UNBOXING and setting up my UPGRADED Polish Lavvu - what worked and what didn't...pt1

[@simonwoodward438]

Your face when you opened that box was like a kid at Christmas 🤣 . Lovely bit of workmanship you'll get years of use great memories from that, the chap who modified it knows his stuff.

[@joshwagner4368]

The lavvu is one of those tents I've always wanted to try. I might have left the buttons on as a back up in case the zip broke, although it looked like he added velcro tabs. I would ditch the ridge line suspension if you want to go without a pole. Find an overhead branch and toss a long line over it to pull straight up like a pulley, then stake out the other end.

[@sunshine-nu1df]

Extension of the pole to match the new height now you have the practical skirt. Great mods, thanks for sharing! Tim

[@robdubyuh420]

I've had my Hungarian Lavvu set up in the garden since February. It's weathered those big winter storms we had and I find it really fun. I use it for tea breaks and listen to the birds. I'll be using it to introduce my little girl to camping and can't wait! Great video. Thanks

[@mightyatom1404]

Good shout. If you're producing and selling these, could be a winner 👍🇬🇧

[@beatbasher]

This is me when I get a new tent/hammock. Like a kid at Christmas. Love the addition of the zip, that's brilliant.

[@Pooch1953]

What a great job he did on the modifications. One thought, when I hang clothes on my line they the line tends to sag the more you hang on it, so I have poles cut with a V notch on one end, slip the clothes line onto the V notch and push the poles to raise the line, you could do the same here with a pole on each side and raise the Lavvu higher if needed.

[@OldNavajoTricks]

I thought similarly, external poles to set the height more securely :-)

[@theirishoutdoorcook1207]

Aldi are now selling washing line pole extensions. These things can extend to 10 feet. I bought one especially for my Plash Palatka.

[@OldNavajoTricks]

@@theirishoutdoorcook1207 I'm a tightwad, it's more to pack/carry and well, sticks DO grow on trees out there :-p Handy tip for all my knocking though 👍

[@turhanf]

just started watching. Interesting my idea would be to use the Guylain slipknot and set the Ridgeline high. Using the slipknot that you used to tension your guy lines. One could adjust the height of the apex Dearing. By tension it with a guyline connected to the ridgeline.

[@peterjohnson160]

That's a cracking review....and another great way to get the proper tension on the canvas is to lash a tripod over the Lavvu so you don't need a ridge line. Good job.

[@theirishoutdoorcook1207]

Lavvu/ Plash Palatka’s are beautiful camping shelters. I absolutely love them. Good quality. Hopefully mine should arrive tomorrow from Romania. Whole month waiting.

[@bethstewart1319]

Love your enthusiasm, hope you never loose the excitement of doing what you do.

[@livinglavvu]

Had my Lavvu modded by Shaun after watching this video. What a great job he did & was worth every penny. NorthernOutdoorsUK are awesome.

[@deandunbar8856]

Great getting new kit I love it and finding out the best way works for yourself.Have a Awesome Day & Blessed Day....🙏🤙👍😁

[@earlshaner4441]

Hi from Syracuse NY USA brother thank you for sharing your adventures

[@scotty5717]

40-£50?? 😮. I want me one of them. And now, thanks to your video, I'll be able to put it up correctly. Awesome

[@aynsleycooper365]

Enjoyed your face when unboxing as much as the quality mods themselves!

[@GrillsThrillswithJohno]

Cracking little shelter. Would be great on a nice cold trip

[@joeydr1497]

Woah there’s been a massive jump up in video quality there. Awesome

[@tonyoutdoorsuk3479]

Brilliant mods. Shaun is a great guy - he put a zipper on my size 2 Lavvu a couple of years ago. I want a skirt and outside loop too, so they will be my next mods to have done. Enjoy!

[@BrownEnvelopes]

Nick 2 naturally sourced timber poles (branch) externally either side of the lavvu will reduce the drag on the line to increase space, also one of the poles would provide good support for the flue if you choose to use a small log burner (very good) you will need to rotate the lavvu to aline with your Line/tree position. Taking weather into consideration, but I'm sure your well aware of this. Good luck with your new toy, looks fun.

[@matthewvelo]

New camera gear? Images look very good. Cheers Nick!

[@joeydr1497]

Our scout unit has some old school A-frame canvas tents in RAF blue that we take the cubs camping in, they seem to enjoy them a lot. They weigh an absolute tonne and are absolutely huge we can fit 8 or 9 scouts in.

[@baronedipiemonte3990]

That Lavvu looks bombproof !

[@danqrl]

You and Finn will make some great memories in that 👍

[@stevencunningham4680]

Great video Nick , you changed my mind about the lavvu. I really like the mods that you had done to it , very nice and makes it more functional. The carry bag is a real nice touch.

[@jakedobson3422]

Love the mods on the Lavvu. Enjoy!

[@angusmorrison8109]

Brilliant , hopefully you and your son will get a lot of quality time . Looks like a top notch upgrade. We are going to try to get out next week end . Can't wait . Thanks another top quality vid .

[@ryanwisbey3387]

Nice peice of kit. Suggestion for ridgeline getting tighter. Boline with toggle one end. Truckers hitch at the other. You can use a carabina if you want. Just like wed do on a commando rope in the old says.

[@EdwinDekker71]

Looks like top quality work! Great tent.

[@BosvarkDelra]

Brilliant love the material If your going to have these maid I would definitely order one

[@harrywright5705]

I’ve seen TA outdoors have his upgraded and I just can’t get enough of these, it’s definitely something I would use as light weight hot tent, love to see you try and give us you review. Credit to northern outdoors for the mod I know where I would go 👍

[@piotrkononowicz6725]

I have one too, for single person but I don't use it, it's quite old -1976, size III, but in great shape, all these years it was in storage and I unpacked it once.

[@danqrl]

I have an outback stove that I use in my lavvu (size 2) instead of buying a stove jack I put a "squirrel proof" bird feeder over the exhaust piping where it pokes through the arm holes. The cage in the bird feeder keeps an air gap and stops the canvas getting burnt. I'm sure you can find videos showing what I tried to describe.

[@RangerPhantomSAS]

Very interesting, never heard of a LAVVU before. I enjoyed watching your mistakes, i.e. learning process as you went through your upgrades and testing.; adds to the video.

[@richardhutchinson4740]

Love it! Got my 8 year old a hobsons repro size 3 lavvu earlier this year as a little pup tent. He loves it. And already been talking to Sean about some mods as well. The lavvu is a great piece of kit.

[@grahambonner508]

Regarding holding the top up without a pole, maybe some polyester webbing instead of para cord which tends to stretch. Or make a tripod on the outside with three long branches with a vertical cord dropping down to pull up the top of the lavvu. I use 1 inch polyester webbing for my hammock suspension and it does not stretch like other materials, is really light and does not soak up water as much.

[@petezahrbock9931]

Sweet video Nick. Keep up the outstanding work!. Pete from Minnesota.

[@OldNavajoTricks]

How about crafting some little Y topped stake to push in by the skirt tapes? Run the tape/guy over that to tension but the stake will hold the height for the 'Bell' shape you're after 👍

[@davidfuters7152]

Pretty sure when I was using a bell tent in the scouts we had a pole / stick that held up the skirt where the straps where to raise the strap height

[@marksadventures3889]

I don't know, they look small to me, I think I'd need a size or two up. I really like a lot of space which is why I got such a big tarp to give space for sitting inside out of the rain, but then again I have a small one man tent for being super stealthy with a bivvy set up inside for cycle tour camping. I'm still learning and finding out what I want.

[@trevorday7979]

Hahaha, I love that unboxing of new kit (even better..modified old kit). I don’t have a Lavuu & don’t know much about anything, but I’ll give you my take on it Nick. I reckon the key to achieving the benefits of your mods would be higher suspension as high as you could reach to tie a ridge line (shorter distance between trees as you said = less sag or thicker diameter rope like climbing rope even.) Fullest extension of the straps would I reckon allow you to get full shape and allow skirt to hang down giving you more room that you wanted the mods for. Just my humble opinion mate, but give it a red hot crack and see how you go. It’s a great concept and your 100% in that any kid would love it. Especially us big ones. 🤣 Keep up the great work Nick. 🤝🦘🇦🇺

[@magpiebushcraft493]

Just got a Hungarian lavvu as I was finding it difficult to get a Polish one. I cannot wait to try it out. Nice one Nick

[@martinbeagley4481]

Yeah just ordered one from Military Mart, bit cheaper than the Polish one but interested to see how I fit into it! 🤣

[@barnybudin8728]

Hi...I would like to suggest that you have a layer of a mosquito net at the entrance and additional window flaps with again the mosquito net...it also can be like a vantilation ...

[@sarahsue42]

I've got a size 1 lavvu too...I use 2 old tent poles tied at the top with wire and stretched out for a frame... maximum inside space and no ridge line needed.Also twigs to hold open armholes/windows and hot tented inside too, magic

[@sarahsue42]

Tent poles inside the canvas wire cuttlery holder with hole drilled for chimney to keep flue away from material

[@Bigfezzig]

Love it. Keep up the great vids man. Thanks from Tennessee!

[@jimmybrooks1059]

Nick, love the vid. The laavu is really cool, but the mods made it better. They all add to it's likability. I thought the carry bag was an outstanding add. Love the added logo too 👍😁

[@stevenkeithley4336]

Great video Nick. Shawn did a really good job on it. Hope you and the family are doing great too. Keep the videos coming, looking forward to the next. Stay safe and be well brother. Strength and Honor...you mate from across the pond. 👊🤙🍻

[@sams568]

I have two lavvus. both medium. We have a home store here in the states that have a 1-inch stainless steel 3-way corner pipe fitting. I'm thinking of placing it inside the top with three poles coming down the sides. That way you don't need a ridge line or center pole. i want to sew in zippers in both ends. I also have a large roll of camo bug screening that I've had for years. I'm thinking of sewing it to the second section of the lavvu from the door with another zipper for opening. that way I can have the flaps open and not get attack by the flying nasties.

[@MichaelTravis12c27]

Very nice mods! I think you could mitigate quite a bit of that sag by tensioning your ridgeline with a truckers hitch.

[@danhill6333]

Hopefully I didn't miss something but if the price point for that is 40 to 50 quid, that's exceptional value. This coming from someone that would categorize himself below a beginner. Thanks for the review Nick.

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

They’re getting harder and harder to acquire Once £15 now £40-£50 and rising. No longer made, supply and demand. Size 3 biggest. Hen’s teeth are easier to come by. As for Price £££

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

@@hiddenvalleybushcraft5683 They are but genuine ones are rare.

[@earlgrey691]

@@Yorkshiremadmick Some entrepeneur's missing a big gap in the market for these shelters.

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

I love my lavvu, it is an unmodified size 2 that I picked up brand new ages ago for less than $40 CAD. Might add zips yet.

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

@@hiddenvalleybushcraft5683 I think I will add zippers but only to the neckline of the ponchos and on both sides so they can still be used as such. They are a good poncho, mine still sheds water like a plastic bag!

[@andrewnash6121]

You could make a tripod out of wood and rope and then attach the top of the tent to the tripod. This would basically be a teepee but with an exoskeleton rather than an endoskeleton. This would give you the benefits of a tent pole in terms of strength and the benefits of a ridge line in the sense that the interior of the tent would be very roomy. I have no clue if this will actually work but it might make for a fun video and give you the best of both worlds. Cheers. ☕

[@jatsajatsa]

This, of course is the best option (Psst. spoiler alert...Swedwoods' channel) But given that this video was the equivalent of watching a chimp playing with Lego then let's not expect too much of our friend. "Tripod made out of wood and rope"? Gulp! ...Not unless it came in the bag. "Attach the top of the tent to the tripod" You get ahead of yourself sir, with your newfangled, ideas! 🤣🤣🤣

[@earlgrey691]

I believe there's a plastic device that tucks into the top interior with apertures' to fix 3 poles to the ground which is genius although a suitably strong trio of poles is hard to find,ideally they would be collapsible or even telescopic but I've not found anything yet that works.Canes are a tad..unportable and would possibly wilt and buckle.Finding tree liimbs can be a drag too.Any ideas fellow Lavvers ?

[@stefanh.5543]

@@earlgrey691 it IS called tripi, and you simply have to cut the ends of the Wood you find into shape to fit the tripi.

[@stefanh.5543]

@@earlgrey691 My solution: two pieces of thiner metal pipe abour 2,5 cm dia. and about 10-12 cm in length. Put the pipe ends in a vice and press those flat together. Then drill throgh those part a hole for a M 5 short screw and mount it together so it stayes movable. So you have created a nice handy fixing to take with you. So you just have to fit two branches about 2 m each into the pipes end and you have a inner bipod.

[@earlgrey691]

@@stefanh.5543 Thanks chap.Worthy of consideration but telescopic and sturdy are what i'm aspiring to...albeit very unsuccessfully lol.

[@garywheeley5108]

Just a thought Nick What about put it up with the pole first the pot up the ridge line but in a v shape then take out pole 🤔

[@woodsmanrich1151]

Great video mate, be good to see you test it out on an overnighter, with rain if possible. Looks like it's absolutely bomb proof and extremely well thought out.

[@Hayyothhakodesh]

Wow....I just wanted to say I am soooo excited for u!!! I wuda felt exactly the same way and been goin bananas 🍌 just to get such an awesome piece of kit..it was sooo well made. Good for u sir I'm over the moon for ya!!

[@barnybudin8728]

Hi...got another suggestion.. since you mentioned tipi...maybe a wooden tripod stand for it to hold it up would do the trick....good luck👍👍👍

[@Cichy1985]

Greetings from Poland 🙂

[@adriansinclair5062]

Great video. I'm sending my size 3 lavvu off to Shaun in the next week so seeing yours it's great to see the quality! To raise the height up more you could just raise the cord at the trees or cut two branches the height you need and fix them like washing line poles either side of the lavvu under the cord. To raise the side skirt higher to take advantage of the extra height, you could cut sticks the height of the skirt and fix them under the extra straps near the skirt then peg down as normal. These will raise the sides up enough although raising the whole height may make this step unnecessary. Have fun using it. Can't wait to take my kids out in e

[@grahambonner508]

Looks good, a real quality job. Regarding the skirt - what about some short sticks between the eyelets and ground to lift the skirt up (if needed)?

[@MadDogSurvival]

Excellent! I’ve got a zipper mod to do on mine too! I use one of my mad dog pore pads on the top pole, this is basically a piece of leather with a crimped grommet in one corner allowing me to add a small carabiner which I can use to hang a light from. It also protects the material of your lavuu. The leather piece also has many other uses then too such as a place to prepare tinder on, handling hot pots, flint napping, and even a makeshift strop. Another great video brother! Very best wishes 👍🏽👍🏽😎👌🏽

[@soggz4246]

That looks a great piece of work, Nick. You looked like a kid in a sweet shop. Instead of a ridge line, why not throw a line over a higher branch and connect it to that for a easy adjustable height, like with your new parachute? Just an idea. Stay well.

[@powerwolf-vw8st]

I want to get a hot tent at some point, El expensivo sort of but the novelty of maximum comfee while it's below zero bucketing it down snowing ect and cook your dinner on the stove top would be worth the cost perhaps.

[@neanderthaloutdoors9202]

For a hot tent a stove jack would be a better addition than using a sleeve hole where the canvas can get scorched by the very hot chimney.

[@turhanf]

just started watching. Interesting my idea would be to use the guy line slipknot and set the Ridgeline high. Using the slipknot that you used to tension your guy lines. One could adjust the height of the apex Dearing. By tension it with a guyline connected to the ridgeline. 😊 like all your videos lots of good instruction

[@duncys]

have you seen the three pole plaxtic cup thngs for allowing you to use some found poles to set up your lavue? Might be ideal for you.

[@keithorbell8946]

I watched this because I’m thinking of getting a Lavvu, but I was distracted by the huge amount of wild garlic around you!

[@sams568]

looks maybe to use a 1-to-2-foot peg or stick for the lavvu part to keep it higher off the ground?

[@akcarlos]

at some stage a freestanding tent is going to be comparable for weight and size to this set up, but possibly easier to set up.

[@jonbridge8064]

interesting mods. I haven't used a lavvu, but this looks to have good potential

[@normanscout1864]

Excellent review nick talk about a kid on Christmas morning 😂 awesome piece of kit to be honest I don't own one and never used one so be looking forward to your thoughts on its use ♠️

[@DannyDelusion]

Had my Lavvu for a good while, and while I like the D-Ring (And the Zip), I could do without the skirt. I could easily see myself kicking it repeatedly while going in and out. the Drybag though, fantastic bit of kit, I've just got the two halves folded and sitting under the bergen lid, but that stuff sack is a nice touch. What i've used for the pole though, is a telescopic walking stick, the little ally ones you get with the lavvu work fine, but changed mine up for the noise when packed.

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

Lots of folk mark the pole length on the poncho and cut a stout branch as a centre pole. I’ve a walking staff that’s rounded on the top. To the right height for my size two. One half worn as a poncho if raining and no need for rucksack rain cover 👍🏻

[@English.Andy1]

That’s fantastic. I’ve had a lavuu for years & wondered about a few extra mods. I understand there becoming a little difficult to find now. How true that is I don’t know. Excellent work. 🤔 wonder if he’ll do mine 😎

[@freddyoutdoors]

That's cool I've just got my lavvu size 2 this week I'm buzzin how much did the mods cost, I'm looking to get the fire jack done and the d ring at the top soon just for fire safety and to keep it natural as possible, great timing with the video for me as I'm just getting into lavvus now

[@freddyoutdoors]

@@hiddenvalleybushcraft5683 I've been in touch with him and got a quote so I'm sure mine will be going in very soon

[@trooper2221]

I have one , a lavvu that is. I think for me Id be satisfied with just being able to use the extra material at bottom to just lie flat ,either on outside or inside, and lay logs or dirt or somethng, u know just for a seal to keep mice and maybe creepy crawlies out. just me opining . love the channel though!!

[@timdeboer8804]

I've been VERY interested in investing in a Lavvu for some time now, can you please ball park a total price for one exactly like yours? All those bell's and whistles included also,

[@trentwalters]

Man I’m wanting a Lavvu now

[@domrumble8243]

There is something about tipi shaped tents that dont have a zipped in floor tub,that make them awkward to pitch for the first time.I dont have a Lavvu,but own a Pomoly manta tipi hot tent.And that was a pain on its first pitch.

[@BobbysWorld_of_Art]

Super fun video!

[@garyjohnson4608]

I bet that with the modifications that have been made to the tent, if you were to add a bathtub type of floor to it, you would really be on to something !!

[@TrooperTrading]

hi mate great vid! can I ask where you purchased your boots and trousers if possible, are they mamut boots? I like the look and they look capable of lasting the outdoors, thanks.

[@kurtsteiner8384]

Nick have you thought of a frame. Poles go on the outside. I used to have a blcks of greenoch good companions major. Very easy to erect. Pegout grond sheet erect a fdame pole. Clip inner tent to pole. And throw over flysheet done no more than 5 mi ns. Tents are so complex thesedays, to put up.

[@tomvanderham1416]

Hoi wel interessant video is dit wel. Ook vloerkleed onder lavvu? Echt geweldig en waar kan ik die lavvu met vloer bestellen? Bedankt heren en dames

[@denjeansan]

you could look for 6 y shaped sticks to put under your ankerlines to raise them. lightweight and replaceable ;-)

[@seasoldier3902]

Boys with their "toys!" Enjoyable to watch. I bet the "mods" were not cheap? However, it is an investment, especially with the little one in mind.

[@williamirelan9332]

It's I'd guess about 4 inches height you added in the skirt so you should add about 4 inches to the pole. Notched or y sticks under the straps would hold the skirt up . A bipod could be lashed together to support it from the inside or outside or suspend it from a large branch, a pole between two trees or one long pole leaning against a tree 😉 . If you do use a rope just choose one that won't stretch. If you put a gear bag (tent peg bag) with a draw string or molle straps on top of the pole you can hang lights or gear from the bag.

[@colinhefferman5498]

Is that wild garlic that you're setting up on?

[@budwilliams6590]

Of course, you have poles. It's Polish after all. I'm sorry I can't help myself.

[@gilsaaandsonsconstruction1434]

What would you suggest for use to waterproof a lavvu? It meant to tighten the fibres by soaking, what else spray or wax would you suggest.?

[@steve3231]

I USE 2 TENNIS BALLS WITH A HOLE IN FOR EACH END OF THE POLE.

[@danielingrey8185]

I'm not fully convinced by the lavvu just yet, everything still being a weight issue for me. However, I'm still enjoying your research....

[@asmith7876]

They weigh a ton, when dry. Wet? No way. With the modifications I bet his weighs 5kg/11 pounds. Great for the car, and they are a lot of fun.

[@johnblanco768]

Great review

[@tonyanddeb1012]

40 to 50 quid will just about buy you a size 1 lavvu - unmodded. The cost of the mods is likely to be substantially more than that. A size 2 unmodded goes now for around £60 to £80 and the almost impossible to find original size 3 is going to be 100 and upwards. Military Mart have done a stitch for stitch copy of the size 3 called a Hobsons that goes for £99 if my memory serves me. I have 3 size 1's and a size 2 bought before the prices went crazy. Great little tents but small. I modded my own size 2 with a skirt that poppers on and off so that I can decide if I want more space or less weight. I also make an external tripod from branches and suspend it using a stone tied in the top of the lavvu as a rope stop. Works well. With the skirt on (mine is about 14 inches tall) the internal space is radically improved.

[@asmith7876]

I was lucky and bought two un-issued size three, cost me only $70 US for the pair, about a year and a half ago. You can't find them at all now!

[@projectrebuild908]

Great video Nick. Some fantastic upgrades to an already outstanding product. How long will it be before we see HBV designed , developed and branded out door gear?

[@duncys]

whats the cost at teh moment for these Nick?

[@ernststravoblofeld]

Seems it would be simpler to just get some canvas and make exactly the tent you want. I'm guessing you can no longer wear the half as a poncho, so what's the point?

[@robertfreeman6082]

May we ask roughly how much the modifications cost ?

[@carlk1183]

Nice bit of kit Nick! Looks like great work Shawn. Having said that, can someone help me understand why this doesn't have a floor? Is it because a stove is used inside? Where I live ants, spiders and oh yeah; snakes are an issue. Thanks

[@asmith7876]

It doesn't have a floor because this is actually two ponchos...two soldiers combine their ponchos to make a tent...similar to the Army shelter half but in this case the lavuu can actually be worn as a poncho. So it doesn't have a floor. And yeah, if snakes/ants/ticks/etc are a thing, maybe not the best! But they are fun.

[@carlk1183]

@@asmith7876 ahh. Thank for getting me up to speed.

[@PlayaSinNombre]

Lavvu-tastic!

[@lukalamarche748]

40-50£ ?! I wish , here in canada we can't go without shelling at least 200+ CAD, those are pretty cool Ideas

[@johnfitzgibbon225]

Have a chat with ta outdoors he had his one modified I think by the same person, he should be able to give you some tips as he had the same issues first time he put it up.

[@susanp.collins7834]

Can't you put a pole up on each side of the tent - rather like an old-fashioned clothes prop? That should hold your ridge line higher...