Trakker Tempest 200 Bivvy: A Total Fishing Tackle Review

Trakker Tempest 200 Bivvy

We asked our resident carp angling expert Wayne Box to take a look at the Tempest 200 Shelter from Trakker, here is how he got on, follow him on Instagram @waynetotalbox When I first heard about the Tempest 200 I was worried. Not about the bivvy itself, all of Trakker's bivvies are exceptionally well made, but about the price point.

I was expecting the Tempest 200 to cost a pretty penny. I was however, very pleasantly surprised! So, the Tempest 200 carries on the range, moving up in size from the 100 (think Tempest Brolly size), then onto the 150 (think old Tempest XL size) and now the 200. Make no mistake about the Tempest 200 is a big bivvy but it's also a very clever bivvy. I don't mean that it can speak five different languages or juggle 3 tennis balls while riding a bike, I mean the concept and design is very clever. Trakker have taken the Tempest and made it into a true two man bivvy, in fact if you like being cosy then you can actually fit 3 bedchairs in it. I will set you a challenge, find me a true two man bivvy that goes up quicker than the Tempest 200. I'll save you the bother, there isn't one.

Now many of you will have no doubt suffered the horrendous task of setting your bivvy up in the rain, your kit is sat there on the barrow getting wetter than an otters pocket and your good mood is rapidly running out. Imagine the insufferable pain and disgust as you look over at your mate who is sat in his bivvy with the kettle on already. Now don't tell me that a quick erection time doesn't matter. Just how big, is big? Well at over 5ft 5"tall, 12ft wide and over 10 feet from front to back, it's big. I am old school, centimetres mean nothing to me. If though, you are like me you prefer to visualise something, then here it is with 2 x Levelite Oval Bedchairs in it. As you can now see now the Tempest 200 really is a true two man bivvy, but many of you are probably about now wondering how on earth it fits in any swims. Well, quite simply it doesn't, because it isn't designed to fit into all swims, it's designed to fit in the majority of swims in France, which it will. It's also designed for the Dad 'n' lads amongst us, or the Mum 'n' lads of course. Korda's Neil Spooner is a big fan and uses his Tempest 200 on overseas tips, camping in the garden with the kids, as well as taking the kids fishing with him, of course it has nothing to do with the Korda/Trakker collaboration!

You can't make a square peg fit in a round hole and Trakker aren't trying to. The front disappears when it is hot and goes back on when it rains, the vents open up at the back to let the air flow through on those baking summer days and nights, the clear door lets you see what is going on without getting wet toes and best of all, it goes up in a fraction of the time of other bivvies. The Tempest is made from a durable 210D fabric, not your usual Aquatexx material and it matters not one jot. I am not a big believer in Aquatexx materials being an essential component of a bivvy, you only have to look at a god quality mountaineering tent to see that they are built to withstand 100mph winds and driving rain and snow, yet not a stitch of Aquatexx in sight. We now start to see why the price is so competitive. The Tempest 200 comes supplied with as standard; tension strap, carry bag, 2x 48ins Quicksticks, groundsheet, T pegs and Clear Window. The cost? £499 all in.

So thats it right? Well not exactly, there are a couple of added extras you can combine with the Tempest 200 to create an even better finished product, both of which will be familiar with Tempest users. Firstly there is a skull cap that offers two things; firstly the addition of a top layer to help prevent condensation and secondly it gives a peak to the front of the bivvy to prevent the worst weather getting into the living space. Unlike a traditional overwrap, the Skull Cap can be left in place when packing away.

Secondly there is the Tempest 200 Inner Capsule, allowing you to turn your Tempest Advanced 200 into a twin-skin shelter without the need for extra pegs. The inner capsule has been designed to create a fully-enclosed inner living quarter, with stitched-in groundsheet which serves to reduce condensation and retain heat in cooler temperatures. The inner capsule is perfect for keeping out rodents and any other unwanted guests without compromising comfort. It is simple to fit, with easy to identify coloured central toggles, plus multiple handy internal pockets for receivers, etc. This great addition is manufactured from brushed polyester, which keeps weight to a minimum. Now that must be all surely, well not quite! Right now, Total Fishing Tackle are offering the full set of the Tempest 200 Shelter, the Skull Cap and the Inner Capsule for £799. This bivvy has just gone to the top of my most wanted list and I am going to use it in France, when I take my young ones fishing, when I take the Mrs with me, in the garden and when we go camping, why? I absolutely love it. Get the combo deal right here, if like me you have good use for a big shelter, you won't regret it.

Cheers for now and god luck with your fishing if you are heading out.