GEERTOP Plume II BIVY | Set-up & First-use review | Better than a one-person tent?????
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- čas přidán 19. 06. 2024
- Here I try out the Geertop Plume II bivy tent, to see if it's better for me than a one-person tent for future backpacking trips. This is an overnight camping tryout to see how waterproof and comfortable this small shelter really is.
Maybe I'll try the taller Geertop Bivy Tent as an alternative in a future video?
#overnight #GeerTop #Earthgroove
00:00 Introduction
00:17 Welcome
01:01 Geertop Bivy Plume II
02:30 Set-up
04:33 Look Inside
06:08 Sleep System
07:31 Bedtime
08:33 Description and findings
10:14 Leaks?
10:39 Morning wash?
11:44 Pole Struggles
12:26 Result
12:48 Sub and like!
Good decision or not? Anybody else have experience of a good bivvy or backpacking tent, and what would you recommend? Please let me know below! :)
Thank you I was looking forward buying this but changed my mind when you said water drips through the zipper. I will save money and invest in a tent or hammock.
For bug and bear use (as opposed to cold and snow or mountaineering) use a real 2 layer tent. Being able to sit in an inner tent that is mostly mesh is great when the bugs are bad and it is hot. Bivis are for mountaineering objectives and miserable for any other use. I’m in western Canada and use a one man Marmot Tungsten.
I'm curious about your thought process as to why you decided to get a bivy tent that is heavier than some 2-man light tents?
I would reccommed a hammock :) they are so much more comfortable
Next time try put the poles in before you stake it down. Ps. Start staking at foot end Mutch easier to set up:)
I did try that to be honest, but I started with the top poles, and it was a struggle. . I'll try again but from the bottom this time to see how that goes :) Thanks for the tip!
Personally, I use a Snugpak Ionosphere. It is very likely heavier than the Geertop; but, I've used it for multiple years in Newfoundland Canada (where we get plenty of rain and wind) without issue. I can fit myself, my pack, and sleeping gear just fine.
Issue with that is putting it up in the rain. Inner goes up first which is shite to put up in rain and shite to put away. All in one system like this is lightning quick to put up and pack up.
The leggings blend in surprisingly well with the woodland colours.
thank you so much for this honest review!!
Good stuff. Geertop has some nice equipment
Great review video. Thanks.
Wonderful
Great review
Thanks
Excellent review.
Thank you! :)
Looks like a version of the Solitaire by Eureka.
Thank you for the review.
Keep up the great work !!!
Good review I'm sticking with my big agness fly creek tent.
That's a good choice, serious piece of equipment!
Nice review. I almost got one of these a few years back because i like the idea of the full lenght bug netting. But was unsure of the fabric it looks plasticy and non breathable. I went with the Defcon 5 bivi. The camo version has a "door" at the head end and is made of a gortex style material. Not had a condensation problem yet.
Well done you for getting a dog in there as well👍
Thanks for watching and for the feedback :) Yes, my little pup sure enjoyed snuggling up in there - it was definitely cosy! I'll take a look at the Defcon 5 - might be a good alternative - will let you know how I get on with it.
Awsome videos.. thanks... I really like this bivy
Thanks, I liked your channel too! Great vids
Your right. I want more room for the same weight. I don't want to sleep in a coffin until I have too! Great video, my first from your channel. Thanks.
Awesome, Thank you! I have a bigger bivy tent to try soon!
Hi Del, very nice review! Thumbs up and suscribed.
Love greetings from Germany,
Attila
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing your investigation on the alternatives for overnighting it in a shelter. Ultimately, good choice regarding the tent. Bivvys are more for emergency use, or military excursions where camping and enjoying the “overnight camping hotel” is way down the list of priorities.
Yes, it wasn't any lighter than a good one-man tent, but you have to try these things!
EXACTLY. I use a bivy when shelter and sleep is the only thing that matters. I use a one man-tent when leisure and a fireside smoke and coffee is priority
This would be a great bivy
ビビーに憧れてます!寝るときに圧迫感ない実証…ありがとう❣❣❣❣
Thanks for watching! Hope you are able to find something suitable. This one was snug and not too bad, but some people may find it a little too small.
@@DelsJogswithDogs Thank you🙏👍
Superb review for which I thank you. The leaks/damp make it a no, no, for me.
Thanks for watching, and for the feedback :)
First Time seen you. Thanks for the video. Greetings from argentina.
Thanks for watching and greetings to you from Alberta Canada :)
I think a bivy should always be used with a tarp.
For sure yes, I agree. I was curious to see how this bivvy held up if I wanted to do fast packing and take minimal stuff on a backpacking trip with me, so didn't use the tarp on this occasion. Thanks for watching, and for the feedback :)
defeats the purpose a bit for me. Since I currently use only a tarp.
Then what's the point of carrying a bivy when the only reason to carry one is to save weight and space?
@@timonix2 how do you deal with animals coming up and bugs? And another question how do you get over the fear of wild animals coming up to your tent or camp at night
@@w9006 I never had a fear of animals coming up at night to begin with. There has probably been tons of deer smelling me while I've slept. I try to hang my shoes and gear in the air. Damn toads, snakes and snails just love to hide in shoes for some reason.
This looks like exactly what I am looking for! The sleeping mat, too! :D
Too bad I have to pay extra to get these things shipped to Poland.
I always use mine with a tarp, so I can keep it open to keep condensation at a minimal level.
nice
Great review. I’ve got the Snugpak Stratosphere and I love it. Traded it for an OEX Phoxx I v2 and haven’t really looked back. Smaller pack size and enough space for me and either my saddlebag or 40 litre rucksack. You can’t sit up or cook in either so I’d rather save on pack size and weight. The small footprint means I can pitch anywhere. Doesn’t need to be staked out too so soft sand or hard ground isn’t a problem. Combined with a tarp it’s a great combination of cosy bug free sleeping and an airy admin space.
Thanks so much! I'll definitely be trying out other things moving forwards - just waiting for spring and some warmer weather! Relying on the hot tent right now with the snow and the cold out here :)
Jungle Hammocks for me most of the time. Plenty of room under the rain fly to enjoy life , even in the rain. If a tent is required the Dan Durston X mid 1 works wonders. Light weight ( 31 ounces for everything ) , plenty of interior room , easy to set up and take down.
Will have to check that one out too. Thanks for the tip! :)
One item I think is a must have that you should consider is a zippo hand warmer plus fuel. I bought one and loved it. The next time I’m in a Walmart or wherever I’m going to buy four of them. As a back packers saying 1 ounce of weight is 1 pound of pain. In this case it’s highly well worth it! I’ve seen on CZcams how they can modified to produce even more heat out of these units but I’m not tried it yet. I’ll do it the next time I have one of many zippo hand warmer.
These sound ideal for these Alberta winters, thanks for the tip :)
I think, I like my one person tent too ..It's alot lighter and more room ? Thanks for your video and I can't wait to see the next one.
Thanks for watching, we've just upgraded to the Geertop Single man tent so that will be reviewed when things warm up a little.
I use the naturehike cloud up 2 and can’t fault it for space , height and definitely the weight is the main bonus for hiking with the comfort factor as you can sit up in ur and relax after a days walking
Yes, that's more the sort of thing I had in mind..!
You are suppose to sleep with a neck sock over your mouth to prevent condensation. 100 L back pack is a must for backpacking but by al means consider a hammock with an under over quilt for a sleepover in the woods.
100litre back pack?????!!!!! bigger than my cottage............😮
There is a Etrol hammock can be as Bivy on the ground and hang as a hammock when ground is wet 2 in 1, I think that is more versatile:)
Oooh, sounds interesting. Will check that out for sure! Thanks for the comment :)
A double hooped GoreTex bivi with a small tarp over it, problem solved. If it isn't breathable then condensation is a problem, I've never been damp or cold in my hooped GoreTex bivi and the tarp gives extra cover for the bergen and sitting/cooking in the rain.
Yes, a better (more pricey) bivy is likely the way forward!
I always put my poles in before I started taking my tent down. That way you can put one up against your leg and one on the ground and use it for leverage. Whatever works works though. Practice makes perfect
I plan to practice more on a slightly larger tent in the near future :)
@@DelsJogswithDogs I've been setting up tent since I was 5 years old and I'm ten times that age now. My entire family were campers. My entire family woulf all go camping together. Close to 40 people and everybody wanted to sleep in my dad's great big giant cabin tent. I was about 4 years old and I woke up not knowing where I was but I could hear about five people snoring. I was laying beside my mom as I was trying to get up and figure out where I was. She told me that we were all camping out and everybody wanted to sleep in that adds tent. I guess it's because it took everyone to set it up but I woke up the next morning and there were 15 or 20 people in that tent. Those are some of the best days and memories of my life. My family was so in tune with each other that you would think they were reading each other's minds. They all had a particular job to do and they all started doing it as soon as they woke up. I've never ate better than I've ate on camping trips. Breakfast was always the bomb.
@@johnblackwood5308 Very heartwarming, great memories!
Thanks for a good review, which once more shows the inherent problems with present day bivys: they are too narrow, too short, not enough development in them to be practical, rain is a problem, zips etc. I had the present day The North Face, the one with two poles. It's long enough for me and my bag and big sleeping bag, but poles are a true struggle, more so in bad weather. And the Futurelight is honestly pure crap. So I returned it. Haven't found a good one yet.
Kind regards.
Thank you! We're in the same boat - still on the lookout for something more suitable, but struggling to find anything on the market. Winter is around the corner now here in Alberta, so we'll likely put the search on hold until next year, and start hot tent camping for a few months now. Good luck with your search, and let us know if you find anything :)
A proper northern lass . North Yorkshire / Teeside ? Wonderful to find you here ! Fellow wild camper here in uk 🇬🇧 ( north east based ) cheers tent 🏕
Why thank you! Not quite as far north as that - originally from Stoke-on-Trent although hubby is from Tyneside so maybe influenced by him. Thanks for the watch and the comment, and carry on camping and having fun out there :)
I don't what shipping would be to your AO but for a one person, inexpensive (not cheap) and quality tent I have gravitated to the Rivercountry Products Trekker 1. I know a few have negatively reviewed it but mine has been good, however I always waterproof every tent/tarp or poncho that I buy with few exceptions.
Yes, that's on amazon over here, so thanks for the tip. One for the springtime!
@@DelsJogswithDogs now that I know you are in Canada, I got mine on Ebay for about $80 CAD. The first one I recieved was great, until one of my dogs destroyed the back guy out loop while playing. I messaged Rivercountry to let them know it was a weak point as it was easily fixable and I felt it wasn't a warranty issue.
Well, to them it was and even though I told them I was going to fix it I had a new one free of charge in less than two weeks! Customer service is next to none.
Once you use a hammock & tarp camp tents just don't work any more. For me anyway. Great video.
Have to say, I really did enjoy the hammock :) Thanks for watching and for the feedback!
💯💯👍👍👍👍👍
I know this is an old video, how would you compare this Geertop Bivvy 2, to the Bivvy 1? Bivvy 1 is taller? I’m also considering getting one (green) to use with my Army groundsheet/ shelter 😀
Hello there, apologies for the delay replying! So I personally think the Geertop one person bivy tent would be the better option as it's definitely taller, and also gives more width for maneuvering. It's about the same weight, still low profile, and according to Amazon, it's available in army green or camouflage. Hope this helps!
That bivy is bigger than my tent. I'll stick with the tent as it is probably lighter as well and is waterproof and can hold my stuff.
Yes, I think you are right!
I dont have much luck with zips. I have had 2 stuck and had to take them off.
Yeh, I always seem to have the knack of zips getting stuck, then I get frustrated, then they break! I didn't like the double zip in this - it made me feel somewhat claustrophobic. I like to be able to get out quick if I need to!
You need a ground sheet i have that bivy and it will save the floor plus pitch in the grass of ppssible and use all tie out points i put a tarp over mineso i can open the flyto vent not a bad rig look after it it will look after you
Great advice - thank you! :) I'll certainly look into ways yo improve things for next time.
Great video thumbs up👍👍. You are a brave woman. Camping out with the wildlife.I would want to camp out with mine 357 magnum revolver for the two and four legged predators.
Not allowed in Canada. For one, no pistols are allowed outside a registered shooting range as well as firearms are not permitted in Provincial or Federal parks - even just passing through or for protection from animals. I would however break that rule in the wild, if I had a firearm. Bear spray works just fine.
Maybe bring a jar of cayenne pepper and sprinkle it around your campsite.
Ha ha! Not going to lie, I am wary of the wildlife, bear spray is always close to hand along with an axe and my bigger knife :)
Things like this are the shit in nice weather with how quick and easy u can set up or take down. Cant be beat. But in shitty weather, they suck, u at least need a tarp to just so u can sit and stand up under something, and they suck for that reason not to mention no space in between u and the wildlife that come up to u while ur in it, had a coyote chase a deer straight over my tent in the early am before the sun was up all the way,got kicked in the head by the deer as he jumped over my tent and then got kicked by the coyote chasing him too,not to mention the racoons bopping me on the head all night long through the tent cuz ur so close to the material. Never had moisture or other problems u mentioned in mine and tested them long term through sevre weather for the company some weather so severe i couldnt actually stay in the tent for safety reasons, but mine is a different brand and style.
You had quite the adventure! Yes, I think spending a little more may sort out the moisture problems, I have a new one to try out when the weather warms up.
Nice video, duck. I can't stand 1 man tents. Good for an emergency though.
I definitely prefer something a little bigger, but got to try these things to see if they're any good :)
Thanks for the watch and the comment duck! :)
Integral Designs Observer… The best there is…
you're accent has a Stoke on Trent sound to it ?
You have a very good ear sir 😀
@@DelsJogswithDogsi'm born and bread there raised on oatcakes 😆
@@truthfilter best way to be - I miss those oatcakes!
I one of these things and call it the coffin but don't the name or brand. A friend used it when his tent broke and he like. For a young person it's ok but for an old coot like me ,nope.
Are you from the Merseyside area originally?
Stoke on Trent, so not too far away :) We left UK 10 years ago but still have the accent :)
@@DelsJogswithDogs Thanks. i left in 1989 (for Australia) and it was great to hear an accent from my old part of the world again. all the best to you.
The only advantage I see over an ultralight tent is it’s easier to find a pitch.Maybe I’m wrong?
This really isn't an UL Tent. It's a hopped bvvy bag. But yes the only advantage of thee is footprint size. It's much easier to find a pitch and can be used stealthier.
An UL tent is something like a Zpacks DCF tent.
If not seen / found a hooped bivi bag that you don’t get wet in either by rain or condensation yet unfortunately!
Me neither! I'm still on the lookout :)
Unfortunately it's not better than a tent due to the fact that the rear of the bivy isn't raised above a person's body. You won't enjoy sleeping in it due to the fact that rain, hail and snow falling on it will be obviously sensed by the person inside. It will also be a claustrophobic environment for many users.
Shouldn't the swag be under cover regardless? Or this is only a demo
Just a one-night try-out, but yes, I would want the "swag" to be under cover too!
Why didnt you set up on the grass?
Being a national park campground, you have to stay on the assigned pitches to avoid damage to surrounding vegetation. And although you can't see in the video, the area that looks likes grass is actually quite rocky and wouldn't have been much better even if allowed to camp there :)
Seems like there’s a lot of cold Weather camping videos not sure why I know it’s crazy and maybe it’s cool to do but I’m totally not into winter or cold weather guess that’s why I live in Arizona
It's down to around -30°C/-22°F here for a few weeks, so I think only those who can do the cold camps can film. Sometimes I miss Phoenix and camping up in Flagstaff :)
A tent like the Dan Durston Xmid is lighter, more weather resistant, and larger.
I'll have to take a look at that one!
Stakes, poles,bug nets, I’d say that this is a tent.
A tent without the headroom and groundspace of a tent!
Great review, not a good tent design. I’ll stick with my Big Agnes
nkrth face stormbreak is smaller and lighter and bigger
That looks pretty good, thanks for the tip :)
Tried a bivy once and did not like it at all. I supppose for warm summer nights with clear skies, the net only might be alright, but in foul weather it would be a straight jacket
Set up was too complicated
For that weight, you can get a 2 man tent. Naturehike is a good example.
Completely agree, this was just too cramped and too heavy for what it was.
I've always enjoyed a BIVI until I heard someone refer to them as a " Grizzly Burrito " ...Just can't get that image out of my head.✌️😃
Yes, it can be a bit disconcerting being in something so small and knowing there's very little between you and the wildlife! I do carry bear spray, but worry about setting it off accidentally whilst in the bivy - not much room for escape either way!
Thanks for the comment :)
@@DelsJogswithDogs Namaste Beautiful Soul 🕉️
@@DelsJogswithDogs Namaste Beautiful Soul 🕉️
If the outside temps are cold..... these coffin tents sure get filled with condensation
Absolutely! Even with the ventilation, they still get that moisture inside. I did try the geertop one man tent last weekend, and that did fair much better.
Only on the really cheap non-breathable ones.
@@Adam_Outdoors What about a RAB or a Outdoor research ? Both excellent but BOTH are a nightmare in the cold
I take just the flysheet and poles from my one man tent. But I have wake up with snails in my sleeping bag.
Did that once, woke up to slugs on my pillow.
@@iwalker3809 😂😂
I can handle snails but not slugs, although we don't get them here in Canada very often. I'll have to get a one-man tent to try the flysheet approach.
I have a Geartop 2 man bivvy. Its a lot easier to put up
A bivvy is lightweight and sets up in seconds, but you don't get any interior space.
A tent gives you interior space, but is heavier to carry and you have to spend time setting it up.
These hybrid things seem to me like the worst of both worlds. I just don't get the use case.
Where's your accent from, please?
I'm originally from the UK. Grew up in Stoke-on- Trent in Staffordshire. My accent isn't as strong as it used to be, but there's still some "Stokie" in there :)
Tried the bivi thing,. Never ever again.
I have to say that I think I prefer a tent to the bivy, but I'm still glad I tried it. Was always curious about how I'd get on in a bivy, but now I know and like you, probably never again :)
@@DelsJogswithDogs ha ha ha. I was curious as well. You got to try these things mind.
I have no plans to get a Bivvy.
* They are small
* One sleeps in a "coffin"
* There is often no place for backpacks, shoes, etc.
* Condensation is always a problem in these.
* Same price as a tent
* If it rains, you have to lie in the "coffin" all the time.
(In a tent you can move a little and stretch)
A tarp or tent is a better option.
Fuck Bivvy......
Yeh, I'd not used this kind of thing before - I'm usually a tent person - but gotta try things at least once to get an informed opinion. I'll certainly be sticking with the tents for now :) Thanks for the comment!
And nowhere to cook if its raining hard, yep, take a tarp, but then the combined weight far exceeds the weight of a good one man tent like a Tiger Wall or Copper Spur.
Assemble BEFORE staking it down
Yeh, to be honest, I did that too, but I was definitely having a fight with this one! I cut alot of swearing out of the video, that's for sure 😂
@@DelsJogswithDogs 😂😂😂
So much effort to set up something with no comfort zone. Or you take a tarp, which is lighter and more spacey, or you tak a bivvi, but with no rails,nails etc.
Looks terribly flimsy. Give us an update in a few months to see how it handles.
It was fun, but yes quite flimsy! We're in our winter now in Canada, so this may have the dust blown off in the spring!
Mine leaked like a sieve I was near floating on my mat binned it !! Went back to the Dutch army bivi
It's heavy.
Yep, I've now seen some one-person tents that are definitely lighter, shopping trip soon methinks!
Too much talking !
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