Military bivy bag for recreational use?

[Rico]

We are starting to import some of the Ferrino military line gear in Australia. This is stuff custom made for professional corps in Europe, Russia and middle East, under their own strict guide lines and requirements.

Of course the needs of professional users are very different from the ones of an Australia bushwalker (135 litres amphibian backpack anyone? or maybe a 145 litres tactical pack for parachuting?) but they may appeal Australian sherpas and hunters.

Still there are interesting solutions for a larger number of people, like this ultra tough Italian Elite 50lt backpack. What I'd like to show you is an unique bivy bag originally designed for snipers. Ok, maybe what I am really trying to do is to find a way to justify to my wife the fact that I bought one for myself, but I like the idea of a strong fully waterproof lightweight Goretex bivouac with enough room to keep part of my gear next to me, and permeable to CO2... and you never know, those zombies are getting smarter and smarter after each apocalypse, the IRR Infra Red Remission treatment may come handy one day... I will test this bivy bag as soon it arrives next week and I'll write a review!

PS - I have seen this gear only in the Ferrino factory in Italy but I didn't have the chance to use it yet. This stock it is planned to arrive later this week. I ordered a very small selection to check them out, but as you already know 10% discount code BUSHWALK for the members of this forum is working store wide.

Rico

[corvus]

Rico,
Looks the goods but at that price I feel your market will be limited.
corvus

[Spartan]

Hi, Rico.

I can't comment about your 'average' bushwalker, but there isn't much call for something that blends in with "Italian vegetation" among military users here in Oz. Import them in IIR AUSTCAM or Multicam and you'll likely have a minor hit on your hands, as the design certainly looks promising. As an aside snipers don't use bivvy bags when sniping, they're only for sleeping, which is exactly how they're used by every other sort of soldier (I assume the term 'sniper bivvy bag' is little more than a marketing ploy).
The 50L pack looks okay, and would potentially find a niche in non-Arms corps environments. But the 'Parachuting pack' appears far too bulky for Static Line parachuting, and I doubt the issue HESPR would fit it in any case; there's no way I'd try strapping that monster to the front of me for Military Free Fall!

If your principle market is going to be military users, then you're going to find yourself in direct competition with established players such as SORD, Platatac and Crossfire. So you might consider marketing your gear directly with individual unit DPRI stores.

All the best.

[andrewa]

Rico, every now and then I end up camping on tracks, or on the edge of tracks ( don't ask), and I'd be anxious that even with the Italian vegetation pattern, someone might trip over me! It's a bit like how you tend to collide with groups of guys wearing military gear in civilian life ...." Sorry mate, I didn't see you" type situation...... ( apologies, Spartan. Note non use of smilies).

A

[Spartan]

... It's a bit like how you tend to collide with groups of guys wearing military gear in civilian life ...." Sorry mate, I didn't see you" type situation...... ( apologies, Spartan. Note non use of smilies).

G'day, A.

Yeah, I don't get the whole "let's-look-like-an-AJ-fashion-thing" myself

All the best.

[Rico]

Rico,
Looks the goods but at that price I feel your market will be limited.
corvus

I am with you Corvus, this is mostly over engineered gear for any civilian activity. Unless you carry really heavy loads (ammunitions for example) and you need something that will last you 10-15 years of intense use under heavy stress, there is not much reason to pay a price for something like that. My targets for those product are tour guides, trail photographers, military enthusiasts etc. I have a friend who used to do research on foot for mining companies in remote parts of PNG, and he reckons that they may be attracted by this product line as well. Anyway it is interesting to see where our tax money goes... next time you see a military exercise in TV think on how much is worth the gear they are carrying...

I can't comment about your 'average' bushwalker, but there isn't much call for something that blends in with "Italian vegetation" among military users here in Oz

thanks for your comment Spartan, much appreciated. I am very ignorant in this area, do you think that there is such a big difference between the Italian and Australian color of the vegetation to justify a different design? I mean, they look both greenish to me

In truth we can potentially get them in any color or shape we want, even if I order small numbers. Those products are made by skilled operators in small or large production runs in the Ferrino factory in Italy, and they all are custom orders. As I am sure you know when a military corp needs to do an order for some accessory, they will publish a list of requirements and they will invite a number of companies to compete. Each company will make a sample of the final product, and the military corp at the end will decide the one meeting their requirement and budget. Ferrino has a dedicated Military catalogue, but each order is different in colors and features. Here is the catalogue if you want to have a look: https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D6219251_69551767_187706

[Nuts]

They look like a useful design, good to be able to bring the kit inside. I guess the competition is event by various manufacturers and gore (OR make a range).

I'd suspect they are a bit heavy in comparison. As far as waterproof goes I have an event Rab bivy at 500g's, their hooped event ridge master (Integral designs make the same one) isn't much heavier than this bivy.. Do they have a mesh face panel? (would be more desirable). Probably (for walkers) a normal bivy and small tarp would be more versatile.

Good to see that you are asking bushwalkers what they want.