Bivvies come in different forms, which are bivvi bags and bivy tents. Bivvy tents can be considered as a cross between a bivvy bag and a regular tent. Although far smaller than tents, bivvy tents combine some features of both a tent and a bivvy bag.
The Snugpak Stratosphere bivvi bag is a breathable and waterproof bivvy tent for just one person. If you are unwilling to deal with the excess luggage carrying a regular tent presents, you will find that the Snugpak Stratosphere bivvy would accommodate your needs in the same way a regular tent would.
The Snugpak Stratosphere bivvi bag is built to withstand severe weather conditions.
The difference is that the bivvy tent can fit only you and your belongings as opposed to a regular tent that could accommodate you and some other people.
- Inner dimensions are 91 inches long, 32 inches wide, and 20 inches tall; built to accommodate just 1 person; features a...
- Lightweight and compact pack size is 12 inches long by 5 inches wide, it weighs 2.5 pounds; stands up to severe weather...
- Top fabric is 50D nylon Rip-Stop with 5000 millimeter waterproof polyurethane coating; bottom fabric is 210t nylon with...
Key features and benefits
- The Snugpak Stratosphere is produced from 50D 100% nylon ripstop with 5000mm waterproof polyurethane coating, so is often able to withstand severe rain.
- The tent’s groundsheet is made from 210D 100% nylon with 8000mm waterproof polyurethane coating – eliminating the chances of it soaking up water when laid on a wet surface
- The bivvi bag is compact and lightweight, with a pack size of 31cm x 14cm and a weight of 1.1kg – heavier than a standard bivvi bag but a lot lighter than a proper tent.
- It has a full-length side zip for closing and opening up the bag – allowing access from inside or outside the bivvi bag.
- It also has inner dimensions of 91 inches length, a width of 32 inches, and a height of 20 inches. This gives the occupant more shoulder room space than the stereotypical bivi.
- The bivvi bag also comes equipped with a basic repair kit that contains a spare cord, patch materials, an elastic loop, a storage bag, a metal pole repair sleeve, and a tent guide rope tensioner. The kit adds to the overall weight but gives you the option to repair the bivvi bag quickly should the need arise.
- The bivvi bag also comes with a compression stuff sack for rolling up and storing the bag when it is not in use.
- The seams of the bivvy bag are securely taped using a machine. This enhances its waterproofing capabilities by stopping water from seeping in through the seams.
- The tent liked-ness is shown in that it comes with seven alloy cross-stakes, which are lightweight and 100% aluminium poles with screw lock tips.
- It also has a roll away mosquito net in front of the hood. The net enables you to keep the hood open and keep mosquitoes and other roving insects at bay.
- Inner dimensions are 91 inches long, 32 inches wide, and 20 inches tall; built to accommodate just 1 person; features a...
- Lightweight and compact pack size is 12 inches long by 5 inches wide, it weighs 2.5 pounds; stands up to severe weather...
- Top fabric is 50D nylon Rip-Stop with 5000 millimeter waterproof polyurethane coating; bottom fabric is 210t nylon with...
Pros
- The Snugpak Stratosphere uses poles, which creates enough room for manoeuvering, eliminating any cramped feeling you might have, plus the tent is big enough to accommodate even the tallest campers.
- The bivvy is durable, lightweight, and versatile, making it very easy to take it with you when going camping.
- Because of the durable dual heavy-duty fabric that is used to design it, plus its taped seams, the bivvy is windproof and waterproof, enabling you to remain dry and warm even in severe weather conditions.
- The bag has good ventilation, effectively eliminating condensation in the bag.
Cons
- Apart from when deals are on, it can sometimes be at the higher end of the price spectrum – so checking for any price discounts is the smart thing to do.
- It is a little heavier than a standard lightweight bivvi bag.
Size
Although the Snugpak Stratosphere is a lot smaller than a standard tent, it is a perfect compromise for people who want something bigger than a bivvi bag but do not wish to pack something as heavy or as large as a tent. The bivvy tent can accommodate just one person, but it is spacious enough to give you enough breathing room and space to store your belongings properly in the tent with you.
Since lightweight and durable material is used to produce the bivvy, it can be dried out in minutes. The bivvy would also withstand rainy weather conditions quite remarkably without getting wet because of the type of the make of its material.
- Inner dimensions are 91 inches long, 32 inches wide, and 20 inches tall; built to accommodate just 1 person; features a...
- Lightweight and compact pack size is 12 inches long by 5 inches wide, it weighs 2.5 pounds; stands up to severe weather...
- Top fabric is 50D nylon Rip-Stop with 5000 millimeter waterproof polyurethane coating; bottom fabric is 210t nylon with...
Spaciousness
The bivvy has two poles to hold up its upper part, that is, the area around your head and chest by about two feet. The poles are anodized and curved; hence, they slip into place quite easily. The space created by these poles provides enough room for manoeuvring.
Coming with the spaciousness of a tent, as opposed to a bivvi bag, also leaves more room for the circulation of air, thereby eliminating condensation. In addition, it has aluminium stakes for securing it firmly to the ground. The spaciousness of the bivvy tent also helps keep the hooped top off your face.
Despite all these features, the bivvy tent, together with the poles and the aluminium stakes, fits into a small compression sack, making storage and transportation of the bivvy very easy.
Setting Up
Setting up the bivvy tent is quite easy. If you are setting it up without the stakes, it will take you only about a minute or two to set it up. It can be adjusted and pitched to suit wind direction changes. The bivvy has two vents that face both the front and the rear in the head area.
The vent at its head is equipped with a fly cover that can be kept down to keep you dry if it is raining. The fly cover can also be rolled up either to let some breeze in if the weather is warm or to provide you with a nighttime view of your surroundings. The bivvy also has a zip system that enables you to get into it easily.
The Snugpak Stratosphere bivvi bag is built to withstand severe weather conditions. Its dual heavy-duty fabric design, coupled with its aluminium structure and waterproof seams, enables it to keep you dry even when the weather is severe. However, the bag tends to get warm in hotter temperatures. This warmness is remedied by the ventilation provided by the bug netting.
You may not be very comfortable using a bivvi bag (not everyone is). However, you may also not wish to pack a tent, or you might not have the money to spend on purchasing a tent. This is where a bivvy tent comes to play.
The Snugpak Stratosphere bivvy tent can be considered as a ‘hybrid’ between a bivvy bag and a tent and weighs more than a bivvy bag but also weighs less than a tent. In the same vein, it is somewhat larger than a bivvy bag but smaller than a tent, packs small, has a dependable rainfly, and can stake, providing you with an awesome bivvy tent for your adventure.
