UKC

Hi,

I am thinking of buying a bothy bag (finally). When I am out on the hills there are usually two of us. Should I go for a 2-seater or for a bigger one, as I don´t know if 2-seaters are measured for two persons with or without rucksack and gear.

Secondly, I would like to know if a bothy bag is a satisfying substitute for a survival bag or do you take the orange plastic bag with you in addition?

Are there any recommendations for a brand or a model of a bothy bag?

Thanks in advance for advice,

cheers,

Soeren

In reply to soeren:
I've a 4 person model (from Terra Nova I think) although its been used mostly with 2 people - just flaps about in the wind a bit more than it should. As the 4 person version doesn't weight much more it seems more versatile to me.

In reply to soeren:

Not sure what size the 2 person one really is, but I'd try and go for one you can get someone lying down in, as you'd probably want to be able to do this if one of you was injured. It's not a great problem if it's a bit big, you can tuck away the spare fabric.

I tend to take a plastic survival bag, too (though it's a lightweight clear plastic one, rather smaller than the orange ones) - gives you something dry to sit on if nothing else. But it warms up really quickly inside the bothy bag, they're really good. You don't really notice when you first get inside, but boy does it feel cold when you come out again!

Makes, etc - dunno, mine is home made and works fine. It helps if you can get one in a fairly light colour, then things don't look too silly inside. Mine's got a white roof (but red sides) which means people look normal colours, rather than strange shades of green, or blue, or orange...

In reply to soeren: I have a 2 person version (I think its made by Tera Nova) and its fine for 2 people but no space for rucksacks. This is not a major problem as normally sitting on sack anyway for insulation and have enough space to get food/small amount of kit in.

I'd tend to agree, how ever, that the 4 man would be more versitile and a better idea. It might not be quite so warm with 2 people inside (more air to warm up) but is a lot more comfertable than a 2 man and you can just sit on the excess to stop it flapping about as much.

As for carrying an orange bivi bag, I don't think its nesseccary but I do anyway just incase. It can be used as a sledge in winter and something extra to insulate you from the ground all year round. Also some bothy bags aren't very bright so you might want to use the orange bivi bag as a becon if you're ever using your bothy bag in anger instead of for a lunch stop.

hope this helps

Dave

PS sorry if my spellings cr*p.

In reply to soeren: Depends how big you are. I have a 2 person, but then I am only little and mainly go on my own. The 4 person Terra Nova, as recommended above seems to suit you better. The orange survival bag would be redundant. Good luck.

In reply to soeren: me and my mates all have our own ex MOD gortex bags, pick up quite cheap, just draw cord shut but really good still, used it everywhere, cairngorm feb, still fine, cheers

In reply to soeren: Go to www.cccoutdoors.co.uk They have some cheap...

In reply to soeren:
I use the 4-person Terra Nova one, and it is just fine. With two people, you have space to lay your lunch out between you, with the added flexibility to take more people if needs be. We have had five folks in my 4-person bag in an unexpected hail storm on Ben Venue, and very welcome it was too.

It has also seen use as wrap-around insulation, wrapped round the legs of a chap with a recently broken leg as we awaited rescue. He then slipped himself into one of those very light foil survival bags. He spoke highly of the arrangement - just as well, as it was over 4 hours before the rescue team arrived.

A bothy bag can also make a good impromptu stretcher.

I don't take a plastic bag anymore, but I do take a bothy bag and foil survival bag with me on most hill trips.

In reply to soeren: ive got a 6 person bothy bag from denby army surplus its brand new and cost half the price of a branded one and is one of the best pieces of kit i own. Used in cargorms for cooking super noodles in a white out and was fantastic. WELL RECOMENDED

In reply to Jay White: Yup got a similar 6 man one. Nice and cheap. Just dont try and sleep in it intentionally as you end up covered in condensation.....Got a rab bivi bag after that one!

In reply to soeren:
I have a 2-person version made by Tera Nova and its fine for 2 people. I think they may of changed the design recently as mine has two plastic windows in it and unlike the other comments posted here, you can get two people in it with rucksacks. Just...

The build quality is fantastic as you would expect and being the two person one, ideal if you are out on your own as you won't have to cope with all that extra material falapping (which you would have with the 4-person design).

I have the very bright yellow version and no longer carry an orange survival bag as the bothy bag is just as good (if not better). Hope this helps.

In reply to soeren: Ooops, sorry I thought this said botty bags

In reply to soeren:
Many thanks, folks, for all that advice!

In reply to soeren: check out the group shelters made by Vango I have the 4 man version which is only slighly heavier than the 2 man plenty of room for two big blokes and all there winter kit, cheaper than other makes mine cost me £30. I am thinking of ditching the Orange bivvy bag although I have used one in anger and they do work.