Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => The Knowledge => Camping It Up => Topic started by: Moultonaught on 27 June, 2013, 08:52:52 pm
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Inspired by the #microadventures thread I was about to buy an Alpkit Hunka bivvy bag but they're out of stock.
Any there any alternatives at a similar price?
Thanks.
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I don't think there's much for that sort of price. Closest is probably the Rab Storm or Rab Survival Zone, which may be available for about £70 or so. Go Outdoors have the Rab Storm for £50 this weekend (with a discount card), but it looks like not much stock: http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/storm-bivi-p153673
Alpkit say "July 2013" for more stock of Hunkas, if you're not in a hurry. http://www.alpkit.com/support/product_updates
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http://www.needlesports.com/Catalogue/Camping-Equipment/Bivi/Bivi-Bags/Storm-Bivi-RAB-STBIVI#.UcymQDvvuSo Possibly?
What about using one of these as a tester? - http://www.needlesports.com/Catalogue/Camping-Equipment/Bivi/Survival-Bags
If you like it, get yourself a Hunka when they come in stock (Soon IIRC)
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The useful replies above (thanks both) got me thinking, about whether I'd be happy with an 'open' bivi. which led me to finding...
Dutch army issue GoreTex hooped single hooped bivi hich looked ideal
but they are rather expensive compared to a Hunka (£90 upwards vs £40) but then I found one on ebay from a surplus store in grade1/ supergrade condition with no bar or pole for £50.
Bought that thinking I'd use a spare tent pole but then found another supplier who does the original curved alloy poles for £20.
The bag itself is fab quality & hopefully the pole will arrive tomorrow. Pics to follow. yay! :)
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snug ;D
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/westywagen/DSC_0312_zps5e44b95b.jpg)
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That looks excellent!
Where did you get it, how small does it pack down and how heavy is it?
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/westywagen/Bivi_zpsfb84ab11.jpg)[/URL]
In the picture, that's it simply folded. They usually come with a stuff sack but mine was cheap (without pole or sack) I've not tried it in a stiff sack / dry bag yet.
Weight is 1347g for the bivi according to our trusty kitchen scales, and 98g for the pole (and 225g for my 6 cheapie tent pegs (think I know what ti goodness will be on my birthday list ;D)
I bought it from Bunker Warehouse in Cornwall. He's re-listed another one on eBay at £95! (item no. 181169506667), although, he seemed very reasonable on the phone (I bought mine direct after the eBay auction had ended and it hadn't sold), so I reakon a "I know Nick just bought one for £50" might be worth trying.
Pole was £20 from http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/shop/camping-equipment/spares-accessories/new-replacement-spare-pole-for-1034214.html
Complete with pole they seen to be about £95 - £120 on eBay. Various forums that came up via Google seemed to suggest that the Dutch one is better than the British equivalent and it certainly looks and feels very good quality. It's had some repairs to the floor which have been done really well.
Looking forward to Dunwich to try it out. :)
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British Army issue bags are really quite good these days too.
http://www.silvermans.co.uk/tabid/62/MILITARY/SLEEPING+KIT/DPM+BRITISH+ARMY+W+PROOF+BIVVY/0/SKU/4-188-11351-1881/Default.aspx
Best used with a tarp but fine on their own this weather.