BIVI BAGS & OTHER SHELTERS

Two person low profile mountaineering shelter (based on Bibler's classic design and a tent in all but name) in Exchange Lite eVent® fabric designed specifically for ace Slovenian mountaineer Tomaz Humar's himalayan adventures and other cold and snowy mountain environments.

Internally pitched Easton carbon fibre poles. Two sealed 'donut link' tie in points (one in the roof - you can see it in the photo - and one in the floor) - these enable you to tie on to a rope threaded through the tent. Rear snow collection drawcord porthole. Two sets of guy-lines, standard and shock corded. 10000mm laminated nylon waterproof bathtub base. Two internal pockets. Glow in the dark zip pullers. Fifteen strong alloy angle pegs.

Base: 2100mm x 1200mm. Height: 700mm

Weight: Rab claim 2200g (including poles, pegs, one set of guys and stuff sacks). However we reckon that it's closer to 2000g - a rare instance of the outdoor industry over-estimating on weight (though this may be due to the carbon fibre poles having been replaced with alloy ones in the past).

NB: Rab say "This shelter is not designed for UK backpacking in wet conditions."  

Quantity:  

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1

The Assault Bivi is longer than most bivi bags allowing extra comfort and storage. Side walls allow sleeping bag full loft. The diagonal zip can be tied up to a tree, crag or ski pole to create a roomy entrance. Glow in the dark zip pullers. Midge proof mosi netting in the "door" allows ventilation on summer nights without the fear of being eaten alive.

Single skin Exchange Lite eVent fabric - this is the ultimate fabric for bivis. Totally waterproof yet highly breathable. The bag has a heavy duty 10,000mm hydrostatic head waterproof nylon base. Almost zero condensation so your sleeping bag should stay dry.

Comes in a neat roll top storage sack.

Size 250cm x 80cm. Weight 780grams

Click on the image to see the green version. 

Quantity:  

Colour Red Olive Colour Stock Red 1 Olive 1

Lightweight single hoop bivi shelter for the enthusiastic "bivier", or those who want extra headroom/space inside the sack when it is closed. The Easton pole is pitched internally.

Midge proof mosi netting in the "door" allows ventilation on summer nights without the fear of being eaten alive. Glow in the dark zip pullers.

Single skin Exchange Lite eVent fabric - this is the ultimate fabric for bivis. Totally waterproof yet highly breathable. The bag has a heavy duty 10,000mm hydrostatic head waterproof nylon base. Almost zero condensation so your sleeping bag should stay dry.

Comes in a neat roll top storage sack.

Size 215cm x 80cm. Weight 944g.

Click on the image to see the olive version. 

Quantity:  

Colour Red Olive Colour Stock Red 0 Olive 0

This is probably the best bivi for climbers wanting a super light and compact design. It is a very lightweight and small-packing bivi-bag made of a lightweight waterproof breathable fabric. It may not be as breathable as a Gore-tex bag but it's just about breathable enough, and at around half the weight and a third of the price, who's complaining?! The bag does up by means of a draw-cord enclosure. This can be closed down to a breathing hole ca 2cm in diameter. In heavy rain it is necessary to lie face down to stop water getting in. The original version was personally tested by Needle Sport's staff in The Himalayas, the Arctic and, worst of the lot, the Cuillins in February. Brilliant!

Colour is blue.

NB. New fabric:
i) 64% ripstop nylon, 36% PU coating with mesh backing pattern (total fabric composition)
ii) Weight: 95gsm +/-5%
iii) Waterproof: 10,000mm equivalent (test method JIS L1092 6.1.B)
iv) Breathable: 4000gsm/24hr (test method JIS L1099 A1)

Size 230cm long and at its widest 75cm (suitable for some-one up to 188cm (6'2") tall. Weight 390g.  

Quantity:  

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5+

The Storm Bivi is basically a large version of the well known Survival Zone, but it differs in the following ways:

1: It has side walls to maximise loft of your sleeping bag.

2: Instead of a drawcord closure you get a U shaped vented zip with a storm flap.

3: The base of the bivi is a heavy duty 10000mm laminated nylon.

4: It has a more rectangular profile allowing extra storage and room to fidget.

5: Colour choice - red or olive green

Size 220cm by 80cm. Weight 490g.

Click on the image to see the olive version. 

Quantity:  

Colour Red Olive Colour Stock Red 2 Olive 1

A step up from a simple bivi bag in terms of warmth but very little heavier or bulkier (when it hasn't been used) so a good emergency stand by. Extremely small and light (pocket-sized), yet providing sufficient warmth for an emergency bivouac, the Blizzard Survival Bag is made from layers of reflective polymer sheet interspersed with elastic filaments and bonded together in a special process developed by Blizzard. The result is a unique material which expands to over 40 times its factory-packed volume, is heat reflective and waterproof, yet can be re-packed and re-used many times. The material gives its warm because the thickness and corrugation of the bag's walls create a 1cm to 3cm layer of still air which provides excellent insulation, though it should be noted that compression etc will reduce this layer to zero in places. Radiated heat is reflected back to the body. The elastic contracts to 'hug' the occupant, thus reducing air flow around the body, increasing the thickness of the insulating layer, and providing extra warmth and an increased feeling of security. The bag is completely windproof, minimising losses due to wind chill. The bag is 100% waterproof, and continues to work perfectly even if it is completely wet both inside and outside. The radical design of the material makes it far stronger than other products made of "space blanket" type materials. This is because the three layers reinforce each other and the multiple seams provide a "rip-stop" effect. Most importantly, the elastic ensures that the material never becomes tight enough for tears to develop.

Blizzard note that the Survival Bag is an emergency survival product, designed to keep the user alive in extreme conditions. It will not normally be as comfortable as a regular sleeping bag, but the balance benefit is its small size and weight.

On the question of cold from the ground, in common with other highly compressible insulating materials (e.g. down), it will provide little insulation between you and the ground. In the instructions we advise… "Place padding under the survival tube to improve warmth (e.g. rucksack, sleeping mat, vegetation)."

The Reflexcell cells need to be arranged carefully to get the best performance out of the material. The label advises… "Once in the bag, tug the material length-wise to help the cells inflate properly. Repeat this if the cells lose their shape later."

Condensation can form, but the amount varies hugely depending on the individual and the conditions. Ironically, in colder conditions it tends to be less of a problem.

Fuller instructions as to how to get the best out of the Blizzard Survival Bag can be found on the Blizzard Protection Systems website.

Size unpacked: 2.1 metres. Vacuum pack size: 21 x 11 x 4 cm. Volume: 0.9 litres. Weight: 385 grams.

A tough nylon pouch which doubles as a stuff sack for re-packing the bag is now available separately. Currently Blizzard offer a re-vacuum packing service for their products. In 2008 it cost £7 including return postage. Contact Blizzard direct, 01248 600666 or info@blizzardsurvival.com.

We know some-one who used one of these bags in a cave in Borrowdale in January (ca +5C) with a camping mat and was quite warm enough stripped down to his thermal underwear. Condensation was not a problem as moisture passes through the first two layers via tiny holes.  

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5+

Tough nylon stuff sack for repacking your Blizzard Bivi Pack into once you have used it. 

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5+

A pull-on hooded smock similar to the Blizzard Bivi. Incredible warmth for such little weight. Comes shrink wrapped. It is more than twice as warm as a down garment of the same weight and works just as well whether wet or dry. The hood has a large cowl and offers exceptional protection against wind and rain.

Length: 1.3 metres - one size fits all. Vacuum pack size: 15 x 11 x 3 cm. Volume: 0.5 litres. Weight: 250 grams.


 

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Wrap around blanket of the same material. Ideal for Mountain Rescue Team use when treating imobilised casualties.

Size 2.27 x 2.75 metres. Vacuum pack size: 20 x 11 x 4.5 cm. Volume: 1 litre. Weight: 530 grams. 

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2

Tough traditional orange poly bags ideal for sitting glissades and just about bearable for bivis but only in an emergency. Totally waterproof and totally non-breathable!

Single: Packet measures 31cm x 15cm x 1cm. 420g.
Double: Packet measures 40cm x 25cm x 1cm. 660g. 

Quantity:  

Poly Bivi Bag Size Single £4.99 Double £5.99 Size Stock Single £4.99 5+ Double £5.99 4

Lighter weight and less heavy duty than the Dalesman Poly Bag (above) this is probably not so hard wearing when used for tobogganing but takes up less space in your rucksack. Totally waterproof and totally non-breathable!

180cm long. Packet measures 31cm x 10cm x 1.5cm. 290g. 

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5+

Thermal metalised heat reflective bag that provides entire body coverage for maximum personal protection, and reflects and retains over 90% of radiated body heat (NB radiated body heat is only a tiny fraction of overally body heat). Thermally welded & taped seams. A good lightweight alternative to the traditional orange plastic bag. When taken out of its cardbord box, it remains sealed in a small plastic bag for easy storage in a rucksack. Can also be used as a cheap vapour barrier liner. Totally waterproof and totally non-breathable! 207g. 

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5+

A slightly heavier duty bag than the Life Systems Mountain Survival Thermal Bag (see above) and with similar properties, but still lightweight enough, and seems more likely to be able to cope with repeated uses. 120g. 

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1

A Vapour Barrier Liner is a non-breathable fully taped liner to line the inside of your sleeping bag with and so stop water from your wet clothes soaking the down. This makes you quite sweaty and guarantees an uncomfortable night but a dry sleeping bag, essential if you are staying at altitude for any length of time in a situation where you are unable to dry your bag out.
Weight: 350g 

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0

Our Group Shelters are all made from ultra-strong and light parapont fabric by Troll (used to be Qua Ra) of North Wales.They incorporate "porthole(s)" for ventilation and checking conditions, a drawcord around the base and loops to hold on to, or tie onto rucksacks etc. Further loops on the outside mean it can be tied onto tree branches etc and suspended as a basic tent. They are made in bright dayglo colours (these vary - generally pink, green or yellow) for high visibilty and come complete in their own stuff sack. They are all very roomy for their notional size and the Large size will take a strecher.

Sizes:
Small = 1 - 2 man, 600g approx.
Medium = 4 - 6 man, 800g approx.
Large = 6 - 8 man, 1000g approx. 

Quantity:  

Size Small £31.99 Medium £49.99 Large £69.99 Size Stock Small £31.99 3 Medium £49.99 4 Large £69.99 1

A range of group shelters featuring ripstop nylon to create a windproof, highly water resistant and very strong shelter.

Clear windows reduce the feeling of claustrophobia and durable waterproof seats stop your bum getting wet. A roof attachment allows a walking pole to act as a support to help keep the fabric away from your head.

Sizes:
2 = 2 man, 360g approx.
4 = 4 man, 560g approx.
8 = 8 man, 1050g approx.
12 = 12 man, 1410g approx. 

Quantity:  

Size 2 £39.99 4 £54.99 8 £84.99 12 £119.99 Size Stock 2 £39.99 5+ 4 £54.99 5+ 8 £84.99 4 12 £119.99 0

Ultra-lightweight and ultra-small packing, but basic with no drawcord and a very simple porthole to spy out the weather. A brilliant bit of kit that you won't resent adding to the contents of your rucksack.

Sizes:
2 = 2 man, 230g approx.
4 = 4 man, 325g approx.

 

Quantity:  

Size 2 £59.99 4 £79.99 Size Stock 2 £59.99 3 4 £79.99 5+