Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => Gear Questions, Information, Reviews and Competitions => Topic started by: cerbera147 on November 04, 2011
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So I'm heading to the NI Survival School course next week. My plan is sleep under the stars but I don't have a bivvy bag :-\
My question is do I really need one? My sleeping bag is a 58 Pattern Army Sleeping Bag similiar to below
(http://is03.thegumtree.com/image/extrabig/85114855.jpg)
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The bottom these sleeping bags are waterproof and if you get the 58 pattern poncho to match you should'nt need any thing else, the poncho has 6 snap buttons on the inside front the same as on the front off the sleeping bag witch snap together to form a tarp if its set up rite its a really good system the army used it for years hope this was of sum use to you.
Hunter.
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Probably depends on the weather. If it's going to be wet then a bivvy bag might be sensible. I have a DPM one that should fit if you need to borrow one.
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The bottom these sleeping bags are waterproof and if you get the 58 pattern poncho to match you should'nt need any thing else, the poncho has 6 snap buttons on the inside front the same as on the front off the sleeping bag witch snap together to form a tarp if its set up rite its a really good system the army used it for years hope this was of sum use to you.
Hunter.
Thanks for the advice, I always wondered what the buttons were on the bottom. Sadly don't have the poncho :-\
Probably depends on the weather. If it's going to be wet then a bivvy bag might be sensible. I have a DPM one that should fit if you need to borrow one.
Thanks RL; Flipmeb has already offered me his. Really appreciate the offer though :)
If the weather is the same as this weekend I should be ok but every little helps ;D As long as it's dry; I don't mind the cold as much as the wet. Wife still thinks I'm nuts ::)
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. Wife still thinks I'm nuts ::) they all do LOL
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ditto. ;D
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I've never bivvied before but like the idea of it, what should i be looking for in a bivvy bag? I've saw the large plastic survival bags, the army pull-string types and the ones that look like a small tent, with poles at either end. What would others recommend for a first timer.
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What would others recommend for a first timer.
dry weather ;)
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dry weather ;)
Hahahaa, brilliant :)
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may not rain, but you will be wet and cold in a bag like that.
at least a bivi
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I've never bivvied before but like the idea of it, what should i be looking for in a bivvy bag? I've saw the large plastic survival bags, the army pull-string types and the ones that look like a small tent, with poles at either end. What would others recommend for a first timer.
Survival bags are noisy and the worst for condensation.
The ones like a small tent... would be better to just have a small tent (at least you'd have more space for the extra weight)
Army pull-string types are good: cheap, tough, gore-tex, loads of space to wriggle around and even store gear. There are lighter ones in a similar style.
Read "The Book of the Bivvy" by Ron Turnbull - tips & tales to amuse and enlighten - we're all fans ;D
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Many thanks for the advice twentyClicks, 'The Book of the Bivvy' looks like a worthwhile read.
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One man's procrastination is another man's gain ;D
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if you havent got a lightweight tarp then id suggest a cheap one from b&q. light and versatile and with a bit of paracord can be fashioned into a decent shelter to keep the wind and rain out.
and anyway, shouldnt these guys be showing you how to make a shelter anyway???
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if you havent got a lightweight tarp then id suggest a cheap one from b&q. light and versatile and with a bit of paracord can be fashioned into a decent shelter to keep the wind and rain out.
and anyway, shouldnt these guys be showing you how to make a shelter anyway???
what type do b&q do??
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they do blue garden tarps of varying sizes, they also do green ones from time to time.
cheap as chips and very serviceable,though personally id go for the dd hammocks 3x3 lightweight job. bit more expensive but then its down to what you want it for and how often you,ll use it i guess.
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I've never bivvied before but like the idea of it, what should i be looking for in a bivvy bag? I've saw the large plastic survival bags, the army pull-string types and the ones that look like a small tent, with poles at either end. What would others recommend for a first timer.
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Anything that does not allow moisture to escape (and keep the rain out) is a waste of time except in an emergency !! As a back-packer I suggest a 2nd -hand Gore-tex bivvy bag around £30/40 . Pick one up on e-bay. The army ones are very good ; like all the material that is made for the forces. Of course a G/tex bivvy with HOOPS wouldbe ideal ; never used one but think it would to heavy to carry.
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Many thanks Dolly, i've got my eyes on ebay and have a few goretex bivvy bags on my watch list.
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Hi,
Bought a bivvy bag recently on-line.
Haven't had a chance to field test it yet, but it came well recommended.
It was the Hunka XL at forty quid.
Ordered it Wednesday and had it on Friday.
Ebay's great, but can't beat brand spanking new - might be worth a look.
www.alpkit.com
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The Hunka XL looks great but i just don't know if i want to spend £40 on something i may not use, having never bivvied i don't know if i'll like it and would rather put the money towards a lightweight tent.
I've been looking on ebay and saw these Belgian army bivvy bags, they're Seyntex and cheap, anybody heard of them or used them or what do you reckon?
http://goo.gl/cdPJu