After the resounding success of the JRC STI – R bivvy, that was originally released back in 2009. JRC decided to putt on there thinking caps, and after they had made a few major modifications to this already reliable and practical session shelter. The midlands based company released the latest addition to their family of shelters in 2010, the superb STI – RS. UKMA have been putting this feature packed shelter over the past 9 months to find out exactly how it would perform in all weathers and situations you are likely to encounter whilst out on the bank.
Vital Statistics
The 2010 STI-RS has all the tried and tested material characteristics of its predecessor including the double P.U. coated 10.000 mm hydrostatic head Oxford nylon skin which has already established a reputation as being incredibly waterproof and hard wearing material. The STI-RS incorporates an ultra - light frame that has been manufactured from 6061 aerospace-grade aluminium. The use of a two joint frame system helps gives the bivvy incredible rigidity, strength and helps keep the bivvy’s total weight down to a minimum (12kg total).
There are two obvious additional features been added that vastly improve the all round performance of the STI-RS. Firstly you have the inclusion of a font porch which has been designed to reduce rain intrusion when you get caught out by unexpected heavy down pours which are commonplace during the summer months.
My personal favourite additions to the STI-RS are the two air vents to the rear that allow controlled air flow in the bivvy on those warm summer nights making your stay in on the bank that little bit more comfortable.
The STI-RS incorporates a multi-option front door that offers you three different configurations. You have a clear window which comes into its own when Mother Nature is slapping you in the face and you still need to monitor your swim when the door is zipped up. You have a mosquito panel that is a must on those warm summer nights when the mozzies are feasting. Last but not least you have the standard olive green door panel that during the winter months when you are trying to keep the elements out and the heat in makes a huge difference.
The STI-RS is a good-sized bivvy measuring 250cm wide by 135cm high by 240cm deep, which is gives adequate space for storage and accommodation even for the angler who carries his house with them. It comes supplied in a long stuff sack style storage bag which makes transportation very simple. Along with the bivvy you get the heavy duty groundsheet, a set four (4) of tension bars that substantially increase the strength of the bivvy and are very easy to fit. Plus you get a full set of Heavy Duty ‘T’ style stainless steel bivvy pegs to finish of the package.
Instructions on how to erect the STI-RS
Pram hood style Bivvy’s are very simple to put up, please watch the video below to learn the correct way of erecting the JRC STI-RS.
The bivvy height and width can be adjusted for by utilising the central tensioning strap. By making plus or minus adjustments to the straps length you can adjust the high or width of the bivvy, making it possible to fit the STI-RS into those awkward swims that you normally wouldn’t be able to but always take into consideration that by making these adjustments to the shape of the bivvy will mean that the ground sheet will not fit correctly or in some cases not fit at all.
The Three Season Test
To find out just how well the JRC STI-RS would perform in all weather conditions and climates, the team at UKMA have used this angler friendly bivvy in all extremes of climate. Over the past 6 months we have established enough fact based information to give you a review that will validate through test, just what makes the STI-RS a potential first choice the next time you are planning on spending your hard earned money on a new bivvy, here’s how we got on.
January 2011 Field Test Part One
After one of the worst winters on record we were desperate to get out on the bank and put the STI-RS through its paces. Although the snow had all but disappeared and the ice had melted away on many waters, the temperatures were still bitterly cold with 3ºc being the norm during the day and anything as low as - 3º possible at night. So to ensure that I was well and truly protected from these harsh elements I was going to be fishing in. I took the option of using the STI-RS wrap to give the bivvy extra warmth, strength and protection from the elements.
With winter skin in place and heavy duty ground sheet fitted, I was well and truly protected from the potential of cold encroachment both from the walls and more importantly from below. To retain heat within the bivvy, I also fastened the clear window over the mosquito window on the door to allow visibility and light to enter the bivvy. Over two nights I found even when the temperatures dropped to well below zero the internal chamber of the bivvy remained very comfortable and a pleasant place to relax whilst waiting for the miracle of a winters run.
Considering the bivvy was totally closed up for over 7 hours and after a -3º C external temperature on the second night, then add to this boiling a kettle for a night cap with the door totally shut, there was virtually no condensation on the internal walls of the bivvy, which I found very impressive. So after a freezing weekend on the bank and after some heavy wintery rain, my faith in the STI-RS as a cold weather bivvy had been well and truly established. In fact it performed as well as anything else I had spent time on the bank under in the past three years.
March 2011 Field Test Part Two
With the shock of winter well and truly passed memory we were now being graced with that can only be described as un-seasonal. With temperatures in the upper teens during the day this was more like summer than spring but Mother Nature politely reminded me of the time of year with bitterly cold nights and ground frosts. So I was torn between using or not using the Wrap but this decision was made easier by the serious lack of wet stuff falling form the sky. So a standard bivvy with the heavy duty ground sheet in place was the order of the session.
During day light hours I had to have the rear ventilation vents open to create a steady flow of air as the temperatures hit the low twenties but as the sun began to set, the temperature dropped off dramatically. I for some unknown reason forgot all about closing the rear vents and woke up about 3am with freezing condensation on my glasses and virtually covering the entire inner wall of the bivvy. Although it was too late to prevent the expected light shower I was going to get in the morning as things warmed up, I closed the vents to prevent anymore forming.
The weather was pretty much the same on day two and I was not about to make the same mistake as I had made on the previous night. So as the sun started to set I shut the rear vents and got myself ready for another very chilly night by the lake. After 7 hours undisturbed sleep I woke up and to my pleasure three was no sign of any frost on the inner wall and virtually no condensation. The JRC STI-RS had proven itself a very competent shelter for use when dealing with total extremes of climate and if it hadn’t been for my mistake, I would have had two perfect nights sleep.
May 2011 Field Test Part Three
Constant temperatures and dry heat were the order of this session. We were going to spend some time by the lake in what turned out to be both the hottest and driest spring on record. The biggest issue we were going to have would be trying to stay cool on these exceptionally warm and muggy nights we were experiencing for the time of year. So yet again we opted for the straight forward STI-RS with Heavy duty ground sheet but we would be fishing with the front door and side panels fully rolled up for ventilation purposes to compensate for the high temperatures.
After four nights on the bank with the rear vents open at all time and the front totally open to the elements I have to say that apart for the endless army of mosquito’s that decided to make me a major part of there daily diet, I couldn’t have been anymore comfortable. By opening the front up totally, this made the air flow total and added in creating a cool out of the sun environment to relax in when the heat from the mid day sun became to intense. Comfortable and very adaptable has to be the best way of describing the JRC STI-RS in hot weather conditions.
Final Thoughts
After reviewing the STI – R last year I was hoping for something totally different in the STI-RS and I wasn’t disappointed either. The addition of the front porch and rear air vents has turned a nice bivvy into a very practical shelter that is more than capable of giving you the angler suitable bank side accommodation that is versatile and practical without breaking the bank.
The JRC STI-RS currently sells for a very reasonable £219.99 but if you shop around you can pick one up fro around £190.00. The STIR Wrap is also available for £99.99 but shop around for the best deals online.
For more information on any of the JRC products, please click the image below to visit their website.
My personal favourite additions to the STI-RS are the two air vents to the rear that allow controlled air flow in the bivvy on those warm summer nights making your stay in on the bank that little bit more comfortable.
May 2011 Field Test Part Three