View Full Version : Bivvy bag
bushcraftsman
21-12-2009, 22:30
Im thinking of buying a bivy, I do most of my camping from early spring til mid autumn, not really much winter camping to be honest :( So taking this into account what bivvy do you recommend? and what sort of price am I looking at for a "decent" one, doesn't have to be top notch just needs to do the job.
Thanks
Barn Owl
21-12-2009, 22:43
Ex army ones are great,do the job and pretty hard wearing.
Personally I like ones with a zip opening just 'cos it's easier to get in and out of.
bushcraftsman
21-12-2009, 22:48
Thanks for the quick response Barn owl. where would I get one of those? and what sort of price are they?
The issue bags are great bit of kit, you can pick them up on ebay easily enough for around £20-30. If you can stretch your budget a bit further then some folk prefer a more enclosed bag with a hoop at the head end.
I'd get an army first and see how you get on though. Good thing about the goretex bivvy bag is they hold their value well and you'll always get your money back.
bushcraftsman
21-12-2009, 22:57
I can't find a good one on ebay, im getting either ones for 40-50 quid or less than a tenner which I know will be terrible, could someone link me please :'( :rant: can't use bl***y computers
Barn Owl
21-12-2009, 23:03
I can't find a good one on ebay, im getting either ones for 40-50 quid or less than a tenner which I know will be terrible, could someone link me please :'( :rant: can't use bl***y computers
I'm useless with 'puters too.:o
Try a wanted request,someone may have a spare if they get a newer one for Christmas.
Endicotts are good with their prices usually,iirc.
One for a tenner here but it needs a patch and some tape on it ...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Genuine-British-Army-Surplus-Olive-Green-Bivi-Bag-big_W0QQitemZ180446123419QQcmd ZViewItemQQptZUK_Collectables_ Militaria_LE?hash=item2a036d55 9b
A few to keep an eye on ...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ARMY-SAS-Issue-Bivvy-Bag-DPM-Goretex-NEW_W0QQitemZ320463526203QQcmd ZViewItemQQptZUK_Collectables_ Militaria_LE?hash=item4a9d1d59 3b
* http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Military-Gore-Tex-Bivvi-Bag_W0QQitemZ300378049702QQcmd ZViewItemQQptZUK_Collectables_ Militaria_LE?hash=item45efed4c a6
Buy it now £31 delivered ...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GREEN-GORTEX-BIVVI-BAG_W0QQitemZ290376717198QQcmd ZViewItemQQptZUK_Collectables_ Militaria_LE?hash=item439bcd13 8e
bushcraftsman
21-12-2009, 23:30
Wow, thanks for taking the time to do that Shewie! :) :You_Rock_
Endicotts are worth a shout too
http://www.endicotts.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=126&products_id=1562
bushcraftsman
21-12-2009, 23:41
im thinking of buying the one for a tenner, is it one thats likely to meet my requirements? its doesn't need to be amazing, is the cheap price because of the 1cm tear or because its not a good one?
bushcraftsman
21-12-2009, 23:42
wait, what about that edicots 15 quid one? would that be a better option?
wait, what about that edicots 15 quid one? would that be a better option?
I'd go with the cheaper Endicotts and ask Kev to pick you a good one out ;)
bushcraftsman
21-12-2009, 23:44
do I need to ring them to get it?
yup, pleasent chaps, shame they never have my size in :(
fergus77
22-12-2009, 08:29
ex army ones are well good for the money, if you get a cheap one. I had one that had a hole the size of a 50p. fixed the hole with a puncture repair kit and re-proofed the bag. blinding bit of kit after that
I personally like my Rab Survival Zone costing £40 at Field & Trek (if you can find them there as a bit hit and miss). Light, waterproof and actually breathable just don't seal yourselfin it as it is not a fully enclosed one but a kind of sleeping bag cover. You can of course use it upside down so the longer length (hood bit) is on top to protect from rain. I use mine with a lightweight tarp. Some use a micro tarp that only covers the head area when in a flying v setup. ALpkit Hunka is similar but shorter and the fabric is not as good.
Try www.SASS.co.uk I think. Sea ans special services I think is their long name. Based near Morecambe I think. They also supply their own stuff too.
Failing that there are numerous surplus stores around. Does Attleborough's do them?
I've used my goretex issue bag out and about plenty, never had a problem with it even it heavy rain and even snow. My partner had a breathtex issue bag, which leaked like a goodun' and he only used once. He now swears by his Rab Storm bivvy, which I have to admit I wouldn't mind one of myself :)
Jordan,
I've got one, been usedone night only, i'm sure we could come to a deal.
Rob
bushcraftsman
24-12-2009, 02:33
Cheers Rob :) PM Sent
I personally like my Rab Survival Zone costing £40 at Field & Trek (if you can find them there as a bit hit and miss). Light, waterproof and actually breathable just don't seal yourselfin it as it is not a fully enclosed one but a kind of sleeping bag cover. You can of course use it upside down so the longer length (hood bit) is on top to protect from rain. I use mine with a lightweight tarp. Some use a micro tarp that only covers the head area when in a flying v setup. ALpkit Hunka is similar but shorter and the fabric is not as good.
Me too! My Rab Survival Zone has done umpteen nights under the tarp - not so sure I'd risk it on its own in rainstorm though. I've got one of the old ones - I think they use a different fabric now and it has never let me down. Only problem is the bright purple colour.
scottisha5
24-12-2009, 03:30
Hi all
Ive used the issue bag when it was "issued" to me, good bit of kit, but Ive recently purchased a Snugpak Stratosphere at £89.99 from RVops and I'm very impressed.
Its just a bit more modern and the head room is well worth having. Ive used it twice and both times in bad weather and it gets a 10/10.
atb
John
I have the Stratosphere as well. It's a little pricey, but a great bit of kit. The hooped headroom is a plus, as I tend to get a little claustrophobic in sleeping bags and bivys.
clanelliott
30-12-2009, 20:18
i have a Alpkit Hunka XL, on a scouting leader wet march weather training weekend i slept outside with it without a tarp, i had a 2 season sleeping bag and a liner. i was dry but had a rollmat between it and the ground, because i did not want to get my new bit of kit dirty!
Another thumbs up for the army issue bivi. They are huge, so any other stuff can be stuck down the bottom to keep it safe.
Anyone know how the soldier 2005 british army bivvy bag holds up against the 90'/95' pattern ones.
I ask because Endicotts describes the 2005 pattern bag as "ultra thin" and "ultra light" !!
I maybe wrong but the early bags were goretex and the later bags were sympatex thats a lot lighter same as the water proofs
Same with the DPM tunnel shelter the early ones were goretex later ones sympertex with black poles and not white .
having had both the new ones are a lot lighter.
Hasnt the latest bivvi bag got a half zip?
Twodogs
I'd be interested to know about that. As you say, he goretex one is pretty heavy, if the new one is lighter it might be worth me getting another one.