I bought a TN Shelter Tarp on a whim the other weekend. I like the idea of camping out solo under it in Scotland in the milder weather. I need to buy a bivi bag as I'm not convinced my whole body will fit under the tarp nor confident of staying dry in Scotland. In addition, I'd like something that is light enough to leave in my ruc-sac as an emergency shelter (though tarping will be the main use.)

I've read the reviews on TGO and decided that I don't want to spend more than £100, and if I can spend £60 all the better. I think I like the idea of placing my Thermarest inside the bag as I tend to fidget in my sleep and role off the mat. (The last time I slept in a bivi I managed to roll down a hill and spent the night sleeping in a boggy ditch)

The bag I really like is the Rab Super Light, but ruled it out on price. The MOD g'tex bags seem to be a good price but they seem to be very heavy. I love the weight of the Rab ultra bivi, but mat won't fit inside. Also, I don't mind a bit more weight for a bit more room. I've narrowed it down to the Rab Storm Bivi or the 2008 model TN Discovery Lite, which I can get for just under the £100 threshold. Difference between 2008 and 2009 Discovery is move to Paclite from FLO2.

My questions are does anybody have any views on:
The Rab Storm?
Pro's, con's of sewn in ground sheet?
What's going to be better 2008 TN Discovery or 2010 Rab Storm?
Mummy style bags v's crocodile style bags, in use with a tarp.
Any alternatives that are roomy, breathable, sewn in ground sheet and sub 500g, sub £100.

All views / opinions welcomed.

Thanks,
Mark

Hi Mark.
For use under a tarp, i like to use a Titanium Goat bivvy. It weighs around 200g depending on size and options, and packs down to around the size of a Coke can. The base is sil-nylon, and the top is a water-resistant material that stops any condensation drips or rain splash. It isn't waterproof, and isn't designed for use on its own in heavy rain. Apart from the size on the website, you can email them for a larger size to take full size thick mats like the Neoair or Exped Downmat. You can have a net window, or a full net hood. You'll need some form of insect protection during midgie season! :)

If i'm using a smaller torso tarp, i'll use a waterproof bivvy.

Thanks Mike,
Those bags look great. Love the netting and bathtub floors.
However, spent the afternoon playing in the garden with the kids
practicing pitching the tarp. I managed about four different pitches
and found it pretty easy to pitch. However, I now realise that a
3m by 3m would have been a better size. Concerned that on some pitches
(three corners pegged to the ground and one corner in the air.)
that my feet will be out of the end so probably need a water proof bag.

Having played around with it today, it seems remarkably cosy. Can't
wait to try it in earnest.

I have a Wild Country Goretex bag that I got in the 1980's. It's mummy shaped and 100% Goretex, with a very long side entry zip, which means it's easy to get into. The hood section is large enough to get your boots and some other stuff in it. It's also acts as as sort of cowl that stops the bag filling with snow if you end up sitting on a ledge all night.

I have used this bag in all sorts of conditions from the Alps to UK backpacking and it's still OK after approx 25 years. However, it's not the lightest or most compact (sorry don't know the exact weight), but it does live almost permanently in my sack.

I can't remember how much it would have cost at the time, but it wouldn't have been cheap. Luckily Wild Country gave it to me:) If you are going to make serious use of your bag, it's worthwhile spending a decent amount of money to get the one you think would fit your needs, as over the long term it's cheaper than ending up buying something that you don't use.

In contrast I have something called the Kennel, made by Ben Wintringham from the same era. This is a full Goretex bag with a sort of fibre-glass hoop arrangement at the front. In theory it's better than the Wild Country bag, but putting up the hoops is a bit of a faff and it doesn't give any real additional benefit. As a result I have hardly used this bag.

Ian.

I've got a hunka bivvy bag http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16312&category_id=253 and found it to be just right. Ok it doesn't have a net or side zips etc but it does what it needs to. I use it with an alpkit bag so the fit is just right but I don't my sleeping mat inside.

At this price its b_____y brilliant.