interested in these sort of things this Ebay shop seems to be selling them at a reasonable price.
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/marcrussarmy
I have no experience of this particular piece of kit but any Arktis stuff I have used in the past is very well made.
I've visited Marcruss Army Stores in Bristol and it's fantastic. Nice people too.
No connections, etc.
Happy trails...torc.

 

[Shewie]

I was watching one this afternoon with only 45 mins left to run. They`re a great price even to buy it now.
I keep looking at them but I then I think I might aswell go back to tent camping again.

I suppose they`re good for a lot of situations though, like no trees for example :thinkerg:


No doubt I`ll get one eventually.

 

[saddle_tramp]

Never been sure about hooped bivvys,

Way i see it, a standard bivvy bag, you can just dive into, in any setting and sleep and hopefully stay dry, but you cant do anything other than sleep.

Then you got tents, which need a suitable site to pitch them, you have to put them up and theyre heavier, but you got space to sit up, do stuff, etc

so finally comes the hooped bivvy, all the complications of a tent combined with the hardships of a bivvy bag?

I know that theyre probably a little more breathable, little less claustraphobic,

 

[crazyclimber]

saddle tramp yeah I used to have a similar thought process... my hooped bivi (very similar to that ebay one) has changed that. I can still use it as a plain bivy if I want (ie forget the poles), and I often do on summits esp. where its a bit rocky. Then I also still retain bug protection - essential for Scotland and parts of Wales too! If I want that extra bit of room / insulation I can stick the poles in and four pegs and I'm sorted so it isn't really a hardship compared with most tents. The laser comp is nice (and actually lighter than my 2 hoop bivi) but it's so fiddly to put up! I also reckon my goretex bivi is better for insulation and I know it's a hell of a lot stronger in the wind, lower profile for one thing. Yup it's a compromise (I wish it was still lighter) but in the end I find it has enough space for me and the flexibility of it means I now take it with me more than any other shelter

 

[littlebiglane]

Yep. I tend to agree on all those points CrazyClimber.

I have been a big fan of hooped bivis, then gone off them for quite a while, then come back to them again. They can be used with or without poles (therefore I can still use it in my hammock). In an emergency I can just climb into it and zip it up. It is so simple to rig up and even my Golite Hex3 is a faff in comparison. I like the bug netting. A useful bonus. In very high winds I have absolute confidence in it as it hugs the ground. Its also low profile and does not attract attention. Yes. It does have its drawbacks - try getting dressed in one or trying to sleep in it with your bergen! In prolonged periods of rain its depressing waiting in one, and getting out for a p*ss has definitely been easier! But its horses for courses. As a pack-and-go, 100% reliable item it is near the top of my list as the first thing I reach for.