It will be warm in every bivy when it is in the sun on warm days, but the possibility to open windows on the 4 sides is a blessing on too hot days.
In reply to Post #228
Thanks Wayne & Zinno
Thanks Wayne & Zinno
In reply to Post #227
Used it in 37° heat in France last year - it gave welcome shade and felt slightly cooler out of direct sunlight, but air temperature felt the same inside the bivvy as it was outside.
Used it in 37° heat in France last year - it gave welcome shade and felt slightly cooler out of direct sunlight, but air temperature felt the same inside the bivvy as it was outside.
In reply to Post #227
Having the vents that are facing away from the sun is also a massive help, especially if there is a breeze.
Having the vents that are facing away from the sun is also a massive help, especially if there is a breeze.
In reply to Post #226
Done plenty of bank time now in my Frontier X+ and while it's a bit of a lump to store and transport, once up it's great. I love the blackout material, provides proper shade (hate that feeling of being in a bivvie/tent and still feeling the heat of the sun on you) and allows you to sleep late if you've (hopefully) been kept up through the night.
I'm a big fan also of the inner dome that comes with the X+. It does wonders at keeping all the biting bugs at bay. The only mild downside is the side/rear mesh is very fine so does restrict airflow if sealed even if the outer vents are open (but it has the same set of side and rear zip openings as the bivvie). If anyone is considering getting an X then I'd definitely suggest they pay the extra to get the X+ (particularly as it doesn't seem you can buy the X inner dome separately). Also means you don't really need a vapour peak, and the X+ costs the same as the X and a vapour peak.
Definitely glad I didn't get the XD, I'm 5'10 and the central hub of the X is already at the height limit of what I can comfortably assemble/dissemble.
Haven't found any issue with disassembling the bivvie, and you don't need to remove the inner dome to do so (it comes already attached). Just unplug and twist back each joint and pop it in the bag.
Reckon it's decent value too considering it comes with all the extras: full set of infill options, really high quality storm poles, tonnes of very good pegs, groundsheet, etc.
Done plenty of bank time now in my Frontier X+ and while it's a bit of a lump to store and transport, once up it's great. I love the blackout material, provides proper shade (hate that feeling of being in a bivvie/tent and still feeling the heat of the sun on you) and allows you to sleep late if you've (hopefully) been kept up through the night.
I'm a big fan also of the inner dome that comes with the X+. It does wonders at keeping all the biting bugs at bay. The only mild downside is the side/rear mesh is very fine so does restrict airflow if sealed even if the outer vents are open (but it has the same set of side and rear zip openings as the bivvie). If anyone is considering getting an X then I'd definitely suggest they pay the extra to get the X+ (particularly as it doesn't seem you can buy the X inner dome separately). Also means you don't really need a vapour peak, and the X+ costs the same as the X and a vapour peak.
Definitely glad I didn't get the XD, I'm 5'10 and the central hub of the X is already at the height limit of what I can comfortably assemble/dissemble.
Haven't found any issue with disassembling the bivvie, and you don't need to remove the inner dome to do so (it comes already attached). Just unplug and twist back each joint and pop it in the bag.
Reckon it's decent value too considering it comes with all the extras: full set of infill options, really high quality storm poles, tonnes of very good pegs, groundsheet, etc.
I changed from a Tempest Advanced Brolly EV1.0 (which I've kept) to a standard Frontier a couple of months back purely because even at 5'10 my head was tight to the roof after switching bed-chairs to a Solar SP C-Tech System (standard) I was originally put off by the apparent heavy weight of the frontiers but on stripping out the pegs from both, the frontier is infact slightly lighter and given its a longer shelter, feels better balanced when lifting into the car or barrow.
Headroom is much improved, a decent bit of spare room, even when sitting on a bedchair buddy. Flat back is great and makes it more compact than the Tempest and more suited for the tight swims I like to fish, given it's reduced depth. Definitely is quicker/easier to set up, pack down and the carryall has sufficient room so it fits in easily, unlike the tempest.
The only downside versus the tempest is stability: it's certainly not as stable, even with the storm poles in. I never bothered with the poles on the tempest but if it's windy you need them on the frontier. The fact it comes with guide ropes suggests stability in high winds maybe a problem....anyone had experience in this? I've used the frontier without storm poles (looks better) but wouldn't in the wind.
Possible improvements? More stability, but that's presumably a downside of the design?
I'd like vents on the side as well as the back as it would help with the ventilation: would also like the vents to fully open like the bigger models. Other than that it's pretty bang on so far and will add the vapour peak shortly
Headroom is much improved, a decent bit of spare room, even when sitting on a bedchair buddy. Flat back is great and makes it more compact than the Tempest and more suited for the tight swims I like to fish, given it's reduced depth. Definitely is quicker/easier to set up, pack down and the carryall has sufficient room so it fits in easily, unlike the tempest.
The only downside versus the tempest is stability: it's certainly not as stable, even with the storm poles in. I never bothered with the poles on the tempest but if it's windy you need them on the frontier. The fact it comes with guide ropes suggests stability in high winds maybe a problem....anyone had experience in this? I've used the frontier without storm poles (looks better) but wouldn't in the wind.
Possible improvements? More stability, but that's presumably a downside of the design?
I'd like vents on the side as well as the back as it would help with the ventilation: would also like the vents to fully open like the bigger models. Other than that it's pretty bang on so far and will add the vapour peak shortly
In reply to Post #234
Been out in fairly blustery conditions in an XD and not had any issues at all.
Been out in fairly blustery conditions in an XD and not had any issues at all.
In reply to Post #234
I live close to the sea, 250 meters from the beach and regularly fish in an open place 5 km from the sea, i do alot nights with very heavy wind and never had a problem with my Frontier X or XD , also never used the guide ropes.
I live close to the sea, 250 meters from the beach and regularly fish in an open place 5 km from the sea, i do alot nights with very heavy wind and never had a problem with my Frontier X or XD , also never used the guide ropes.
In reply to Post #236
I must say I also never used the storm poles and I think it's quite stable too.
I must say I also never used the storm poles and I think it's quite stable too.