Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => Gear Questions, Information, Reviews and Competitions => Topic started by: andy1984 on April 15, 2010
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Morning all,
i'm considering getting a bivvy for coming into the better weather.
I was looking at the Alpkit Hunka and have a few questions, i think a few of you own this.
1. Would this be the best value bivy around this money. Dont want to spend more than this really.
2. How breathable is it? I'll be sleeping in a down bag cant afford condensation.
3. Is there enough room in the standard hunka to allow full loft of bag etc or would the XXL verison be better?
4. Do you generally sleep with ur face out of the bivy?
5. How warm do you find a bivy vs tent say sleeping in the same bag?
I was planning on getting a DD tarp to use with this, would this be ok? for maybe sleeping 2 under it.
cheers
Andy
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Bivvy bags are strange, you'll either love it or you'll hate it! Most people will tell you just to buy a light weight tent or a hooped bivy because you cant cook or get dressed in a bag. This of course is true but if you enjoy bivying then you see all that as part of the fun! Don't get me wrong tho I'm not some sort of freak who enjoys lying in the rain with water collecting in a puddle at the bottom of my bivy or anything! I personally enjoy the freedom a bivy brings, there is effectively no seperation between you and whats out side comaperd to a tent.
I dont own an alpkit bivy but Most of the guys on here use them with the pipe dream 600 which is a down bag and I've never heard anyone complaining. They do on the other hand seem quite tight to the bag, like a second skin almost and once you put your roll mat in there doesnt seem to be much room to move.
And yes I would generally sleep with my face out of the bivy.
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They are good kit and I'm more than happy with mine. It can be a bit tight but I don't mind, and as for condensation there is a bit and you can def feel it in your down bag in the morning but it's not soaking wet.
I think I'm more of a face in but that is really only in inclement weather and that certainly wouldn't help with condensation (maybe this weekend will be face out).
You won't regret giving it a go ;)
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Morning all,
i'm considering getting a bivvy for coming into the better weather.
I was looking at the Alpkit Hunka and have a few questions, i think a few of you own this.
1. Would this be the best value bivy around this money. Dont want to spend more than this really.
I have one and can't fault it for quality or price. Have always slept under a tarp so it's never got really wet tho.
2. How breathable is it? I'll be sleeping in a down bag cant afford condensation.
I've never had issues. I sometimes feel a bit clammy but that could be the thick down bag.
3. Is there enough room in the standard hunka to allow full loft of bag etc or would the XXL verison be better?
There is but I do find it a bit tight and have considered upgrading to the XXL for a bit of wriggle room
4. Do you generally sleep with ur face out of the bivy?
Yes, I've never closed the hood
5. How warm do you find a bivy vs tent say sleeping in the same bag?
I've never noticed much difference. The breeze across your face is cooling but I love it.
I was planning on getting a DD tarp to use with this, would this be ok? for maybe sleeping 2 under it.
Theres loads of room under a 3x3 DD tarp. We've had 2 plus all gear with bungs of space to spare. When you're not sleeping the tarp is great for sitting under too
Only thing I would add is what about the midges - in winter it's no probs but come summer it could be a nightmare.
cheers
Andy
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Handy post...Was just about to drop £60 on a Rab Storm Bivvybag (http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2384&awinaffid=85546&clickref=ni-wild&p=http%3A%2F%2Foutdoor.tiso.com%2Fsearch%3Fw%3DRab%2BStorm%2BBivvybag) in Tiso at lunchtime, but the Hunka XL sounds like it would give me a touch more room if I find my current sleeping bag is too small and have to get an extra long one.
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I got the standard size one, and had a go in last night.....
I think, perhaps a problem with this particular bivi might be, it doesn't close up (with the draw string) entirely round the entrance (face hole). So might get a bit of rain the face or whatever.
Also, theres no zip down the side of it, so you have to step into it and wiggle !
Theres enough room for just u and your sleeping bag but - no room for the rucksack.
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I had at one stage considered the Rab ( they say it closes up to about 1cm ) but the Alpkit was just plain value for money and a bit lighter.
Having compared mine to the Trekmates (available at times from TK Maxx at £19.99) The Alpkit is more substantial and I was happy to pay that little bit more.
As for no zip theres less chance of a leak ... I've never worried about getting really wet as I've always been quite prudent about what sleep system I'm going to take depending on the weather forecast and what is planned.
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I cant decide between the Rab Storm and the Alpkit Hunka. On paper I like the sound of the Storm, but its hard to ignore the fact that the Hunka is £33 delivered.
I know the Storm has a zip around the head, but does anybody know if this goes right down the side of the bivvy to make it easier to get in and out? Even then I don't know if a zip is worth nearly £30 difference in price!
Can't actually afford a tarp at the moment though, but with the amount of you fellas that have them I'm sure I can find a bit of material to sneak under ;) Also cant afford a 3/4 self inflating mat, but could probably get away with butchering an old foam mat to fit inside!
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I have a trek mate one and never had any problems with it. Even woke up in torrential rain on Ben crom and stayed dry.
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cant afford a 3/4 self inflating mat, but could probably get away with butchering an old foam mat to fit inside!
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Karrimor 3/4 for between £8 and £15 on some web sites ;)
Mine has done the business !
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Stuff it, just ordered the Alpkit one. I know what will happen otherwise - I will spend ages trying to make up my mind, and when I finally settle on the Alpkit one they will go out of stock :D
I will have to get my mummy to stitch a name tag in the inside of mine so it doesnt get mixed up with all you other boys bivvy bags ;D :P
Good thinking about the Karrimor 3/4 Andy. Do Sports Direct still do them? I called into the Bangor store but they didnt seem to have any. Did get a Karrimor waterproof rucksack cover for a few quid though which is pretty good!
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what do you guys think, is the standard hunka large enough?
given that it is lighter and good bit cheaper than XL version?
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Twas large enough for me, mostly, I'm 6'2", had a full length inflatable sleeping mat inside it too. Movement inside is a bit restrictive tho (with the mat in)....
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so is it better to have the mat inside the bivvi?
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The standard Hunka is quite tight but I think it is designed like that for warmth and weight saving. I find it quite tight and can't decide if I should have gone for the bigger one or not.
I tried a night in mine with a 3/4 self inflating mat inside the bag and while it fitted fine I found it really odd. It was like being strapped to a plank - I felt like I was waiting to be waterboarded :)
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I just went for the standard Hunka. I probably would have went for the XL as for the extra space I don't think its all that much extra weight but the extra cost was just a bit more than I thought it was worth. Still havent received it in the post yet, but I'm hoping it will be on the doorstep when I get home tonight :)
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I have a trek mate one and never had any problems with it. Even woke up in torrential rain on Ben crom and stayed dry.
After I got the Rab out of tisos I called into TKMaxx and picked up a trek mate for £20. Worked a treat at the weekend. It's not as fancy as the Rab, but it's lighter. There was room enough to turn over but keep the mat 'below' you. Rab's going back for a refund.
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Sorry another question but I am thinking of getting a bivi for my first summit camp . I take it you can just use bivi on it's own and you don't need a tarp ? You are basically making your own tent with a tarp but with more room and fresh air . I basically want to go as light and free as possible . If it's torrential rain would I be wiser to bring tent or just live a little and bivi ;)
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A bivy like a Hunka is designed like an oversized sleeping bag. So your face is exposed and without a tarp any rain at all will get you wet. You can get bivvys that cover your face but they're really just very, very small tents :)
Sorry another question but I am thinking of getting a bivi for my first summit camp . I take it you can just use bivi on it's own and you don't need a tarp ? You are basically making your own tent with a tarp but with more room and fresh air . I basically want to go as light and free as possible . If it's torrential rain would I be wiser to bring tent or just live a little and bivi ;)
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I'm going to presume you aren't going to try a summit camp if its going to be honking out, and probably when its gonna be a pretty decent forecast? Then don't worry too much, find a big rock/cliff face and sleep beside it out of the prevailing wind, it will take the most of the wind and (if there is any) rain, and anything else your Hunka will take in its stride. It also means you'll be able to watch the stars instead of a tarp :)
You could just run up with a sleeping bag and a roll mat if your bag was made of pertex/some other windproof material, and you weren't too worried about the due in the morning or it getting dirty. A bivi bag solves those issues and will deal with a good bit of rain, and in my experience unless you're sitting out in it for hours on end with absolutely no shelter, you'll stay pretty dry.
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Hunks will be ordered tonight while I am suppose to be working and guys cheers again for all the advice don't think thankyou is said enough for all the info you all pass on through NI Wild
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My Hunka XL arrived today and it is MASSIVE! there is loads of room in it for the bag, My 16stone lump and inflatable mat. I reckon if I made some sort of hoop/support I could even get it to sit up and cover my head like a mini tent as its really long.
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What weight?
My Hunka XL arrived today and it is MASSIVE! there is loads of room in it for the bag, My 16stone lump and inflatable mat. I reckon if I made some sort of hoop/support I could even get it to sit up and cover my head like a mini tent as its really long.
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525G
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So the question is ...
Will you be in a tent or are you gona bivvy ?
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Gonna Bivvy ;D
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That's the ticket!
Gonna Bivvy ;D
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thinking of a wee practice one tonight in the forest around the damn in Carrick
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Hmmm...... Thats not too far from me then if its the one I'm thinking of (is it off the new line perhaps)
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Hmmm...... Thats not too far from me then if its the one I'm thinking of (is it off the new line perhaps)
fancy it? head up about 7.30 / 8.00 wander round find a spot and set up camp
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I'd be up for a quick practice but not sure I could escape tonight!
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The slightest sniff of opportunity and your there ! ;D
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I'd be up for a quick practice but not sure I could escape tonight!
of course you could, cammon, are ya a man or a mouse???
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Think it could a complex once since I'm away next weekend and the boy's just home from a week away with school. Plus I'm out all day tomorrow.
I'd be up for a quick practice but not sure I could escape tonight!
of course you could, cammon, are ya a man or a mouse???
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I must say I would tempted also but I've other plans. This could be you first solo Kirth :o
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thinking of it. think I might do a normal one firstrather than a solo on my first ever bivvie tarp night
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What time you heading out at?
thinking of it. think I might do a normal one firstrather than a solo on my first ever bivvie tarp night
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Is it just a practice run ? If your goin for a couple of hours for a bit of craic we might (I say Might) be able to sort something.
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I was similarly pondering. Down late, back early?
Is it just a practice run ? If your goin for a couple of hours for a bit of craic we might (I say Might) be able to sort something.
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yea, I would be happy with that. I am working until 5.30 at the crues match, we could either head up after dinner, say 7.30/8.00 or head up earlier and cook there from an old rat pack?
camping or heading home, im easy either way. would be good to get a we run at it.
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I will be heading home the next day early if I do camp overnight. so will maybe not even have breakfast just pack up and go.
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hi guys,
i use a Rab Storm Bivvybag and love it! fantastic piece of kit. used it with and without a tarp.
i'm about 3mins form the woodburn forrest and might just join you for a late up and early away if you don't mind me joining you.
cheers.
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andyd,
just to reply to your post, if you want to keep the weight right down, you can cut a really small piece of tarp, just big enough to cover your head say just 1X1 m and pitch it in a diamond pitch. that makes it pack small and light but still keep you dry as the bivi will keep your body and legs dry you only need to cover your head, it serves as a nice wee wind break too.
hope that helps
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andyd,
just to reply to your post, if you want to keep the weight right down, you can cut a really small piece of tarp, just big enough to cover your head say just 1X1 m and pitch it in a diamond pitch. that makes it pack small and light but still keep you dry as the bivi will keep your body and legs dry you only need to cover your head, it serves as a nice wee wind break too.
hope that helps
cheers for advice on tarp I will hopefully make a night out with all the tarp victims on this site :) I done my first night out under the stars with just my sleeping bag . I cheated a bit and slept in a old world war 2 look out on the coast of Donegal . Started out with a breeze but wind was howling from the north and it was freezing on the face but the night sky was clear and my bottle of port helped warm me :) . Solitude scared me at the start but I soon realised how big a experince I was enjoying and the badger that came to say hi and sat for 15min watching me just put the icing on the cake . The morning sunrise with the trangia boiling me a bru was also a wonder in simplicity I wish I had learned long ago . Overalll this has to be one of the most memorable experinces I have ever felt . Nature can howl in your face the night can sneak into your mind but as cheesy as this sounds I felt at one with nature .
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I also spent my first night wild camping this weekend, using the hunk and bag. I had a great nights sleep under the tarp and can't wait to try it again
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have a look here for how to make a "micro tarp"
http://www.backpacking-lite.co.uk/diy/make-an-ultralight-solo-micro-tarp.html
hope that helps more!