Dutch Army Surplus Hooped Bivy opinions and observations

People ask me all kinds of questions about this hooped bivy. So, a while ago I made this video. Basically it's a good bivy but it's really limited. If concealment is important to you, then this is a good purchase. If you are going to use a tarp or a basha etc, I would recommend that you would find another, lighter bivy like the Brittish army one.
It's good for those people who want fast setup that is hard to spot, so basically people in the military and for those who are into prepping and survival-stuff. I don't really think that this should be the number one thing for casual hiker or trekker, especially on the longer trips when you are expecting rain or during winter times.

[@065Tim]

The tarp setup is so you don't get the inside wet when going in or out the bag when its raining. Its also used to keep your 3rd line gear dry and conceal movement. Its always wise to carry a dpm poncho/tarp for this. Personally I think the zippers are quite disappointing on the Dutch bivy bag, when you replace them its perfect. Remember these things come in sizes, pick XL when you get a chance! So you can put all your 1st and 2nd line gear inside.

[@NaturalExplorerNZ]

Thanks for the tip, useful comment!

[@magoo4452]

I use a bivvy and tarp setup wherever I can. Saves so much weight versus a tent. Concealment is a bonus, but I like it because it's incredibly versatile and easy. But I'm lucky, I live in a country that encourages wildcamping.

[@KMHiker]

Tarp and bivy during summer time is much better than a tent. If you don't have an option to put the tent into the shade, it's not really that fun trying to spend time in a tent that is 40+ C.

[@busterscruggs8834]

Ive been sleeping allot in these things, and so have my dad. And when you where naming the pro's and cons of this, I didn't realy share the opinion or so. Cus I have never experienced the cons you said. But it was a real nice video man. Keep going✌

[@ksuhuh]

I must say I agree with Tungst Here in the Netherlands, wildcamping is illegal and the fines are pretty nasty. Therefore a hooped bivi is perfect. Carrying an armyponcho that doubles as a tarp is ideal, you can put it over the bivi as a low lean-to or hooch. Ofcourse pegged down on the side that is most exposed and visible. The upside of this fully enclosed bivi vs open bags, to me, is the protection from ticks. They're absolutely terrible here and I don't wanna wake up with a tick in my hair.

[@KMHiker]

What? Wildcamping is illegal? That's terrible!

[@gabrielferaud8360]

@@KMHiker In Spain (is pain) too. It is called repression. Greetings.

[@enterthevoidIi]

Are you sure? I wild camped there a few times, no issues.

[@JorntWagenaar]

Jaman, holland and belgium both. I go out a lot around here with a british bivi and tarp setup and there's allways a bit of paranoia for rangers..

[@StokeBeaver]

@@gabrielferaud8360 wild camping illegal in Spain? I have a motorcycle trip planned through the Pico's and into Portugal in May and was planning on sleeping wherever I liked the look of in my bivy.

[@stealthandysteath1069]

Hi mate. Nice one buddy. Yes your right about it in summer they are great. But here in Pembrokeshire were it rains alot you would have to use a tarp, too cook under an keep ya kit dry. Stii this one is on my list as well. Thanks for sharing mate an ya time. ATVB Andy 🇬🇧 👍 ☕

[@Alexander-rm2ht]

This tent isn’t thought trough, it has a bug net, and yet theres a hole 1-2 fingers wide where the zippers meet, which makes the bug net useless. You might be ok mosquito wise, but nothing will protect you from ticks, spiders and other crawling insects

[@KMHiker]

Holes that take 1 or 2 fingers are ok in my books. No risk there.

[@Surefiresecurity]

I use one for camping with my motorcycle. Just the bivvy, sleeping bag and pad for easy camping on the road. No weight carried by me just packed in topbox or panniers.

[@KMHiker]

Yep, it's ideal for motorcycling and cyclists or if you have a canoo with limited space.

[@StokeBeaver]

I also use it for motorcycle trips, it allows me to stop wherever I like. If I use a tent it's not so easy to set up in random places especially if it's hard ground and I can't peg it out, with the hooped bivy I can easily just lay it down, fix the pole and get in with all my gear (just). I do also carry a 1.5mx3m tarp on the bike so that in poor weather I have somewhere to sit and can get in/out with some shelter. I use the bike to anchor the tarp to and can tie the other end to anything solid to create a shelter. Also when packed this is quite short as the pole sections are small, this means it fits inside my luggage bags where a tent has to go on the outside across them. Ultimately this bivy with a small lightweight tarp gives me the most flexibility to stop wherever I want when on the bike. I have not used this for walking trips, it doesn't make sense. I have a British army bivy too and have used it when walking but by the time I have that and a tarp I may as well carry a small tent.

[@ThirdDegreeWitchExplores]

thanks for the video , very informative . just bought one of these to go with my defence 4

[@TheVocalMale]

Some good and valid points. As you mention, it's useful if stealth is your priority.

[@kolt193]

Awesome video, definitely looking into getting this for my bushcraft adventures. Thanks man.

[@stealthandysteath1069]

I can't believe this was long ago 🤣🤣🤣👍🔥✌️

[@KMHiker]

Me too. I still remember this trip like yesterday even it's been about, what - - - , six years.

[@stealthandysteath1069]

@@KMHiker morning mate, time flys. Stay positive and enjoy your journey 👍🔥💪🙏

[@beechwood74]

Thanks for this post. Helpful.

[@mjohn8217]

I use a small tarp over my one man tent when i use it. Ive got no issue with using a tarp over a bivvy.

[@KMHiker]

There is no actual issue there but if you buy one of these so save weight and for the small pack size, then you have a dilemma. This alone is small and light, but if you have the tarp with ropes etc, then the overall weight and pack size is going to be larger. So, if you take that setup and compare it to Hilleberg Akto or Enan, then you have a more bulkier and heavier set and that costs probably more if you get everything brand new.

[@tomppa022111]

Hei. Oon hommaamassa käyttämätöntä (Production 2004) vastaavaa Carinthian pussia. Onko syytä murehtia gore-texin toimivuudesta? Kuitenkin 16v vanha tuote vaikkakin käyttämätön ?

[@KMHiker]

Eiköhän se ole ihan soiva peli

[@fier5534]

What jacket are you wearing there

[@KMHiker]

From the looks of it it's Carinthia MIG.

[@djharto4917]

Austrian army wool jumper, best investment of all time

[@ilarikiviluoma3276]

MIstä hommasit tän bivy pussin ja mitä makso?

[@KMHiker]

Ebaysta löytyy kun hakee Carinthia Explorer ja hintaa näillä on yleensä jotain 100 - 150 euroa. Uutena jotain 500 euroa. Jos ostaa aivan uutena oliivin värisenä niin se on painoltaan jotain 1250 grammaa tai jotain sitä luokkaa. Huomattavasti kevyempi kuin nämä DPM-malliset.

[@RickallsBushcraft01]

thanks. useful info. check out my vids if like cheers