Chub Vizor One Man Bivvy & Vizor Extreme Canopy

RRP £329.99 (Bivvy) / £219.99 (Extreme Canopy)

Part One

Chub have been producing bivvy's and shelters for several years and are now one of the first choices for the angler that wants form and function at a price that is not going to cause bankruptcy. With the Cyfish and S-Plus ranges of bivvy's being well known within the angling community and also being popular, when we noticed that Chub were pushing out the boat and launching a bivvy system that utilises all of the major design principles and developments within bivvy manufacturing, we were straight on the phone to Chub. Within a short time, the Vizor one man bivvy and extreme canopy were sitting in the UKMA office awaiting the first trip on the bank.

Chub Vizor One Man Bivvy

The Vizor bivvy is a pramhood style shelter, which without any shadow of a doubt has been the most popular bivvy design over the past decade. The Vizor has a number of design concepts included that stands it out from the crowd; these will be explained as the review goes on. The frame of the bivvy is of the traditional 3 ribs with an additional fourth rib for the peak. The ribs are constructed from 6061 Aluminium tube and are of the 5 piece design, which makes for compact package when packed down. The joins of the ribs are finished off with collars that allow for easy assembly and taking apart of the ribs. The fourth rib which is used for the peak covers the same amount of space as one of the main ribs which gives the peak unrivalled stability and coverage. The Vizor is also supplied with a full set of tensioning bars (3 main bars + 3 short bars for the peak) meaning that the angler has not got to spend additional funds to complete their shelter. All of the tensioning bars are adjustable using a secure double thumbscrew system to lock them in place and ensure that the maximum rigidity of the shelter is gained. The three long tension bars slot into fabric sleeves located on the main bivvy to ensure that the main cover retains the maximum amount of tension required.

Chub have spared no expense with the Vizor and have used one of the most advanced materials for the actual cover. Climatex is one of the new breed of breathable fabrics that react to the conditions faced by expanding or contracting slightly to ensure that the material is kept taut on the frame when erected. The Climatex fabric has a hydrostatic head of 10,000mm which means that a column of water 10 metres in height can be placed directly on the fabric before any leaks may be experienced. Climatex does not soak up water like some materials, and any moisture that comes into contact with it, simply beads up and runs off. All of the seams that join the Climatex panels are very securely stitched and taped to a very high level.

On the rear of the bivvy, Chub have looked at the recent introduction of air vents in the cover, and expanded on this principle with their BackDraft ventilation system. The BackDraft ventilation system is a large, full width vent which covers the complete bottom panel area. The vent is covered by Climatex when not in use, and when open is a very strong mosquito mesh that will allow maximum airflow through the shelter. The Climatex panel can be completely removed or unzipped and rolled down to the floor. The mosquito mesh of the vent is kept tight with the addition of pegging points that match up to the pegging points of the Climatex cover. Chub have also included a wide baffle that covers the zip on the Climatex flap to stop any chance of rain or moisture ingress through the zip.

Moving to the front of the Vizor, and the features that will be wanted by the vast majority of anglers can be found. The Vizor has been designed with a much larger peak than most other shelters of similar design. The peak on the Vizor extends out further from lower down on the bivvy to give greater coverage and protection from the elements without obstructing vision from inside. The extended lower section of the peak allows the windows to be open, with the mosquito mesh exposed, that lowers the risk of rain coming through should an unexpected shower spring up. This principle also helps the angler that likes to fish with the front of the bivvy completely open. The peak maintains complete stability due to the rib that runs through it having two small blunt spikes at each end which slot into eyelets situated on the same section where the rest of the ribs meet. The full tension is gained through the use of three small tensioning bars. This gives maximum rigidity in strong winds and heavy rain. The peak also has two velcro rod straps fitted to hold rods securely when rebaiting.

The Vizor can be used in any situation that the angler may find themselves in. The front of the bivvy has two complete panels supplied which are both removable independently. The main panel is constructed from Climatex and has the standard door and two windows configuration, and the secondary panel is a full mosquito mesh panel for those hot balmy nights where the biting insects are out in force. The two panels can be left in together or one or both removed completely (to give a full open front shelter). Each of the panels is fitted with pegging points to ensure that perfect tension is kept regardless of which panel or panels are fitted. Chub also supply in the package a complete set of clear windows that velcro over the mosquito panels in the main panel for the angler that likes to have the best visibility in the worst of storms. The door on the main panel can be rolled both up or down or even completely removed, depending on the way the angler prefers. The door also has a covered mosquito mesh panel that can also be used with the clear plastic option supplied.

The zips used on the Vizor are probably the best I have seen on a bivvy. Each of the zip pullers is fitted with a corded tab that enables good grip in the cold or wet as well as making them easy to find in the dark. The zips are also extremely free moving when in use and I noticed no snagging at all during my use of them. When the door is rolled up, Chub have incorporated a section that allows the rolled up door to be hidden away so water cannot collect within it.

The Vizor is also supplied with a very heavy duty groundsheet that has a couple of differences to the standard groundsheets that anglers are used to. The groundsheet has been fitted with pegging points which match up to the pegging points on the bivvy. This means that the groundsheet will sit perfectly within the bivvy without any messing around trying to line up velcro sections or clips. The second benefit of this is that in strong gusts of wind, the groundsheet will not lift up at the edges and flap around. On each side of the groundsheet, Chub have also fitted a hook type clip that connects to a section at the point on the main bivvy where the ribs congregate. This gives the Vizor the perfect tension for the groundsheet and the shelter itself. The material used to make the groundsheet will not let moisture rise through it and give the perfect insulation from the ground in the depths of winter. The upper of the groundsheet has a wipe clean surface that allows for easy cleaning. If the groundsheet is not used, Chub have also included a tensioning strap which creates the required tension for the ribs.

A full set of "T" style bivvy pegs are also included in the package and are supplied with a heavy duty bag to keep them together in transit. All of the pegging points on the Vizor are twinned with additional elasticated tensioning points to fully tension the material.

Chub Vizor Extreme Canopy

The Vizor Extreme Canopy is a second skin that encapsulates the Vizor bivvy. The Extreme Canopy uses the same Climatex fabric that the main bivvy does and also includes the BackDraft ventilation system. The door is also completely removable or can be rolled up or down dependant on the angler's preference. The door when rolled up can be hidden away under a baffle to stop water from congregating in it. A full set of clear window panels are also included for the angler that prefers to use these.

The pegging points on the Extreme Canopy match up with the ones on the main bivvy itself so the angler can choose between using the main bivvy peg per point or can be pegged down seperately. An additional smaller groundsheet is also supplied for use between the front of the main bivvy and the extended front of the Extreme Canopy. This small groundsheet also has elasticated pegging points at the front and sides for a perfect fit as well as brass eyelets fitted into punched holes for the pegs at the front of the main bivvy to push through.

The use of the Extreme Canopy is very versatile. It can be used with the front completely down or with the panels rolled back for maximum coverage and using no more floor space than the standard bivvy alone.

Chub have thought about everything with the Extreme Canopy and all the required components such as additional pegs are included.

Part One: Winter Use

I used the Chub Vizor system a couple of weeks back for the first time on a milder weekend than we have had over that was accompanied by a strong cold wind and rain during the evening and nights. Putting up the bivvy itself was childs play and anybody that has used a pramhood style bivvy will have no issues at all.

To assemble it is simply a case of laying the groundsheet out with the Chub label at the front and facing up. Lay the bivvy itself on the groundsheet and unfold. Put all the poles together and clip the groundsheet to the points on the main bivvy. Place two pegs in the back of the bivvy and groundsheet and then pull the front forward (or if preferred, you can place the tension bars in at this point). Place two pegs either side of the door and the bivvy is then freestanding. Peg out the rest of the points and put the tension bars into position. Locate the blunt spikes at the end of the peak bar into the eyelets on the side of the bivvy and tension using the shorter tension bars. The bivvy is now ready for use. If you wish to use the Extreme Canopy, it is a simple task of unfolding the canopy and placing over the top of the bivvy. Place two pegs in at the back and two at the front before pegging the remainder out.

In total, first erection of the Vizor took under ten minutes combined for both main bivvy and Extreme Canopy.

Chub have uploaded video instruction on how to erect the Vizor bivvy which can be watched below;

During the initial session, the temperatures were lower than average for the time of year but when inside the Vizor, it could almost be mistaken for being a fair bit warmer than it actually was. During the 48 hour session, not a single piece of condensation was experienced.

When inside the bivvy the light levels were very good with the door open, and when the Extreme Canopy is fitted it is fairly dark inside which during bright days allows for good vision from inside the bivvy without straining your eyes.

The main compartment of the Vizor has loads of room, and on this session, I had significantly more equipment with me (for review purposes) than I would usually take and there was still plenty of space to move things around if required. The actual footprint of the groundsheet is 235cm deep by 280cm wide and should fit in all swims barring "one rod ratholes between bushes" with no problems. The swim that I had chosen to fish on this session was not massive and I had no problems in getting the Vizor up with the Extreme Canopy fitted and the rods placed in front with room to move about comfortably still. The largest of bedchairs can easily be used with the Vizor without worrying about the ends of the sleeping bag or bedchair itself touching the material.

Footnote

This is Part One of a long term three part review of the Chub Vizor bivvy system that will cover the vast majority of conditions that the angler may encounter. The more specific functionality of the Vizor will be explained indepth as the conditions and seasons allow. Keep your eyes open for the next part.