Rod Hutchinson Cabrio Hybrid Brolly System
The Cabrio Hybrid Brolly System: what has to be the world’s most versatile brolly system
The Cabrio name isn’t new. Rod Hutchinson introduced the original Cabrio bivvy back in the 90s. It was updated with some clever new material tech and fitted with a ridiculous amount of awesome new features in 2015. And for 2018, this legendary brand has taken this legendary name to create the Cabrio Hybrid Brolly System: what has to be the world’s most versatile brolly system.
The Big Questions
That’s one hell of a claim! How can you back that up?
Seriously, it covers every situation! Want a short session brolly which you can throw up in seconds but have loads of protection? No problem. One of those unfortunate souls who are loved by mosquitoes? Protect yourself then by zipping in the mozzi panel. Going on a slightly longer session - i.e. France - or the weather’s started raging and you’d like a bit more room and protection? You’ve got it: just zip on the porch to convert the brolly into a larger igloo style bivvy.
Bloody hell! You’re right! How good is the build quality then?
Thanks to being built on a low profile mechanism spreader block with fibreglass arms which is wrapped in a fully taped sealed, waterproof/breathable polyester with 20,000 hydrostatic head, it’s not just spacious, it’s solid and completely leak-proof too. That outer fabric is lovely; in fact it’s almost rubberised to the touch on the inside, and being that super hardwearing you know it’ll last a lifetime.
And what about features?
This thing has more features than you can shake one of the 14 supplied heavy-duty bivvy pegs at! From the clip-in mechanism cover which helps reduce condensation and front rain gutter to the zip-out front panel featuring mosquito side and door panels; dual height D-rings on the front to allow for better pegging on uneven ground; reinforced webbing pegging points; two-way crash zips to create a letter box opening and a wide, heavy-duty PVC skirt to increase cover under the groundsheet. And talking of the groundsheet, that’s a heavy-duty clip-in one which comes free, along with an oversized hardwearing carry bag.
So is it for me?
If you’re an out-and-out pram-hood style bivvy lover, then probably not. But if you like the mechanics of a brolly, but with more versatility than you get with other brolly systems, then yes, it most definitely is. From the tinchy Redmire Pool to the mighty Rainbow Lake, the Cabrio Hybrid Brolly System will have your back (and all your kit) protected.
£399
