When looking at bivi bags i tend not to think of them as a light weight option but more of a quick, simple set up after a long day of walking. Great review 👍
I have and use in conjunction with my OEX tarp is completely weather proof if used together properly no need for another but sleep with outer flap open to cut down on condensation especially in the snow used many times in the beacons it's a life saver
The bush pro it's strong a good size and weighs about the same as or a little less than half box of eggs they are a great combo and pack down to nothing I uses for beach fishing but tarp I use in woodland for anchor points but can be used with poles and vehicle I last used both in black forest when hiking in Germany you won't go wrong oex is the only kit I take abroad as I said befor most more expensive kit just doesn't hold ground unless your up in the very high hundreds and then it's no better as not many have the 5000 hydrostatics as oex it's a game changer I'm ex military and have done my fair share in jungles deserts and roaming savannah oex has always been my go to since they started producing for some reason they just deliver but if buying new open in shop as things can be wrong or missing have a good trip wherever you go
Well done, Kev. I looked at this bivvy last year but because it weighed more AND cost more than my Naturehike Vik 1, it made no sense - especially considering how little space it offers inside compared to the tent. Looks roomy for a bivvy though!
Funnily enough I was thinking of your Vik 1 when looking at this bivi as I was certain the Vik 1 was lighter and cheaper. I think it only makes sense used, or if you really want to buy something in store. Buying in store limits your options a lot more unless you have specialist outdoor shops nearby - but they are few and far between.
My observation is that experienced climbers use a bivvie bag for a single night as they push for summit. But when I have tried nylon or polyester PU bivvie at 5000m I woke up with enough water inside was as if someone had poured half litre water down me. So now I use whole goretex bag 880g/( Event would work) with nylon PU floor and Ive not become wet except one night trying gortex bag inside a tent for the night at zero C. Woke up and it was bit wet down the nylon floor which made me think its important to sleep with nylon strip neatly under body and not have bag wrapped close around my neck to insulate against the cold. Just my limited experience with them. Thx for posting. JMO.
Yeah, they're a specialist bit of kit for going as light as possible... Albeit this one is heavier than some tents, definitely trekking pole tents. However, small footprint means it'll fit where other tents won't.
Think £115 is a lot of money for what you get when new. £35 for a good condition used one is very good value. I look forward to seeing it in action. Where would you store your bag? I think i'm always going to prefer the luxury of a tent.
Used it 3 times now, condensation was terrible, awful to get in and out of and sleeping bag seems to end up blocking bottom vent. For the £ may as well get the Phoxx 1 and have a double skin with an option to cook if it's raining. But, I'll probably still go out in it again 😂
Not exactly a glowing review! I've got the Phoxx 1 original and V2 versions. Only slightly heavier and like you said, a proper tent with side entry and double skin...
Do you reckon there's a way to guy out the cover so that it's open fully but so that it'll still provide shelter if it rains? Maybe using some sticks with some guy line or something?
I don't quite understand this bivi, when the Phoxx 1 exists. At only a couple of hundred grams more for the Phoxx you get a lot more space, but is still very compact, and costs less. I personally own the Phoxx 2 which is great but can struggle with condensation, so I can only imagine that the Salamanda can get very wet inside if the conditions are not ideal. As for being compact and stealthy (not that the Phoxx isn't stealthy) why not go full bivi and get the Bush Pro. In terms of cost Go Outdoors/Blacks/Millets/Tiso's pricing is like a yo yo. You can get the Salamada new for £69 at the moment. The Phoxx 1 is £49.
Good video Kev. I've never understood why this bivvy is over £100 when the Phoxx1 is cheaper. Can you do a video on both next to each other. I have the Snugpak Stratosphere which is a similar bivvy. Cheers again
Iv got the bush pro bivi bag from oex and that's a good piece of gear but this bag I'm not so sure off just to small for me? Great reviews as all ways mate 👍👍👍
Cheers Andrew. Am I right in thinking you can't seal the bush pro Bivi bag that you have? It doesn't have a mesh screen over the head end? I have considered it for use with a tarp, but don't fancy being that open as not a fan of bugs!
Ahhh theres the oex 😅😅 nice one kev, a bivvy of any description isnt for me, just to much faff getting into your sleeping bag and out, i suppose they have there place but i always just think why !!😂😂😂
@@Mickoutdoors seller said it was new with footprint so we'll have to see if that's true. It's one they don't sell anymore so they're not easy to find, but I've always wanted one.
No interest in bivi bags, just watching to help the channel. Always a good review from yourself.
Cheers Gary, really appreciate the support.
When looking at bivi bags i tend not to think of them as a light weight option but more of a quick, simple set up after a long day of walking. Great review 👍
That's a great way to look at this bivi. Easy to setup and you'd soon be ready to lie down to sleep.
I like the new on screen graphics. Also very useful.
Thanks. Glad they helped.
I have and use in conjunction with my OEX tarp is completely weather proof if used together properly no need for another but sleep with outer flap open to cut down on condensation especially in the snow used many times in the beacons it's a life saver
Great stuff, which OEX tarp do you use?
The bush pro it's strong a good size and weighs about the same as or a little less than half box of eggs they are a great combo and pack down to nothing I uses for beach fishing but tarp I use in woodland for anchor points but can be used with poles and vehicle I last used both in black forest when hiking in Germany you won't go wrong oex is the only kit I take abroad as I said befor most more expensive kit just doesn't hold ground unless your up in the very high hundreds and then it's no better as not many have the 5000 hydrostatics as oex it's a game changer I'm ex military and have done my fair share in jungles deserts and roaming savannah oex has always been my go to since they started producing for some reason they just deliver but if buying new open in shop as things can be wrong or missing have a good trip wherever you go
@@stephanpoulsdelaford2991 ah, nice. One is for sale locally, I might try and buy it...
Good to hear your view on it. Want to see you take it out in storm conditions and get your thoughts after.
I'll take it out in the rain and see how I get on... If it ever rains again here in South Wales that is!
This was such a thorough review and helped me realise i want this. And thank you for reminding me of Facebook marketplace 😅
@@TorAthena thanks for the kind words. I might be selling mine at some point, but maybe I'll use it again at some point.
As you know I'm claustrophobic so a bivi isn't for me but it's always interesting to see your videos so thank you for this Kev.
Thanks Annie. This is definitely one of the bigger ones...
@@TheWalkingKev 😲
Well done, Kev. I looked at this bivvy last year but because it weighed more AND cost more than my Naturehike Vik 1, it made no sense - especially considering how little space it offers inside compared to the tent. Looks roomy for a bivvy though!
Funnily enough I was thinking of your Vik 1 when looking at this bivi as I was certain the Vik 1 was lighter and cheaper. I think it only makes sense used, or if you really want to buy something in store. Buying in store limits your options a lot more unless you have specialist outdoor shops nearby - but they are few and far between.
My observation is that experienced climbers use a bivvie bag for a single night as they push for summit. But when I have tried nylon or polyester PU bivvie at 5000m I woke up with enough water inside was as if someone had poured half litre water down me. So now I use whole goretex bag 880g/( Event would work) with nylon PU floor and Ive not become wet except one night trying gortex bag inside a tent for the night at zero C. Woke up and it was bit wet down the nylon floor which made me think its important to sleep with nylon strip neatly under body and not have bag wrapped close around my neck to insulate against the cold. Just my limited experience with them. Thx for posting. JMO.
Yeah, they're a specialist bit of kit for going as light as possible... Albeit this one is heavier than some tents, definitely trekking pole tents. However, small footprint means it'll fit where other tents won't.
For £35 you can experiment give it a try for your usage.
@@justmyopiniontoday7548 and maybe use a tarp as well...
Thank you. Really helped me making my decision. 👍
Thanks for dropping a comment. Most appreciated.
@@TheWalkingKev You're welcome 🤗. It was just what I needed at the right moment.
Think £115 is a lot of money for what you get when new. £35 for a good condition used one is very good value. I look forward to seeing it in action. Where would you store your bag? I think i'm always going to prefer the luxury of a tent.
You could possibly store your bag at the bottom. Otherwise you leave it outside and cover it. Same with boots etc.
Used it 3 times now, condensation was terrible, awful to get in and out of and sleeping bag seems to end up blocking bottom vent. For the £ may as well get the Phoxx 1 and have a double skin with an option to cook if it's raining. But, I'll probably still go out in it again 😂
Not exactly a glowing review! I've got the Phoxx 1 original and V2 versions. Only slightly heavier and like you said, a proper tent with side entry and double skin...
Do you reckon there's a way to guy out the cover so that it's open fully but so that it'll still provide shelter if it rains? Maybe using some sticks with some guy line or something?
I'm not sure. I'm hoping to use it soon so I'll have a look then and let you know.
@@TheWalkingKev Thanks! Figured it could be a good idea just for more ventilation.
I don't quite understand this bivi, when the Phoxx 1 exists. At only a couple of hundred grams more for the Phoxx you get a lot more space, but is still very compact, and costs less. I personally own the Phoxx 2 which is great but can struggle with condensation, so I can only imagine that the Salamanda can get very wet inside if the conditions are not ideal. As for being compact and stealthy (not that the Phoxx isn't stealthy) why not go full bivi and get the Bush Pro. In terms of cost Go Outdoors/Blacks/Millets/Tiso's pricing is like a yo yo. You can get the Salamada new for £69 at the moment. The Phoxx 1 is £49.
It's a strange one. A lot less comfort, space and access than a Phoxx for very little weight saving. I wouldn't buy one unless it was very cheap.
Great review! Thanks
Cheers Craig. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Appreciate it.
Thanks Kev. Not my bag (groan) but I'm watching to support.
Well that was a stretch .. ;-)
Thanks and thanks for the pun, I do appreciate a good pun and even more so a bad one!
@@RealMash ha!
Good video Kev.
I've never understood why this bivvy is over £100 when the Phoxx1 is cheaper.
Can you do a video on both next to each other.
I have the Snugpak Stratosphere which is a similar bivvy.
Cheers again
I could do actually. Weight difference isn't that much...
Iv got the bush pro bivi bag from oex and that's a good piece of gear but this bag I'm not so sure off just to small for me? Great reviews as all ways mate 👍👍👍
Cheers Andrew. Am I right in thinking you can't seal the bush pro Bivi bag that you have? It doesn't have a mesh screen over the head end? I have considered it for use with a tarp, but don't fancy being that open as not a fan of bugs!
@@TheWalkingKev yes that's right mate if you use a head net you be fine 👍👍👍
@@andrewgreen7996 cheers for letting me know.
Prefer this to that other one you had a review of 👍🏻
The Outdoor Research Helium? This one is bigger and more structured, but a lot heavier!
This bivvy is on sale in UK, £60
Not a bad price, but OEX Phoxx 1 could be even cheaper.
Ahhh theres the oex 😅😅 nice one kev, a bivvy of any description isnt for me, just to much faff getting into your sleeping bag and out, i suppose they have there place but i always just think why !!😂😂😂
This isn't the OEX tent I meant... I won an eBay auction for an interesting OEX tent. One I've wanted for a long time...
@TheWalkingKev ohhhh even better , look forward to seeing it mate 👍
@@Mickoutdoors seller said it was new with footprint so we'll have to see if that's true. It's one they don't sell anymore so they're not easy to find, but I've always wanted one.
Would have been useful to show it rolled up...
I thought I showed the pack size towards the beginning of the video?
1:40