Tents

I have bought the ALPKIT ELAN, it looks very similar to the Snugfit. Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to use it yet. May be worth looking at if you can get someone to bring it from the UK.

Any specific reason you want to go for a hooped bivvy over a plain flat type?

I can't comment on hooped bivvies, but can talk about my flat Rab Alpine bivvy. This piece of gear is quite light (490g), 2.5m tall so works for me (1.97m tall with enough space at the bottom of my feet). The upper section vents very well (being made of E-vent) which is one of the most important aspects of a bivvy. I normally use it in the berg in winter (in my experience it's warmer than a tent as it is insulated and has less air to heat up than in a tent). Been in it during heavy winds where our hiking buddies in a tent were concerned for our safety. That was one of the nights where I slept the soundest in a very long time:-) Freezing conditions, no problem.

I generally don't use them in the summer as I can only image that trying to operate in this thing in a rainstorm would be a real sufferfest. Unless I know I'm going to an area with plenty of caves, else I take a tent.

You can't live in them like in a tent, hooped or not. We'll, I can't in any case, I'm simply too tall to move around in it - it's a struggle in a tent as it is already.

If the only consideration is the issue of the material lying on your face, then you could turn your face sideways or lie on your side to solve this problem. You can also zip the top open - I often sleep like this. Also, the cowl of your sleeping bag will lift it a bit off your face.

For me, the Rab Alpin bivvy is perfect for how I use it. Which is in a cave in summer or out in the open during winter.

The above are purely my opinions and how I use my bivvy. Hope it helps you with your decision making process.

Whichever bivvy you get, enjoy the berg!!!

Thanks for the suggestions
Riaang, to be honest as you said the only reason I was thinking of a hooped bivy was for the little bit of extra height, which thinking about it now will be minimal. Ill definitely check out the Rab alpine bivy as the extra length is appealing to me. I'm 1.88m tall so having the extra space at the bottom for my pack would help a lot.

I also have the Rab Alpine bivy and it's very breathable and comfy for me. I did a lot of research before buying and the main conclusion I came to was fabric, fabric and fabric.. eVent seems to be the only fabric that scores high enough on breathability for our conditions and doesn't end up with too much condensation inside. I read hundreds of reviews and couldn't find any on other fabrics that didn't wet out including goretex.

wrote:

Howzit Guys
I've been looking for a hooped bivy to take on fast multi day trips into the Berg. I'm wanting something fairly light, but most importantly a bivy that can withstand the crazy winds and rain that often occur on the escarpment. I was looking at the Snugpak Stratosphere but I've seen some worrying reviews about their recent quality since  moving their manufacturing head quarters to China. Does anyone have any experiences or suggestions on a decent hooped bivy? 

I've got an old Bibler hooped Bivi. As you surely know, Black Diamond bought them over. I don't know how it compares to this model:
blackdiamondequipment.co.za/product/black-diamond-twilight-tent/

But in the old days you could still buy that bivi in two different lengths. I have the long one so you can cram a bag into the bottom, within reason. It's very waterproof, very breathable, it was expensive at the time but it's lasted years. If you're claustrophobic you certainly don't want one. The hoop is a piece of thick wire. It's impossible to break this with wind. But it is limited as if it's raining you will get wet getting in. And once you're in you're very limited as to what you can do. On kayaking trips I'd often rig a small tarp above it. Let me dig up a pic and link it:



MMO has an option or two:
www.mountainmailorder.co.za/camping/tents/bivys/

I used mine last on a Mnweni traverse and even though sleeping in caves it definitely makes you warmer and for sure stops any wind. When it dies one day, I'll likely buy another one despite it's limitations. Hope that helped.

Hey Folks. I’m not a regular visitor here but I’ve read through the bulk of this thread with interest. Some really useful info, thanks. I’m in the market for a relatively lightweight 2 person tent (2x 6’ man & woman). I’m considering the Wild Country Trisar that’s available in SA. It seems to get pretty good reviews overseas but thought I’d get some local input. Want it mainly for the high Berg and relatively fast and lightweight hiking. Any input would be appreciated. Cheers, Brian

wrote:

Hey Folks. I’m not a regular visitor here but I’ve read through the bulk of this thread with interest. Some really useful info, thanks. I’m in the market for a relatively lightweight 2 person tent (2x 6’ man & woman). I’m considering the Wild Country Trisar that’s available in SA. It seems to get pretty good reviews overseas but thought I’d get some local input. Want it mainly for the high Berg and relatively fast and lightweight hiking. Any input would be appreciated. Cheers, Brian

Hey Brian, welcome to VE
Just an observation, for 2 people, plus kit, a 2 man tent with doors and vestibules on both sides can be more comfortable, spacious, and makes for easier ingress and egress.
Terra Nova make good tents though.
 

Hi Bryan,

In that same range, and available in ZA is the Wild Country Helm Compact 2--seems to fit your bill--dual vestibules, 2 doors etc.

Chris

Hi Brian.
Vango make sturdy tents. Perhaps not the lightest, but very robust.
Look at the Helvellyn 200 or 300. It has a large single double-entry vestibule which can be useful for cooking etc.
Inner/outer pitch together, useful feature for quick operation, just make sure you dry out the condensation before packing up lest you end up with a soggy tent later.
Easy to use stuff sack with compression straps, sounds arb but it's such a simple 'n nifty feature I'm surprised all other manufacturers still use that dumb sausage stuff sack.
Very good waterhead on fly and floor.
Good all rounder. But, won't appeal to the ultra-lightweight minded.

www.driftersshop.co.za/collections/tents/products/vango-helvellyn-300

Always cheers me up watching this...

Ditto on Vango tents.

I have a 2 man Vango tunnel type tent (can't remember the name), but unfortunately it is on the small side, and I definitely can't fit my 6'6 into it so it isn't used much. Not sure where you are based but Drifters sells them (I bought it from them), get inside one before you buy to see if it will work for you. I didn't, so it doesn't go to the berg often.

There's always the tradeoff between light vs strong. The lighter and stronger, the more expensive. You need to take your pick somewhere along the scale For me, my Hilleberg Nallo 3 is a fairly lightweight 3 man tent (2.6kg with enough space for me, the wife and all our gear) but it definitely isn't the lightest option out there, and it also isn't cheap either. It's pretty much bombproof though, so although I don't particularly like carrying it, I know it can face really bad weather - which it's done a few times.

There are also other option to consider, such as tarps or bivvies. I generally take the tent in summer as a bivvy in the rain would be a real sufferfest, but in winter I bivvy 99% of the time and try and sleep over in caves in any season - I just find caves more roomy and hence better for me.

Whichever option you go for, I hope it enhances your berg experience.

Enjoy!!!