We have a few upgrades that can make a simple 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 rigson, bivvy fans, heaters, and bivvy repair kits. If you fish a lot during the colder months, it is well worth spending more on a bivvy that has superior waterproof material and is renowned for its strength. A bivvy that has the option of an overwrap is essential to prevent condensation and keeps you much warmer too. All these things will make fishing far more pleasant during the miserable months.

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?man tent: the carp fishing tent is very spacious and also holds king size beds and offers an internal height of 137 cm.

Maximizing internal storage is a must, especially for carp anglers with lots of gear, so some bivvy accessories are designed to keep your bivvy organized such as rig stations, cooking stations, bedside pop-up cabinets, or other organizers that can be attached to the interior of your bivvy or shelter. These Bivvies are perfect for 365 day use and come with all the attributes you need to fish in the different months comfortably. They suit different types of angling from day sessions with the front zip off to the longer sessions where you need more space. Letterbox: A way of setting the door panel to allow you to peer out at the lake without getting wet. Involves zipping the door up fully, then unzipping from the top to create a small opening. Rain Gutter: Raised area of fabric at the front of the shelter opening, used to divert rainwater down the sides and prevent dripping/pooling of water at the entrance.Whilst both options provide a similar outcome, they do vary in construction, which may make one more suitable than the other. The bivvy bag market isn't as extensive as tents, largely due to them being reasonably niche. There are, however, still a solid range of dependable options. The best bivvy bags at a glance: Day two, we took to Glen Feshie with lots of stream and river crossings, bog and more hike-a-bike but it’s a very pretty place to spend time in.

Obviously, we can't guarantee any material will stay waterproof, but if you are concerned, then we recommend going for the best material you can afford for more assurance. Tensioning Strap: Length of fabric, sometimes elasticated with clips either end. The clips of the tension strap simply attach to either side of the bivvy and provide the exact level of tension required to maintain its structure. Yep, it sure is strange: the thing is called bivouac tent, but it is neither a bivvy bag nor a tent. But the name works, anyway, because it’s a pretty good hybrid between the two. Even though the solution for closing the gap between the two is rather obvious in retrospect, the outdoor industry took their precious time before becoming active in this area. Surprisingly, bivouac tents have only been on the market for about ten years now, and the selection has remained relatively small to this day. So, despite the outdoor boom, bivouac tents are still a niche product. In this weeks blog I am going to talk about something a bit different. We are now coming into prime carp fishing season where 24hr + sessions are common when you will require a shelter of some sort. What bivvy you require largely depends on the type of angler you are. Whether your looking for a lightweight shelter so you can move between swims and onto the fish or a ‘home-like’ shelter where you can set up like home then this guide will run you through EVERYTHING! What to look for when buying a bivvyAs with all outdoor products, the answer depends on a variety of different factors, including the trip you’re planning and your personal needs and desires. But, let’s get a little more specific: bivouac tents are definitely more geared toward solo adventurers who want to be fast and flexible and don’t mind sacrificing comfort in the process. Low weight and a compact shape are the most important factors for runners, since a bulky or heavy bag makes running feel awkward and also more strenuous. Is a bivvy better than a tent? The traditional construction of a bivouac tent consists of a synthetic fabric cut similar to that used for a bivvy bag, but with a tougher, more durable base. A bivouac tent also has an arched pole at the head and the foot end of the bivvy. These poles are really what differentiates a bivouac tent from a bivvy bag. The arch at the foot end is smaller than that at the head of the bivvy, and both are much smaller than those you’d find in a conventional 1-person tent. While a tent has enough space for you to sit down relatively comfortably, a bivouac tent does not. The material will hang down pretty close to your face, even when you’re lying down. The amount of guy line points is slightly less than you’d find on a “proper” tent, but the guy lines and pegs are the same. Who should use bivouac tent? The problem I find with bivvy bags is you are sleeping in what is essentially a bodybag. This is not for everyone, myself included. Whilst I have bivvied with tarps and a sleeping bag in the warmer months, my preferred outdoor sleeping method is a tent, especially in the UK where we have this thing called weather. For anyone who gets claustrophobic they are a no go and I have never been sold on the idea of a bivvy bag, they just aren’t for me.

When it comes to shelters, the bivvy is by far the most popular choice for many anglers. They are solid, comfortable and offer maximum protection against the elements when set up correctly. If you are on limited time, however, a more traditional fishing umbrella-style shelter may be preferable. With manufacturers offering their own version of the material with different names, it can be confusing to anyone as to what is best. We suggest ignoring the name of the material and looking at the HH rating (hydrostatic rating), with most providing a rating between 5000mm and 25,000mm. Put simply, the higher the rating, the more waterproof the fabric will be. For groups of more than two people the same basically applies, but these groups have a third option: group bivouac shelters with walking poles as a brace. And, the British brand Rab offers just that with their high-quality Group Shelter 2. Equipped with recesses in the roof to use walking poles as a brace, this bivvy bag may be designed for only two people, but it is so light and compact that a group could easily take several of them on a trip. Before your first night in a bivouac tent: what is there to consider? Maximising internal storage is a must, especially for carp anglers with lots of gear, so some bivvy accessories are designed to keep your bivvy organised such as rig stations, cooking stations, bedside pop-up cabinets or other organisers that can be attached to the interior of your bivvy or shelter.Shelters are generally lighter and more compact in design. Typically designed around a brolly system to make them easy to erect, they tend to be targeted towards those who do short sessions and overnight angling. Sometimes these bivvies are free standing which means you can pitch up on the hardest of grounds! Pram Hood