I'm looking for recommendations for a budget 2 man bivvy.
Below £200
Inbuilt groundsheet strongly preffered
Easy for 1 man to put up (for my occasional solo trips)
Ability to stand upright a bonus, but not essential
The more spacious the interior, the better.
Any opinions on the Fox EOS 2 Man Bivvy? It looks good and the price is attractive. Is the groundsheet on this built in, or clip on, or zip on?
I see brands like NGT, JRC etc have 2 man bivvies under £200. Any input on these, or others, are all welcome.
Thanks
Below £200
Inbuilt groundsheet strongly preffered
Easy for 1 man to put up (for my occasional solo trips)
Ability to stand upright a bonus, but not essential
The more spacious the interior, the better.
Any opinions on the Fox EOS 2 Man Bivvy? It looks good and the price is attractive. Is the groundsheet on this built in, or clip on, or zip on?
I see brands like NGT, JRC etc have 2 man bivvies under £200. Any input on these, or others, are all welcome.
Thanks
In reply to Post #1
Jrc bivvies for the money are probably the best out of the ones you mentioned
Jrc bivvies for the money are probably the best out of the ones you mentioned
In reply to Post #2
OK thanks
I'm going to break the rules of my own criteria here. I just watched a video clip of the Décathlon Caperlan Tanker Panoramax Bivvy, I can buy it locally at £275. It has all the features I am interested in, and it is getting great reviews, it seems. The only downside I can see is its weight, and comments it is not so easy to put down, pack away.
If anyone has used it, I'd appreciate feedback on it. I'm not sure I want to spend this much, but it does look the business!
Thanks
OK thanks
I'm going to break the rules of my own criteria here. I just watched a video clip of the Décathlon Caperlan Tanker Panoramax Bivvy, I can buy it locally at £275. It has all the features I am interested in, and it is getting great reviews, it seems. The only downside I can see is its weight, and comments it is not so easy to put down, pack away.
If anyone has used it, I'd appreciate feedback on it. I'm not sure I want to spend this much, but it does look the business!
Thanks
In reply to Post #3
Scratch the Decathlon Caperlan bivvy, thinking this through logically, it is too big, too heavy, too much hassle to put up and down. Woukd be ideal for a 2 man trip for a week or long weekend, not good at all for a one nighter on my lonesome. It is also over my desired budget, so it is ruled out.
Scratch the Decathlon Caperlan bivvy, thinking this through logically, it is too big, too heavy, too much hassle to put up and down. Woukd be ideal for a 2 man trip for a week or long weekend, not good at all for a one nighter on my lonesome. It is also over my desired budget, so it is ruled out.
If you can come to Ostend, I have a Chub Cyfish dome 2 man for € 250 unused (set up once in my garden)
Got an Armo v4 plus as a present from the woman.
For the fox eas bivvy, email total fishing Tackle, they had an improved Eos version (Eos TT pro) maybe they will be back in stock soon, it has windows at the back and came with an overwrap.
Got an Armo v4 plus as a present from the woman.
For the fox eas bivvy, email total fishing Tackle, they had an improved Eos version (Eos TT pro) maybe they will be back in stock soon, it has windows at the back and came with an overwrap.
In reply to Post #1
Hi Alistair -
Is the 2 man for taking your kid?
Reason I ask is some of the huge Euro style 2 man bivvies are MASSIVE - far to big for short solo trips.
You might be better off looking for a 1 - 1.5 man with a peak and an overwrap - these will often convert to 2 man bivvues with the extended overwrap - so best of both worlds. Not massive though so wouldn't be great for 2 full grown men plus kit - but probably fine for 1 man plus a kid.
Somehting like the NASH double top or Trakker ARMO perhaps
Also the Advanta Uni-Extended Overwrap and Porch - us a universal extension that will fit most standard pram hood style bivvies.
Hi Alistair -
Is the 2 man for taking your kid?
Reason I ask is some of the huge Euro style 2 man bivvies are MASSIVE - far to big for short solo trips.
You might be better off looking for a 1 - 1.5 man with a peak and an overwrap - these will often convert to 2 man bivvues with the extended overwrap - so best of both worlds. Not massive though so wouldn't be great for 2 full grown men plus kit - but probably fine for 1 man plus a kid.
Somehting like the NASH double top or Trakker ARMO perhaps
Also the Advanta Uni-Extended Overwrap and Porch - us a universal extension that will fit most standard pram hood style bivvies.
In reply to Post #1
i had exactly the same situation and ended up going for one from Decathlon which is a pop up - but its massive its twin skinned its built in groundsheet , up in seconds and change from £160.00
i had exactly the same situation and ended up going for one from Decathlon which is a pop up - but its massive its twin skinned its built in groundsheet , up in seconds and change from £160.00
In reply to Post #7
I guess you are reffering to the Tanker Rapid: https://www.caperlan.co.uk/bivvy-tanker-rapid-carp-fishing-bivvy-id_8495505
Have you been out in it many times, how woukd you rate the overall quality of it.
I guess you are reffering to the Tanker Rapid: https://www.caperlan.co.uk/bivvy-tanker-rapid-carp-fishing-bivvy-id_8495505
Have you been out in it many times, how woukd you rate the overall quality of it.
In reply to Post #8
I think I will go with the JRC DEFENDER PEAK 2 MAN BIVVY. Does anyone have any experience using this? I have a few questions, would be great to get some feedback.
How is this bivvy for one man to assemble on their own?
Does anyone know how the groundsheet is attached, via clip, zip, velcro or some other way?
How necessary is the overwrap on a bivvy? I will be doing 1, 2 and 3 day trips mainly.
I have seen it online at £160, if anyone is aware of a better deal please let me know.
Thanks
Alistair
I think I will go with the JRC DEFENDER PEAK 2 MAN BIVVY. Does anyone have any experience using this? I have a few questions, would be great to get some feedback.
How is this bivvy for one man to assemble on their own?
Does anyone know how the groundsheet is attached, via clip, zip, velcro or some other way?
How necessary is the overwrap on a bivvy? I will be doing 1, 2 and 3 day trips mainly.
I have seen it online at £160, if anyone is aware of a better deal please let me know.
Thanks
Alistair
In reply to Post #9
Hi Alistair
Ive not owned either the fox or JRC that you mention. However i have had and got a few bivvies.
Ive checked both out against mine and each other for comparison re height, size poles etc.
Re speed of setup
They are both only two ribs, that helps. They both have a built in peak. I prefer separate, but at least its not a full rib peak to the floor. So its easier to spot which is which for setup.
Each has 5 sections on each rib. Not quite as quick as a 3 section 2 manner but you pay more for that and lose overall size. The main thing is you have avoided the huge continental 4 and 5 rib 5 section type which can become jumbled up and take ages.
Both have a medium weight velcro in groundsheet. Ive had one on a JRC bivvy before. I would prefer a Trakker style with pegging points however I did work out that if its not windy you can lay it out first
Erect the bivvy over it , and that saved crawling in and putting it in place. You only had to pull the skirt over the GS. The velcro was neither here no near. Its wont move with all your gear on it anyway.
Neither are heavy for a 2 man. IIRC the JRC is 8 kg all in.
Thr JRC is quite a bit deeper and I think preferable when using two beds quite often. Otherwise you are poncing about getting the right bed angles to avoid touching the material.
The JRC has rear vents. Well worth it for two people spring to autumn. I even paid to have them put in
My 2 man Cayman. It has all the door options you could need. Solid, i have no time for but mozzi mesh and clear always stay in the bag. Plus i see large front mozzi windows. They can be handy in bad weather, roll the GS back a bit and you can still see out but more protected than having the sides clipped back. The Fox one doesnt have them.
So I think the JRC wins out. They have a good pedigree on bivvies too. Whereas Fox can be hit and miss.
Personally I feel Winter skins are worth it . Massively help with condensation in the winter. But also help keep darker and cooler in the summer. However, you can easily survive without and add it at a later date. As its a peak bivvy, the winterskin utilises that peak and you get a bit more space too.
Hope this helps.
Hi Alistair
Ive not owned either the fox or JRC that you mention. However i have had and got a few bivvies.
Ive checked both out against mine and each other for comparison re height, size poles etc.
Re speed of setup
They are both only two ribs, that helps. They both have a built in peak. I prefer separate, but at least its not a full rib peak to the floor. So its easier to spot which is which for setup.
Each has 5 sections on each rib. Not quite as quick as a 3 section 2 manner but you pay more for that and lose overall size. The main thing is you have avoided the huge continental 4 and 5 rib 5 section type which can become jumbled up and take ages.
Both have a medium weight velcro in groundsheet. Ive had one on a JRC bivvy before. I would prefer a Trakker style with pegging points however I did work out that if its not windy you can lay it out first
Erect the bivvy over it , and that saved crawling in and putting it in place. You only had to pull the skirt over the GS. The velcro was neither here no near. Its wont move with all your gear on it anyway.
Neither are heavy for a 2 man. IIRC the JRC is 8 kg all in.
Thr JRC is quite a bit deeper and I think preferable when using two beds quite often. Otherwise you are poncing about getting the right bed angles to avoid touching the material.
The JRC has rear vents. Well worth it for two people spring to autumn. I even paid to have them put in
My 2 man Cayman. It has all the door options you could need. Solid, i have no time for but mozzi mesh and clear always stay in the bag. Plus i see large front mozzi windows. They can be handy in bad weather, roll the GS back a bit and you can still see out but more protected than having the sides clipped back. The Fox one doesnt have them.
So I think the JRC wins out. They have a good pedigree on bivvies too. Whereas Fox can be hit and miss.
Personally I feel Winter skins are worth it . Massively help with condensation in the winter. But also help keep darker and cooler in the summer. However, you can easily survive without and add it at a later date. As its a peak bivvy, the winterskin utilises that peak and you get a bit more space too.
Hope this helps.
In reply to Post #10
That helps a lot, thank you for taking the time to provide such an detailed and insightful reply. I have done plenty of camping, though i have never owned a bivvy, nor slept in one, so your advice really helps.
I live abroad, Mozzi nets are a major plus point for me. I have also been looking at the Caperlan Frontview, i like the inner space it provides and the zip in groundsheet, but no mozzi nets so i am ruling it out.
I'm not a fan of creepy crawlies getting into my bivvy. Would you say that could be an issue with the JRC velcro ground sheet?
I will probably wait another few weeks before committing, the earliest i will need it for is mid-May so i'm not in a rush. At this stage it is looking like the JRC, i'm just unsure slightly about the groundsheet velcro fastening, if it will give ample opportunity to let in little critters or not. One of the lakes i fish has small'ish snakes in the fields and banks surroundinv the lake, i drove home with one inside the engine of my car last season. I would not want one in my tent thats for sure.
The JRC certainly looks the part and the price is attractive. I dont plan on any winter fishing so i wont take the overwrap, i can always add it later if needed.
That helps a lot, thank you for taking the time to provide such an detailed and insightful reply. I have done plenty of camping, though i have never owned a bivvy, nor slept in one, so your advice really helps.
I live abroad, Mozzi nets are a major plus point for me. I have also been looking at the Caperlan Frontview, i like the inner space it provides and the zip in groundsheet, but no mozzi nets so i am ruling it out.
I'm not a fan of creepy crawlies getting into my bivvy. Would you say that could be an issue with the JRC velcro ground sheet?
I will probably wait another few weeks before committing, the earliest i will need it for is mid-May so i'm not in a rush. At this stage it is looking like the JRC, i'm just unsure slightly about the groundsheet velcro fastening, if it will give ample opportunity to let in little critters or not. One of the lakes i fish has small'ish snakes in the fields and banks surroundinv the lake, i drove home with one inside the engine of my car last season. I would not want one in my tent thats for sure.
The JRC certainly looks the part and the price is attractive. I dont plan on any winter fishing so i wont take the overwrap, i can always add it later if needed.
In reply to Post #11
Your welcome mate. Re the ground sheet and snakes etc
Only a zip in or. A built in inner capsule is going to
Definitely keep stuff out.
I should add, as youve not used a bivvy type before. That type have like a draught skirt that fold all around the inside .generally about 5 or 6 inches. You then peg or velcro the groundsheet ontop of that skirt.
Then with your bedchair and luggage rod holdall, sleeping bag holdall, table etc all on it, maybe pushed to the edges then very little gets in. Here in the uk I mostly fish door open so stuff could get in that way. But ive never actually seen anything coming in under the groundsheet. But no snakes to worry about really here.
Re the doorway for you. You can open the door from the top and have the bottom part still zipped down
Then velcro the groundsheet over the door skirt . That creates a step you go over when going in and out. But will help keep snakes out.
Your welcome mate. Re the ground sheet and snakes etc
Only a zip in or. A built in inner capsule is going to
Definitely keep stuff out.
I should add, as youve not used a bivvy type before. That type have like a draught skirt that fold all around the inside .generally about 5 or 6 inches. You then peg or velcro the groundsheet ontop of that skirt.
Then with your bedchair and luggage rod holdall, sleeping bag holdall, table etc all on it, maybe pushed to the edges then very little gets in. Here in the uk I mostly fish door open so stuff could get in that way. But ive never actually seen anything coming in under the groundsheet. But no snakes to worry about really here.
Re the doorway for you. You can open the door from the top and have the bottom part still zipped down
Then velcro the groundsheet over the door skirt . That creates a step you go over when going in and out. But will help keep snakes out.
In reply to Post #8
A few times , just cant moan about it for the price and its massive
A few times , just cant moan about it for the price and its massive
Over budget and If the height is ok.
Trakker SLX V3 150/2 man Bivvy with Inner Capsule £339.99 (Total fishing tackle) try to get a discount code, for £200 look second hands.
I have the plus version: Top bivvy.
Edit: Also have a look at Quest tackle, Their MK3 2 Man is £239
Trakker SLX V3 150/2 man Bivvy with Inner Capsule £339.99 (Total fishing tackle) try to get a discount code, for £200 look second hands.
I have the plus version: Top bivvy.
Edit: Also have a look at Quest tackle, Their MK3 2 Man is £239
In reply to Post #12
Thanks mate, all good advice, much appreciated.
Thanks mate, all good advice, much appreciated.