View Full Version : €8 Bivi bag....is it too good to be true?
slammer187
11-07-2009, 20:29
Hi guys,
I am new to the forum but I have a question!
http://store.irishmilitaryonline.com/index.php?main_page=product_in fo&cPath=22&products_id=36
I saw this bivi on another forum and was wondering has anyone tried it.....I just want to find out before I consider buying it!
looks a bit thin and naff to me
welcome to the forum though
slammer187
11-07-2009, 20:53
Yeah thats what I thought but I heard from one person that it has worked well for them in the snow!So I'm still not sure....
Welcome Slammer,
Think I would agree with Ruvio, looks like a cheap copy. If you want a bivi why not just go for a tried and tested one like the British Army issue one? Ed
slammer187
11-07-2009, 21:10
Yeah I think I'll just get a british army issue bivi bag!
Thanks for the welcomes guys!
There's quite a few knocking about on ebay these days, they're described as waterproof but I'd still go for a goretex instead.
MVP is the name for the 'gore wanna be', and its terrible for keeping you dry.
Not a bag I would stake my dry nights sleep on!
You get what you pay for. And when the seller doesn't even spell permeable correctly I'd say you can guess what it's going to be like.
slammer187
14-07-2009, 22:34
Thanks lads for all the help!
Paulmc13
14-07-2009, 23:29
You get your moneys worth... So it's not gonna be good.
Peterlee_Paddler
15-07-2009, 01:59
8 euros for a long camo bin liner ?
Minimum I would go for would be an http://www.alpkit.com/hunka/ if price was a factor, though I don't believe in skimping on sleep comfort so I'd go for a goretex bag. My opinion, fwiw. The price difference over the years it'll last becomes minimal but you gain more comfort from day 1.
Buy cheap and you buy twice. Usually.
John Fenna
15-07-2009, 07:50
MVP is the name for the 'gore wanna be', and its terrible for keeping you dry.
Not a bag I would stake my dry nights sleep on!
MVP merely stands for Moisture Vapour Permeable - a term which includes Goretex and cheesecloth!
MVP merely stands for Moisture Vapour Permeable - a term which includes Goretex and cheesecloth!
A cheesecloth bivvy, now there's a thought.
Must have missed that one in your book John.
slammer187
15-07-2009, 10:40
Lol cheese cloth bivi bag!
I have been looking at the Alpkit Hunka bag but I was wondering does anyone have a link to a website where they have bought a Gore-tex bivi bag that is of good quality and at a fair price?
For what it costs why not try it. If nothing else it will 'upgrade' your sleeping bag several degrees in the winter and so long as you are under shelter such as a tent or tarp you won't get soaking wet anyway (so long as the material does breath).
I recommend that if you get a second-hand bivi bag, just give it a spray with Nikwax tx.direct. Unfortunatly, I had to learn this the hard way.
For what it costs why not try it. If nothing else it will 'upgrade' your sleeping bag several degrees in the winter and so long as you are under shelter such as a tent or tarp you won't get soaking wet anyway (so long as the material does breath).
But a goretex bag would do the same and keep him dry, got to be worth the extra £10 don't you think Rik ?
i believe Brit army bivy bags are also MVP, a lot of people refer to them as goretex but if i understand correctly they are not, i raised this very issue in an earlier thread (''my genuine army issue GTX bivi bag leaks) and had a reply from forum member Leon-1 who told me that Brit army issue bivy bags are indeed MVP and not goretex, goretex is a brand name and my Brit army issue does not have the goretex logo but MVP even though it was sold to me as genuine goretex Brit army issue from Springfields army stores in Burton on Trent, seems to me a bit like calling all jeans levis when only levis are levis, if they are goretex then surely they would have the goretex label and not MVP as mine does, if anyone inspects their bag and finds a goretex label and not the MVP label then they obviously have the genuine article but mine is labelled MVP so it is not made using goretex at all, maybe age is a factor as mine is a few years old and maybe the newer ones are indeed made from goretex in which case if inspected they should surely have a goretex label not MVP. Regarding reply by Ruvio as looks a bit thin well personally i cannot detect it's thickness from a photo.
Isn't MVP just a generic name for Gore-tex ?
Same technology and fabric but just a different name ?
Isn't MVP just a generic name for Gore-tex ?
Same technology and fabric but just a different name ?
Hi Shewie, i don't believe so, not all breathable material is goretex, goretex is just a brand name just as there are different types of jeans and anything else, it would not be correct to call asda jeans levi jeans for example, i was told the original first batch of breathable brit army bags were indeed made out of goretex then afterwards they sourced out cheaper supplies/manufacturers hence MVP not goretex, if anyone has a definitive answer it would be interesting, leon-1 gave a good reply last time, i have seen Brit army issue jackets with a goretex label but personally never bivvy bags, would be interesting if anyone could say if their genuine Brit army issue bivy bag was actually labelled as goretex not MVP.
Lol cheese cloth bivi bag!
I have been looking at the Alpkit Hunka bag but I was wondering does anyone have a link to a website where they have bought a Gore-tex bivi bag that is of good quality and at a fair price?
Get on ebay now. Grade 1 Olive British Army Goretex £32 free delivery.
Regards
MVP merely stands for Moisture Vapour Permeable - a term which includes Goretex and cheesecloth!
Hi John Fenna, from my understanding confirmed by forum member Leon-1 in an earlier thread (happy to be proved wrong) anyone that sleeps in a brit army issue bivvy bag is sleeping in a MVP bag, does anyone have a brit army issue bag marked goretex and not MVP or is it just mine that is so.
Edit -- sorry John Fenna my reply was actually to post No. 7 by IJ55 who you quoted, apologies.
Hi,
WL Gore the makers of Goretex, need to licence the factory and ensure the assembly methods and particularly the seam taping is done correctly to their specifications I believe. As a manufacturer you just cannot order Goretex fabric from them and start knocking up garments or Bivvy bags.
I also think they control the number of licences given out in a particular area. This is part of the reason IIRC back in the late 80's early 90's that Karrimor was using Sympatex for it's wet weather gear. Gore wouldn't give them a licence as you had Berghaus ,Pheonix and Sprayway all making Goretex kit in the UK for the UK market..
The rules that apply to civvy kit ( goretex labels etc) generally do not apply to MOD contracted items..
Cheers
John
The rules that apply to civvy kit ( goretex labels etc) generally do not apply to MOD contracted items.
Hi, i have seen brit army issue clothing with the goretex label but never the bivvy bags, surely if goretex (WL Gore) was the supplier of materials for the bivvy bags then they would show the goretex label as does the clothing.
Hi John Fenna, from my understanding confirmed by forum member Leon-1 in an earlier thread (happy to be proved wrong) anyone that sleeps in a brit army issue bivvy bag is sleeping in a MVP bag, does anyone have a brit army issue bag marked goretex and not MVP or is it just mine that is so.
Edit -- sorry John Fenna my reply was actually to post No. 7 by IJ55 who you quoted, apologies.
Just been for a look at mine and it doesn't say either, just says "sleeping bag cover 2001"
But a goretex bag would do the same and keep him dry, got to be worth the extra £10 don't you think Rik ?
It would if you can get one new for £18, and we don't know this cheapo leaks yet do we? Anybody actually try one? Just guessing at the quality from the pictures and the price.
Unless the chap is sleeping in the open, no tarp or tent the breathability aspect is the most important issue (so long as he is on a ground sheet of some sort) as he's won't be exposed to rain or wet ground and as I said it will at least warm up his bag in winter. I'd buy one but the postage to the UK is almost the cost of the bag.
IIRC British Army bags are not Gortex but are made from Breathtex?
http://www.breathetex.com/
I got my lad one of these last year, the only problem is that the fleece is fixed so it can get very warm in them. They do breath well and keep out the rain plus the price is right
Breathtex Jacket (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WINDBREAKER-BREATHTEX-OLIVE-ARMY-COMBAT-JACKET-XXL_W0QQitemZ350210049923QQcmd ZViewItemQQptZMen_s_Clothes?ha sh=item518a254783&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A 1|72%3A1683|293%3A1|294%3A50)
Hi,
I don't think it really matters if a Brit Army Bivvy bag is Goretex or some mysterious MVP material.
When I'm lying in my maggot after a long hard day all I want it to do is:
A. Keep me dry
B. Allow my Maggot to breathe so I dont get all clammy
My ex army OG 'sleeping bag cover' made by CQC has done the above for quite a few years now without any problems..
sasquatch
15-07-2009, 22:53
Hi, i have seen brit army issue clothing with the goretex label but never the bivvy bags, surely if goretex (WL Gore) was the supplier of materials for the bivvy bags then they would show the goretex label as does the clothing.
My British army issue gear says mvp... I don't own the British army bivvi bag but I'd buy one if I needed a new one. If I lived in Ireland I'd buy one of those others for 8 euros just to see what they're like as well though!
Hi,
I don't think it really matters if a Brit Army Bivvy bag is Goretex or some mysterious MVP material.
When I'm lying in my maggot after a long hard day all I want it to do is:
A. Keep me dry
B. Allow my Maggot to breathe so I dont get all clammy
My ex army OG 'sleeping bag cover' made by CQC has done the above for quite a few years now without any problems..
Hi johnboy, while i agree the most important thing is that the bivvy bag keeps you dry (mine didn't) i also disagree that it doesn't matter whether you know what the bag is made out of for a couple of reasons, if you are told goretex breathes and keeps you dry and you then buy a bivvy bag which is described as being goretex but in actual fact it is made by a different company/material with simlar properties to goretex and then that bag fails to keep you dry you are then unsure if the bag leaked because of inferior materials or faulty goretex, if you knew for definite it was made using goretex materials and then it leaked you would know for sure it was not inferior materials but some other problem, mine was sold to me as new and being goretex, however on a very cold night in the Black Mountains with no other shelter than my new brit army bivvy bag condensation built up inside the bag and actually froze the outer of the sleeping bag to the inside of the bivvy bag, once the condensation froze inside any breathabilty was obviously drastically reduced, the point is did the bag fail on me because it was made of inferior materials or did it fail because it was goretex and goretex is not up to the job, without knowing 100% what the bag is made out of i can only guess at why it failed and therefore not be able to rectify the problem and when buying another replacement bag how would i know what material to avoid and what material does actually work and keep you dry. Also if it is sold being described as goretex then i expect it to be actual goretex so i know what to expect from it's qualities, if i were to buy a ventile jacket for example i would expect it to be made from actual ventile but if it later transpired it was not ventile at all but some material that had similar qualities to ventile then i would be very dissapointed and in fact want a refund.
preacherman
16-07-2009, 09:36
I heard from one person that it has worked well for them in the snow!So I'm still not sure....
Hi slammer187, we have never met but I think we now some people in common.
I have just had a look at this bivi bag and it works out at around 14.50 euro delivered. That is a great price for a bivi bag delivered in Ireland.
If you buy a used bivi bag on ebay you will pay around £30 sterling which is nearly 35 euro. You will then have to pay around £10 sterling shipping so you have now spent nearly 47 euro. You have been advised that if you buy a used bivi bag that you will need to reproof it. Buying a bottle of tech wash and then TX direct will set you back around 20 euro. So thats around 67 euro spent on a used bivi bag. To me its a no brainer, I would buy the 14.50 bivi bag and take a chance. Worst case scenario is that it does not work out and you can put it on ebay and will probably lose out on around 5 euro (the price of a pint in Dublin). You have been told about it from someone who actually has used it and user experience must be worth more than opinions gained from looking at an image and reading a description (no offence intended to all the people who posted). If you are still not happy to purchase this bivi bag then some research will lead you to better value than a used bivi bag I am certain. In fact the forum you saw the link for the cheap bivi bag also has links to new bags at a selection of prices from a reputable supplier.
Hope this helps.
The fact at the end of the day is to buy something reliable, well-known, and something which has been tested and approved by various other people of the same trade or hobby.
In our case it is the army bivi bag, not some cheap un-known stuff that you rely your warm, dry sleep on.
The fact at the end of the day is to buy something reliable, well-known, and something which has been tested and approved by various other people of the same trade or hobby.
In our case it is the army bivi bag, not some cheap un-known stuff that you rely your warm, dry sleep on.
But until someone does buy the cheap bag we will only be able to speculate on its quality? It may be crap, but a toss of the coin and it could prove to be fantastic value for money; we'll never know until someone takes the plunge and gets one.
Are these new ones the current issue in the forces now ? I thought I saw one of the listings saying so a few weeks ago. Could've just been a hopeful seller I suppose.
preacherman
16-07-2009, 13:33
But until someone does buy the cheap bag we will only be able to speculate on its quality? It may be crap, but a toss of the coin and it could prove to be fantastic value for money; we'll never know until someone takes the plunge and gets one.
I do know somebody who has bought one and I have seen it in the flesh as it were. The guy that bought it told me that while he rearely uses it becuse he prefers a hammock but that he slept out in it one night with a tarp over him and he woke up to find the whole area covered in snow. He was warm and dry. The time I saw this bivi bag was in a woods in the hills of Wicklow in at least -4 last year. He was sleeping in a hammock on this particular night. As far as I could see his sleeping bag was a Vango, he had a standard roll mat and had used the bivi bag as an extra layer. He slept very well and told us that he was not cold during the night and I have no reason not to believe him. To put this in perspective I was in a lightweight 2 man tent, lying on a thermarest, sleeping in a snugpak softie elite 3 sleeping bag, all expensive gear over here, and I woke up cold and had to use spare clothing to get through the night.
If you were planning on just using a bivi bag on its own without a tarp and a mat of some sort then it would make sense to spend a bit of money on trying to get the best you can afford, but in all honesty this bag would be an ideal entry level bivi bag for anyone living in Ireland who may be using one for the first time and may find (as many do) that they would prefer the comfort of a tent or hammock depending on conditions. In the past I have used the old olive (small) basha as a bivi bag/sleeping bag cover and breathability was not an issue because it was only snapped together but it did keep the wind off. Most people on here use a tarp over them so the bivi bag really only needs to be windproof if we were to be honest. The tarp can be set up to keep all rain out.
I would consider contacting them, and asking them whether they have any military significance etc....
Thanks for that preacherman, I will get one for my son, his issue bag leaks and as you said the cost of reproofing is not that much less than buying one of these even including UK postage.
preacherman
16-07-2009, 17:28
Hi Rik, I reckon you cant go wrong really. It only works out at the price of a few pints over here. The guy I know that has one is on here and will probably post up his experience with the bag if you want to wait a bit just to be sure. I have not seen him since that trip but he posts here when he has something to say. He might be along in the next day or two.
http://store.irishmilitaryonline.com/index.php?main_page=product_in fo&cPath=22&products_id=36
I have a pair of the boot liners shown on the same page. They work pretty well.
Jim
If you give it some Nikwax, you can't really go wrong first time - I have actually got it to waterproof toilet roll before. (Don't ask!)
Hi slammer187, we have never met but I think we now some people in common.
I have just had a look at this bivi bag and it works out at around 14.50 euro delivered. That is a great price for a bivi bag delivered in Ireland.
If you buy a used bivi bag on ebay you will pay around £30 sterling which is nearly 35 euro. You will then have to pay around £10 sterling shipping so you have now spent nearly 47 euro. You have been advised that if you buy a used bivi bag that you will need to reproof it. Buying a bottle of tech wash and then TX direct will set you back around 20 euro. So thats around 67 euro spent on a used bivi bag. To me its a no brainer, I would buy the 14.50 bivi bag and take a chance. Worst case scenario is that it does not work out and you can put it on ebay and will probably lose out on around 5 euro (the price of a pint in Dublin). You have been told about it from someone who actually has used it and user experience must be worth more than opinions gained from looking at an image and reading a description (no offence intended to all the people who posted). If you are still not happy to purchase this bivi bag then some research will lead you to better value than a used bivi bag I am certain. In fact the forum you saw the link for the cheap bivi bag also has links to new bags at a selection of prices from a reputable supplier.
Hope this helps.
Yes i agree it has to be worth a try, and it wouldn't surprise me if it turned out to be made with the same materials as the brit army one, opinions reached by viewing a photo are of very limited use indeed as are those by the seller as his chief priority is a sale so seek out the advice slammer187 of anyone that has actually used it to get an unbiased opinion if possible like preacherman has said, one thing you could do slammer187 is ask the seller for the weight of the bivvy bag to compare it to the brit army bag which is approx 900g, though if the weight is the same it is no guarantee the bag is the same of course so knowing this is of limited use really other than for knowing weight for carrying/rucksack pack-weight, if cost was a factor i would be happy to try it but if not on a budget and you intend casrrying your bivvy bag any distance i would personally go for something much lighter in weight such as snugpak or alpkit.
I do know somebody who has bought one and I have seen it in the flesh as it were. The guy that bought it told me that while he rearely uses it becuse he prefers a hammock but that he slept out in it one night with a tarp over him and he woke up to find the whole area covered in snow. He was warm and dry. The time I saw this bivi bag was in a woods in the hills of Wicklow in at least -4 last year. He was sleeping in a hammock on this particular night. As far as I could see his sleeping bag was a Vango, he had a standard roll mat and had used the bivi bag as an extra layer. He slept very well and told us that he was not cold during the night and I have no reason not to believe him. To put this in perspective I was in a lightweight 2 man tent, lying on a thermarest, sleeping in a snugpak softie elite 3 sleeping bag, all expensive gear over here, and I woke up cold and had to use spare clothing to get through the night.
If you were planning on just using a bivi bag on its own without a tarp and a mat of some sort then it would make sense to spend a bit of money on trying to get the best you can afford, but in all honesty this bag would be an ideal entry level bivi bag for anyone living in Ireland who may be using one for the first time and may find (as many do) that they would prefer the comfort of a tent or hammock depending on conditions. In the past I have used the old olive (small) basha as a bivi bag/sleeping bag cover and breathability was not an issue because it was only snapped together but it did keep the wind off. Most people on here use a tarp over them so the bivi bag really only needs to be windproof if we were to be honest. The tarp can be set up to keep all rain out.
I am that man. All of the above is true. I have used it with a kip mat under and tarp over and woken up with the place covered in snow. I woke up saw the snow and then went back to sleep . I then slept until the smell of bacon woke me. I have used it in my hammock as an extra layer and it has helped keep me warm. I have never used it on its own to sleep out ( I always use a tarp).
I would suggest that some times its worth taking a chance.( Frost moras for £8.50 can't be any good too cheap)
If you need a bivy bag thats Gauranteed 100% breathable and waterproof then buy one that is. If you need one to try out then this maybe the one.
The guy that is selling these is part of the fourm for the Irish Army http://forum.irishmilitaryonline.com/ there is a link to the store from there I think that if he was selling junk he would be told quick enough. I am happy with my buy it will probably never get used as a stand alone sleeping system.
Why not drop the guy who is selling them a line to request further information for the bivy bag as in what type of gaurantee is offered .
Best of luck down with IPNA ,Andrew.
Hope this may help,
Tony
Tony
[QUOTE=slammer187;558984]Hi guys,
I am new to the forum but I have a question!
http://store.irishmilitaryonline.com/index.php?main_page=product_in fo&cPath=22&products_id=36
I saw this bivi on another forum and was wondering has anyone tried it.....I just want to find out before I consider buying it![/QUOT
Hi Slammer187
I live on the N.Dublin Meath border if you are in tha area I would be happy for you to see and checkout the bivy bag I have.
Regards
Tony.
preacherman
20-07-2009, 10:55
I would consider contacting them, and asking them whether they have any military significance etc....
I sent them an email last thursday and got a reply.
I sent
Hi There, I am interested in the MVP bivi bag you have. Can you confirm to
me that this bivi bag is waterproof and breathable. Also is it issued to
any army currently or in the past.
Regards
Andrew
The reply was
Andrew,
It is both waterproof & breathable, as advertised, and was manufactured for
several Baltic forces.
Regards,
Fiachra
IMO Store
I think that Lore has found a genuine bargain and if you are in the market for a bivi bag it would be worth a punt.
I have no connection to the seller.
Quick update
Very good build quality, keeps out the water, its a very good buy and still on offer.
Hi Rik I emailed them a few weeks back to ask for size but got no reply could you give it
cheers Danny
my bivi bag is ex british army and is goretex and its always kept me gry its also stamped north face so made by a good company
i also have some us waterproofs now i dont know if the same applys to bivi bags but the older waterproofs from the us werent stamped with goretex name and they leaked but ive got some resent stuff from them which is stamped goretex and so is the seams there stamped goreseam so take a closer look it could be very old stock or a copy
I'll measure it the weekend Dan, I'm in Sennybridge. These were made for an east european army I think.
I believe the more modern UK kit is not Gortex but 'Breathtex'
So, Rik, did you find some time to do the measuring?
Would also be interested in the weight of the bag, if possible :)
Thanks in advance!
Lasse
Well I emailed them again asking for size and weight and said please and thank you but no reply again.Makes you wonder what happens if you send off all your credit card details with an order ? and it's not too hard to put size and weight in with the add.Don't think I'll bother !
mark wood
04-09-2009, 23:38
I recently bought one of the bags on the back of this thread but haven't had chance to use it. It's pretty robust but as yet I don't know how breathable. There was a problem with my initial order but the shop was quite helpful about it and responded to emails etc.
I can measure it if people are still interested.
Mark
I got round to measureing up this bag today.
Bag itself is 84" PLUS 16" for the hood so total length of 100"
Width at top 34"
Width at bottom 25"
Overall quality is very good, certainly on a par with a brit bivvy bag.
The main seam runs the centre of the bag, so ideal for a zip mod I would think
Made by Skalmantas
http://www.alibaba.com/company/0.html?memberid=gedukas
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v384/rik_uk3/test/th_DSCF4390640x480.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v384/rik_uk3/test/?action=view¤t=DSCF4390640x480.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v384/rik_uk3/test/th_DSCF4392640x480.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v384/rik_uk3/test/?action=view¤t=DSCF4392640x480.jpg)
Excellent purchase IMHO
tierradelfuego
04-10-2009, 21:43
Hi
Any idea what camouflage it's in? Looks almost like US Woodland, could it be CEC?
Thanks! :)
I got round to measureing up this bag today.
Bag itself is 84" PLUS 16" for the hood so total length of 100"
Width at top 34"
Width at bottom 25"
Overall quality is very good, certainly on a par with a brit bivvy bag.
The main seam runs the centre of the bag, so ideal for a zip mod I would think
Made by Skalmantas
http://www.alibaba.com/company/0.html?memberid=gedukas
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v384/rik_uk3/test/th_DSCF4390640x480.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v384/rik_uk3/test/?action=view¤t=DSCF4390640x480.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v384/rik_uk3/test/th_DSCF4392640x480.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v384/rik_uk3/test/?action=view¤t=DSCF4392640x480.jpg)
Excellent purchase IMHO
Have you had it out in the rain yet Richard ? I 'd be interested to hear how they stand up.
Have you had it out in the rain yet Richard ? I 'd be interested to hear how they stand up.
Hi Rich
I don't sleep in the rain to be honest, don't use a tarp to sleep under I use a tent. I got the bag to extend the time I could use a two or three season bag to be honest.
I'll give it a soak in the bath or something but the material seems good quality.
i have had one of thease bags for a couple of years i have used it on a trip around europe with my mates . and i can vouch for how good they are i used it to protect my down sleeping bag. one night we bivied up on the czech german border (we were heading for praha. Prague) the guys did not set the taps up right so i woke up in the morning floating on my very own lake nice and toastie
i was dry every thing in the bag was dry i just wish id managed to get my bike jacket in the bag as well
Used in a tent this weekend with a two season back, there was no moisture in the bag in the morning, it had 'breathed' well.