Bivvies, Shelters & Brollies

As the name suggests, it boasts a carbon frame – two-rib, pram-hood style – and is compact, making it light and, with the heavy-duty groundsheet removed, allowing it to be packed into even the smallest three-rod quiver. The footprint is a tad smaller than, say, a full-blown M3 or similar, but we used a fairly wide bedchair in this one and there was still ample room for the rest of the stuff that you’re likely to need, without it feeling cramped.

A rear vent (an absolute must in our mind) is evident and you can choose to have the front peak attached or not. With the use of just two cross poles it only takes a minute or so to erect and peg out, again something that will appeal to many anglers. Finally, there are standard or mozzie infill options on the front, or you can take the front off completely.

The newly launched wrap takes the Carbon Compact to another dimension and adds genuine year-round protection against the elements. It’s easy to fit and comes with two additional tension bars to ensure a gap between the material and the bivvy beneath. There’s also a rear vent, which is a nice touch on a wrap, and, once pegged out, it remains drum tight. This is a feature of the Aquatex material used in the wrap and the bivvy and we reckon it’s one of the very best out there. In all, the Carbon Compact has impressed and we’re looking forward to giving it some long-term testing out on the bank.