Hunka vs British Army bivi bag

[Sub5mango]

Has anyone used the alpkit hunka bivi bags and got any pros/cons? I'm torn between getting a Hunka XL or a British Army "goretex" one. I'll be using it in winter with a 7cm mat (inside) and 4 season sleeping bag. The Hunka is half the weight but theoretically less waterproof/breathable/durable.

 

[Barney Rubble]

If you want a bivvi bag that will fit the 7cm mat inside then you can pretty much write off the Hunka XL as that's gonna be very very cosy! One of my camping buddies (who happens to be fairly slim) had one and couldn't fit himself and the Exped Downmat Lite (5cm thick!) inside it. He didn't keep it for very long!

On the other hand you'll have no worries with the British army gore tex bivvy as there's stacks of room. I use mine with my 5cm mat and I'm a fat b@stard!

 

[bopdude]

Another vote for the BA bivvy, or another I've been eyeing up is the OEX bush pro

OEXBush Pro Bivvi

 

[Sub5mango]

If you want a bivvi bag that will fit the 7cm mat inside then you can pretty much write off the Hunka XL as that's gonna be very very cosy! One of my camping buddies (who happens to be fairly slim) had one and couldn't fit himself and the Exped Downmat Lite (5cm thick!) inside it. He didn't keep it for very long!

On the other hand you'll have no worries with the British army gore tex bivvy as there's stacks of room. I use mine with my 5cm mat and I'm a fat b@stard!

Thanks Barney. I've just noticed that there are two types of British Army bivi now. The XT and standard. Are you using the XT one - wider at the top with the insert?

 

[Barney Rubble]

Thanks Barney. I've just noticed that there are two types of British Army bivi now. The XT and standard. Are you using the XT one - wider at the top with the insert?

Mine's the standard, it has a huge opening to it which makes it rather easy to get in and out of. I dread to think how big the XT version is!

 

[firedfromthecircus]

I've got a Hunka XL and it's a pretty lightweight bit of kit. The Army goretex one I was issued in '96 was, from memory, much heavier duty, heavier and a larger pack size as well. If those things are not an issue then I would go for the Army one.

 

[Sub5mango]

Another vote for the BA bivvy, or another I've been eyeing up is the OEX bush pro

OEXBush Pro Bivvi

Thanks. I've watched that guy a few times, but not seen that one!

Mine's the standard, it has a huge opening to it which makes it rather easy to get in and out of. I dread to think how big the XT version is!

110cm apparently.

 

[Sub5mango]

I've got a Hunka XL and it's a pretty lightweight bit of kit. The Army goretex one I was issued in '96 was, from memory, much heavier duty, heavier and a larger pack size as well. If those things are not an issue then I would go for the Army one.

Thanks. They aren't a massive issue but I wouldn't mind some weight saving.

 

[Philster]

Honestly, the bivi could save your life. Why cut corners to save a few grammes? The current issue MTP bivy is big, breathable and not heavy - worst come to worst you can hunker down inside it.
Do yourself a favour and get the army one - leave a few unnecessary items behind if trying to save weight. I'm sure if your honest there's things you take along that you end up never using? I know I do

 

[Nice65]

I’m not a bivi bag fan, but I’ve had both the Hunka XL and the British Army versions. Guess which one I kept “just in case”?

 

[Sub5mango]

I’m not a bivi bag fan, but I’ve had both the Hunka XL and the British Army versions. Guess which one I kept “just in case”?

Go on tell me, which one? British army?

 

[Sub5mango]

Honestly, the bivi could save your life. Why cut corners to save a few grammes? The current issue MTP bivy is big, breathable and not heavy - worst come to worst you can hunker down inside it.
Do yourself a favour and get the army one - leave a few unnecessary items behind if trying to save weight. I'm sure if your honest there's things you take along that you end up never using? I know I do

Thanks, I'll check my list!!

 

[Nice65]

Go on tell me, which one? British army?

Yep

Better size, better build. I’ve kept it for possible hammocking if the wind is rushing through the tarp, but not used it as yet.

 

[Laurence Milton]

Like the BA one but with a Velcro opening flap: the Dutch Army M90 bivvy?

 

[Sub5mango]

Like the BA one but with a Velcro opening flap: the Dutch Army M90 bivvy?

Thanks. I think that one might be too heavy.

 

[Brizzlebush]

I agree with everyone's comments about the British Army bag.
I have the BA goretex bag and it's pretty bombproof. I'm 6'1 and there's plenty of room for me. Enough fabric to pull over your head and a small pack in foul weather too.
I tried someone's hunka standard, for size (I didn't sleep out in it) and it was way too snug. I like the fact that it packs down small into its own sack, and it's v light, but I'd be worried about sharp rocks etc with the Alpkit bag. The material just didn't feel that tough.
With the BA bag you can sleep on broken glass, nails, railings, flint spearheads, hot coals (sorry, might be getting carried away!) But you get the idea.
The army bag is much heavier, but for peace of mind, longevity and vfm, it wins for me.
Also I replaced the issue drawstring with thin paracord so it cinches up a bit smoother.

 

[Sub5mango]

I agree with everyone's comments about the British Army bag.
I have the BA goretex bag and it's pretty bombproof. I'm 6'1 and there's plenty of room for me. Enough fabric to pull over your head and a small pack in foul weather too.
I tried someone's hunka standard, for size (I didn't sleep out in it) and it was way too snug. I like the fact that it packs down small into its own sack, and it's v light, but I'd be worried about sharp rocks etc with the Alpkit bag. The material just didn't feel that tough.
With the BA bag you can sleep on broken glass, nails, railings, flint spearheads, hot coals (sorry, might be getting carried away!) But you get the idea.
The army bag is much heavier, but for peace of mind, longevity and vfm, it wins for me.
Also I replaced the issue drawstring with thin paracord so it cinches up a bit smoother.

Thanks. Good tip on the paracord.

 

[Brizzlebush]

Thanks. Good tip on the paracord.

Sure, the cord that comes with it is a bit like a broad cotton shoe lace. So functional, but tends to bunch up when you need it to!

 

[Erbswurst]

If you want to get easy in and out, you should take the Austrian one, it has a zipper!
It is used in the german army too, and used in good conditions they cost 100€.
Weight is 1000g
The new ones allow to breath through the fabric, that's GORETEX GAS PERMEABLE TECNOLOGY /GASDURCHLÄSSIGE TECHNOLOGIE, that's different to all the other Nato bivvys, which are made of the jacket fabric.

https://www.carinthia.eu/de/sleeping-bag-cover-p867/

I use the Snugpak Special Forces Sleeping bags in the Snugpak Special Forces bivvy bag ON the insulation mat and that works very very well.

Snugpak Special Forces bivvy bag weights 340g

(OD sleeping bags cost less than Camuflage versions. Bivvy bag exists only in OD, coyote and black.)

Important difference at the zipper flap:
In the open in the rain you have to turn on the right in the Carinthia, but on the left in the Snugpak bivvy.
I fall asleep easier on the left.

 

[Laurence Milton]

...or the Dutch M90....and its liner and bivvy all attach. Can vouch for it's warmth.