I'm looking for my first bivy bag. An Alpkit Hunka XL looks suitable as I expect to use a tarp so don't need breathable enough to seal myself in during rain.

But I'm expecting 20 plus nights between April and end July lots in Wales and Scotland and I hate midges.

Would people recommend sleeping in a head midge hat thingy?

Or a full mesh bag?

Or a different bivy bag with midge mesh built in? If so which?

Thanks

I use a head net with the Hunka XL and a tarp. I also carry a sea to summit "midge tent" thing that I could bicycle up under the tarp but I have still never used it.

Thanks.

It's not something I ask very often! But are you a restless side sleeper? Just wondering if I'll strangle myself!

Borah bag will take some beating for what you need
http://borahgear.com/sidebivy.html

JohnClimber wrote:Borah bag will take some beating for what you need
http://borahgear.com/sidebivy.html

Thanks John.

Nice design but wow that is scary light material! I'm not sure I dare go for something that looks so fragile and which does not claim to be fully waterproof. Their Snowyside eVent® Bivy also looks fantastic but pricier.

Dave42w wrote:

JohnClimber wrote:Borah bag will take some beating for what you need
http://borahgear.com/sidebivy.html

Thanks John.

Nice design but wow that is scary light material! I'm not sure I dare go for something that looks so fragile and which does not claim to be fully waterproof. Their Snowyside eVent® Bivy also looks fantastic but pricier.

My Borah bag has lasted well. Slept on a lot of crappy rough ground too. It wont last forever for sure but its doing well considering the abuse I give it.

If you're not in a great hurry then I wouldn't rush into buying something just yet ... there are a couple of things in the pipeline which may suit your requirements.

s8tannorm wrote:If you're not in a great hurry then I wouldn't rush into buying something just yet ... there are a couple of things in the pipeline which may suit your requirements.

Good grief, now I have to learn patience as well. This WRT stuff just gets harder and harder!

Seriously, thanks. Am I allowed to hope the pipeline includes products made in the UK? (yep I know the Terra Nova bags are but you have to go to a Jupiter to get mesh).

Thanks John and FLV for the Borah recommendations.

Sounds great for the midge protection, lack of condensation and weight.

Do you need to be fully protected eg by a tarp for all rain. I'm not sure what the mean by water resistant. I imagine sleeping with head under a small tarp with my gear and not worrying about my whole body not being under the tarp, is that possible with the Borah?

Plus I am concerned that people will laugh at the combination of an incredibly light bivy with my bike that has a Brooks and a kickstand each weighing more than the bivy bag

Dave42w wrote:But I'm expecting 20 plus nights between April and end July lots in Wales and Scotland and I hate midges

If I were to be out for that amount of time I'd be thinking about tarp tents.

You'll still get most of the advantages of a bivi/tarp setup but with the extra space & protection you'll be glad of for a long trip.

Am I allowed to hope the pipeline includes products made in the UK?

Yep.

I imagine sleeping with head under a small tarp with my gear and not worrying about my whole body not being under the tarp, is that possible with the Borah?

Nope, you'll get wet. Water resistant is really just that, it's no way near waterproof and the seams aren't sealed either.

Chew wrote:If I were to be out for that amount of time I'd be thinking about tarp tents.

I have looked and drooled
I think I want more combinations.

For discreet wildcamping: Bivy bag and simply lay tarp over bike and panniers to reduce visual impact.
For wet, less discreet wildcamping: Bivy bag and tarp over head, cooking, bags and as much body as practical
For fancy campsites when I need a shower: Vango Banshee
For pauses of up to a week: Vango Banshee with tarp as porch

I found one idea for the midge protection which is to stitch a midge mesh "fringe" around a tarp so that it hangs down to the ground and provides a midge free area under the tarp. But sounds quite bulky and fiddly and ruins any view.

Dave42w wrote:...yep I know the Terra Nova bags are but you have to go to a Jupiter to get mesh...

I believe their new Moonlite bag has a mesh zip panel thing... http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/tarps-bivis ... bag-cover/

I bought a little mesh pyramid tent from ebay a while back - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Camping-anti- ... 1c2496dac6
The one I have is the one that is high at one end and low at the foot end.
Midge proof netting with a bathtub floor and small enough to fit under a tarp like a Rig7.

Gives me options depending on midge season and weather.

Another option is a hooped bivi with a net door. I picked up a nemo gogo on here - I think Stuart had one for sale too. I find it to be the best shelter for my needs when I am on solo trips - compact, light, midge proof, waterproof and very quick to pitch.

When I am biking I use my Nemo. If I am out on the kayak I can carry more gear and tend to use the tarp with net tent if it is midge season.

I use a hang down full length midge net under my tarp when needed. I peg out the foot end and hang the high end from the front pole. Means I can sit up under it for eating etc.

Thanks for all these suggestions.

At the moment I think the bivy bag closest to my preferences is the Snowyside eVent® Bivy which is

- waterproof
- breathable
- has a mesh covered vent
- enough space for a mat inside (as I plan to use a quilt I think I prefer that)

I'll combine that with a head net http://www.midgie.net/

That should mean I am ok even in the wet at a discreet wildcamp.

Here's hoping for a UK made something similar at a price I can afford.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/HIGHLANDER-BIVV ... WE9T06W2G8 this is a large bivi bit heavy 900gms waterproof and comes with a bug net zip insert and a fully waterproof insert .
The zips on the face cover are a little fiddly but you soon get the hang of it.

RAB Ascent has everything on your ticklist

ScotRoutes wrote:RAB Ascent has everything on your ticklist

Yep, just been looking. The Ascent and Sierra have mesh. I hadn't spotted it on the pictures of the Ascent before. Looks like the Alpine does not.

Finding any Sierra's in stock looks impossible (pity because it is a bit wider and the entrance and space around your head looks nice).

just a few pics of the hawk bivi bag by highlander 240cm long and 95cm wide at shoulders .

and a few more for those interested , I know there is not much online showing the bivi bag .

wingnut wrote:and a few more for those interested , I know there is not much online showing the bivi bag .

Very, very interesting. Thanks.

If it is 95cm wide at the shoulders how wide is it towards the foot end? Wondering if my 65cm wide sleeping mat will fit inside.

Dave

Hi I've just got in from work , will measure in the morning and post .

wingnut wrote:Hi I've just got in from work , will measure in the morning and post .

Thanks!

The bag is 64cm right at the bottom but 20cm up from the bottom it measures 70cm but the bag is 7 foot 8 inches long and I put my pack at the bottom .