@@OutdoorsMagicTV Have you tried the borah bivy? In a different category would require a tarp in bad weather but wondering if it would be better with condensation and it’s ultra light.
The Alpkit is certainly not a ripoff of the Snugpak. The North Face Soloist Bivy was around in 1998 and it's identical. Also the Carinthia Observer Plus predates both as well. This design, although unusual, had a long history that predates both.
Pretty much like all modern tents then. Pretty hilarious when you see people arguing about one company "copying" another when on reality 99% of modern tent designs were already on use by the 80s. Just different materials.
The French army (Legion Paras) had hooped bivvy’s in the early 1980’s. I had mine from 1982 until 1993 - same one, used regularly I stupidly (kick myself stupidly) gave it away…… 😢
Just got the elan for £85 in the alpkit sale, used it a couple of nights, one fine, one absolutely hammering it down. Both were fine. Bit of condensation, but to be expected, nothing major, be a bit careful opening it when wet, but its a bivvy bag/tent, you are not going to be 100% protected, thats what tents are for. Cant argue with it for the money. I think the snugpack is just a bit too pricey compared to the alpkit, it does not justify the hike in spending, thats a whole new piece of kit you could be buying instead.
Hey there. I own a lot of Alpkit gear and I really like it. Normally I sleep in a hilleberg tent, but have been eyeing up a bivvy for stealth camping in more populated areas. The quality and materials of Snugpak feel like they are 15 years behind. Not to mention their pricing. Could I ask you to share your experience regarding condescension in this type of shelter? I once slept in a Snugpak bivvy bag, only to wake up completely soaked. The weather was dry and cold. I’ll buy the Elan anyway, but just wanted to ask someone’s opinion. Happy hiking:)
@@OutdoorsMagicTV I am not disputing that the Stratosphere may be better in some respects. It's just finding the best compromise depending on the likely level of use.
Great comparison I think I'd go for the stratosphere. Do you think there will still be enough room inside when using an air matt such as a big agnus rapide? Cheers
Yea, I would choose the alpkit all way up to the size head room diff. Being I am not good in small spaces the extra bit wins it for me on the snugpak. I would probably just grab smooth rock and some cordage and stick peg it out making a tie out point on the leg box like the other Bivy.
I've looked at the Stratosphere for some time but haven't decided yet so was interested when I saw Alpkit had released something similar. A few points that you didn't mention, the Stratosphere groundsheet is 70D Nylon Taffeta with PU coating (8000mm HH), the Elan is 70D ripstop nylon (5000mm HH), you mentioned height but it appears the Elan is significantly narrower at the shoulders compared to the Stratosphere at 77cm or thereabouts tapering to 72cm, the Stratosphere is 105cm or thereabouts so almost a foot wider. Regarding weight, Alpkit claim 900g not including pegs, Snugpak claim 940 for fly & poles, not sure if Alpkit are including the stuffsack weight but there's virtually no difference in weight which is surprising given the size and materials used in the Stratosphere. Finally price, the Elan is only available through Alpkit so the RRP at £99 is likely to be what you pay, the Stratosphere has an RRP of £159 but can be had from as little as £119 from some retailers and most are selling it around the £130 mark. Given that the Stratosphere is roomier (could be beneficial re.condensation?), appears more durable, has a tougher groundsheet and in reality isn't much more expensive or much heavier the Elan really needed to bring something significant to the party which doesn't appear to be the case. You asked who was 1st to produce a 2 pole bivvy, I'm pretty certain a US company produced one a few years ago, certainly Carinthia make the Observer which is a 2 pole design but using Gore-Tex and costing €650, Defcon 5 make one virtually identical to the Stratosphere which can be opened at the head end (a useful feature IMO) however it's quite a bit heavier than the Stratosphere but around the same price. I have a single pole bivy made early 90's by a UK company called Bivybug, the sleeping bag part was made from Sympatex, sadly mine has de-laminated.
Stratosphere is 80cm inside (shoulders) according to the website, so it seems only 3cm difference (assuming that Elan is 77cm inside, not outside size).
I've been using the stratosphere for about 3yrs long time distance hiking especially in the black mountains wales. I know this is counter productive when it comes to weight but I found that keeping my snugpack special forces bivvy bag on my sleeping bag sorted any condensation problems. Added advantage is I can open up the main bivvy for ventilation or taking a waz in rainy weather. I can winter bivvy down to a comfortable -10 and add a dd ultralight tarp with my walking poles and im pretty much bomb proof. I have incredible versatility for pitching in a very wide set of conditions. Its all about adaptation after all.
If you have the stratosphere, get a marble, and put that on the inside of the bag(where the tab would be on the Elan), and push it onto the fabric, and on the outside tie a guy to the bunched up fabric to your pole, can do this with a smooth stone too
One stupid thing that the alpkit did was not having straps on the exterior! I went with snugpack because its easy to attach it somewhere outside your bag because of the straps. Also who wants reflectors when you buy this to be stealthy and camp anywhere xD
I once spent a night on the moor on Orkney, and the only flat ground I could find was on what I hoped was a disused, very rough, vehicle track. I spent all night worrying that the farmer might come along in a Land Rover. Reflectors may have helped. If you're being stealthy, no one expects you to be there. Maybe something that warns them at the last moment and stops them tripping or running over you is a good idea.
@@mikefule Yea I see your point, but Im going for "city camping" until I can find a job so I need to be sneaky xD I dont want to be kicked out of the country by police. This will be in Japan where crime is low, I wouldnt try it anywhere else. Although you cant rob what you cant see xD My only problem now is my backpack choice. I wanted something that wouldnt look suspicious and could carry a laptop and some electronics, so I went with the Osprey Porter 46. But I guess I understimated how hard it is to live off a 46L bag and have space for your things plus a sleeping bag, a tent and a mat. :(
No one but you is going to see the reflectors so low down to the ground unless you're somewhere completely exposed. It's so you don't trip over the guylines in the dark.
Identical in real world terms . Just got the Elan . Pack size is tiny . Price wise 60€ cheaper than Stratosphere, definitely worth buying the Elan . 🇮🇪🇮🇪
Excellent and very useful. Thank you. The only query I have concerns lengths and widths, many of the vendor websites are inconsistent about this, where there's any info. at all?
can some explain why u should choose a bivy pack such as these over a normal one person tent? only thing i an think of is that yeah they might be -300g ish lighter, be a little more stealth?, take up a tad bit less space both in packing and use. however u loose the space of a one man tent, the ability to cook food in the tent, the bivvy is on ur feet so when rain comes wont it soak through?, cant keep gear under shelter i just dont see that many positives? imean u can always add a tarp but if u do why not just drop the bivvy and save the kilo?, or then go for a one man tent? i got one for free but cant quite grasp why u would want this over a proper 1 man tent.
Well a Bivi has less wind resistance,you can get into smaller places behind log downs and boulders.More stealthy and warmer so that you could possibly get away with a lighter sleeping bag compared to a tarp tent.
I love the snugpa but i cant stand the smell of the nylon so i now use the rab ridge or lightwave bivy ..its a shame there is a funny smell to it when i camp out and i can't get rid of it .....shame they should make the stratophere with upgraded material such as the red x or event...come on snugpack do it!
Pretty cool review, I didn't even know about the Alpkit. I've seen in the clips there that you've used both with a fairly thick mattress and a sleeping bag, did you have enough space to keep your feet in there? was it ok to roll around? I was about to get the snugpack and started second-guessing myself on these... Cheers!
I used my snugpac last night, clear night,vents open still got wet with condensation, rubbish waste of money! It needs a vent at the foot end and a support pole like the head end!
Thanks for the feedback - much appreciated. I've experienced moisture build up with both of these and would say there isn't a noticeable difference between them there. With these kind of bivys (in particular at this price level), I'd take it as a given that there's going to be moisture on the inside walls. That's why I've only used them with sleeping bags with hydrophobic down treatment! Will
@@OutdoorsMagicTV I was out in the Elan a week ago and I must admit I was glad I took a synthetic bag. ua-cam.com/video/7B4eIhrk3gE/v-deo.html I've said before, I think Alpkit missed a trick going for an even cheaper Stratosphere, when they could have gone high end with Gore-Tex in the same hooped design. I would pay silly money for a brand new, roomier, Gore-Tex version of either of these!
@@CottonBud LOL, yeah the definition of 'Silly Money' on the positive side it was out of stock. There's a similar but much cheaper option, the TAS Assault Bivy, only a single pole design but made from a breathable membrane fabric, has a bug net, the downsides, you'll have to get it from Australia, and the only solid colour is tan, the other options are camo, difficult to tell but it might have zips along both sides, you'd need to check that out.
I had a snugpack (for 1 night) and the condensation wasn't bad, no it was horrific, worst night ever, no breathability at all and as a result my sleeping bag was absolutly drenched. Are they both a copy of the Carinthia bivi?
What annoys me no end about these and some other brands is that for some extremely odd reason they design these for left handed people and no right handed option. 99% of people would benefit if the door configuration was opposite to what it is on these.
Thats so you can use your right hand to grab your rifle or knife a d waste a bitch who tries to get past you while you open the zip with the left hand. (Jk I just made that up lol)
My alpkit elan leaked horrifically, had to bug out at 0100 in the morning. Puddle in the head end and sleeping bag soaked. Anyone else had any issues with this?
My son borrowed my Alpkit Elan before I got a chance to use it (to walk to Cornwall), he hated it and sent it back (leaky and didn't breath well), replaced with a Terra Nova Saturn dble hooped bivy (200g heavier) which he loved.
Interesting - I've had 2 of these and both have leaked. Just tested the second one in rain last night. Not loads in, but enough, and it only rained (admittedly heavily) for a couple of hours. A massive shame as I really wanted to like it. (Tbh, that's why I watched this video - to see what other opinions were). When I contacted Alpkit, who I generally find really helpful / reliable, after the first one, they said they'd had hardly any returns, so I'd probably been unlucky. I wonder if people don't use them in rain that often, and then maybe don't get round to returning if they have probs a long time after buying...
Does these designs have a bugnet while the top door is opened if not, how do you deal with watching the night skies without getting your face reconstructed by gangs of mosquitos?
Hi, I think one of us might have been using a standard Synmat on the trip shown in some of the clips - and that fitted absolutely fine. I suspect the wide will be fine too (as the normal certainly wasn't a squeeze) but I'm not 100% certain sorry.
One question re the Snugpak... It seems the material is std polyurethane coated rip stop nylon and not breathable, so likely to suffer condensation, as reported by some users. I know bivis and tents suffer this to a degree but that’s why bivi makers are using gore tex or Event. Any comment on this please?
he doesn't mention breathability which is the most important feature after waterproofing. You'd suffocate and sweat if cocooned in either of the offerings above and I'd hate to think what the breathability would be like in a sustained downpoor. There's a reason the Carinthia Observer, which these two steal the design of, is made from really expensive gas permeable 'Gas Exchange' goretex, so that you can seal yourself up in it and still remain dry even if its biblical outside.
I'm just curious to know how much Alp Kit invested in this channel. I mean, to only talk about the cons of the Snugpak just shows how biased the video is. I can say a cheaper Geet Top Bivy with a similar design smacks them both because, it at least have more head room and foot room. Does that make it overall better?
Haven't tried the XPII Plus but the Carinthia Observer Plus is awesome (withstood a lashing in Wales for 12 hours) tho would only use it when I wanted to be stealthy as it weighs more than an ultra lightweight tent. Costs a bomb too.
I have one too, a top notch piece of kit, been in mine on top of Great End for over 12 hours in torrential rain and strong winds once. Down bag not damp, and me safe, toasty and confortable. I don't think it's a bit of it you can throw cheap fabrics at and aim at weight and price points, you could suffocate in both the alpkit and the snugpak and I've heard the condensation makes them single night use only, unless you only restrict them to fine weather.
Can’t believe you didn’t mention the ridiculous amount of condensation in the Snugpack! Snugpack were not the first to design this, so saying Alpkit ripped it off is wrong.
Isn't that the case with nearly all bivy bags though? The only one I can think of that just about manages moisture is the OR Interstellar. Have you come across any good ones? I've found the Snugpak and the Stratosphere both the same on that front to be honest. There's moisture build up in both unless you sleep with the main zip open (or the conditions are right) Will
both designs are rip off's of the Carinthia Observer. The crucial thing you failed to mention is breathability and gas exchange. Both of these bivvies are much smaller ( and lighter) than the Carinthia and spending any significant time locked in one during poor weather needs to be addressed. Often these cheaper fabrics need to vented to stop you suffocating and have a limited time you could stay inside them without gear getting damp and diminishing its function over time. Have you actually used these items you are professing upon ? A bivvy is a really hard piece of kit to get right and I feel your review is a very poor effort in not addressing the most important points of a safe and comfortable bivvy experience.
do people really think any of these bivy's are a good design ? ! They are terrible . Far too many mistakes .The level of condensation in a Stratosphere is terrible !
Why this stupid, irritating, distracting noise in the background? Surely people just want to hear a clear considered , well paced , fair and balanced review! You just need to loose the rubbish music
Good open honest review.
There appears to be another contender on the block.
The. Defcon 5 Bivi. Any thoughts on this vs Snugpak?
Thanks Michael. Much appreciated. I'm not sure on that - not come across it before. Hopefully someone else can help you there though...
Will
Thanks Will,
Seen conflicting reports.
Brilliant Bivi, !
Don’t buy it, it leaks?
Best Regards
Michael
Honest? It was clear from the rip off comment and the dismissing of the better material specs that this was a Snugpack advert.
@@OutdoorsMagicTV Have you tried the borah bivy? In a different category would require a tarp in bad weather but wondering if it would be better with condensation and it’s ultra light.
The Alpkit is certainly not a ripoff of the Snugpak. The North Face Soloist Bivy was around in 1998 and it's identical. Also the Carinthia Observer Plus predates both as well. This design, although unusual, had a long history that predates both.
Pretty much like all modern tents then. Pretty hilarious when you see people arguing about one company "copying" another when on reality 99% of modern tent designs were already on use by the 80s. Just different materials.
Absolutely. The Dutch Army hooped bivvy was around in the early 90s.
@@northernswedenstories1028just like any rocket you would send into space.
The French army (Legion Paras) had hooped bivvy’s in the early 1980’s. I had mine from 1982 until 1993 - same one, used regularly I stupidly (kick myself stupidly) gave it away…… 😢
Just got the elan for £85 in the alpkit sale, used it a couple of nights, one fine, one absolutely hammering it down. Both were fine. Bit of condensation, but to be expected, nothing major, be a bit careful opening it when wet, but its a bivvy bag/tent, you are not going to be 100% protected, thats what tents are for.
Cant argue with it for the money. I think the snugpack is just a bit too pricey compared to the alpkit, it does not justify the hike in spending, thats a whole new piece of kit you could be buying instead.
Hey there. I own a lot of Alpkit gear and I really like it. Normally I sleep in a hilleberg tent, but have been eyeing up a bivvy for stealth camping in more populated areas. The quality and materials of Snugpak feel like they are 15 years behind. Not to mention their pricing.
Could I ask you to share your experience regarding condescension in this type of shelter?
I once slept in a Snugpak bivvy bag, only to wake up completely soaked.
The weather was dry and cold.
I’ll buy the Elan anyway, but just wanted to ask someone’s opinion.
Happy hiking:)
Good review. I just bought the Alpkit. For occasional use, there was no justification for spending that much more. It's better than my old Karrimor.
That makes sense. Alpkit is still a good bag. Thanks for the feedback. Will
@@OutdoorsMagicTV I am not disputing that the Stratosphere may be better in some respects. It's just finding the best compromise depending on the likely level of use.
Spoken and explained clearer than I can think ❤
Great comparison I think I'd go for
the stratosphere.
Do you think there will still be enough room inside when using an air matt such as a big agnus rapide?
Cheers
This is exactly the video I was looking for. Thanks.
No worries, glad you found it helpful. Will
Yea, I would choose the alpkit all way up to the size head room diff. Being I am not good in small spaces the extra bit wins it for me on the snugpak. I would probably just grab smooth rock and some cordage and stick peg it out making a tie out point on the leg box like the other Bivy.
I've looked at the Stratosphere for some time but haven't decided yet so was interested when I saw Alpkit had released something similar. A few points that you didn't mention, the Stratosphere groundsheet is 70D Nylon Taffeta with PU coating (8000mm HH), the Elan is 70D ripstop nylon (5000mm HH), you mentioned height but it appears the Elan is significantly narrower at the shoulders compared to the Stratosphere at 77cm or thereabouts tapering to 72cm, the Stratosphere is 105cm or thereabouts so almost a foot wider. Regarding weight, Alpkit claim 900g not including pegs, Snugpak claim 940 for fly & poles, not sure if Alpkit are including the stuffsack weight but there's virtually no difference in weight which is surprising given the size and materials used in the Stratosphere. Finally price, the Elan is only available through Alpkit so the RRP at £99 is likely to be what you pay, the Stratosphere has an RRP of £159 but can be had from as little as £119 from some retailers and most are selling it around the £130 mark. Given that the Stratosphere is roomier (could be beneficial re.condensation?), appears more durable, has a tougher groundsheet and in reality isn't much more expensive or much heavier the Elan really needed to bring something significant to the party which doesn't appear to be the case.
You asked who was 1st to produce a 2 pole bivvy, I'm pretty certain a US company produced one a few years ago, certainly Carinthia make the Observer which is a 2 pole design but using Gore-Tex and costing €650, Defcon 5 make one virtually identical to the Stratosphere which can be opened at the head end (a useful feature IMO) however it's quite a bit heavier than the Stratosphere but around the same price. I have a single pole bivy made early 90's by a UK company called Bivybug, the sleeping bag part was made from Sympatex, sadly mine has de-laminated.
I can confirm that the Alpkit feels pretty spacious lengthways and widthways. Shoulder width isn't a problem for me.
Stratosphere is 80cm inside (shoulders) according to the website, so it seems only 3cm difference (assuming that Elan is 77cm inside, not outside size).
I've been using the stratosphere for about 3yrs long time distance hiking especially in the black mountains wales.
I know this is counter productive when it comes to weight but I found that keeping my snugpack special forces bivvy bag on my sleeping bag sorted any condensation problems.
Added advantage is I can open up the main bivvy for ventilation or taking a waz in rainy weather.
I can winter bivvy down to a comfortable -10 and add a dd ultralight tarp with my walking poles and im pretty much bomb proof.
I have incredible versatility for pitching in a very wide set of conditions.
Its all about adaptation after all.
You use a bivy inside a bivy to avoid moist?
So….waterproof? Condensation?
I'm sure many people are deciding between the two. This video puts together a great comparison.
Great review thanks for taking the time to make it no waffle just useful information. Cheers! Mike.
Thanks Mike! Appreciate the feedback. Will
Why dont all hooped bivvies have the little loop on the bottom like the Alpkit?
Small difference but nice feature for very little cost.
If you have the stratosphere, get a marble, and put that on the inside of the bag(where the tab would be on the Elan), and push it onto the fabric, and on the outside tie a guy to the bunched up fabric to your pole, can do this with a smooth stone too
Can pick up the Strat for 116 quid, has been that price for some time now from outdoor GB.
One stupid thing that the alpkit did was not having straps on the exterior! I went with snugpack because its easy to attach it somewhere outside your bag because of the straps. Also who wants reflectors when you buy this to be stealthy and camp anywhere xD
I once spent a night on the moor on Orkney, and the only flat ground I could find was on what I hoped was a disused, very rough, vehicle track. I spent all night worrying that the farmer might come along in a Land Rover. Reflectors may have helped. If you're being stealthy, no one expects you to be there. Maybe something that warns them at the last moment and stops them tripping or running over you is a good idea.
@@mikefule Yea I see your point, but Im going for "city camping" until I can find a job so I need to be sneaky xD I dont want to be kicked out of the country by police. This will be in Japan where crime is low, I wouldnt try it anywhere else. Although you cant rob what you cant see xD
My only problem now is my backpack choice. I wanted something that wouldnt look suspicious and could carry a laptop and some electronics, so I went with the Osprey Porter 46. But I guess I understimated how hard it is to live off a 46L bag and have space for your things plus a sleeping bag, a tent and a mat. :(
No one but you is going to see the reflectors so low down to the ground unless you're somewhere completely exposed. It's so you don't trip over the guylines in the dark.
Given that I'm in the market for a hooped bivvy and these two are both in the shortlist, this is very helpful video. Cheers.
Glad to hear it. Thanks for the feedback! Will
Identical in real world terms . Just got the Elan . Pack size is tiny . Price wise 60€ cheaper than Stratosphere, definitely worth buying the Elan . 🇮🇪🇮🇪
Excellent and very useful. Thank you. The only query I have concerns lengths and widths, many of the vendor websites are inconsistent about this, where there's any info. at all?
still think the Vaude P1 is a much stronger option than either of these, the condensation is a killer in low hooped bivies
can some explain why u should choose a bivy pack such as these over a normal one person tent?
only thing i an think of is that yeah they might be
-300g ish lighter, be a little more stealth?, take up a tad bit less space both in packing and use.
however u loose the space of a one man tent, the ability to cook food in the tent, the bivvy is on ur feet so when rain comes wont it soak through?, cant keep gear under shelter i just dont see that many positives? imean u can always add a tarp but if u do why not just drop the bivvy and save the kilo?, or then go for a one man tent?
i got one for free but cant quite grasp why u would want this over a proper 1 man tent.
Pitchability!
Well a Bivi has less wind resistance,you can get into smaller places behind log downs and boulders.More stealthy and warmer so that you could possibly get away with a lighter sleeping bag compared to a tarp tent.
I love alpkit.
Spot on revue mate.
I love the snugpa but i cant stand the smell of the nylon so i now use the rab ridge or lightwave bivy ..its a shame there is a funny smell to it when i camp out and i can't get rid of it .....shame they should make the stratophere with upgraded material such as the red x or event...come on snugpack do it!
Great info cheers
Pretty cool review, I didn't even know about the Alpkit. I've seen in the clips there that you've used both with a fairly thick mattress and a sleeping bag, did you have enough space to keep your feet in there? was it ok to roll around? I was about to get the snugpack and started second-guessing myself on these... Cheers!
I used my snugpac last night, clear night,vents open still got wet with condensation, rubbish waste of money! It needs a vent at the foot end and a support pole like the head end!
Great review. Thank you…
The music is too loud though! Could have been lighter so that your voice is more clearly audible!
Been waiting on this - good comparison! The big issue for many folk though will be breathability/condensation - any thoughts on that please? Cheers.
Thanks for the feedback - much appreciated. I've experienced moisture build up with both of these and would say there isn't a noticeable difference between them there. With these kind of bivys (in particular at this price level), I'd take it as a given that there's going to be moisture on the inside walls. That's why I've only used them with sleeping bags with hydrophobic down treatment! Will
@@OutdoorsMagicTV I was out in the Elan a week ago and I must admit I was glad I took a synthetic bag. ua-cam.com/video/7B4eIhrk3gE/v-deo.html I've said before, I think Alpkit missed a trick going for an even cheaper Stratosphere, when they could have gone high end with Gore-Tex in the same hooped design. I would pay silly money for a brand new, roomier, Gore-Tex version of either of these!
@@CottonBud There's the Carinthia Observer, made using Gore-Tex it sells for silly money, €650
@@Flexaret Why did you have to go and tell me that..? 😱😅
@@CottonBud LOL, yeah the definition of 'Silly Money' on the positive side it was out of stock. There's a similar but much cheaper option, the TAS Assault Bivy, only a single pole design but made from a breathable membrane fabric, has a bug net, the downsides, you'll have to get it from Australia, and the only solid colour is tan, the other options are camo, difficult to tell but it might have zips along both sides, you'd need to check that out.
Great review, thank you.
I had a snugpack (for 1 night) and the condensation wasn't bad, no it was horrific, worst night ever, no breathability at all and as a result my sleeping bag was absolutly drenched. Are they both a copy of the Carinthia bivi?
Great review, just bought the Snugpak based on your opinion and I’m a happy subscriber cheers and thanks
That's great! Hope you don't have to wait too long for a chance to get out with it. What was the clincher for you, out of curiosity? Will
Great comparison. Are they both waterproof and breathable?
Thanks. Waterproof, yes. Breathable... to an extent! Will
the condensation in this bivi is bad i used this for a 1 night wild camp in the highlands of scotland when it was heavy rain n 30 to 40 mph winds
What annoys me no end about these and some other brands is that for some extremely odd reason they design these for left handed people and no right handed option. 99% of people would benefit if the door configuration was opposite to what it is on these.
I'd not thought about that - but you're right! Will
100% agree, I always prefer a left handed zip
Thats so you can use your right hand to grab your rifle or knife a d waste a bitch who tries to get past you while you open the zip with the left hand.
(Jk I just made that up lol)
Great video, I've subscribed 😄
My alpkit elan leaked horrifically, had to bug out at 0100 in the morning. Puddle in the head end and sleeping bag soaked. Anyone else had any issues with this?
My son borrowed my Alpkit Elan before I got a chance to use it (to walk to Cornwall), he hated it and sent it back (leaky and didn't breath well), replaced with a Terra Nova Saturn dble hooped bivy (200g heavier) which he loved.
Interesting - I've had 2 of these and both have leaked. Just tested the second one in rain last night. Not loads in, but enough, and it only rained (admittedly heavily) for a couple of hours. A massive shame as I really wanted to like it. (Tbh, that's why I watched this video - to see what other opinions were). When I contacted Alpkit, who I generally find really helpful / reliable, after the first one, they said they'd had hardly any returns, so I'd probably been unlucky. I wonder if people don't use them in rain that often, and then maybe don't get round to returning if they have probs a long time after buying...
Do you think the leak occurred because the larger zip storm flap should continue higher up under the porch?
Great comparison, thanks. Can both be pitched without the pegs?
Thanks Mel. Yes, that's possible for both of them. Will
@@OutdoorsMagicTV Great. Thanks Will.
Certainly the Alpkit can.
Still recommend one of these bivys?
Does these designs have a bugnet while the top door is opened if not, how do you deal with watching the night skies without getting your face reconstructed by gangs of mosquitos?
Hi, yes you can open up the sheet and still have bug net protection.
Hi Will, really helpful review. I recently bought the Exped Synmat 7 (wide) Do you know if it will fit in either of these Bivvys? Cheers.
Hi,
I think one of us might have been using a standard Synmat on the trip shown in some of the clips - and that fitted absolutely fine. I suspect the wide will be fine too (as the normal certainly wasn't a squeeze) but I'm not 100% certain sorry.
@@OutdoorsMagicTV thank you.
One question re the Snugpak... It seems the material is std polyurethane coated rip stop nylon and not breathable, so likely to suffer condensation, as reported by some users. I know bivis and tents suffer this to a degree but that’s why bivi makers are using gore tex or Event. Any comment on this please?
he doesn't mention breathability which is the most important feature after waterproofing. You'd suffocate and sweat if cocooned in either of the offerings above and I'd hate to think what the breathability would be like in a sustained downpoor. There's a reason the Carinthia Observer, which these two steal the design of, is made from really expensive gas permeable 'Gas Exchange' goretex, so that you can seal yourself up in it and still remain dry even if its biblical outside.
Both of these are put to shame by the military versions.
Alpkit gets it for me.
I'm just curious to know how much Alp Kit invested in this channel. I mean, to only talk about the cons of the Snugpak just shows how biased the video is. I can say a cheaper Geet Top Bivy with a similar design smacks them both because, it at least have more head room and foot room. Does that make it overall better?
Zilch.
How about a Carinthia XPII Plus review
Haven't tried the XPII Plus but the Carinthia Observer Plus is awesome (withstood a lashing in Wales for 12 hours) tho would only use it when I wanted to be stealthy as it weighs more than an ultra lightweight tent. Costs a bomb too.
I have one too, a top notch piece of kit, been in mine on top of Great End for over 12 hours in torrential rain and strong winds once. Down bag not damp, and me safe, toasty and confortable. I don't think it's a bit of it you can throw cheap fabrics at and aim at weight and price points, you could suffocate in both the alpkit and the snugpak and I've heard the condensation makes them single night use only, unless you only restrict them to fine weather.
Can’t believe you didn’t mention the ridiculous amount of condensation in the Snugpack! Snugpack were not the first to design this, so saying Alpkit ripped it off is wrong.
Isn't that the case with nearly all bivy bags though? The only one I can think of that just about manages moisture is the OR Interstellar. Have you come across any good ones?
I've found the Snugpak and the Stratosphere both the same on that front to be honest. There's moisture build up in both unless you sleep with the main zip open (or the conditions are right) Will
Btw, do you know which brand came up with the original design then?
You’re never going to avoid condensation with a bivvy tent! That’s why you Always use a bivvy bag underneath
nice
Good review :-), annoying background music :-(
no horses?
;(
Ellen? Really? Eel-lan, like the Lotus Elan (or eh-lon if you want to be a bit French. Means style and energy.
Hi Graeme. My belief is that it's named after the Elan Valley in Wales - a notoriously wild place, perfect for bivying. That's pronounced Ell-Anne.
BOTH are a rip off from the Carinthia XPII. A FAR FAR SUPERIOR bivi to those two.
Alpkit Elan Bivy chipper better...
both designs are rip off's of the Carinthia Observer. The crucial thing you failed to mention is breathability and gas exchange. Both of these bivvies are much smaller ( and lighter) than the Carinthia and spending any significant time locked in one during poor weather needs to be addressed. Often these cheaper fabrics need to vented to stop you suffocating and have a limited time you could stay inside them without gear getting damp and diminishing its function over time. Have you actually used these items you are professing upon ? A bivvy is a really hard piece of kit to get right and I feel your review is a very poor effort in not addressing the most important points of a safe and comfortable bivvy experience.
You can see me using them in multiple locations in this video.
Albeit has awful reviews for leaking
do people really think any of these bivy's are a good design ? ! They are terrible . Far too many mistakes .The level of condensation in a Stratosphere is terrible !
Why this stupid, irritating, distracting noise in the background? Surely people just want to hear a clear considered , well paced , fair and balanced review!
You just need to loose the rubbish music
Alpkit stuff is not very well made!