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This thing’s made from Pertex’s impressive Diamond Fuse fabric, a 2.5-layer ripstop nylon with specially shaped yarns that are intricately woven together to create a robust, abrasion resistant and highly durable fabric – one that’s both waterproof and highly breathable too. Which bivvy bag should I buy? [UPDATE: this is a very geeky, very helpful table to help you choose what’s best for you.] Budget
If you are in the UK there is usually a risk of rain. The cheapest way to stay dry is with one of these orange survival bags. They are a handy thing to own anyway if you are heading into the hills. In use, I tested it on two separate occasions. The first on a mild autumn night when I was able to keep the hood pretty much open all night. It was wonderful to see the stars, and I recommend reading this great stargazing guide if that’s of interest to you. On a second occasion, I had some heavyish rain but found that I stayed relatively dry overnight with a small amount of condensation on the hood from my breath – nothing to worry about and my sleeping bag was not wet at all. The tarp will allow rain to simply slide off meaning the ground underneath is kept dry and you can cook and place your bivvy bag with no chance of a soaking from above.If you’re looking for microadventure ideas try the Year of Microadventure Challenge, watch a few videos of my microadventures or -best of all- buy a signed copy of the best-selling Microadventures book! Hi! I’mm Alastair, an adventurer and author. I invented the phrase #Microadventure and I’mve been shouting about it for a few years. You can follow the microadventures people are doing on social media here or say hello to me here.
Hyperlite Storm fabric / end zip entrance / small mesh panel vent zip rand / wide sleeping bag profile design This new version of the Helium, released only this year, comes in 14% lighter than the previous generation, and from what we can see there’s been no downgrade in performance either. The bivi bag is compatible with the OEX Expedition Tarp and the Bush Tarp Pro, allowing you to expand your shelter if needed.With a 5000mm HH flysheet and a 7000mm HH groundsheet, the bivi bag offers excellent protection from rain and damp ground. The hood area can be zipped up to obtain complete coverage at night, although this does increase the chances of condensation forming inside. And why on earth would you use one when tents exist? Well, such an approach – with your head open to the elements – offers an even more intimate interaction with the wild. The sounds of night creatures are unmuffled, the stars dazzle above you, and your senses are highly attuned to every raindrop and every gust of wind. What you really get with the Geertop is flexibility. It can be set up simply as a standalone netted structure to sit in if the midges are getting at you or the additional outer waterproof camo fly can be added to keep the rain off.
Even the best bivvy bags leave some condensation on your sleeping bag. For a single-night trip this is no problem, but for extended use you need to be able to hang your sleeping bag up to dry occasionally.The Hunka comes in three different colours: green, red and blue. It isn’t the lightest, but at 330g it’s still a big weight saving on any tent. It has a hood that goes nicely around the outside of your sleeping bag hood, with a simple drawstring at either side so it can be tightened around you and your bag. It has no additional venting or faffy zips and the bag tapers towards your feet. You can pair it with a tarp for added protection from the elements, if you like, but many choose not to. And that’s it. There’s not much else to say. The Hunka is a simple product with no-frills. But, on a clear summer’s night, where your aim is to feel at one with nature with your face exposed to the fresh air, then it’s absolutely the best value product on the market. Thank you for getting me out of the tent! Sleeping under the stars is wonderful! The open air makes one feel alive.
We recently reviewed the OEX Bush Pro Bivvi and feel we have to include it in this roundup of the best bivvy bag choices. It represents fantastic value for money, and pushes the Highlander Hawk really close for the top spot if you’re looking to spend less. In our view, the hood system is slightly better in the Highlander Hawk, but with the OEX Bush Pro being substantially cheaper, it’s certainly a close run decision. The Paratex Dry technical material is a breathable and 100% waterproof fabric. It is treated with what is known as a Hydrophillic Polyurathane (PU) coating to raise the hydrostatic head to >5000mm.
Just slip it over your sleeping bag. If I am organised I do this before leaving home rather than doing it later in the dark and pouring rain. I’mve been working hard to encourage people to get out and try a microadventure. Microadventures are a refresh button for busy lives. When does a bivvy bag turn into a one person tent, and does it matter? Our answer is “when it uses two fibre glass poles rather than one or a separate fly sheet”, but no it doesn’t matter.
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