Military Bivis

[HammockForum]

There's loads of discussion elsewhere about military bivis. Is there anyone who can give us a brief run through and tell us what's available?

[Paulm]

I've got a Dutch Army bivi, made from a goretex type material. I chose it due to the velcro side opening which makes it very easy to get in and out, and it's large enough to get my neoair xtherm mat inside. The downside though is that it is pretty heavy and bulky, and the side opening doesn't give me confidence that it will be completely weather or insect proof, although it hasn't been a problem in practice when I've used it under a tarp.

I decided to get another bivi that would be lighter and much more packable and chose a Snugpack SF with centre zip, again for ease of access. It's amazingly small and light, tiny pack size and weighing next to nothing. The downside to it for me is that it is too small to fit my mat inside and even without it is pretty restricted in width for someone who is over 6' and heavily built. Also a bit more length would help. Would be ideal if just that bit longer and wider.

Might need to abandon the ease of access bit and go for an Alpkit Hunka XL as a decent sized but lightweight alternative ?

Cheers, Paul

I have the snugpak bivi and the first couple of times I used it I didn't put my mummy shaped air mat inside because it all felt too small with it in especially as I was using the snugpak sf 2 sleeping bag which is quite bulky. Last time I was out I was set up on a very slight slope and after having to shuffle back onto the mat a couple of times in the first night I decided to try the mat inside again. Everything fitted well for my mr average size but the bivi really needs an extra inch or so in width when set up with such a bulky sleeping bag to make zipping up easier. Had a great nights sleep! They do a longer bag for taller folk and I might check to see if it is wider and get one if it is, for when I'm using the winter sleeping bag. It packs really small and light compared to the military goretex ones it's half the weight and way less than half the size.

I like mine now after early reservations..

[ian c]

The British issue Gortex bivi bag is nice and long and has a nice big opening to get in and hard wearing.

[Kieren]

The British issue Gortex bivi bag is nice and long and has a nice big opening to get in and hard wearing.

Do you get in and out of the side or the end?

[ian c]

You get in and out of the end there is no zips or Velcro to go wrong, they are a good piece of kit, I used then when serving and I was able to get a spare from a friend.

[Dale]

I've not got a military bivi but I do have an Alpkit Hunka XL which I can recommend. They are cheap to buy and have plenty of room.