For anglers who may be heading out carp fishing for long periods of time, a bivvy or shelter is an essential item of kit. Whilst we all might like the idea of roughing it under the stars when night fishing for carp, there's something also quite nice about setting up your own bankside home. The height of a bivvy can make your night stay on the bank more comfortable. The standard height for bivvies on the market is 125cm which for most people takes a bit of bending to get in and out. For those less able in movement I would suggest a higher bivvy, this just makes for easier entrance and exit from those long nights on the bank. Overwrap / Skin Lightweight: only 9.2 kg transport weight make this lightweight fishing bivvy stand out. The weight has been achieved by the intelligent construction and the use of aluminium. Waterproof: the 10,000 mm hydrostatic head provides absolute protection against water even in heavy rain and keeps you completely dry.

Pegs: Robust metal spikes with heavy-duty moulded tops. Some pegs feature a spiral point for twisting the spike down into hard ground. You can take the bivouac tent all the way up to the top of a mountain without much effort and be prepared for sudden weather changes. A huge advantage for longer adventures.Obviously, we can't guarantee any material will stay waterproof, but if you are concerned, then we recommend going for the best material you can afford for more assurance. As with all outdoor products, the answer depends on a variety of different factors, including the trip you’re planning and your personal needs and desires. But, let’s get a little more specific: bivouac tents are definitely more geared toward solo adventurers who want to be fast and flexible and don’t mind sacrificing comfort in the process.

When it comes to shelters, the bivvy is by far the most popular choice for many anglers. They are solid, comfortable and offer maximum protection against the elements when set up correctly. If you are on limited time, however, a more traditional fishing umbrella-style shelter may be preferable. Fox’s bivvies and shelters come in a variety of sizes, so if you’re an angler who prefers to operate alone Fox has an excellent range of one-man shelter solutions. If you like to fish in company, or maybe you just like a little extra space, Fox also produces superb two-man options. With its range of overwraps, Fox has ensured you can turn any of its bivvies or shelters into the ultimate all-weather protection system. To erect these bivvies you simply connect all the poles then pull from the front putting tension poles in between to fan the sections. Overwrap: Sheet of waterproof fabric that is designed to be positioned over the shelter for extra protection and to stop condensation forming inside. Frequently asked questions A bivvy, even hooped will be more inconspicuous but will ultimately offer worse protection and comfort in poor weather condition.We have a few upgrades that can make a simple bivvy such as a groundsheet to keep your fishing gear off the damp terrain or a skullcap to extra layer of protection and heat retention over the top of your bivvy. In our bivvy accessory selection, you will also find a range of bivvy mats to wipe your fishing boots, bivvy tables for making rigson, bivvy fans, heaters, and bivvy repair kits. Ribs: Long metal poles, generally with plastic fittings, that are used to brace a shelter and give it its structural strength and shape. But if you’re racing, then pace tends to take precedence. In a short race (only one or two nights), it’s easier to rough it and sacrifice a good night's sleep in favour of better running performance. But for long, expedition style races or Fastest Known Time (FKT) attempts, the situation is more complex, with the aim of the game being to maximise performance over a prolonged period and changing circumstances. In this situation, you'll need to consider the following: will you be able to cope with prolonged sleep deprivation? Will you be able to dry out your kit? What is the terrain on the course ? What is the climate and season?

Yep, it sure is strange: the thing is called bivouac tent, but it is neither a bivvy bag nor a tent. But the name works, anyway, because it’s a pretty good hybrid between the two. Even though the solution for closing the gap between the two is rather obvious in retrospect, the outdoor industry took their precious time before becoming active in this area. Surprisingly, bivouac tents have only been on the market for about ten years now, and the selection has remained relatively small to this day. So, despite the outdoor boom, bivouac tents are still a niche product. When it comes to finding a bivvy for your angling, it can be a daunting prospect, with so many available from so many different manufacturers, it's difficult to know where to start. Is it just you fishing, or will family members/friends be joining you in the shelter? How much gear do you take, and how long do your sessions last on average? Do you fish in the colder months? All these things can dictate which shelter will be the best for you. Best fishing bivvy at a glance

The Alpkit Elan verdict

For groups of more than two people the same basically applies, but these groups have a third option: group bivouac shelters with walking poles as a brace. And, the British brand Rab offers just that with their high-quality Group Shelter 2. Equipped with recesses in the roof to use walking poles as a brace, this bivvy bag may be designed for only two people, but it is so light and compact that a group could easily take several of them on a trip. Before your first night in a bivouac tent: what is there to consider? However, in an emergency situation, especially one that is wet and windy, a bivvy bag (or basic survival bag) can offer enough protection to save your life. For this reason, it is advisable that all trail runners carry a survival bag when running in high or remote areas – even if you’re not expecting to be out for long. Is a bivvy bag worth it? Note: The term bivvy is an abbreviation of its formal name is bivouac (pronounced bivvy-wak). Some people spell it other ways but I have always spelt it bivvy and it’s also the only accepted spelling of it in scrabble… so you know, 16 points for me. Pegging Points: Plastic or metal rings fused to the fabric provide somewhere to push a peg through to keep the shelter anchored to the floor. Maximising internal storage is a must, especially for carp anglers with lots of gear, so some bivvy accessories are designed to keep your bivvy organised such as rig stations, cooking stations, bedside pop-up cabinets or other organisers that can be attached to the interior of your bivvy or shelter.

The problem I find with bivvy bags is you are sleeping in what is essentially a bodybag. This is not for everyone, myself included. Whilst I have bivvied with tarps and a sleeping bag in the warmer months, my preferred outdoor sleeping method is a tent, especially in the UK where we have this thing called weather. For anyone who gets claustrophobic they are a no go and I have never been sold on the idea of a bivvy bag, they just aren’t for me. Like most other bivvies on the market, almost all of the pram hoods come with optional overwraps too. Like the others this helps insulate the bivvy and provides an extra layer to prevent condensation. Brolly System Fox has been producing outstanding carp products for almost 50 years and its range of bivvies and shelters more than lives up to its exceptional heritage. Including its world famous SupaBrolly, Fox has produced shelters and bivvies for all angling occasions. So, whether you’re a casual carper who requires lightweight shelter for windy and rainy days or you’re an avid angler who needs your shelter to withstand the harshest conditions imaginable, Fox has a bivvy or shelter for you. A sleeping bag is an insulated bag that is designed to keep you warm. This warmth is provided by either a down or synthetic filling that traps air around your body as you sleep. In contrast, the single-skin fabric of a bivyy bag provides negligible warmth. It is designed to keep out moisture (from rain, dew or snow) while having sufficient breathability to minimise moisture build up on the inside. A sleeping bag will often cover the head but doesn’t cover the face, where most bivvy bags allow for the whole person to be sealed inside (i.e. the bag is closed fully over both the head and face). Do I need a sleeping bag with a bivvy?

The best bivvy bags 2023

While there are some impressively light and compact hiking tents around today (some one-person tents weigh in at around one kilogram), you can do even better with a bivvy bag.