Dry your bivvy thoroughly after every trip and unzip the carry bag if storing for extended periods. Remember lofts and garages can
become very warm during summer months. Store you bivvy in a cool dry place and never dry it in direct heat.
Poles
Most pole damage occurs during setup. Don’t allow the shock cord to pull and snap the sections together as this can damage the pole
connections leading to breakage. Always ensure that all pole sections are fully connected. During disassembly do not allow the poles
to fall and impact hard stones or gravel.
Groundsheet
Whenever possible, assemble and dis-assemble your shelter on a groundsheet. This helps to keep your shelter and poles clean.
UV Light Degradation
Exposure to strong sunlight causes damage to all tent fabrics. Extended and prolonged exposure will eventually cause fabric to fade,
lose strength and be prone to tearing. UV damage is not covered by the warranty.
Cleaning
Never use domestic detergent products as these will destroy the protective waterproof coating used on
the fabric. In most cases give your bivvy a general clean with warm water and sponge. If necessary use a specialist tent fabric cleaner
to remove any dirt and follow the manufacturers’ instructions. Allow your shelter to completely air dry in the shade before packing and
storing. After cleaning, reproofing the canopy will improve its water repellancy.
Condensation Management
Condensation occurs in all tents and is caused when warm moist air comes into contact with the cool tent fabric. The amount of
condensation will vary depending upon the prevailing conditions and in very heavy rain, condensation can be mistaken for leaking as
the condensation is bounced off the inside of the flysheet. The most common and unavoidable source of warm moist air is your breath
and a single person can exhale over 500ml of moisture per night. Other sources of water vapour include damp equipment, frozen food/-
bait and cooking inside your bivvy.
Maximising ventilation is the key to reducing condensation but other steps like using a groundsheet, storing any damp gear outside of
the bivvy will also help. Addition of a second skin will help to reduce condensation by insulating the inner skin of the bivvy, keeping it
dry and allowing it to breath. These also have the added benefit of helping to keep your bivvy warm in the winter and cool in the
summer.
Re-proofing
Depending on usage, it may be necessary to periodically re-proof the bivvy canopy every few years. We recommend you use a specialist
tent water proofing treatment. Most leading products also offer UV protection that will prolong the performance of your bivvy.
Zips
Dusty and dirty conditions can potentially contaminate zipper teeth/coils with mud and cause sticking and/or damage to the metal zip
sliders over time. Keep the zipper teeth or coils clean by periodically rinsing them out with water from a garden hose. Handling the zip
slider with care will also prolong the life of the zip. Make sure to align the tracks before sliding the zipper without using excessive force.
If fabric gets caught in the slider, stop and slowly reverse the slider to remove.
SETUP INSTRUCTIONS
