Bach Heads Up Pro Bivy - the ultimate bivy?

[@NeilCooper-w5g]

I have just watched this video having watched the film in the brecon beacons( hear comes winter) absolutely fantastic the sky's and colours were beautiful I think you are a very good presenter and deserve more people watching your films thankyou ps I'm neil from york I don't know this man and he hasn't given me any money😂

[@TheWalkingKev]

@@NeilCooper-w5g cheers Neil. Your cheque isn't in the post. 😉

[@JamieHarding5]

Good review Kev. I've watched and seen a few bivy camps, this one looks the biggest one so far. Nice you open the side and get in, also the top to look at the stars. At the moment I can't see myself ever getting one, I carry quite a bit and like a bit of space. I enjoyed watching it though. Jumping on one of your others for a bit of advice now👍👋

[@TheWalkingKev]

@@JamieHarding5 cheers. I must admit when I'm in a spacious tent I do wonder why I'd ever want to use a Bivy, especially in bad weather! But I keep trying them nonetheless.

[@PhilipOlsen11]

Brilliant mate. Looks a great piece of kit. Would love that 👌

[@TheWalkingKev]

Cheers. I'm hoping it's going to be a reliable bit of kit.

[@tim1289r]

Interesting looking Bivy, thanks for bringing it to us. Looking forward to future camps and how you manage your time in bad weather. 🤔

[@TheWalkingKev]

Thanks. My only concern with any Bivy is having to get out in the rain for a wee. Can't make it through the night these days...

[@tim1289r]

@@TheWalkingKev 😁 When I don't want to have to face the elements, I have those little bags with gel in them, like nappy technology (at 60, it won't be long before it's the nappies, not just the technology!) I get them from Temu.

[@muchasgracias6976]

Hey Kev, yes it may be expensive, but seems to be worth the investment. Look forward to a snowy winter test for sure!

[@TheWalkingKev]

Hopefully we actually get a winter this year in Wales!

[@slothoutdoors]

Im epileptic and occasionally have night time seizures and have had one whilst out wild camping... so a bivvy bag with a vent and fairly easy entrance/exit is vital for me. I've been trying to find better emergency and general use low profile shelter options and came across this brand. Although I didn't know they did a pro version, so I'm glad I came across this video. I probably will have to save up for ages but think itll be worth it for the new adventures I could have.

[@TheWalkingKev]

@@slothoutdoors they have a good sale on currently on this website: www.alpinetrek.co.uk/bach-heads-up-bivvy-tent/?aid=2bd26868ad2f18e37885ddbd69168dbc

[@TheWalkingKev]

@@slothoutdoors they've got 40% off the half tent pro from Bach which adds a second hoop pole at the bottom end and a second vent.

[@slothoutdoors]

@@TheWalkingKev yes thats another variation I was looking at. Thanks for the link.

[@TheWalkingKev]

@@slothoutdoors I'm tempted by the Half tent Pro at that price... But no way I could buy it now after having this one!

[@slothoutdoors]

@@TheWalkingKevI don't think you'd be the first to have a similar product but in different colours and sizes... I have 3 different osprey Tempest rucksacks... but I bought 2 of them second hand, so I don't feel quite so bad. At least a lot of brands hold their value. I've found good kit from Alpine Trek on sale over the past few years. One of my go to retailers to check, especially for winter or brands not as represented here in the UK.

[@StuartThow]

This looks great, never heard of Bach before. I like the side opening on this one, looks way easier to get in and out compared to the Salamanda 👍

[@TheWalkingKev]

Yeah, just a lot more expensive sadly!

[@mokotramp]

For that price I'd have least wanted carbon poles😁 I think I still prefer a standard bag and small tarp. My combined weight for my SN tarp, carbon poles and bivvy is around 900gms. Adding the small tarp makes it so versatile and more comfortable! The Bach looks well made! ✌️

[@TheWalkingKev]

I think at full price carbon pole should have been added, plus the two extra pegs! How tight is it to skimp on two pegs!

[@mokotramp]

@@TheWalkingKev Totally agree! Would also be nice to see a little structure at the foot box maybe, like the Salamder?

[@mountain_del1863]

Great review Kev. Looks like a really good bivy. Ive got a 1990s mountain range Gore Tex (with inner skrim) and it has been absolutely outstanding.......it has been lightyears ahead of the modern garbage (OR, TN jupiter lite etc) but its really showing its age now. Like it's owner. That Bach on thr otherhand looks really robust.can't wait to see your winter review. Why the don't make goretex bivvies these days is beyond me. Carinthia are great but are £££££££££££££ and very hard to source

[@TheWalkingKev]

@@mountain_del1863 this Bivy was on sale for less than £280 just after I bought it. It's certainly a good Bivy and not as pricey as some, but not cheap by any stretch. I look forward to using it again.

[@dustinschulz5707]

I guess it is because goretex is very expensive and not the most breathable material

[@mountain_del1863]

@@dustinschulz5707 guess so mate. Costs a fortune and price probably makes it an unviable product. I've never had any condensation issues with mine though it is large, well vented and the fuzzy interior scrim helps too. Shame its on its way out. It was so robust. Had it in crazy stuff up here in Scotland.......perhaps someone else will come up with the perfect bivi.

[@arcticradio]

The smallest I went was the Snugpak Ionosphere and bought a spare camo fly as they were cheap at the time. This looks good though

[@TheWalkingKev]

@@arcticradio I like the look of the Snugpak, but I think from memory it is pretty heavy?

[@ianofthetaylors6288]

Great review, and unless you're into bivvy camping, you'll lack the understanding. I paid £200 for a 2nd hand Macpac Cocoon. This is a superb side entry full mesh twin pole spacious bivvy. I use it more than all my tents.

[@TheWalkingKev]

@@ianofthetaylors6288 sounds good.

[@PHYSIZIST]

since 80% of the water that comes from a sleeping human body is from breath, this is what would make this bivvy perfect for me: if the zip storm flap was extended buy about 5-10 inches that could then be guyed/pegged out with trekking poles, this would allow you to have the door open without worrying about rain and improve venting even further in a higher range of conditions (kind of like a mini tarp that can be rolled up into the storm flap.)

[@TheWalkingKev]

You should design and manufacture that Bivy! Sounds ideal.

[@PHYSIZIST]

@@TheWalkingKev prefer to just modify stuff!

[@RealFooking]

I prefer the Carinthia Observer (and its licensed copies by Summit, Callida, FECSA, etc.) because: The front can be fully opened + it has mesh, the fabric is more durable, and it is free standing.

[@TheWalkingKev]

Is that quite expensive?

[@RealFooking]

​@@TheWalkingKev The ones made by Callida and Summit are around €350 Only real downside is the weight, but that's a side effect of it using a very durable Gore-Tex fabric all around.

[@dustinschulz5707]

The Observer seems to be very good, but it weights almost twice as much

[@dannyknight8082]

Yeah when it comes in at that weight I struggle with the logic of why not get into a tent.

[@RealFooking]

@@dannyknight8082 A tent takes longer to set up, is harder to set up, has more points of failure, is more fragile, is bigger and thus less stealthy (also offers 0 protection against light escaping the tent), just to name a few reasons

[@dustinschulz5707]

If the bivy is robust it could be worth it

[@TheWalkingKev]

Only time will tell I guess.

[@nickbrown9757]

Alpkit Elan or Snugpak Stratosphere are a lot cheaper, and feature side opening and hooped head end Kev😉

[@TheWalkingKev]

Aren't they also a fair bit heavier?

[@nickbrown9757]

@@TheWalkingKev The Elan is 900 grams and the Stratosphere is 1.13 Kg. I own the Elan and it’s a great bit of kit, especially when paired with a small tarp. 😉

[@TheWalkingKev]

@@nickbrown9757 ah cool, I had no idea the Elan was that light.

[@dannyknight8082]

Thanks for this review, very thorough and well thought out as usual. Like you ive been on a bivvy journey. Just bought the standard large version of this.. Although not the fancier upper material this one has, I'm hoping to minimise condensation through the extra space and the fact I use a small tarp on nearly all my camps so I can keep the head vents both open. Managed to get it for around 215 so very happy at the price and worth a punt. Wouldn't have done so without this vid 👍🏻

[@TheWalkingKev]

Nice, that's a decent price for it as well. Hope you get on well with it. Let me know how it fairs.

[@dannyknight8082]

@@TheWalkingKev Thanks will do. . Looking forward to getting out in it.

[@dannyknight8082]

​@@TheWalkingKevhey just thought I'd mention I got tge pro in the end. Hsve you been out in yours again? I'll be getting mine around a weeks time 👍🏻

[@TheWalkingKev]

@dannyknight8082 nice. No, I've not been camping for a while and I've still got several new tents to try when I do go again!

[@dannyknight8082]

@TheWalkingKev , I know the feeling I have a trekker tent Saor arriving at the same time. Now which one do I go out in first. 😂. Look forward to your next vid . 👍🏻

[@ryanwisbey3387]

You can buy ex surplus army hooped bivvies cheaper and better than this. Dutch bivvy. SASbivvy Russian bivvy.

[@TheWalkingKev]

What makes them better?

[@davidbenisti7359]

The almost same copy from the Alton Goods bivvy...off course the bad copy whyle Alton is absolutely TOP

[@TheWalkingKev]

What makes the Alton better in your opinion?

[@davidbenisti7359]

@@TheWalkingKev the support at the bottom of the swag from Alton make sure that thr fabric do not flap all the time making sure also that you dont have fabric on you or your sleepin system, nanopore material absolutly amazing, an ultra rating for water resistent :D

[@davidbenisti7359]

@@TheWalkingKev I do really like the ventilation i'll be honest from that bivvy that you tryed :)

[@TheWalkingKev]

@@davidbenisti7359 sounds like it has some positives, I'll have look at one online.

[@davidbenisti7359]

@@TheWalkingKev let me know what you think if you liked it .. let us know mannn

[@theslowwalkhome7314]

Total rip-off

[@TheWalkingKev]

@@theslowwalkhome7314 do you think a lot of Bivys are overpriced? Like the Rab Ridge Raider and some of the Outdoor Research ones etc?