I have never been a fan of hooped bivis - with the large choice of cheap ultra lightweight hiking tents now available I am amazed that the hooped bivi hasn't disappeared. For me the faf of getting in and out and getting soaked in the rain rules them out for me, I am happy to have a small tent that may be slightly heavier that gives me more room for kit and the ability to get my boots off under cover.
Bloke, I’ve got a large, rectangular DD tarp. I sewed on a few extra nylon chord loops between all the factory loops. I normally form a groundsheet with 1/3-1/2 of the tarp and insert an old fibreglass pole (from a 1990’s arch top tent) along my ‘top, front edge’. Then use some heavy chord with a loop on either end to form the pole and leading edge of the tarp into a ‘hoop’. I can incorporate a mozzie net into it if I want to & if I work some trickery on the back, it forms 1/2 a Hilleberg which is the only tent that comes with a mortgage broker! I’ve got tricks to make it more breeze/ rain/ sand proof but the explanations are long winded. I call my ground tarp ‘The hot-pocket’. On the beach you face it into the breeze to help keep cool & inflate the structure to give you more headroom.
@@Nobby77 with your sewing skills, the worlds your oyster. Make what you want, even if it’s not commercially available. Like, making a specific ‘door’ for the ‘tarp tent’. Knock up a tee pee ⛺️. Knock up your own ‘batwing’ tarp for the van, have you seen how much they cost commercially!?!?
Great comparison video nobby, I've got the squall bivvy, and it is my favourite thing to sleep in. It's like a tardis in there. I got mine for £20 as it was sold new with a defect but I managed to repair it for pence. 😊
In all fairness, I don’t think too many people can honestly say they haven’t had a sweaty hoop from time to time 😉 (ba dum tiss!) Looking forward to your overnighter reviews of these as I am in the market for a bivy. Cheers Nobby! All the best from 🇨🇦
@@Nobby77 In the states is hard sometimes to find the middle of the road gear. It is either too expensive or Chinese junk. It can be done i have seen some great looking gear out of the UK. Cheers.
Nice work Nobby , I have been looking at the trekmates one and was watching that one on eBay . They do have a purpose especially when I do the bike camping but a little more room would be nice. As you say they are great for stealth camping and even better if it’s a dry camp . Look forward to your proper test runs atb Dave 👍
I have Trekmates Squall. Only used it once. The guy line is centred over hoop. I snapped it on first outing. It’s difficult to get out. Fortunately my wife sewed it back on with her machine. Not sure about it. I might put it on eBay
I have a Alpkit Elan but its tiny and i can't get on with it so one of my lads uses it now. I bought the Snugpak Ionosphere ( not the Stratosphere which is like the Elan) which is very small tunnel tent often called a bivvy tent by some. Its not much bigger than these two tents , I've used in really rough conditions and its a great bit of kit, it has a deep bath rub, very good ventilation and quick to put up but still has enough room for me and my kit, i am 6'3".
@@Nobby77 it's really well made for the money but very claustrophobic inside, plenty of leg room but as soon as you roll on your side it gets tight against your shoulders. But getting in and out is ok and condensation isn't too bad. I've had a Alpkit Hunka XL for ages and it's great. I've recently acquired a RAB Element cheap because the online company cocked up the price!!! so if I go super lightweight I will just use that set up.
Rab Equipment are selling the Ridge Raider for an astonishing £420!!!😱. I paid £284 for mine a year or more ago, it’s still available for that. I actually paid with pay pal’s “pay in 3” which lessened the impact on my wallet and so wasn’t quite so devastating 😁. Got to say I really Iike it, it’s not claustrophobic like the Dutch army one and I haven’t had the slightest bit of condensation, even using it when below 0°C.
Great Review! Useful if you need not to be seen and move fast But I think at my age they will not call me back to crawl in the mud. And with increased belly it might be hard to get in and out of those... "Is this one of the new Sleeping bags you can walk around in? "No, is is hooped bivy stuck on my midsection.." "splendid, makes you look very tactical..." "I 'll get you for that..." *Sack race sounds* *pow* "I might move like a kangaroo, and I box like a Kangaroo!"
Lee I am 6ft 2 so think i would struggle, I have a Alpkit soloist which is small tent and my trusty army bag. the down side of the bivvy bag is bugs i guess.
brilliant video done in an army instructors way ,.....this is the position i left you in...lol!!!! ...........please please do one on the army gortex bivvi and dd tarp 3 x 2 ...
I dont think i would care too much for one of those. I think they would be a bit too confining. And as far as stealth goes there are plenty of tents that have more room and will hide you very well. Dwayne
cant wait till u put ground mat in and everything else your going to need to see how it is then dude . never used one like u said just sleep under a tarp with loads more air flow , enjoyable video tho
Nice vid. If you put your boots on your hands when crawling in and out, it will stop you getting dirt on them. I find taking a bivi and tarp means I can camp in smaller areas if no rain is forcast. If there is/could be rain, then I'm looking for a spot the same size as I would for a tent. It gives me more options.
not for me every one to there own with u on this one need the auld heed sticking oot to breath i have the sweat boxs one bought it 2 3 yrs ago 🤣nice one not the bivvie the review 👍
I have never been a fan of hooped bivis - with the large choice of cheap ultra lightweight hiking tents now available I am amazed that the hooped bivi hasn't disappeared. For me the faf of getting in and out and getting soaked in the rain rules them out for me, I am happy to have a small tent that may be slightly heavier that gives me more room for kit and the ability to get my boots off under cover.
I'm inclined to agree
Bloke, I’ve got a large, rectangular DD tarp. I sewed on a few extra nylon chord loops between all the factory loops. I normally form a groundsheet with 1/3-1/2 of the tarp and insert an old fibreglass pole (from a 1990’s arch top tent) along my ‘top, front edge’. Then use some heavy chord with a loop on either end to form the pole and leading edge of the tarp into a ‘hoop’. I can incorporate a mozzie net into it if I want to & if I work some trickery on the back, it forms 1/2 a Hilleberg which is the only tent that comes with a mortgage broker!
I’ve got tricks to make it more breeze/ rain/ sand proof but the explanations are long winded. I call my ground tarp ‘The hot-pocket’. On the beach you face it into the breeze to help keep cool & inflate the structure to give you more headroom.
Sounds like an awesome set up, shy of a lottery win a hilleberg is not in my future
@@Nobby77 with your sewing skills, the worlds your oyster. Make what you want, even if it’s not commercially available. Like, making a specific ‘door’ for the ‘tarp tent’. Knock up a tee pee ⛺️. Knock up your own ‘batwing’ tarp for the van, have you seen how much they cost commercially!?!?
Lovely backdrop
Great comparison video nobby, I've got the squall bivvy, and it is my favourite thing to sleep in. It's like a tardis in there. I got mine for £20 as it was sold new with a defect but I managed to repair it for pence. 😊
Cheers Rob, you got s steal there
In all fairness, I don’t think too many people can honestly say they haven’t had a sweaty hoop from time to time 😉 (ba dum tiss!)
Looking forward to your overnighter reviews of these as I am in the market for a bivy. Cheers Nobby! All the best from 🇨🇦
Pmsl, I'm out in it now. Vid should be up tomorrow usual time
@@Nobby77 did you dress as Dracula?
Outstanding review. I wish we could get affordable gear in the states like the UK does. Great job Lee.
I'm sure you can mate just a case of searching
@@Nobby77 In the states is hard sometimes to find the middle of the road gear. It is either too expensive or Chinese junk. It can be done i have seen some great looking gear out of the UK. Cheers.
Kipping in those things is great practice for the Big sleep Nobby :)
I'm in no rush to get there
@@Nobby77 Me neither
Nice work Nobby , I have been looking at the trekmates one and was watching that one on eBay . They do have a purpose especially when I do the bike camping but a little more room would be nice. As you say they are great for stealth camping and even better if it’s a dry camp . Look forward to your proper test runs atb Dave 👍
The trekmates has some good feedback. I took the other one out last night
Great job on the video Nobby
Cheers Dean, got to say what you see mucker
Thanks Nobby. The beauty of the bivi in Australia is to keep the crawlys and snakes away. Cheers
You are the first to have a legitimate reason pmsl
May I recommend a tarp over the bivi when camping and some ground protection?
Ground sheet for sure, tarp if needed. If I put a tarp up I'll probably kip under that instead
I have Trekmates Squall. Only used it once. The guy line is centred over hoop. I snapped it on first outing. It’s difficult to get out. Fortunately my wife sewed it back on with her machine. Not sure about it. I might put it on eBay
Get her to sew 2 tabs off centre leaving the front clear.
I have a Alpkit Elan but its tiny and i can't get on with it so one of my lads uses it now. I bought the Snugpak Ionosphere ( not the Stratosphere which is like the Elan) which is very small tunnel tent often called a bivvy tent by some. Its not much bigger than these two tents , I've used in really rough conditions and its a great bit of kit, it has a deep bath rub, very good ventilation and quick to put up but still has enough room for me and my kit, i am 6'3".
I did look at the elan and it was a hard pass for me
@@Nobby77 it's really well made for the money but very claustrophobic inside, plenty of leg room but as soon as you roll on your side it gets tight against your shoulders. But getting in and out is ok and condensation isn't too bad. I've had a Alpkit Hunka XL for ages and it's great. I've recently acquired a RAB Element cheap because the online company cocked up the price!!! so if I go super lightweight I will just use that set up.
Rab Equipment are selling the Ridge Raider for an astonishing £420!!!😱. I paid £284 for mine a year or more ago, it’s still available for that. I actually paid with pay pal’s “pay in 3” which lessened the impact on my wallet and so wasn’t quite so devastating 😁. Got to say I really
Iike it, it’s not claustrophobic like the Dutch army one and I haven’t had the slightest bit of condensation, even using it when below 0°C.
Fair point, no doubt its a good bit of kit. Bit rich for my bones especially as ground dwelling I'd my least favourite means of camping lol
Great Review! Useful if you need not to be seen and move fast But I think at my age they will not call me back to crawl in the mud. And with increased belly it might be hard to get in and out of those...
"Is this one of the new Sleeping bags you can walk around in?
"No, is is hooped bivy stuck on my midsection.."
"splendid, makes you look very tactical..."
"I 'll get you for that..."
*Sack race sounds*
*pow*
"I might move like a kangaroo, and I box like a Kangaroo!"
Pmsl
Lee I am 6ft 2 so think i would struggle, I have a Alpkit soloist which is small tent and my trusty army bag. the down side of the bivvy bag is bugs i guess.
You would fit in there.
brilliant video done in an army instructors way ,.....this is the position i left you in...lol!!!! ...........please please do one on the army gortex bivvi and dd tarp 3 x 2 ...
Could do a basic basha set up
@@Nobby77 that would be great ! esp with the d.i.y. stove and other stuff you have made ..
I dont think i would care too much for one of those. I think they would be a bit too confining. And as far as stealth goes there are plenty of tents that have more room and will hide you very well.
Dwayne
These things do have a place but not my go to bit of kit
Looking fwd to seeing ya sweat like Gary glitter in a sweet shop lol 😂
Pmsl
#1..again😂😂
I'm gonna have to start giving prizes pmsl
I like that camp spot
The birdsong there in the morning is ace
cant wait till u put ground mat in and everything else your going to need to see how it is then dude . never used one like u said just sleep under a tarp with loads more air flow , enjoyable video tho
Took her out last night, surprisingly comfy night. Still not my bag tho lol
Looking forward to seeing you lose 2KG of sweat in the China one 😂 The Trek seems the best one though.
I can do that getting off the sofa
@@Nobby77 🤣🤣🤣
No more low-crawling for me. I left that to the Marines. I'll hump a slightly heavier tent or tarp before wriggling my creaky bones out of a tube 🤣
I normally avoid ground dwelling if I can, hammocks for the win. Tarp next then tents. But these things might have a place
As a ground dwelling sloth, I can safely say you wouldn't get me near one of those sausage casings.
Good luck though.
Get a fox proof one
Do you have a Dracula outfit?
And the award for the most random comment goes to......... (I get the coffin reference)
@@Nobby77 it was that or a comment about the wind blowing out of your hooped bivi
Excellent review. I still don’t want one.
Neither do I
Nice vid. If you put your boots on your hands when crawling in and out, it will stop you getting dirt on them.
I find taking a bivi and tarp means I can camp in smaller areas if no rain is forcast. If there is/could be rain, then I'm looking for a spot the same size as I would for a tent. It gives me more options.
I can see thier uses but I prefer being open to the elements. Within reason lol
not for me every one to there own with u on this one need the auld heed sticking oot to breath i have the sweat boxs one bought it 2 3 yrs ago 🤣nice one not the bivvie the review 👍
I'm off out now to test pmsl
@@Nobby77 good luck 😁
I think I would rather have a tarp and a bivvy bag. Looks very snug.
I'll let you know tomorrow lol