Hi, guys!

Trying to choose a first bivvy for spring/summer/autumn night fishing sessions/occasional camping mostly for 2 people. The most important characteristics to me are:

Easy setup
Rainproof material
Versatility

My first choice was JRC Defender Peak 2 man or FOX EOS 2 man, but found other more expensive options I like more.

Found a website with a decent pricing and I am choosing between these options:

ProLogic Inspire 2 Man Bivvy & Overwrap 420 EUR (I really like this one, but it is quite expensive and low (144 cm). Decent ventiliation system, Pro-Tex 20.000 mm material)

ProLogic Inspire 1 Man Bivvy & Condenser Wrap 290EUR (Even cheaper, but I doubt 2 people will fit comfortably. Even lower (135 cm)) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMthl72DA4M

FOX R-Series 2-Man XL 330 EUR (Very spacious, but seems too big for 1 night sessions. However, ideal for longer camping sessions. While it would be nice to have such a big bivvy, I think it might be impractical for shorter sessions due to weight and not so easy setup)

FOX EOS 2-Man 155 EUR (cheapest one, but people complain about missing rear vent)

I understand I have to decide myself what I really want, but since I am confused I would appreciate your help. What would you choose?

Thanks in advance,
Arnas

In reply to Post #1
None of those. Trakker slx would be my choice of 2 man bivvy

In reply to Post #2
Thanks for taking the time to answer! May I ask why you prefer Trakker over Prologic/Fox?

In reply to Post #3
Fox gear, shelters especially,are known for poor build quality. Prologic are a bit of a lottery, some kit is brilliant, other stuff very poor

In reply to Post #4
Thank you! What about the bivvies with a height of 135-145 cm? Is it a big downside?

In reply to Post #4
Trakker have just as many issues and customer service can be horrendous.Chub,JRC and wychwood seem to make decent shelters at very good prices compared to the so called big names

In reply to Post #6
Okay which one would you choose out of these four below?

ProLogic Inspire 2 Man Bivvy & Overwrap 420 EUR
ProLogic Inspire 1 Man Bivvy & Condenser Wrap 290EUR
FOX R-Series 2-Man XL 330 EUR
FOX EOS 2-Man 155 EUR
Trakker SLX V3 2 Man 430 EUR

In reply to Post #7
If the heigt is oke the SlX V3 100%, i have the plus version very good bivvy.

Thinking of getting the 2 man version aswell for when i go fishing alone or the Armo v4 2 man (nice deals atm on the armo v4)

my mate have the the R-series Xl 1 man, Quality is not top cant compete with the Slx

Prologic no idea but Slx inner capsule is very nice to have, prologic on the other hand have a zip-in ground sheet

In reply to Post #8
What is your height? Mine is 185 cm. Do you find SLX v3 comfortable?

In reply to Post #8
After two recommendations on Trakker SLX I am already searching where I could buy it in Europe for a decent price. The lowest one I found is 430 EUR. However, the price of Trakker SLX V3 2 man and Prologic Inspire 2 man is the same. Both bivvies are quite similar, Trakker has inner dome included while Prologic includes the outer wrap, but Prologic's material is 20.000 mm.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMthl72DA4M&t=9s

In reply to Post #9
i am 175 but the Slx v3 plus is 158H with inner capsule

Saw the Trakker Tempest Advanced 100 2 weeks ago which are 135H, I was surprised how good I liked the height of it, is also better for colder days, that's why I am considering the slx / V4 2- man even if they are only 145 high

Edit: Slx 150 is the new name Trakker use now for the slx V3 2man

In reply to Post #6
Doubtful trakker have as many issues or every other shelter on the bank wouldn't be a tempest

Prologic inspire size 300 x 295 x 144H (144 high is measured at the top peak)
Prologis is also 2 rib system, Gonne put it back on my bivvy list


Tft accidentally put the 2 man up for sale on their website for 199 for a week 2 months ago, I should have taken that deal

The 1 man has a condenser wrap, hope the 2 man will also get that option.

In reply to Post #13
Prologic Inspire specs, photos and videos look great, but since the model is fresh, we will need to wait for real reviews to know how good or bad it is.

In reply to Post #13
2 man version has full overwrap.

In reply to Post #15
Correct but i only want to make use off the full overwrap in winter times
A extra condenser wrap like the 1 man have would be ideal for the rest off the year

I have now used my slx with inner Capsule in all weather conditions, the inner Capsule stays completely dry on the inside.

Only thing that worries me on the Prologic is: without overwrap will it have condensation on the inside?

In reply to Post #16
Ah, I understand now. Since I have zero experience with bivvies, that is why it is hard to know what bivvy I really want, for example full wrap, condenser wrap, inner dome, etc.

In reply to Post #13
Is 2 rib system superior?

In reply to Post #16
No idea about the condensation, you tell me :D

In reply to Post #18
Depends on how sturdy it is, I will never buy 4/5 rib system max 3 rib.

I had a Nash Double top extreme 2 man mk4 (5 rib system) before my Slx , a misery to set up/break down compared to the Trakker Slx v3 (3 rib system)

Maybe also check out the Chub cyfish dome 2 man (Ebay seller ulli dulli) don't know where you are from but he doesn't ship to the Uk

In reply to Post #19
My experience, on wet days/nights you always have condens with 1 layer bivvvies, thats way you want a condens cap/skull cap, full overwrap or a inner capsule.

ProLogic Inspire 1 Man Bivvy & Condenser Wrap dimensions: 135cm x 260cm x 220cm

Can this bivvy fit 2 people?

In reply to Post #21
Thank you. What is better in your opinion - full overwrap or inner dome?

In reply to Post #12
Took me 3 attempts to get a decent tempest

In reply to Post #23
For me, Winter fishing: Overwrap, the rest Inner capsule

135cm x 260cm x 220cm is small for 2 beds, the dimensions are also external dimensions ( incl front peak) so the inside is a lot smaller

In reply to Post #25
What about 2 chairs?

So I am down to 2 options:

1. ProLogic Inspire 2 Man Bivvy + Overwrap 420 EUR

144cm x 295cm x 300-335cm
2 rib
Pro-TEX 20.000 mm fabric
10.000 mm overwrap
13.5 kg

VS

2. Trakker SLX 150 Bivvy 2 man + Inner Capsule 395 EUR

145cm x 260cm x 300cm
3 rib
10.000 mm fabric
Inner capsule
13.6 kg

I would be grateful if you tell me what your choice would be. It will help me a lot.

Thank you!

In reply to Post #27
Trakker Slx got good reputation the one man is good to

In reply to Post #27
Or Armo v4 2 man for 395 EUR
Best choice imo more expensive with overwrap /inner capsule separately but very good quality, i also like the zip off front peak option.

Just saw a Yt from the Inspire 1 man not sure about the groundsheet zip quality
Around min 2.50
Inspire 1 man

In reply to Post #29
Where did you find this price?

In reply to Post #30
Team outdoors.nl

In reply to Post #31
Thank you! Seems like a very good price, but this Armo model comes without inner dome. Trying to comprare SLX and Armo.

Seems like Armo is from Aquatexx and SLX is from nylon. Also, it is hard to find overwraps and inside capsules for Armo despite the high prices.

Imo grap the Slx v3 you have a good inner capsule and if needed you can buy the overwrap later for in winter times.

In reply to Post #33
I am thinking similar because Armo doesn't include wrap or inner dome and I don't want to spend extra money. However, I am thinking that Prologic Inspire might be the best option if I take the risk and buy with no reviews. It has better material than SLX and wrap included. So confused..

Thanks for your help zinno!

In reply to Post #4
Fox is rubbish and Prologic has p*** poor customer service. I would go for JRC if I had to pick. Never had any issues with their gear, and its affordable too.

In reply to Post #34
Not sure if prologic material is better then slx.

Double top is also rated as 20.000 or 15.000 cant say it's better then Slx

In reply to Post #36
Is it possible to know the quality of material without touching it real?

In reply to Post #37
Don't worry about the hh rating too much, look in the camping world and you will see their tents use lower hh ratings and are as good if not better. The slx is tried and tested, the prologic may be just as good or even better, but it's new so nobody really knows. So it's up to you if you fancy a gamble or not

In reply to Post #38
Straight to the point, thank you!

In reply to Post #39
The new prologic bivvys does look good but like other posts have replied there's no real reviews, bit like there new bite alarms.

In reply to Post #40
So I took the gamble and ended up buying Prologic Insipire 2 man. I don't have any experience with bivvies, but if anyone would like to know something about this new bivvy, I can share when I get it.

In reply to Post #37
Hydrostatic head measurements...
i was going to buy a second hand bivvy (cyprinus) from a guy and we set it up for a check over.
It was supposed to be a 20,000 mm hh, but the material was so thin it was almost transparent in parts.
On transparent parts looked like they were sprayed with a microfilm of a rubberised paint to back the material and provide the bulk of the waterproofing.

I have to wonder how this might also apply to other bivvies, the HH isnt necessarily coming from 'better' material but can be a coating...

This cyprinus had odd panels, pained different coloures insides and some not even painted, so i didnt hold out much hope of it being water tight so i swerved it.

In reply to Post #42
I've heard different opinions about Cyprinus. Some say their bivvies are brilliant, some say otherwise. Cyprinus does auctions every day, but the price was still too high with delivery from UK to EU.

In reply to Post #41
As said from a price point and the promo stuff I've seen it looks a brilliant piece of kit I am really considering one as a second bivvy for France trips etc. especially if the Mrs wants to come in tow

Really interested to hear longer terms reviews once you have used it

Prologic just uploaded the video about 2 man version:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=NMv8cWocFyI&feature=share

It looks to me that the top poles are slightly bent since the bivvy is wider.

Need to pass on the Cyprinus or any other bivvy that is sold in the Uk, dont want to pay extra Tax and import cost (Belgium)

Back to Armo v4 2 man or Tempest 150 then, not 100% sure about the Prologic want the see groundsheet zipper quality first.

In reply to Post #46
Same here about the UK bivvies since I am from Lithuania.

I can attach some photos after I get Prologic bivvy if it helps.

Fox retreat + 2man believe me worth the small price, the material of one of the best comfortably fits 2 people