Care & Maintenance of fishing equipment

Bivvy Cleaning:

For cleaning technical fabrics, such as those used in bivvies, we recommend the use of the Revive Shelter Complete Care Kit.

Wash your bivvy whilst erect using warm water and a sponge. Never Scrub.

Most of the time simply hosing down the bivvy and removing mud and debris with a sponge will be enough to prevent a build-up.

DO NOT USE DETERGENTS OF ANY TYPE. These will strip away the protective coating of the fabric.

However, bankside conditions can get muddy so we recommend that zips get special attention, keep the teeth free of mud as this can hamper the performance. This usually suggests that the zip struggles to slide freely, more often than not, resulting in a forced zipped that ultimately fails. NEVER FORCE A ZIP, since this can cause permanent damage to the teeth.

Again, take the time to dry your bivvy before packing away.

Can I reproof my Bivvy? And how?

Over time the coating on the outside of the fabric will wear, a good indicator is when the material goes darker and it appears to hold water. At this stage the material will no longer form droplets on the fabric and slide off the Bivvy with ease.

When you notice this we recommend that you use the Revive Shelter Re-proofer Kit in order to return the fabric to its original qualities.

This product will also ensure that the breathability of the Aquatexx EV® is not effected in any way.

Simply apply this to the Bivvy/Brolly with a brush or an atomiser spray, ensuring that it is completely dry before packing away.

CONDENSATION

If you've woken up with moisture on the inside of your bivvy, you could be forgiven for thinking it has leaked through the night, however, the more likely cause is condensation. Condensation occurs in all bivvies and the amount of condensation can vary due to several factors.

Is my bivvy leaking or is it condensation?

It is highly unlikely your bivvy will be leaking as Trakker bivvies are made using the latest, highly-waterproof fabrics with strong seams, which are then carefully tape sealed to keep the worst of the weather out. The reason for water inside your bivvy will usually be due to condensation.

Why does my bivvy condensate?

Condensation is caused by warm air on the inside of the bivvy hitting the relatively cool bivvy fabric, causing it to turn to moisture. Condensation can show in various forms, from droplets inside the bivvy to patches generally around the head end, or in some cases all over.

What makes condensation worse?

Heavy rainfall can increase condensation, often misleading people to thinking their bivvy is leaking. This is because rainwater on the outside of a tent or rainwater evaporating from fabric rapidly cools the fabric and causes condensation as the warm air inside hit its.

After very heavy rain I can see some dimples inside my Aquatexx EV® bivvy. Is this a problem?

The coating applied to the inner of the base fabric is designed to minimise condensation. Small dimples may form on the inside of the shelter as the inner coating absorbs moisture and repels it through the outer fabric. This will be more apparent during periods of heavy rain or humid conditions when condensation build up would normally be at a high level.

This is a temporary physical effect and when dried out this bubbling effect will disappear.

How do I minimise condensation inside my Aquatexx EV® bivvy during use?

• Use a wrap, skull cap or inner capsule where possible. These bivvy accessories are designed to create an air cavity between the inner and outer fabrics which reduces condensation significantly. They still may not eliminate it completely in the most severe of conditions however, in the majority of situations they help enormously.

• Increase ventilation. A single person can produce more than one litre of perspiration in a night, so an effective way of reducing condensation is by leaving your door and/or vents open (weather permitting).

• Use a ground sheet. A huge amount of moisture comes up through the ground, therefore using a groundsheet prevents it from entering your bivvy.

• Never cook or use heaters inside your bivvy. The key point here is safety. It is extremely dangerous to use heating devices inside your bivvy. Cooking releases large amounts of moisture in to your bivvy, that’s why we use extractor fans in our kitchens at home, therefore always cook outside of your bivvy. In cold conditions, rather than heating your bivvy, we recommend using the right clothing and sleeping bags.

• Keep off the bivvy fabric. It is sometimes hard to avoid, but your bed, chairs, bags or other items should not be touching bivvy fabric, as this can increase the effects of condensation.

• Store wet items outside: You should not be drying damp stuff inside your bivvy, such as clothing, towels, boots etc. as this can make the effects of condensation much more severe.

• Avoid being too sheltered. A natural breeze can help with ventilation, whereas an area which is too sheltered can promote condensation.

• Have a dry towel available. If the conditions are very severe, particularly in humid conditions where you have followed the guidelines and you are still getting a condensation build up, simply use a dry, clean towel to wipe the condensation away.