Disclaimer: This is _not_ advertisment or product placement. Any product shown here I have bought on my own, and in this test you only get to read my opinion about it.
The Geertop Plume II bivvy tent is a hybrid between a classic hooped bivvy and a minimal 1-person tent. In difference to a hooped bivvy (like the Outdoor Research Helium Bivvy), it does contain an additional loop at the bottom of the bivvy, so that the outer walls will be in distance from the sleeper. What makes this concept really interesting is the fact that the tent has two weather protected vent areas, one at the bottom and one at the head room. This means it can be fully closed, while keeping airflow in good state. Furthermore, in summer time, and when you know it won't rain, a large part of the Plume II walls can be replaced with a moscito net, but we will take a look in more detail further on, when checking the pro and contras of this tent. To find out, I gave this tent a week of testing in the winter.
++ cheap option
The Plume II bivvy tent is sold at only around 90€ on Amazon and other trading platforms. Compared to other bivvy solutions or tents with this level of functionality, that's remarkably cheap. Does this mean the tent fails on construction, design, or materials? Let's find out why I gave two plus here, when we check the rest.
- weight
At 1.2kg for the whole pack, the Plume II is not one of the lightest candidates to carry, given the size of the tent. Many will consider to carry a tarp in addition to the Plume II, but in that case the weight will only add up. There are quite some other solutions, even offering sitting height inside the tent, at the same or less weight. Obviously those solution potentially are more expensive than the Plume, which has to be considered. Given one uses the Plume II as a standalone shelter, I would rate it's weight "ok".
++ weather protection
The Plume II's wall material is 210T Ripstop Polyester, rated at PU5000mm water proofing for the walls, and PU8000mm for the ground material. While these values are from the vendors data sheet, and it sounds really good for a tent at this price, only a real weather test will say if the tent "just works". On Amazon and other review platforms, I have read that the tent is not waterproof, will not stand heavy rain and so on. However, I clearly cannot share this experience. During the week I've tested this tent in really bad weather conditions, from heavy rain, light rain all day long, and even snow, over the whole time, everything inside the Plume II kept staying bone dry. I was really surprised about the quality of the Ripstop material. I would suggest to use an additional ground sheet in order to protect the material.
- condensation buildup
Many reviewers have been saying that the condensation buildup in the Plume II is close to not acceptable. Having tested much more expensive solutions, I will say that every single wall construction will buildup condensation, it just depends on the material on how much of a problem this will become. And yes, the Plume II's wall material is not the best with regards to breathability. I have slept two nights in the tent during the week of testing, and had a good portion of condensation on the walls. When considering if this will actually be a real life problem, it has to be seen that the walls in the Plume II are not in contact with the sleeper. In difference to a classic bivvy, the tent walls are always away from the sleeper, and that's why condensation was not a real problem for me while testing. Furthermore, due to the forced ventilation openings on the front and on the back of the tent, condensation was never at a level where it becomes unacceptable.
++ space offering
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| Lots of space in the head room |
Given the Plume II's size data at 2,1 m 17,8 cm x 0,6 m, I was really impressed. For me this means this solution is useable without any additional tarp at all, because my full trekking gear, including a 60L backpack does fit into the Plume, including shoes, and I still have a comfortable space to sleep in. Of course, adding a tarp to the setup will allow for much more comfort, but the tent alone does it's job. On the front and on the back it features small rain protected areas which could also hold shoes and other gear that should not become wet due to rain. Also, really impressing was the head space in this tent. At 60cm height, this is really a comfortable place and the perfect mixture between stealthiness, low impact and functionality. The Plume II also offers two big mesh bags inside of the head space in order to store important items. And then many users will applaud the additional space created due to the third loop on the back of the bivvy. It keeps it's walls away from the user and adds up alot to the "tent-feeling".
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| The third loop on the back of the tent make up the "tent-feeling" inside |
Overall, I was very happy with the inner layout of the tent and it's design.
++ easy entry
To enter the Plume II, the tent can be opened almost completely on the side, allowing for quick access. Coming from a front-loading bivvy, for me this was a huge plus or the Plume II. Furthermore, this access door can be removed completely, and replaced by a second layour of moscito netting. Welcome nights staring at the stars, and all condensation problems are gone. This design in my opinion raises the overall comfort using the tent very well.
Overall:
I have to say I was really impressed by the Geertop Plume II bivvy tent. I will certainly use it during the 2021 season for further long term testing, but so far, the experience was great. Given this tent is a low price option, similar designs can be found at a price range of 500€ and above, of course then with better material and build quality. But I really cannot complain what the Plume II offers for it's cost.
