which bivi?

[tommy the cat]

Well new to all this really but would like a bivi to go under the tarp that I have just bought for walking and rough camping. Need to keep it light obviously money is always an issue!! What features would you not go without in a bag?
Army bags? ( I have got a good ex army stall in my local market)
Any suggestions would be good love the site guys ...though I think the missus would like me to talk to her more rather than surfing!!!)
Ta D

 

[Squidders]

I have an army goretex one and I like it... I got my girlfriend a Rab eVent one though and it's VERY sexy

http://www.theoutdoorshop.com/Outdoor/ProductDetails.aspx?language=en-GB&product=OUT8644

mmmmMMmmmmm nice.

 

[Selous]

I have an ex-army goretex one. It's pretty good. Very big, so I can store stuff in it out of the rain, at my feet. I tend to build a shelter for my head and shoulders and chest if rain seems likely: it has to go down to chest level, because rain runs down from the highest point (chest and shoulders) and can run down to my face as well as my feet!

It is shaped like a mummy sleeping bag: so my face is exposed and my head rests on the goretex, and can be tightened round the head.

I once got caught out: no shelter, no time to build one, rain tipping down. I turned it upside down, so the mummy head end created a sort of overhang. Worked a treat, though a bit stuffy. I tied a bit of twine round a stone in the material about a third down, and suspended it from my stick, so there was a high point. The open, head end was thus the lowest point, if you see what I mean. Snug as a banana. I didn't sleep very well, because I was nervous it wouldn't work and I would get wet, but it did, and I didn't. Since then I've used this set up out of choice on more than one occasion.

 

[tommy the cat]

Thanks for the replies. I'm not particularily claustrophobic but was wondering about something to be completely covered in if there was no chance of using a tarp?
Weight is obviously a worry and as mentioned I dont want to spend masses cause I havent even got a a rucksack yet and have got quite alot of kit to buy.
Ta again D

 

[Big Bad Stu]

Unless you are really lanky you should be able to get well inside an army bivibag and do the drawstring up to make the hole very small.

I suggest trying one out for size at the local surplus outlet, you will get some funny looks but it will put your mind at rest.

You won't get a better bit of kit for the money!

All the best.

Stewey.

 

[Glen]

Light and inexpensive? you might want to consider this
http://www.outdoorgear.co.uk/eshop....2415302&desc=VSS+ULTRALGHT+BIVVY+WEATHER+TEC&

I got one around Xmas and can't give you a review as I've not tried it in the field yet.
Impressions so far.
It's cetainly light, I'm estimate about 300grams, compresses down into a little under a 1lt, though it doesn't come in it's own compression sac, it comes in a mesh sac which should be good for letting it air a bit.
Personally I'm thinking of it as a much better version of the orange survival bag, but that's partly because I have an issue gortext one which I'd find too heavy and bulky to carry around just in case. If I set out to bivi I'll take the issue one, if I just might end up biviing I'll take the Kyham one, maybe that'll change if it proves itself over time.

An unusual touch is that it's got a 2 zips, one behind the other, which then has a velcro flap to cover them. Looks like a very effective way of keeping water from seeping though the normal weakness of zip designs.
It's light weight, I can't tell what material, slightly slippery lightweight and I suspect not very heat proof, I suspect sparks mght melt it but could be wrong.
I also doubt it's as thorn proof as say an issue bivi, but hey it's nowhere near as bulky or heavey.
certainly worth considering.

Even if I was to review it I've not had too much experience of bivis so wouldn't be a fair comparison to other bivis. I have been thinking, because of it's lightness and cheapness, to ask Tony to suggest a BCUK member, who has used bivis a lot, to review it for the forum/magazine.

 

[tommy the cat]

thanks again....no I'm a short **** only 5ft 6 and a fag end if I'm lucky!
Thanks for the links and suggestions Glen it looks ideal but would be interested to see how robust it is as you mentioned thorns etc. Ta D

 

[Glen]

Thanks for the links and suggestions Glen it looks ideal but would be interested to see how robust it is as you mentioned thorns etc. Ta D

Well maybe not ideal but a reasonable compromise.

Reading your thread back it seems you would like something to cover your head while it rains.
One thing I've done in the past, with an the army issus bivi, was to use it upsidedown, hanging the hood section over my rucksac which creatres a small awning, pillow was spare clothing in a waterproof stuff sac. Worked quite well and might suit your purposes better, though you do have to be a little careful about keeping the shoulder entrance off the ground away from small streams that may form around you.

 

[oldsoldier]

Light and inexpensive? you might want to consider this
http://www.outdoorgear.co.uk/eshop....2415302&desc=VSS+ULTRALGHT+BIVVY+WEATHER+TEC&

I got one around Xmas and can't give you a review as I've not tried it in the field yet.
Impressions so far.
It's cetainly light, I'm estimate about 300grams, compresses down into a little under a 1lt, though it doesn't come in it's own compression sac, it comes in a mesh sac which should be good for letting it air a bit.
Personally I'm thinking of it as a much better version of the orange survival bag, but that's partly because I have an issue gortext one which I'd find too heavy and bulky to carry around just in case. If I set out to bivi I'll take the issue one, if I just might end up biviing I'll take the Kyham one, maybe that'll change if it proves itself over time.

An unusual touch is that it's got a 2 zips, one behind the other, which then has a velcro flap to cover them. Looks like a very effective way of keeping water from seeping though the normal weakness of zip designs.
It's light weight, I can't tell what material, slightly slippery lightweight and I suspect not very heat proof, I suspect sparks mght melt it but could be wrong.
I also doubt it's as thorn proof as say an issue bivi, but hey it's nowhere near as bulky or heavey.
certainly worth considering.

Even if I was to review it I've not had too much experience of bivis so wouldn't be a fair comparison to other bivis. I have been thinking, because of it's lightness and cheapness, to ask Tony to suggest a BCUK member, who has used bivis a lot, to review it for the forum/magazine.

This sounds & looks alot like the US Army sleep system, here: MSS
My experience with that system has been excellent. It is my emergency bag now relegated to my jeep, for the "just in case" scenario. Thats, just in case I dont feel like going home

 

[Spikey DaPikey]

I just did a quick ebay search for the Modular Sleep System, to get one from the USA, with postage works out at about £70-80 ish

 

[oldsoldier]

I'm assuming thats a good deal. I know, new, they market here for $200 or so. With the right clothes on, this will keep you nice & toasty when its quite chilly.
We once bivouac'ed during an ice storm, and not everyone had been issued these yet. I was a fortunate one, and slept nice & dry, even with a coating of ice. I cant say the same for all of my buddies though.

 

[themac]

I got one of these off ebay for a little over £100, new they go for more.. It is a great bivvi bag and does cover your head and also has a midgie net!

To be honest though the only reason I bought it was I was taking out one of the kids for a few days in the woods and so needed another bivvi bag, I got this and he took my ex-army goretex one which is also a great bivvi bag at a much lower cost.

http://www.gear-zone.co.uk/eshop/Terra-Nova-Jupiter-Bivi.html (mines in green but is the same otherwise)

 

[billycan]

I have got an ordinary goretex bivvy bag about £30, which i have just had modded, i got a zip professionally sown in with velcro baffle etc which cost £10

 

[easilyled]

I picked up a French Forces goretex bivi recently for £45:

Second item down:
http://www.exarmy.co.uk/sleeping_bags.htm

Its really good quality and has a large flap which will sit over your face if necessary. I have thought about fitting a couple of eyelets to the corners of the flaps to maybe hold them out with bungees but the fitting and adjustment once you are in the bag would be problem.