One thing that adds an intriguing edge to dispersed camping is the flexibility of time, which means that you can camp at any moment of the day or night. However, after setting up camp, the need to reserve your spot if you embark on a hike or tour of the area arises.
Been there, done that!
Are you camping dispersed today? Your camping gear is incomplete without the GeerTop Spot Holder.
]]>To me, it’s all of the above. I don’t know what it is about the outdoors, but I’ve just always loved to do anything related to being outside.
One way I like to camp is known as “dispersed camping”. Dispersed camping means that you are camping outside the designated campground, you are going off the beaten path. This is a great option for you if you want a bit more space from other campers. The downside is you’ll lack some of the amenities regular campsites have, such as showers or toilets, but this is easily made up for with the spectacular views and serenity of being in nature. However, these days campgrounds and national parks are so crowded, even when using this method you’re still likely to encounter other campers. This leads to a common problem that campers may face when reserving a campsite. You can leave your mug or your water bottle to mark your spot, but other campers aren’t always so courteous or mindful. They might just take your spot and argue about who got there first, causing a massive headache. Most likely you are camping in a national park, which means you are in a public area. You can’t prove you were there first, and in this situation there’s really not that much you can do. You might even have to take your stuff and move somewhere else, which really drains the enjoyment of camping.
This leads me to a particular product I want to discuss today: the Geertop Spot holder. Standing at 28 inches tall; a bright orange cone with the word “reserved” on it couldn’t make it any more obvious that a campsite is being used. There is no possibility of confusion as to who was here first, and I believe this is a solution to the common problem of: “I got here first”.
On the other side of the “reserved” sign, is a board which you can write on in erasable marker a note such as: “out fishing”, or “hiking”. Also, the cone can easily collapse to be packed into a bag or suitcase, and it weighs only 1.8 pounds. It’s waterproof and durable, and it takes up minimal space. This is honestly a perfect solution to a common issue that could potentially ruin a perfectly good camping trip.
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This is a free standing bivy so there aren’t a lot of parts that come with it. Inside the carry bag are the bivy, 3 aluminium poles (continuous system), 9 (green!) tent pegs and 1 reflective guy rope.
Here’s how to set it up:
Insert your aluminum poles in parallel in the two seams at the head of the tent. Cross their ends and insert them into opposite tie outs.
For the bottom end:
Insert the smallest aluminium pole into the seam. Pull the outer flap out and peg down to stretch the bivy tight and give it its form.
You can roll the outer flap of the air vent at the head of the tent and tack it up for air and sunlight. If it’s raining, pull it out and peg it down to keep water from falling into the vent.
Dismantling everything and packing away is even easier!
There’s extra material on the outside of the zip lining to cover the zip. This outer material has velcro underneath the flaps to keep it in place so it doesn’t come undone in the wind.It’s designed this way to keep out the rain.
We put this tent out for a night in the rain. When we came back to check later the underside of the bivy was nice and dry.
When it comes to testing a tent’s camping durability, I live by three rules – strong waterproof material, great stitching and sealed seaming.
When one is missing, it just drags the whole product down for me.
Well here’s the result….
The corners of the bivy also have this inner covering because that’s where it would be susceptible to leaks and damage.
It’s almost like the manufacturer is saying, “hey look we’ve gone the extra mile and got you covered.”
Of course, even tester opinions vary.
Some of the team loved it and ranked this product very highly straight away while others needed more convincing.
So we settled with a score that reflected our combined opinions and came up with a score of 8.5 for this metric.
That being said…
This is a bivy you’ll be taking along on more than one camping trip – it’s going to last a good few seasons.
This product weighs in at 2.5 pounds, with a compact size of 19” x 5” x 5” inches,which can fit into the palm of your hand.
The aluminum poles – a continuous pole system – fold into parts for compact packing.
But don’t worry too much about size, with many a carry bag and camping backpacks designed to carry extra attachments, size is no issue at all.
For anyone well acquainted with Geertop products and their evolution of improvement through the years, we were super impressed with this bivy.
GeerTop added poles to hold up the bottom end of the bivy and even added a whole length of mesh walls to keep out bugs and enhance ventilation even further.
Additionally, in what could be an intentional show of generosity, Geertop have thrown in 9 tent pegs when all you really need is 2.
For a spacious camping bivy we also appreciated that it didn’t weigh a tonne.
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Now we’ve taken you through our testing and results, you know just as much as our top testers about this camouflage bivy.
As a customer we believe that you should not only have buying power but the necessary knowledge to make informed purchases.
And after reading this review, we hope that you are now better able to decide whether this camping product is worth your money. (Hint – definitely is!).
Now you can take the next step to make this camouflage bivy yours – we hand the baton to you.
Source: TopNotch
1. Look for Level and Smooth Ground
Nothing is worse than waking up with a sore back because you have slept on rocky or uneven ground. GeerTop Waterproof Pad with built-in pump and pillow allows you to rest easy on any ground conditions. A good and supported sleep allows you to keep exploring through the day, instead of resting a sore back.
2. Be Aware of High Tides or Flood Zones
Sleeping in a potential wet area is bad for a number of reasons, so be sure to assess your surroundings before setting up camp in order to avoid moisture and dampness. A Camping Waterproof Ground Sheet should also always be placed under your tent to further minimize potential moisture.
3. Be Close to a Clean Water Source
While you do not want to sleep directly in the path of a water source, you do want to be near one. This ensures that you will not become dehydrated, as well
as provides you with an additional method of cooking food. Water must be purified before drinking or cooking with if it is not fresh, clean, or drinkable. Be sure to use a Titanium Camping Pot to boil the water prior to consuming, in order to avoid illness.
4. Good Ground Cover.
Not only do you want your sleeping area to be level and smooth, you also want the ground to be soft. Soft ground, specifically sand or clay, is ideal as it allows you to easily set up Pegs and Ropes. These stakes and ropes are not only beneficial to secure your tent in place, but also for Tent Tarps and Sun Shelters. Setting up on this type of ground coverages allows the environment to be restored to its natural state once you leave. In addition, you should be aware of animal homes, roots, branches and sand when setting up camp, as these environmental aspects should also be avoided to be an eco-friendly camper.
5. Behind a Good Wind-Block.
Furthermore, your tent and shelters should be set up in an area that provides natural shelter from the elements, especially wind. Your Pegs and Ropes will help secure your shelter, tarps and tent, but natures gifts of shrubbery and trees can act as an additional defence against mother natures elements as well. Having the right Sleeping Bag provides an extra layer of protection from the chill that nights can bring too.
With the proper equipment and GeerTop, you can stop dreaming about the great outdoors and start exploring and experiencing it! Be sure to follow GeerTop top five tips to pick the best campsite for your adventure.
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