Take It Anywhere | Solar's Westerly Pro Uni Spider Bivvy
Whether you’re on an overnighter at Farlows or a weeklong trip in France, the brand-new South Westerly Pro Uni Spider Bivvy will meet yours—and Mother Natures—demands
The SW Pro Uni Spider is the hub of the Kent brand’s ‘Solar System’ modular concept, meaning it expands to suit your fishing. From agile, ‘quick hits’, to playing the waiting game with optimum space, protection and comfort. Here are five reasons why it’s a worthy bivvy trade-up and how it differs to Solar’s topline ‘SP Uni Spider’ model. Here's our big five takeaways from using it...
1. What makes it different to the SP model?
For starters it’s lighter. Just the bivvy itself weighs 8.94kg compared to the SP’s 10.06kg, and the bulk of that weigh reduction is due to the slightly thinner SolarTex 3 material. That’s not to say it’s not hardy, robust and exceptionally waterproof, because it is. It’s just the SP model’s SolarTex D material features a blackout inner coating, meaning it’s slightly darker inside during the day.
2. There’s more weight saving
To further reduce the weight and cost, the SW Pro’s central block is milled from a solid block of nylon plastic, which is mindblowing strong but significantly lighter. The magnetic rod straps and clips on the rear vents have been replaced with lighter Velcro and plastic and the zip-in groundsheet on the SP has been switched for clips.
3. Is it easy to set up?
Yes—extremely. Just like a Titan, Tempest or a Frontier, you simply slot the five poles together (they only go in one direction so you can’t misalign them), place the central block against your chest and then pull the legs around to open. Clip the two front poles into place, tighten the fabric pullers and it’s good to go.
4. How is the versatility?
One of the biggest selling points of this bivvy is how versatile it is. Four mozzie mesh panels on the outside will keep you cool. The supplied vapour shield will stop any condensation. And the large side panels can either offer more protection or be pulled back to give you a fully open-fronted shelter. However, if you want more versatility then you’ll love the optional extras: Infill Front Panel, Mozzie Mesh Infill Panel, Groundsheet, ‘Peak’ and Extended Overwraps in 0.5m and 1.2m options.
5. How much will it set me back?
Just the bivvy alone comes in at £379.99. The Infill is £65.99, Groundsheet £56.99 and Peak £94.99. The 0.5m Extended Overwrap retails for £309.99 and 1.2m version is £379.99.
