UKC

Where do I get them? how much do they cost? Are they any good? Cheers

In reply to Onyx:

I got mine from an army surplus shop a few years ago. Then, they were £90 new or like mine £45 used. I have been happy with it - large and waterproof, I've used it in the alps. However I have recently aquired a new lighter-weight bag so if you are interested in my old one let me know!

magic

In reply to Onyx:
Join the TA- get one for free!
You can buy them from quite a few places, probably try Silvermans as a first point of call (though they are expensive): http://www.silvermans.co.uk/
They are not too bad, in truth it is rare that you will ever need anything else, though they are not mega breathable, as I don't think they are true goretex.
For alpine use I use something that looks the same, but is made of a lighter pertex (i.e. not waterproof material) material, that is dirt cheap and I don't care if it gets ruined.
However the use of this type of bag depends on what you intend to use it for.
I think if you are intending to go out for anything longer than one or two nights in weather, take a tent, a lightweight one is worth the weight, and if the weather is so bad that you need anything other than a jetpacker then you're looking at a real mountain tent. And the irony is that if you're needing a real mountain tent, then it's snowing and you therefore don't need a totally waterproof bivi bag.
Remember that the military intend them to be used with a 'basha' to give some overhead cover, and comfort is a very low military requirement. They also have really warm sleeping bags to go inside.
So- as always- you have to think about exactly what you're going to be using this bag for.

In reply to Onyx:

Bought mine from (www.stringtownsupplies.co.uk) last summer. £50 for brand new DPM issue bivi bag. Used for several nights in alps. Arguably heavier than commercial ones but the cost and durability make up for it. Very simple drawsting closure at top. Generous cut means room for gear storage if needed. Seen loads of reviews for Rab £50(ish) bag which is far lighter. Had to get a reference to the lightweight philosophy in somewhere. In terms of breathability - no condensation problems. That's one bonus of drawstring hood. Hope this helps even if there was a bit of waffle.

In reply to Onyx: I got mine from the army surplus store on Bangor high street (www.britisharmysurplus.com)for £35. Apparently ex-dutch army, it seems to have been hardly used. Supposedly gore-tex, and I have no reason to doubt this, as it works brilliantly. Only gripe is that it is probably a tad bulkier/heavier/tougher than a shop bought one (but then again, this may be a good thing if you are going to use it much).

In reply to Onyx:

I got mine from somebody in the TA for a few quid.

It's done me proud. I especially like the simplicity of a drawer cord and no zip.

I also have a Rab bag which is just as good and a damb sight lighter. Maybe you should think about a Rab bag as well?

In reply to Onyx: I have a orange gore-tex bivi bag which i belive is ex airforce kit. It is very long and has only been used twice. It is big enough to fit by rucasc inside with me. It also has a vent at the head end. If anybody wants it I am looking for about £50 for it.

In reply to Onyx:
have a look at http://www.the-outdoor.co.uk/ishop/853/shopscr30.html
they're doing 'Artic' bivy bags for a tenner (presumably these are grim on the breathability front) and gortex ones for £30 - i'd be interested to know if anyone thinks they're much cop?