Bivvies, Shelters & Brollies

The best just got better - regarded as Aqua’s best-selling brolly, the aptly named Fast & Light Brolly has gathered somewhat of a cult following over the years, and with the latest version seeing some additional features we are sure it will be greatly received too. Carp fishing has gone full circle recently and we are seeing a sudden emergence of all things camou, especially DPM. Well, why should a brolly be any different? Still utilising the ever amazingly waterproof Aquatexx, the brolly has been independently tested for a hydrostatic head of over 14,000mm/H20, which is four times higher than you would find on your average expedition tent. The only change to the famous Aquatexx is the new 2015 DPM camou print.

Last month we looked in detail at the complete system available from Cyprinus, well here we will be solely focusing on the space-saving brolly variation. Utilising the new and improved Hydro-Tec material, which has been proven to resist water with a hydrostatic head of over 1,0000mm, the Magnetix is among the most waterproof and weather-resistant shelters in its price range. With a more efficient, compact, space-saving device, the eight-rib design offers oodles of room and, more specifically, valuable headroom within the 60in frame. With upgraded, black, powder-coated poles, the Magnetix looks as good as it sounds.

Designed with the modern carp angler in mind, this highly versatile shelter suits day, roaming and even session anglers alike. The speed in which the bivvy can be erected is a unique selling point alone and that’s down to the central block that connects all five ribs and peaked bars together as one unit. The ribs then effortlessly unfold in an accordion-like manner. Moving over to versatility, the Stealth Bloxx features a detachable front that easily transforms the shelter from a one-man bivvy to a handy open-fronted day shelter.

The High Top has been uniquely designed with space in mind, catering for anglers looking for a shelter offering unrivalled headroom. The distinctive front section allows the angler to walk in and out of the bivvy with ease, offering space to easily get changed in or out of waterproofs or to merely stand and watch the water. The height isn’t the only benefit, though, the more conventionally sized rear section is more than wide enough to comfortably fit two bedchairs while still accommodating tackle and luggage. With a removable front panel and rear vent the HQ High Top is effective as a shelter throughout the warm summer months, while the supplied clip-in inner skin and overwrap boast triple-skin protection for even the most arduous of weather conditions.

It is surely one of the most popular and successful bivvies of all time because I remember seeing an Easy Dome or 10 on just about every lake that we used to venture to while doing our features. Indeed, I have owned two myself over the years – a one-man version, which I bought long before starting work at DHP, some 12 years ago, and later, a two-man version, which I used for French fishing excursions. It was the epitome of quick erection but at the same time offered a full-on, all-round shelter capable of keeping the occupant warm and dry. Setting up, as I touched up, was ridiculously simple and involved simply taking the bivvy out of its bag – which was never quite big enough when trying to put it back in – pulling up on the central boss, locking the joints in place and it was up.

I’ve reviewed the Supa Brolly on a couple of occasions and, once I’d got to grips with threading the front pole (when I bought mine, it was from a batch where this pole was too long), I was smitten. On the subject of the pole, while it’s easy enough to attach, and is essential to maintain the round profile, it does mean slightly more effort compared with other brollies. This is ostensibly a brolly but, in truth, it has the internal dimensions and space of a more substantial shelter. Following requests from its many loyal customers, Fox has now introduced this smaller, compact version, which is more in keeping with a brolly in terms of size and footprint.

It was actually about four months ago that I was asked to take out the Groundhog SF and test it over time. As a devout brolly user, Marc Coulson thought me the best-placed member of the team to get out and put it through its paces. I was happy with my traditional brolly previously and wondered how much better this could be, but I have been hugely impressed by it so far. The SF stands for Space Frame, which allows increased headroom inside.