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Sol systems?? Anyone
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:20 pm
by Mike
So looking at these on the net, there seem to be 3 kinds the lowest priced at 17 quid
The escape lite 49quid and the escape 64 quid... who uses one r they worth the money and which one should I buy??
Re: Sol systems?? Anyone
Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 12:24 am
by ScotRoutes
I bought a Sol Escape (£60) last year. It's really for emergency use but I also used it on my Cairngorms Loop ride last year and have another few bivvies in mind for it. The sort of thing where I just want to curl up for a couple of hours.
Re: Sol systems?? Anyone
Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 1:44 am
by JoseMcTavish
I've had the Escape for a few years now and would say it's ideal for use in the manner Colin suggested, to get your head down for an hour or so on a big ride like the Cairngorms Loop. I also use it occasionally instead of a bivy/sleeping bag combo when temperatures overnight are in the teens, which it works quite well for, as long as you don't skimp on what you wear inside.
http://highlanddrifter.com/bam-2019-july
Re: Sol systems?? Anyone
Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 8:03 am
by Bearbonesnorm
Buy the one that says it's breathable. I don't think the cheaper version is.
Re: Sol systems?? Anyone
Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 8:44 am
by johnnystorm
I have the cheapest one which in its favour packs down to nothing and is quite easily repacked back down to nothing afterwards.
Against it, as Stu says, it is completely impermeable both ways. It's simply a well tailored plastic bag.
Its fine for emergencies or the odd overnighter if you want minimal kit (bb200 say) but as a long term bivibag, no ta!
My mate has the breathable one and its a lot better as a real bivi bag.
Re: Sol systems?? Anyone
Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 10:28 am
by Lazarus
I have the one with no zip and draw cord - its lighter and still breathable - I primarily use it inside my sleeping bag as its lighter than thermals and means I can climb into my sleeping bag dirty and get a temp boost
I dont actually bivvy ever so cannot comment on whether it would be suitable
Its pretty warm for what is basically a breathable tin foil bag
Re: Sol systems?? Anyone
Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 10:31 am
by stevewaters
This review suggests that the breathable one is not waterproof:
https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/ ... %20rating.
Re: Sol systems?? Anyone
Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 10:37 am
by Bearbonesnorm
Re: Sol systems?? Anyone
Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 1:37 pm
by Borderer
They are not that price by the time you have paid import duty ( as I had to).
Re: Sol systems?? Anyone
Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 1:46 pm
by Bearbonesnorm
They are not that price by the time you have paid import duty ( as I had to).
Just unlucky I think. Quite rare to get stung with items from China ... that I believe is likely to change and maybe it already has?
Re: Sol systems?? Anyone
Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 2:06 pm
by Lazarus
This review suggests that the breathable one is not waterproof:
Except for situations when the wind was strong enough to blow snow and rain up and inside the bivy, we remained warm and dry. The metalized spun-bonded olefin (which sounds like a folk band turned metal) performed nearly as well as the ultimately waterproof OR Alpine Bivy, which is impressive.
As I dnt bivy i dont knwo what that means but it doe not say it is not waterproof not that I have or will ever test this
Re: Sol systems?? Anyone
Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 2:17 pm
by johnnystorm
Borderer wrote: ↑Fri Oct 02, 2020 1:37 pm
They are not that price by the time you have paid import duty ( as I had to).
Under £15 you shouldn't have to pay anything?
Re: Sol systems?? Anyone
Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 2:21 pm
by Borderer
It's not under £15.
I had to pay £11. That was £3 tax and £8 to the PO.
Re: Sol systems?? Anyone
Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 2:25 pm
by sean_iow
I didn't think the breathable (Escape) was fully waterproof either, SOL describe it as
Highly water-resistant fabric keeps you dry even in wet, soggy conditions
The Emergency (non-breathable) version is described as
This waterproof bivvy has sealed seams and waterproof, windproof material to keep you dry and warm no matter what nature throws at you
It might just be me reading too much into it but that's a subtle difference in the description of the waterproof properties?
I have the Emergency, I've had it for years but never used it, which is a good result as I carry it for emergencies when I don't have another shelter with me. It's small enough and light enough that I even have it in my pack when running just-in-case.
Re: Sol systems?? Anyone
Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 4:33 pm
by Lazarus
yes mine is about the size of a can of pop and i carry it for every winter ride
I doubt it would be comfortable but i suspect it would be enough to prevent hypothermia /death
Re: Sol systems?? Anyone
Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 4:43 pm
by johnnystorm
Borderer wrote: ↑Fri Oct 02, 2020 2:21 pm
It's not under £15.
I had to pay £11. That was £3 tax and £8 to the PO.
Bummer, I remembered then being about 12 quid at the time. Just had a look on Ali and there are some for under £15 inc shipping.
Re: Sol systems?? Anyone
Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 4:59 pm
by Bearbonesnorm
Bummer, I remembered then being about 12 quid at the time. Just had a look on Ali and there are some for under £15 inc shipping.
Still a very affordable bivvy bag, even if you do get stung like 'Lucky Bridget' as I'm now going to call her
Re: Sol systems?? Anyone
Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 5:10 pm
by Borderer
johnnystorm wrote: ↑Fri Oct 02, 2020 4:43 pm
Borderer wrote: ↑Fri Oct 02, 2020 2:21 pm
It's not under £15.
I had to pay £11. That was £3 tax and £8 to the PO.
Bummer, I remembered then being about 12 quid at the time. Just had a look on Ali and there are some for under £15 inc shipping.
I'm pretty sure that is the small ones though, that have a hole in the back which renders them a bit useless. The XL are more.
Re: Sol systems?? Anyone
Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 10:41 pm
by johnnystorm
Borderer wrote: ↑Fri Oct 02, 2020 5:10 pm
johnnystorm wrote: ↑Fri Oct 02, 2020 4:43 pm
Borderer wrote: ↑Fri Oct 02, 2020 2:21 pm
It's not under £15.
I had to pay £11. That was £3 tax and £8 to the PO.
Bummer, I remembered then being about 12 quid at the time. Just had a look on Ali and there are some for under £15 inc shipping.
I'm pretty sure that is the small ones though, that have a hole in the back which renders them a bit useless. The XL are more.
Ugh, sub optimal!
Re: Sol systems?? Anyone
Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2020 10:10 am
by Borderer
Small ones don't have a zip either.
Re: Sol systems?? Anyone
Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2020 7:03 pm
by stevewaters
I just ordered an XL one (Type B).
This is the type I think that Stuart reviewed. It doesn't have a hole in the back and it does have a zip.
It cost me £21.59 GBP including shipping. I await to see if I get charged import tax.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3297359 ... 5392%23205
Re: Sol systems?? Anyone
Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2020 10:21 am
by stevewaters
Sees like a good discussion on the SOL Escape ("breathable") bivvy here:
https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/90852/
To quote one of the comments:
-This bivy is rain-proof for most cases; the pressure of falling rain (typical maximum 4mm diameter drops at terminal velocity) will not penetrate it. It is comparably rain-proof to typical UL tents by cottage manufacturers (they average only 1,200 mm HH versus 1,336 for this bivy).
These are the pressures exerted by my specific body:
-It would be waterproof if I lay on my side (232.07 pressure versus 1,336 hydrostatic head)
-It would be waterproof if I lay on my back (119.35 pressure versus 1,336 hydrostatic head)
-It would NOT be waterproof if I keeled on it (12953.52 pressure versus 1,336 hydrostatic head)
-It would NOT be waterproof if I sat on it (2428.79 pressure versus 1,336 hydrostatic head)