Trakker NXG Insulated Bivvy Mat (a) 210119

Product Information

Outdoor Research should need no introduction. A fantastic company based in Seattle on the West Coast of the USA, they have continuously been at the height of innovation and quality since their inception in the early 1980s. The cheaper bags are less breathable, so you are likely to wake up with the inside of the bag feeling wet (and your sleeping bag feeling damp). This isn’t a problem if you are sleeping out just for a night as you can hang everything out to dry. If you are planning multiple days though you won’t want this as wet gear = cold! Here’s my recommendation for the best bivvy bags: 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. I’ve put together all my top tips for staying warm when camping. The main consideration is not going to bed cold. And if you do get cold in the night, the only way to warm up properly is to get out and move (no matter how much you don’t want to!). Go for a brisk walk or do some star jumps. A Brolly does exactly what it says on the tin: it’s a massive umbrella. A Bivvy, however, is a home-from-home setup, with loads of add-ons and perks to keep your fishing gear neat, safe and away from the elements – the Nash Titan Hide XL’ s twin Velcro rod-retaining straps make it one of the best for those perks. What is the way for beating mosquitos?

Ultimately, be prepared to adapt, turn and relocate your Bivvy several times during a session. What will complete the look? When you’re ready to camp, the Ridge Raider is effortless to put up. Thread the 8mm pole through a duct in the head section of the bivi, a bit like putting up a dome tent. This then lifts the top of the bivi off your head meaning you can easily lie down and read a book, or even tend a stove located outside close by. Although you can sleep in just a bivvy bag, it’s generally a pretty unpleasant experience – both should be used in combination. In all but the warmest weather you would feel uncomfortable and cold without a sleeping bag once the sun has gone down. The cheaper bags start as low as just a few pounds. The biggest difference you will notice between the cheap and the more expensive bivvy bags is condensation. Putting the bivy tent up for the first time took me about 10 minutes, but I think I could probably half that with a bit of practice. A short hoop is threaded through the foot region and a longer one up at the head end. The base structure is then pegged out with 6 pegs and the fly sheet added on top. This is then also pegged with a couple of guy ropes if it is windy.Furthermore, if you want to fully feel part of nature and enjoy wider views, then a Brolly allows for a more open and exposed experience. Summary

A really great all-round bivvy bag. A little bit of condensation, but nothing compared to what you will have using a survival bag. Very compact and a good colour. One thing to note is that if you are over 6ft tall (I’m 6ft3 or 195cm) then you may be stretched for sleeping space inside – the sleeping area is 213cm long but this includes a sloping roof. Something to bear in mind.The Trakker Insulated Bivvy Mat is designed to create a barrier against damp and cold and is constructed from durable, water-resistant material which can be wiped clean should it become soiled. You can go even further and create yourself a bankside palace with the RidgeMonkey Escape XF2 Compact with Plus Porch Extension . This can fit two standard-sized Bedchairs , whilst the porch extension adds an excellent socialising space or extra storage option. What is the best Bivvy on the market for easy set up and put away? 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.

In Scotland “ the right to roam” includes bivvying. It’s also allowed in a large proportion of Dartmoor. Otherwise in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland you should ask the landowner’s permission. Currently trespass without intent to establish permanent residence is a civil, not criminal, offence. If you are bivvying and the landowner asks you to leave, you should move on. Sleeping bag (I use a Tundra Pure and Dry 0 although for a sunny evening a cheaper Vango sleeping bag will do) Bivvies come in a wide range of sizes – for example, the Avid Ascent Bivvy is available in one or two-man – allowing you to tailor your fishing shelter setup for those solo overnighters to a more social outing with your friend.Call us on 0333 123 6699 with any questions you have, and we will be more than happy to help you in your quest in answering: What is the best Bivvy on the market? The Ionosphere comes in two main parts – a double-hooped ‘undercarriage’ mesh section which forms the frame of the bivvy, and then a highly waterproof (5000mm HH) and breathable ripstop outer fly sheet which goes over the top. Both require pegging down using aluminum tent pegs which come with the Ionosphere. The fly sheet also has guy ropes to peg down to secure it. I have had it set up in severe gale conditions, and because of the low profile, there was absolutely no chance of it working loose and flying off. In Use Using a bivi bag can be a little like wearing a waterproof parka coat in the winter. The bivi wraps around your sleeping bag and includes a big hood which can completely cover encompass your head and face. The Helium bivvy itself uses a flexible fibre glass pole to form a hoop shape above your head with a zippable hood which can be pulled down over the hoop to fully zip up the enclosure if required. In good weather, the hood can be withdrawn and toggled up on the hoop, leaving a net mesh to keep bugs out.

In the morning, turn your bivvy bag inside out. Hang it up somewhere with your sleeping bag to dry off properly. If it’s a damp morning, then you can do this later in the day if you have a sunny break. The top of the bivvy bag completely zips up, but there is no way of keeping it off your face, and sleeping can get difficult. On warmer nights this isn’t a problem as you can open more of a gap. As a result, we would say this is three season only, but of course your mileage may vary!

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Trakker’s USB Bivvy Fan is a must-have in all conditions – not only does it keep you cool when it’s hot, but it helps reduce condensation when the temperature drops. Additionally, it works great as an insect repellent, with capabilities to add a few drops of citronella. Getting in and out is ‘interesting’ as is the case with all bivvy bags. Our technique is to get it all set up with the head section fully unzipped, then undo our boots and literally step out of the boots one at a time onto the top end of the bivvy. It’s then a simple matter of sitting down and sliding in. Alternatively , the Avid Compact Session Table comes with a rigid 600-denier fabric, coated with a wipe-clean treatment making it ideal for storing your food and drink, and socialising around with friends. A bivvy bag is basically a waterproof cover for your sleeping bag. It allows you to go camping without a tent. But if you’re racing, then pace tends to take precedence. In a short race (only one or two nights), it’s easier to rough it and sacrifice a good night's sleep in favour of better running performance. But for long, expedition style races or Fastest Known Time (FKT) attempts, the situation is more complex, with the aim of the game being to maximise performance over a prolonged period and changing circumstances. In this situation, you'll need to consider the following: will you be able to cope with prolonged sleep deprivation? Will you be able to dry out your kit? What is the terrain on the course ? What is the climate and season?