Alpkit Elan Bivy versus Snugpak Stratosphere – Will's World

At first glance the Alpkit's new(ish) Elan bivy bag might look completely identical to Snugpak's Stratosphere, a bivy that's been around for a number of years now. Look a bit closer and there are a few crucial differences however. So, should you spend £99.99 on the Alpkit or £159.99 on the Snugpak? Will's been out testing both of them. Watch the video to find out what he thinks.
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Hashtags:
#Hiking #WillsWorld #OutdoorsMagic #BivyBag #Snugpak #Alpkit #Bivy #Bivvying
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[Yorkshiremadmick]

Good open honest review.
There appears to be another contender on the block.
The. Defcon 5 Bivi. Any thoughts on this vs Snugpak?

[jeffjohnstone]

The Alpkit is certainly not a ripoff of the Snugpak. The North Face Soloist Bivy was around in 1998 and it's identical. Also the Carinthia Observer Plus predates both as well. This design, although unusual, had a long history that predates both.

[MarcoTheGreat]

This is exactly the video I was looking for. Thanks.

[mikefule]

Good review. I just bought the Alpkit. For occasional use, there was no justification for spending that much more. It's better than my old Karrimor.

[pgrieger]

Spoken and explained clearer than I can think ❤

[pauldavies]

Great comparison I think I'd go for
the stratosphere.
Do you think there will still be enough room inside when using an air matt such as a big agnus rapide?
Cheers

[creatamax]

Great review thanks for taking the time to make it no waffle just useful information. Cheers! Mike.

[cameirusisu]

Just got the elan for £85 in the alpkit sale, used it a couple of nights, one fine, one absolutely hammering it down. Both were fine. Bit of condensation, but to be expected, nothing major, be a bit careful opening it when wet, but its a bivvy bag/tent, you are not going to be 100% protected, thats what tents are for.

Cant argue with it for the money. I think the snugpack is just a bit too pricey compared to the alpkit, it does not justify the hike in spending, thats a whole new piece of kit you could be buying instead.

[theronin]

Why dont all hooped bivvies have the little loop on the bottom like the Alpkit?
Small difference but nice feature for very little cost.

[matthewblazer]

I've been using the stratosphere for about 3yrs long time distance hiking especially in the black mountains wales.
I know this is counter productive when it comes to weight but I found that keeping my snugpack special forces bivvy bag on my sleeping bag sorted any condensation problems.
Added advantage is I can open up the main bivvy for ventilation or taking a waz in rainy weather.
I can winter bivvy down to a comfortable -10 and add a dd ultralight tarp with my walking poles and im pretty much bomb proof.
I have incredible versatility for pitching in a very wide set of conditions.
Its all about adaptation after all.

[Flexaret]

I've looked at the Stratosphere for some time but haven't decided yet so was interested when I saw Alpkit had released something similar. A few points that you didn't mention, the Stratosphere groundsheet is 70D Nylon Taffeta with PU coating (8000mm HH), the Elan is 70D ripstop nylon (5000mm HH), you mentioned height but it appears the Elan is significantly narrower at the shoulders compared to the Stratosphere at 77cm or thereabouts tapering to 72cm, the Stratosphere is 105cm or thereabouts so almost a foot wider. Regarding weight, Alpkit claim 900g not including pegs, Snugpak claim 940 for fly & poles, not sure if Alpkit are including the stuffsack weight but there's virtually no difference in weight which is surprising given the size and materials used in the Stratosphere. Finally price, the Elan is only available through Alpkit so the RRP at £99 is likely to be what you pay, the Stratosphere has an RRP of £159 but can be had from as little as £119 from some retailers and most are selling it around the £130 mark. Given that the Stratosphere is roomier (could be beneficial re.condensation?), appears more durable, has a tougher groundsheet and in reality isn't much more expensive or much heavier the Elan really needed to bring something significant to the party which doesn't appear to be the case.

You asked who was 1st to produce a 2 pole bivvy, I'm pretty certain a US company produced one a few years ago, certainly Carinthia make the Observer which is a 2 pole design but using Gore-Tex and costing €650, Defcon 5 make one virtually identical to the Stratosphere which can be opened at the head end (a useful feature IMO) however it's quite a bit heavier than the Stratosphere but around the same price. I have a single pole bivy made early 90's by a UK company called Bivybug, the sleeping bag part was made from Sympatex, sadly mine has de-laminated.

[aaronfuentes]

I'm sure many people are deciding between the two. This video puts together a great comparison.

[kzrider]

Yea, I would choose the alpkit all way up to the size head room diff. Being I am not good in small spaces the extra bit wins it for me on the snugpak. I would probably just grab smooth rock and some cordage and stick peg it out making a tie out point on the leg box like the other Bivy.

[lauriebloggs]

Excellent and very useful. Thank you. The only query I have concerns lengths and widths, many of the vendor websites are inconsistent about this, where there's any info. at all?

[SkyeEyeSightings]

Can pick up the Strat for 116 quid, has been that price for some time now from outdoor GB.

[beatbasher]

Given that I'm in the market for a hooped bivvy and these two are both in the shortlist, this is very helpful video. Cheers.

[Zeriel]

One stupid thing that the alpkit did was not having straps on the exterior! I went with snugpack because its easy to attach it somewhere outside your bag because of the straps. Also who wants reflectors when you buy this to be stealthy and camp anywhere xD

[mpr-exsn]

Great comparison, thanks. Can both be pitched without the pegs?

[thecolofthewild]

Great comparison. Are they both waterproof and breathable?

[CottonBud]

Been waiting on this - good comparison! The big issue for many folk though will be breathability/condensation - any thoughts on that please? Cheers.