Bivvies, Shelters & Brollies

I first saw the original HQ when out on features with Avid-backed Ian Russell and, initially, didn’t pay it too much attention.

I’ve seen a million and one bivvies so I don’t always notice individual ones at first. However, over time, I grew to be pretty impressed with the ‘twin-skin’ design. This isn’t twin skin as in having a wrap attached; no, it’s what you might call a traditional construction but with an added (it’s removable) fabric inner lining.

This might not sound much of a big deal, but it makes an enormous difference in helping eliminate condensation, even in winter with the front on and the hatches well and truly battened down. As with all bivvies these days, the outer material is supremely waterproof and reliable and, as we’ve come to expect, there are several options in how the infill panels are configured.

There are also rear vents. I first used a bivvy with a rear vent, or window, a couple of years back at Par Lakes on a swelteringly hot day and I was amazed at how much difference it made.

So much so, I would never contemplate using a bivvy that didn’t have them now. What I love about these, and it’s something I’ve only seen on a couple of bivvies to date, although that’s bound to change, is the fact that the rear vents can be opened and closed from the inside. Trust me, that can be a big deal in certain conditions.

The unique, separated pole design is both a strength and a slight drawback. It offers additional internal floor space without dramatically increasing the HQ’s footprint. However, by moving from the traditional pram-hood system where the poles all meet in one place, it has removed some of the ease of setup that such a design is so famed for.

You can no longer just join the poles, hold the front one and walk it forwards; a little more effort and time is required. On that note, however, and by way of balance, I guess you soon get the hang of it, as Ian regularly demonstrates to me when setting his up on features!

Essentially, this MK2 is exactly the same bivvy as the original, except Avid has added a peak, largely in response to feedback from customers. Bravo for that, at least they listened, and the result is pretty much the ultimate all-round bivvy.

A few additional touches round off a great package, including internal pockets, rod-retention bars and colour coding the groundsheet for ease of fitting. AWESOME! (MC)

WWW.AVIDCARP.COM

£399.99