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? 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?

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 bivvy 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). Alpkit is a British company, with a slogan ‘Go Nice Places Do Good Things’, and their product holds true to this. They’re about facilitating you to get out and do nice things. With a focus on quality (they market themselves as premium) at accessible prices they have really shaken up the market and their reputation holds true with their products being incredible value for money. 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.You can take the bivouac tent all the way up to the top of a mountain without much effort and be prepared for sudden weather changes. A huge advantage for longer adventures. 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.

Pegs: Robust metal spikes with heavy-duty moulded tops. Some pegs feature a spiral point for twisting the spike down into hard ground. 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. As 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. 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.Pegging Points: Plastic or metal rings fused to the fabric provide somewhere to push a peg through to keep the shelter anchored to the floor. 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.

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.

The Alpkit Elan verdict

Bedchair: Foam mattress attached to a metal frame that is raised off the ground via legs. Provides somewhere to sleep when outdoors. Brolly systems can vary, you can often just buy the shelter on its own and add items like fronts and mesh infills later, or they come as a complete system. It comes down to personal preference. Some one-man tents are now so small and light, it’s hard to imagine that it’s even possible to take a more minimalist approach. But it is: enter the bivvy bag. What is a bivvy bag?

Waterproof: the 10,000 mm hydrostatic head provides absolute protection against water even in heavy rain and keeps you completely dry. 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. While there are some impressively light and compact hiking tents around today (some one-person tents weigh in at around one kilogram), you can do even better with a bivvy bag. Like most other bivvies on the market, almost all of the pram hoods come with optional overwraps too. Like the others this helps insulate the bivvy and provides an extra layer to prevent condensation. Brolly System 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.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.