Over the years I have had a number of bivvie bags, and they have all had condensation issues. The only way to deal with it was to have a waterproof sleeping bag. On one occasion the condensation was so bad that it came in through the zipper and it was supposed to be waterproof! The first ones that came out in the 70s and 80s were really tough, I have one and I still use it from time-to-time. ATB Cheers from the mountains of NZ 😀😀
Thanks for the insight Tararua. I own a few Bivvy's, and this one has got to be up there as being one of the top offenders when it comes to condensation. The inner white so-called breathable membrane seemed to be the culprit (I'd hate to see what it would be like if the membrane was non-breathable). I've never had any condensation issues in my bombproof gore-tex US army bivvy when used in all seasons, and also, none on my Alpkit Elan hooped bivvy, although I haven't used that under colder conditions (I can actually feel the breeze blowing through the fabric on the Elan). I suspect that the OEX bivvy condensation issues could have been improved if I had used a tarp over it, i.e. A double skin kind of effect.
Very balanced view mate. Condensation in bivy is inevitable. Synthetic sleeping bag combo is a must. I've got a dozen or so including a few older super high range Gore Tex flo ones with internal 'fluffy Skrim' on the inner which helps alleviate the vapour, but I think production costs and market demand killed them off........get an AKTO for the same price. I tried the wee Salamanda a few times up the Munros in summer and I have to say, really really impressed. ATB pal, best wishes from Scotland.
Thanks mate for watching and for taking the time to post that comment, both are appreciated.👍 I have a few bivvy bags, ranging from USMC Gore-Tex, hooped, down to simple things like an Alpkit Hunka. Tarp & Bivvy is how I first started wild camping, before I bought my first 1-p tent, and out of all my bivvy's, the Salamander is the only one where condensation has been bad enough for me to consider it an issue. However, I think that the breathable inner on my Salamander must have Asthma and is defective, as I've heard from others that they don't really have any issue with there's. Mine is so bad, that when I've used the Salamander since that video, I've had to put my sleeping bag inside a bivvy (the Hunka) to keep it dry, before putting it in my Salamander. A bivvy bag for a bivvy bag. It sounds so daft when I read that back, lol.🙂
Fellow born and bred bridge lad ere. Was up there about 6 weeks ago. I have a few bivvys myself, have a rab ridge raider and condensation isn't bad at all and it's bomb proof. Just purchased a outdoor research helium bivvy only 484grams, yet to try it put. Loving this local content atb
Thanks Matt. I'm a bit jealous of your Ridge Raider, they look like top Bivvy's. 👍 When I took the Salamander out for it's first trip in that video, the condensation was really bad. In another video, I used the Salamander up on Bamford Edge, and because of the past experience, I wrapped my sleeping bag up in an Alpkit Bivvy. However, this time, there was zero condensation. I don't know if that was because I'd raised the dew point by kinda turning the shelter into a double skinned affair via the use of the Alpkit Bivvy inside it, or whether I was just unlucky on my first outing because the conditions were humid. *Edit: P.S. I'd love to learn how you get on with your new Helium bivvy, when you get around to using it.
Thanks Swift. I realise that I waffled extensively in that video, but my eventual summary was an honest reflection of the experience which I had with the Salamander. What I will do with the Salamander, the next time that I use it, is that I will also take my Alpkit Hunka Bivvy with me to protect my sleeping bag from the Salamander's condensation issues. I know that it sounds daft, i.e. A bivvy bag for a bivvy, but on paper, the idea seems feasible enough.
I got a Geertop 1 man tent bivvy, a mozzie net with a rain fly is all it is, and at a oner it's a bit pricey, but it's the best defence against condensation I know. I use the Mountain warehouse bivvy for snatched nights on the hills, under a tarp (spring/summer, when there's little chance of rain). £25 from Amazon (mountain warehouse bivvy) pretty poor HH but on a mat under a tarp it works well. very good video bro!
Thanks for watching mate, and for taking the time to post a comment, both are appreciated.👍 I used to own a Geertop bivvy, it was in a camouflage print and size wise it was very similar in dimensions to the OEX Phoxx 1 v2. However, the guideline attachment at the rear of the shelter came away and it continued to tear the sewing seam, so I had to return it. I like hooped bivvy's when I don't want to use a tarp, but as you've mentioned, a tarp & bivvy setup is better. Around a month ago, I did a tarp & bivvy video where I used an OEX Expedition Tarp, which cost me around £25 quid, and an Alpkit Hunka bivvy, which cost me around £20 quid. Cheap and cheerful but very effective.🙂
Thanks Dave. I'm also more of a tent person. One of the misconceptions about Bivvy's are that they are a lightweight alternative to tents. In my opinion they're not. They weigh around the same, or even more, if you include a ground sheet and an overhead tarp for a cooking place. The main reason why I would use a bivvy, is that it allows you to camp in places where's there's not enough room for a tent, especially if you forgo the overhead tarp. One of the drawbacks with the OEX Bivvy, which I forgot to mention in the video, is that it's not freestanding and it needs to be pegged out. This is where the Alpkit Elan hooped bivvy has another advantage over it, and also, my US army bivvy.
Hat's off to you for still bivvying mate, for me it's a young man's/person's sport. I like my comfort. Give me a tent any day, or even better a hammock between 2 trees. Best sleep ever.
I was in the Alpkit Elan bivvy last week up on Kinder Andy, without a tarp. Luckily, it was a dry starry night, as I stared up at the sky whilst drifting off to sleep. 🙂
When it comes to price, I think it is cost productive to the customer to buy summer kit in the winter and winter kit in the summer! Always cheaper that way, because retailers don't want stock left on shelves! It's lovely when the demi god of wild camping smiles on you lol
Hi mate, in my experience, I think that you're right. Last week I ordered an OEX Rakoon 2 tent. They say that the retail price is supposed to be £220 (which I take with a pinch of salt), however, I payed £69 quid for it in the Go Outdoors mini sale.
I tried mine in early Feb for international bivvi bag day and had very slight condensation at the very bottom only but other than that I had nothing. It does feel like condensation when you touch the inner but it was just the cold on the outside.
Hi Mark and thanks for watching. It may have been the location where I was testing it, i.e. Humid conditions camped next to a couple of Dams, as even before I was inside it, there was condensation on the inside, enough to write your name in. When I last used the Salamander up on Bamford Edge, I also wrapped my sleeping bag up inside an Alpkit Hunka bivvy (I still find it funny... A bivvy bag for a bivvy lol) because of the past experience with condensation. However, in the morning, there was zero condensation on the inside of the Salamander. I don't know if this was because I'd effectively created a double skinned shelter by also using the Hunka bivvy, thus raising the 'dew point', or whether it was just down to better conditions?
Thanks Fenpunx. I think that I'll relegate the OEX bivvy to summer usage, although I should really try it with a tarp over the top and see if that improves the situation.
... and that's one of the friendliest comments that I've had on this channel. Thanks very much for the kind words, and also, for watching. It's really appreciated.
Hi Callum. I would expect so, as the bivvy is quite spacious on the inside. However, just in case, here's the dimensions of the bivvy, so that you can compare the size with your pad... 225 x 77.5 x 57.5 cm (LxWxH).
Hi Terry. Thanks for the comment and the good intentions. However, I don't think that you're technically correct on this. 'However, some people assume that owning a locking knife or fixed blade is illegal, which isn't the case, these knives are just illegal to carry in a public place without good reason.' 'This essentially means that you can own a locking knife or fixed blade knife, and use it at home or in the countryside, therefore you should be able to use your fixed blade for camping with no issues at all.' heinnie.com/blog/a-guide-to-knife-laws-in-the-uk-/ My knife is a Ray Mears brand and as far as I'm aware, the blade length is permitted, and it's legal to carry... From the UK Gov website 'It’s also illegal to: carry most knives or any weapons in public without a ‘good reason’ www.gov.uk/buying-carrying-knives I have a 'good reason' to carry it. Regardless, I do take onboard the sentiments of what you say, especially in relation to how it may affect others and how they feel. In-fact, in my latest video if you watch it, you'll notice that I've covered it up with an old tent peg bag. I'm not required to do this, but I also don't want others to feel uncomfortable should they view it, if they are so inclined. Thanks once again for your comment. As I mentioned earlier, I do appreciate your good intentions.
Over the years I have had a number of bivvie bags, and they have all had condensation issues. The only way to deal with it was to have a waterproof sleeping bag. On one occasion the condensation was so bad that it came in through the zipper and it was supposed to be waterproof! The first ones that came out in the 70s and 80s were really tough, I have one and I still use it from time-to-time. ATB Cheers from the mountains of NZ 😀😀
Thanks for the insight Tararua. I own a few Bivvy's, and this one has got to be up there as being one of the top offenders when it comes to condensation. The inner white so-called breathable membrane seemed to be the culprit (I'd hate to see what it would be like if the membrane was non-breathable). I've never had any condensation issues in my bombproof gore-tex US army bivvy when used in all seasons, and also, none on my Alpkit Elan hooped bivvy, although I haven't used that under colder conditions (I can actually feel the breeze blowing through the fabric on the Elan). I suspect that the OEX bivvy condensation issues could have been improved if I had used a tarp over it, i.e. A double skin kind of effect.
Very balanced view mate. Condensation in bivy is inevitable. Synthetic sleeping bag combo is a must. I've got a dozen or so including a few older super high range Gore Tex flo ones with internal 'fluffy Skrim' on the inner which helps alleviate the vapour, but I think production costs and market demand killed them off........get an AKTO for the same price. I tried the wee Salamanda a few times up the Munros in summer and I have to say, really really impressed. ATB pal, best wishes from Scotland.
Thanks mate for watching and for taking the time to post that comment, both are appreciated.👍
I have a few bivvy bags, ranging from USMC Gore-Tex, hooped, down to simple things like an Alpkit Hunka. Tarp & Bivvy is how I first started wild camping, before I bought my first 1-p tent, and out of all my bivvy's, the Salamander is the only one where condensation has been bad enough for me to consider it an issue. However, I think that the breathable inner on my Salamander must have Asthma and is defective, as I've heard from others that they don't really have any issue with there's. Mine is so bad, that when I've used the Salamander since that video, I've had to put my sleeping bag inside a bivvy (the Hunka) to keep it dry, before putting it in my Salamander. A bivvy bag for a bivvy bag. It sounds so daft when I read that back, lol.🙂
Fellow born and bred bridge lad ere. Was up there about 6 weeks ago. I have a few bivvys myself, have a rab ridge raider and condensation isn't bad at all and it's bomb proof. Just purchased a outdoor research helium bivvy only 484grams, yet to try it put. Loving this local content atb
Thanks Matt. I'm a bit jealous of your Ridge Raider, they look like top Bivvy's. 👍
When I took the Salamander out for it's first trip in that video, the condensation was really bad. In another video, I used the Salamander up on Bamford Edge, and because of the past experience, I wrapped my sleeping bag up in an Alpkit Bivvy. However, this time, there was zero condensation. I don't know if that was because I'd raised the dew point by kinda turning the shelter into a double skinned affair via the use of the Alpkit Bivvy inside it, or whether I was just unlucky on my first outing because the conditions were humid.
*Edit: P.S. I'd love to learn how you get on with your new Helium bivvy, when you get around to using it.
Thank you for an honest opinion!!!
Thanks Swift. I realise that I waffled extensively in that video, but my eventual summary was an honest reflection of the experience which I had with the Salamander. What I will do with the Salamander, the next time that I use it, is that I will also take my Alpkit Hunka Bivvy with me to protect my sleeping bag from the Salamander's condensation issues. I know that it sounds daft, i.e. A bivvy bag for a bivvy, but on paper, the idea seems feasible enough.
I got a Geertop 1 man tent bivvy, a mozzie net with a rain fly is all it is, and at a oner it's a bit pricey, but it's the best defence against condensation I know. I use the Mountain warehouse bivvy for snatched nights on the hills, under a tarp (spring/summer, when there's little chance of rain). £25 from Amazon (mountain warehouse bivvy) pretty poor HH but on a mat under a tarp it works well. very good video bro!
Thanks for watching mate, and for taking the time to post a comment, both are appreciated.👍
I used to own a Geertop bivvy, it was in a camouflage print and size wise it was very similar in dimensions to the OEX Phoxx 1 v2. However, the guideline attachment at the rear of the shelter came away and it continued to tear the sewing seam, so I had to return it.
I like hooped bivvy's when I don't want to use a tarp, but as you've mentioned, a tarp & bivvy setup is better. Around a month ago, I did a tarp & bivvy video where I used an OEX Expedition Tarp, which cost me around £25 quid, and an Alpkit Hunka bivvy, which cost me around £20 quid. Cheap and cheerful but very effective.🙂
nice video, thanks for sharing, just bought a hooped bivvi myself, cannot wait to try it out, cheers
Thanks for watching mate. I hope that you have great time in your new bivvy.
Interesting Heingst, Although I'm somtimes tempted to bivy I will stick to the tent. Good chat and general musings on life too.
Cheers 👍
Thanks Dave. I'm also more of a tent person. One of the misconceptions about Bivvy's are that they are a lightweight alternative to tents. In my opinion they're not. They weigh around the same, or even more, if you include a ground sheet and an overhead tarp for a cooking place. The main reason why I would use a bivvy, is that it allows you to camp in places where's there's not enough room for a tent, especially if you forgo the overhead tarp. One of the drawbacks with the OEX Bivvy, which I forgot to mention in the video, is that it's not freestanding and it needs to be pegged out. This is where the Alpkit Elan hooped bivvy has another advantage over it, and also, my US army bivvy.
watch out for nighttime trip hazardry on guide lines, elasticated ones are especially sinister
One way to mitigate that occurrence, is to take a some form of a pee bottle, so you don't have to go outside during the night :)
love walkin over swineshaw,might do wild bank this week.
Thanks for watching Ken. It's great to have somewhere like this which is so close to home.
@@Hengists_Wild_Camps dead right mate, might bump into each other one day, noticed a few CZcamsrs round the local area.
Hat's off to you for still bivvying mate, for me it's a young man's/person's sport. I like my comfort. Give me a tent any day, or even better a hammock between 2 trees. Best sleep ever.
I was in the Alpkit Elan bivvy last week up on Kinder Andy, without a tarp. Luckily, it was a dry starry night, as I stared up at the sky whilst drifting off to sleep. 🙂
When it comes to price, I think it is cost productive to the customer to buy summer kit in the winter and winter kit in the summer! Always cheaper that way, because retailers don't want stock left on shelves! It's lovely when the demi god of wild camping smiles on you lol
Hi mate, in my experience, I think that you're right. Last week I ordered an OEX Rakoon 2 tent. They say that the retail price is supposed to be £220 (which I take with a pinch of salt), however, I payed £69 quid for it in the Go Outdoors mini sale.
@@Hengists_Wild_Camps Just goes to show! Better the money in your pocket than theirs!
I tried mine in early Feb for international bivvi bag day and had very slight condensation at the very bottom only but other than that I had nothing. It does feel like condensation when you touch the inner but it was just the cold on the outside.
Hi Mark and thanks for watching. It may have been the location where I was testing it, i.e. Humid conditions camped next to a couple of Dams, as even before I was inside it, there was condensation on the inside, enough to write your name in.
When I last used the Salamander up on Bamford Edge, I also wrapped my sleeping bag up inside an Alpkit Hunka bivvy (I still find it funny... A bivvy bag for a bivvy lol) because of the past experience with condensation. However, in the morning, there was zero condensation on the inside of the Salamander.
I don't know if this was because I'd effectively created a double skinned shelter by also using the Hunka bivvy, thus raising the 'dew point', or whether it was just down to better conditions?
Excellent little bivvy, shame about the moisture. Tempted to dig mine out and see how it fairs this time of year.
Thanks Fenpunx. I think that I'll relegate the OEX bivvy to summer usage, although I should really try it with a tarp over the top and see if that improves the situation.
Friendliest face on CZcams. Great watch!
... and that's one of the friendliest comments that I've had on this channel. Thanks very much for the kind words, and also, for watching. It's really appreciated.
Good video. Do you think the regular wide versions of the Xlite or Xtherm sleeping pads would fit in this bivvy?
Hi Callum. I would expect so, as the bivvy is quite spacious on the inside. However, just in case, here's the dimensions of the bivvy, so that you can compare the size with your pad... 225 x 77.5 x 57.5 cm (LxWxH).
Just bought one of these off Market place the ground sheet you put down did that come with it or was that an extra pls buddy. Cheers Coops 👍🏻🍻
Hi Coops and thanks for watching. The groundsheet was from an old 1 person tent.
@@Hengists_Wild_Camps cheers mate will see if I can find something for mine 👍🏻
I spent most of last summer up Higher Swineshaw....and never met a Norwegian once
I always enjoy it when I stop and talk to strangers on my route. You can learn some interesting things.
Hello heingst, just be aware fixed blade knives are now illegal
Hi Terry. Thanks for the comment and the good intentions. However, I don't think that you're technically correct on this.
'However, some people assume that owning a locking knife or fixed blade is illegal, which isn't the case, these knives are just illegal to carry in a public place without good reason.'
'This essentially means that you can own a locking knife or fixed blade knife, and use it at home or in the countryside, therefore you should be able to use your fixed blade for camping with no issues at all.'
heinnie.com/blog/a-guide-to-knife-laws-in-the-uk-/
My knife is a Ray Mears brand and as far as I'm aware, the blade length is permitted, and it's legal to carry...
From the UK Gov website
'It’s also illegal to: carry most knives or any weapons in public without a ‘good reason’
www.gov.uk/buying-carrying-knives
I have a 'good reason' to carry it. Regardless, I do take onboard the sentiments of what you say, especially in relation to how it may affect others and how they feel. In-fact, in my latest video if you watch it, you'll notice that I've covered it up with an old tent peg bag. I'm not required to do this, but I also don't want others to feel uncomfortable should they view it, if they are so inclined.
Thanks once again for your comment. As I mentioned earlier, I do appreciate your good intentions.
You look like Andy Serkis
Do you mean when he's Golum or Caesar the chimp? :) Regardless of the answer, thanks for watching Procyon.
Interestingly, Andy Serkis drew most of his inspiration from this very youtube channel