In this Aqua Quest Hooped Bivy Tent review, we will take a comprehensive look at this ultra-lightweight tool that is very suitable for mountaineering and hiking tours.
Description – Aqua Quest Hooped Bivy Tent
The Aqua Quest Hooped Bivy Tent actually looks quite large – with some people even claiming that it is large enough to fit two people. However, I don’t think it’s advisable to ever use it in such a way, because it is evidently a solo tool. It is an ultra-lightweight and compact one-person shelter. When packed, its size is 15 x 5 in (38 x 13 cm). When compressed, its size then becomes 15 x 3 in (38 x 8 cm). Its weight is at 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg).
- WATERPROOF - Aqua Quest are industry leaders in waterproof gear, so it’s no surprise that their Hooped Bivy is more...
- ULTRALIGHT & COMPACT - Featuring one lightweight collapsible shock cord pole and 5 lightweight aluminum pegs, and...
- FAST & EASY SETUP - Setup in 1 second or less… if you’re a magician! If not, it’ll take you around 2 mins. Unzip...
The bivy is made using a very durable 70 D ripstop fabric. It is accompanied by a PU coating as well as all its seams being heat taped. This way, its inhabitant is protected from the elements.
The zippers are quite long and are of high quality. For water protection, a wide flap is provided along the zipper. Extra velcro tabs are also available to fix the tent’s flap against the wind.
It is very fast and seamless to set up the tent and you can have it ready in less than two minutes. In dry weather, all you’ll need to do is unzip the front panel. After doing this, you’ll be able to sleep under a mesh that is protected from mosquitoes and other insects. The mesh also has a lengthy zipper.
The bivy is accompanied by a set of 5 stakes. These will be very useful to ensure that the bivy is fixed – making sure that it doesn’t roll or move while you’re inside it or fast asleep. It’s important to note that this system isn’t freestanding.
There’s a single-pole available in the head section. This is to ensure that the mesh doesn’t rest on your face – as is common with some other bivy without poles. Two loops are situated on the body of the uppermost panel so that it can be attached to some trees – thereby considerably elevating it. This will provide you with more volume inside the bivy. This will enhance the overall ventilation and comfort of the tent.
For times when there’s rainfall, you can close the top part while still having a TPU (Thermoplastic PolyUrethane) window above. This is quite helpful for people with claustrophobia. It is very important to note that even with the closed panel, you still possess an air vent close to the head section.
In the foot area, there are bat-wing stiffeners that elevate the footbed so as to increase the flow of air and improve overall comfort.
As we’ve earlier said, this bivy is quite large and offers more comfort and space than a lot of the other similar tools on the market. With this larger space, you can put your backpack in the bivy.
- WATERPROOF - Aqua Quest are industry leaders in waterproof gear, so it’s no surprise that their Hooped Bivy is more...
- ULTRALIGHT & COMPACT - Featuring one lightweight collapsible shock cord pole and 5 lightweight aluminum pegs, and...
- FAST & EASY SETUP - Setup in 1 second or less… if you’re a magician! If not, it’ll take you around 2 mins. Unzip...
Waterproofness and Breathability
As regards the fabric, the waterproof rating is at 10000 mm. What this means is that it is in category 2/5 – with 5 implying more than 20000 mm. With that in mind, we can say that this is a reliable tool.
As for its breathability rating, the fabric is at gr/m2/day – which is not so great according to Wikipedia. It is evidently in the low category here.
What is in the pack?
Here’s a list of the items that are included in the pack:
- The bivy;
- 1 lightweight collapsible shock cord pole;
- 5 lightweight aluminium pegs;
- A storage sack.
The Aqua Quest Bivy makes provision for a vent in the head section of the tent. This is actually very essential. However, the foot area doesn’t have any openings and this has led to a number of complaints as regards condensation. It would’ve been quite better if they had added a vent that has a proper flap.
This, as well as the head vent already available, would increase the flow of air which would have made the tent even more comfortable.
For quick weekend and overnight tours, ventilation in this tent should not be quite a big issue. However, when it comes to extended backpacking expeditions, this would be a big issue – especially if you make use of a down sleeping bag. With this, moisture gets absorbed and it can become heavy in the long run.
Specifications
- Weight: 2.4 lb (1.1 kg).
- Capacity: 1 person.
- Size (W x H x L): 35.43 x 27.56 x 90.55 in (90 x 70 x 230 cm).
- Extra-wide.
- Waterproof rating: 10000 mm.
- Breathability rating: 3000 gr/m2/day.
- Size when packed: 16 x 6 x 5 in (40 x 13 x 13 cm).
- 70 D ripstop fabric.
- PU coating.
- Heat taped seams.
- No-see-um mesh.
- Outer window.
- Stiffeners to elevate footbed.
- Adequate air vent.
- Warranty: AQ’s Two-Year ‘No Worries Warranty’.
- WATERPROOF - Aqua Quest are industry leaders in waterproof gear, so it’s no surprise that their Hooped Bivy is more...
- ULTRALIGHT & COMPACT - Featuring one lightweight collapsible shock cord pole and 5 lightweight aluminum pegs, and...
- FAST & EASY SETUP - Setup in 1 second or less… if you’re a magician! If not, it’ll take you around 2 mins. Unzip...
Pros
- Extra coated water protection.
- Lightweight.
- Hooped headspace.
- Bug netting for circulation and protection from bugs.
Cons
- Kind of heavy for a bivy tent.
- Condensation can build-up due to the ventilation levels in the bivy.
Conclusion
The Aqua Quest Hooped Bivy Tent works very well for protection from rain and wind. The Bivy tent is of adequate size and when you consider how spacious it is, its weight (which is just below 2 and a half pounds) is acceptable. This puts it in – or very close to – the weight category of most of the other tents.
Like we said earlier, ripstop was used in designing the bivy which will help in keeping it very durable and help prevent excessive wear and tear.
To wrap up this Aqua Quest Hooped Bivy review, it is a proper tool for short weekend and overnight mountaineering and hiking tours. It weighs very favourably and its price tag is really attractive. We recommend that it can be used for the purposes earlier mentioned. With the tent’s huge mesh surface, you can sleep comfortably in it – even in dry and hot conditions. However, be prepared to face some ventilation problems (that have already been mentioned) if you plan to use it for extended tours.
