First Impressions: Fox Eclipse Bivvy - 23/04/2009

On a recent visit to the Fox European HQ in Belgium, I was struck by several new products that the top tackle company is launching this year, not least three new bivvies, which we’ll look at through the course of the next few issues.

The head of the class is the Eclipse – a pram-hood design that Fox claims takes the best facets from many others on the market and combines them with Fox’s own innovations to produce the best bivvy available. Whether that claim is true I will have to wait and see – all bivvies need long-term testing before any magazine editor could back any such claims.
However, first impressions are excellent. The all-new Ventec material looks the nuts – it’s obviously waterproof and is very breathable. It also doesn’t sag in colder conditions, allowing the bivvy to stay drum tight whatever the weather.

There are numerous combinations of how the bivvy can be used, thanks to the versatile front panel and door systems. Full-panel protection, open fronted, clear window and door, full or partial mozzie mesh – they’re all an option, as well as any combination in between. The peaked hood eliminates rain ingress in the door area. The frame system is as sturdy and reliable as you’d expect and the frame-support system increases rigidity and allows the bivvy to be used with no front panel and only a handful of pegs. This means that you can even use the Eclipse as a day-style shelter.

This feature is exactly what it says – first impressions – and we’re looking forward to putting the Eclipse through its paces in future months. I’ll let you know exactly how it fares.

FACT FILE
Fox Eclipse Bivvy
First impressions: Fox has taken a huge leap in the improvement of its bivvy range and this one is well worth checking out
RRP: £369.99
Contact: Fox on 0208 559 6500