Trakker NXG Insulated Bivvy Mat (a) 210119

Product Information

I’ve put together all my top tips for staying warm when camping. The main consideration is not going to bed cold. And if you do get cold in the night, the only way to warm up properly is to get out and move (no matter how much you don’t want to!). Go for a brisk walk or do some star jumps. Alternatively, you can opt for Outlaw Pro’s Two-Colour USB Bivvy Light , with a battery life of up to 250 hours and five different light modes – an overnight-session’s best friend. What are the ideal Pegs? As a cold sleeper, this is my biggest consideration when bivvying. Without the shelter of a tent – which warms up with your body heat – it is easier to get cold in the night.

Make sure you aren’t pitched at the bottom of a hill or ditch, which might get flooded in rain. How to stay warm while bivvying Nash has designed Magnetic Bivvy Hooks to add further storage options to the angler. Great for hanging carp lighting or a head torch, so you aren’t fiddling about in the middle of the night trying to find it when busting for a wee! The Nash Titan Hide is a lifesaver for those insect-ridden conditions, with its easy zip-in Mozzi Infill . And its Waterproof Infill , too, with both capable of being used at the same time, so there’s no need to choose whether you’d rather be dry or bite-free. If you find yourself exploring Europe in the height of summer, then no doubt you’ll want your Bivvy opening up to your Rods and the body of water you’re casting out on.We have a few upgrades that can make a simple carp bivvy such as a groundsheet to keep your fishing gear off the damp terrain or a skullcap to extra layer of protection and heat retention over the top of your bivvy. In our bivvy accessory selection, you will also find a range of bivvy mats to wipe your fishing boots, bivvy tables for making rigs on, bivvy fans, heaters and bivvy repair kits. A sleeping bag is an insulated bag that is designed to keep you warm. This warmth is provided by either a down or synthetic filling that traps air around your body as you sleep. In contrast, the single-skin fabric of a bivyy bag provides negligible warmth. It is designed to keep out moisture (from rain, dew or snow) while having sufficient breathability to minimise moisture build up on the inside. A sleeping bag will often cover the head but doesn’t cover the face, where most bivvy bags allow for the whole person to be sealed inside (i.e. the bag is closed fully over both the head and face). Do I need a sleeping bag with a bivvy? Bivvies fold down so compactly and neatly, that it’s easy to carry them no matter the size. Avid have the market covered with a wide range of weights when it comes to their Bivvies specs. The Paratex Dry technical material is a breathable and 100% waterproof fabric. It is treated with what is known as a Hydrophillic Polyurathane (PU) coating to raise the hydrostatic head to >5000mm. We are massive fans of Snugpak gear – they are leaders in well thought-out, rugged outdoor gear. The Snugpak Ionosphere bivy tent is no exception and straddles the line between bivvy bag and compact 1-person tent really well. There’s no wonder it’s often used by the US military – not bad for a company from Yorkshire in the UK!

I WROTE A BOOK!!** All about my first big adventure hiking the length of Israel – Three Stripes South. Don’t forget to also sign up to my newsletter to stay up to date with future adventures. But if you’re racing, then pace tends to take precedence. In a short race (only one or two nights), it’s easier to rough it and sacrifice a good night's sleep in favour of better running performance. But for long, expedition style races or Fastest Known Time (FKT) attempts, the situation is more complex, with the aim of the game being to maximise performance over a prolonged period and changing circumstances. In this situation, you'll need to consider the following: will you be able to cope with prolonged sleep deprivation? Will you be able to dry out your kit? What is the terrain on the course ? What is the climate and season? Next, consider the nature of your running excursion. For a long adventure (more than a few nights), the importance of comfort and plenty of rest can't be underestimated. This is where a slightly heavier set-up might be preferred (eg a one-man tent with some space inside and a comfy sleeping mat). Bivvy bags take up less space so it is easier to find suitable wild camping spots and to be more discrete The Ionosphere comes in two main parts – a double-hooped ‘undercarriage’ mesh section which forms the frame of the bivvy, and then a highly waterproof (5000mm HH) and breathable ripstop outer fly sheet which goes over the top. Both require pegging down using aluminum tent pegs which come with the Ionosphere. The fly sheet also has guy ropes to peg down to secure it. I have had it set up in severe gale conditions, and because of the low profile, there was absolutely no chance of it working loose and flying off. In UseOne thing to note is that if you are over 6ft tall (I’m 6ft3 or 195cm) then you may be stretched for sleeping space inside – the sleeping area is 213cm long but this includes a sloping roof. Something to bear in mind. For any Game of Thrones fans looking to go ‘North of the Wall’ then you’ll want the Bivvies’ stronger frames and increased pegging points, creating a sturdier unit for you to take shelter in. Roll out your bivvy bag and then put your sleeping bag inside. There are 2 ways you can have your roll mat. Either outside (underneath your bivvy bag) or inside (under your sleeping bag but inside your bivvy bag). Using a bivi bag can be a little like wearing a waterproof parka coat in the winter. The bivi wraps around your sleeping bag and includes a big hood which can completely cover encompass your head and face. We have a few upgrades that can make a simple carp bivvy such as a Trakker groundsheet to keep your fishing gear off the damp terrain or a skullcap to extra layer of protection over the top of your bivvy made especially for anglers with a Trakker bivvy.

When does a bivvy bag turn into a one person tent, and does it matter? Our answer is “when it uses two fibre glass poles rather than one or a separate fly sheet”, but no it doesn’t matter. Bivvies come in a wide range of sizes – for example, the Avid Ascent Bivvy is available in one or two-man – allowing you to tailor your fishing shelter setup for those solo overnighters to a more social outing with your friend. Slide the mat under your bed once you are inside your sleeping bag, and the mat creates a barrier between the damp, cold ground and the underside of your bed.There are two U-Shaped openings on the top surface of the Sierra Bivy. The largest is for getting in and out and has dual zips to accomplish this task. Because it can open so wide, getting in actually pretty easy for a bivy. The second opening is on the top surface and forms a little window with a fly mesh and cover. this allows you to lie out and look at the night sky before zipping up for the night. Nice. However, in an emergency situation, especially one that is wet and windy, a bivvy bag (or basic survival bag) can offer enough protection to save your life. For this reason, it is advisable that all trail runners carry a survival bag when running in high or remote areas – even if you’re not expecting to be out for long. Is a bivvy bag worth it? When you think of angling, chances are you’ll think of a warm summer day, with a gentle cooling breeze in your face and the fish rolling on the surface of the water. Sadly, for the UK angler, these days are few and far between and you’re much more likely to be battling the rain and mud for your fish. This is why a bivvy mat is vital for your overnight setup, ensuring that you can keep your bivvyor your feet mud-free and dry. Trakkerhas gone one step further than the traditional mat and the brand has designed a bivvy mat which is perfect for the colder seasons – the Trakker Insulated Bivvy Mat.

The storage capabilities really are endless. To fully maximise its space and insulation capabilities, be sure to be smart with your placement of your gear. Roll mat (I use a Thermarest NeoAir, which is very luxurious, although a cheap roll mat will also do)

Alastair Humphrey’s Microadventure book has some bivvy inspiration plus other small adventure ideas There’s even pegs for screwing down into wood. Avid’s Screw-Steady Bivvy Pegs allow you to securely set up on swims with wooden platforms. When is it not suitable to use your Bivvy? We recently reviewed the OEX Bush Pro Bivvi and feel we have to include it in this roundup of the best bivvy bag choices. It represents fantastic value for money, and pushes the Highlander Hawk really close for the top spot if you’re looking to spend less. In our view, the hood system is slightly better in the Highlander Hawk, but with the OEX Bush Pro being substantially cheaper, it’s certainly a close run decision. A common error amongst anglers is to use the same type of Pegs for 12 months of the year. However, shorter pegs will leave you cold when your Bivvy disappears due to the soft ground and windy conditions – that’s when you need longer ones.