Nash Tackle S7 Max 1 Bivvy SystemOver the years Nash Tackles reputation for top quality, affordable shelters and bivvies that meet the requirements and demands of the carp angler has been second to none. From the original Nash brolly systems, right through to the classic designs of the Titan and the more recent Double Top Extreme MKII, the attention to those little details that give the angler using the product the assurance that no matter what mother nature throws at him, Nash have thought of a way of making the bank side stay (whether it be short or long) just that little bit more comfortable. About a year ago Nash got tongues wagging by announcing the release of their first £580 plus bivvy, the S7 Max1. Over the next few months I read numerous short and to be honest uninformative reviews about the S7 but based upon these I couldn’t justify spending nearly £600 of my hard earned spondulies. Finally, my wallet fell open towards the end of November, when I was on the bank having a nose around a local venue and saw the S7 Max1 set up in its natural environment. So after a lengthy discussion with its inhabitant, I was convinced my Christmas present had now been found.  Vital StatisticsUnlike many bivvies produced by other leading manufactures were you spend £400 on the basic bivvy and a further £300 on extras like winter skins, heavy duty ground sheet and strengthening poles. Those clever lads at the Nash Tackle’s product development decided that enough was enough, it was time for a bivvy to be made available to the angler that had it all and at long last here it is. In fact the S7 MAX 1 has an inventory of extras so long; it takes longer to read than Peter Stringfellow’s bedroom guest book. The Nash S7 MAX 1 has two infill front options offering complete protection. A waterproof secondary infill for the extended porch prevents rain ingress, as well as providing shade. For the winter angler, an outer waterproof infill is supplied, extending off the porch, increasing the internal size and providing the ultimate in protection. The S7 MAX 1 also features a suspended inner mesh capsule, completely zip-able and sealed to prevent any nasty creepy crawlies entering. Plus, uniquely, the mesh infill front can be unzipped for optimum space, whilst retaining the insulating, moisture-beating twin-skin.  AQUA-SENSE - ExplainedNash Tackle has discovered a new and innovative material called Aqua-Sense and they have been awarded exclusively licensed for use in the Angling industry. This material has the unique ability to respond to the weather, let me explain. Aqua-Sense retains a tension skin, intelligently tightening or relaxing, dependant on temperatures and conditions. It senses the conditions, repelling moisture or utilising it to lubricate its membrane. Whereas existing materials slacken, this in turn creates a build up of condensation when cold and wet, the Aqua-Sense however did exactly the opposite, eliminating the potential of condensation.
Part One: THE WINTER REVIEWAfter seven weeks of what can only be described as frustrating winter weather, my first chance to get out on the bank had finally arrived and I was right up for it. The weather forecast for the session looked poor to say the least but perfect all round conditions for putting the S7 through its paces and to find out how well it coped with its first taste of the British climate in my hands. So off I went to a private Northants water to finally see if my £589 investment was the real deal or yet another highly priced product that would never quite fit its price tag, here’s how I got on, Features
AssemblyFor those of you who have used a pram hood style bivvy and that will be the majority of anglers reading this, then the S7 will hold no secrets for you. From taking the bivvy out of the bag for the first time, I laid out the heavy duty groundsheet, joined all the poles together insuring they were lined up correctly and attached the tension strap. I then working from the front to the rear, installed the inline rigid spreader bar system, once this was done, I simply pegged out using the groundsheet as a template and was able to put the S7 Max up in less than four minutes from start to finish.  To greatly increase the tension on the outer skin of the S7 Max 1, all pegging eyelets have an elasticated tension strap which simply loops over the pegs to put additional torque on the already ridged outer skin and frame. To assist with assembly on un-even ground there are two extra eyelets on each pegging point, this assist the angler in obtaining the maximum stability possible. Another top quality development is the mud foot attached on the bottom of the fully adjustable rear spreader bar, this enables the rear panel to be full tensioned which is not possible on most other Bivvies.  The outer waterproof infill panel brings a new dimension to the S7, it turns your front porch into an enclosed area that greatly improves the floor area and the internal space within the main chamber, You can simply unzip the inner mesh capsules front to create an exceptionally large living area for one or even two men at a comfortable squeeze. With the suspended inner mesh capsule in place, I was able to comfortably fit all my luggage, an indulgence wideboy bed chair, bait boat, bait bucket and bivvy table inside with a clear walkway from the bed to the door, with plenty of room to spare. At this point in time, I would like to point out that after several all over inspections of the S7, I found it very hard to find any faults with the overall construction or general manufacture of the Bivvy itself or the component panels that come supplied. All zips I found to run smooth as silk with minimal if any force required to open and close them. All pegging points had top quality fixings and the supporting web material was exceptionally well stitched in all cases. As you would expect with a product of this value all the seam stitching is as good as I have seen on any other bivvy available When on the bank in winter, or on those stormy summer sessions, you can guarantee at some point it will pour down with rain and in most case this weather will be assisted by a wind that wants to blow straight into your bivvy. As I have learned from many sessions over the past year, being able to watch the lake puts fish on the bank So the additions of see through storm windows on both sides and on the door make that fishing into the wind in the rain more comfortable simply because you can keep the elements out by closing up shop and still have a panoramic view of your swim. I need piece of mind that when I’m out on the bank not matter what the weather, I need to know that my equipment and most importantly myself are well protected from all the extremes of nature. Whilst out doing this review, I experienced some adverse and changeable conditions with freezing rain that child you to the bone on contact with your skin and temperature that never reaching higher than 5 degrees and plummeting to -5 at worst, I still found by using only the suspended inner mesh capsule in conjunction with the outer waterproof infill panel, this was more than adequate to cope with even these harsh conditions.  £589 for a Bivvy you must be mad!?! Not at all, I have spent some proper nights out on the bank in winter in bivvies that cost well over £400, and literally froze my chubby chests off. Yes it is a lot of money for a bivvy for many but those same anglers who say “that’s way to expensive” would willingly go out and spend £750 for 4 alarms and a receiver and those alarms wont catch you anymore fish than an alarm half the price. I will guarantee that the S7 Max 1 will stop you getting soaked to the skin, give a warm spacious shelter and be a major assistance in getting a good night sleep, even on the worst of winter nights. Without any question, the Nash Tackle S7 Max 1 is the best winter Bivvy I have personally used to date. It went up with no fuss; even the poles now have a male and female alignment system which makes life so much easier. You can tell a lot of thought has gone it the functions that make this bivvy so special. By improving the basics, Nash have come up with a superbly functional tool that will last for years, I can’t wait to get out on the bank again, a real joy to use. This review is based around the features of the S7 Max 1 that are relevant to the winter conditions I was fishing in and are an assessment based upon my personal findings. Watch this space for the second part of this review which will be published after we have fully tested the S7 Max 1 in warmer summer climates. HEALTH WARNINGWhen spending a good part of month’s wages on what the wife calls a “tent”, you better make sure that your investment is approved by the better half, alternatively The Nash Tackle S7 Max 1 will become the most expensive and possibly the safest form of contraception you will ever buy. “TRUST ME” For more information on the S7 Max 1 or any other Nash Tackle product, please click the image below to visit the website. 
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