Avid Carp · Quick-erect shelter

Avid Carp Exo 1 Man Bivvy

8.7/108 ratings

Anglers who want the Exo+ experience in a more compact footprint for tighter swims

1 ManQuick-erect
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The WhichBivvy Verdict

If you have always wanted an Exo+ but your regular swim would swallow a caravan, the Exo 1 Man is the answer.

Avid have taken everything that made the Exo+ one of the most talked about shelters of 2023 – the patented EX Boss, the blackout fabric, the self-locating corner blocks – and squeezed it into a more compact 240 x 175cm footprint that fits swims the bigger version simply cannot.

Setup is genuinely as quick as Avid claim.

The EX Boss and self-locating corner blocks mean you can have the shelter up, the storm cap fitted and your rods out before most anglers have threaded their first pole.

The 20,000mm HH blackout EX fabric keeps you dry in serious rain and dark enough to sleep past sunrise on a bright July morning, which any carp angler who has laid awake at 5am staring at a glowing doorway will tell you is worth paying for!

The storm cap, solid infill panel, mozzy mesh infill, groundsheet and Lok Down storm poles all come in the box.

The bespoke carry bag has separate zipped pockets for pegs, storm poles and the groundsheet which keeps the faff to a minimum when you are setting up in the dark or packing down in a hurry.

At 240cm wide and 175cm deep it is genuinely a one man shelter rather than the more generous “one man plus” sizing of the Exo+. Taller anglers or those with large sleep systems should try before they buy or check the 135cm height works for their setup.

Key Features

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Waterproof Rating
20,000mm hydrostatic head
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Setup Speed
Quick-erect
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Weight
15.3kg shelter only
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Footprint
240cm wide x 175cm deep
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Capacity
1 man
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Model Year
2021

Full Specifications

Capacity
1 Man
Width
240cm
Depth
175cm
Height
134cm
Weight
15.3kg
Hydrostatic Head
20,000mm
Setup Type
Quick-erect
Model Year
2021
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How Does It Stack Up?

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Pros & Cons

What we like

  • All the key Exo+ features in a more compact footprint for tighter swims
  • 20,000mm HH blackout EX fabric keeps you dry and dark in all conditions
  • EX Boss and self-locating corner blocks make setup genuinely effortless
  • Storm cap, infill panel, mozzy mesh, groundsheet and storm poles all included
  • Bespoke carry bag with separate pockets for pegs, poles and groundsheet
  • Compatible with the Exo 1 Man Overwrap for winter twin-skin use
  • Two internal mesh storage pockets keep essentials within arm's reach

Watch out for

  • 240cm wide by 175cm deep is genuinely compact so check it suits your swim and sleep system
  • 135cm of headroom is on the lower side for taller anglers
  • Only two mozzy vents compared to four on the larger Exo+
  • PVC door option is sold separately which feels like it should be included at this price
  • Compatible overwrap is a separate purchase for winter use

Compatible Accessories

These accessories are designed to work directly with the Avid Carp Exo 1 Man Bivvy. Each one extends what the shelter can do across different seasons and conditions.

Overwrap

Avid Carp Exo 1 Man Overwrap

Avid Carp Exo 1 Man Overwrap

Engineered from high-grade 20,000mm hydrostatic head khaki brown EX material, this custom-fit wrap creates a dual-layer thermal barrier that dramatically reduces internal condensation, traps vital heat in winter, and keeps you cooler during summer sessions.

Should You Buy This Bivvy?

Buy it if...

  • You fish swims where the larger Exo+ footprint simply will not fit
  • You want the Exo+ build quality and feature set in a more mobile package
  • You want all the key accessories in the box from day one with no extras to buy
  • You fish regularly in bright conditions and the blackout fabric is a genuine priority
  • You want a shelter with a proven boss design that sets up faster than almost anything else on the market

Look elsewhere if...

  • You are tall or use a large bedchair and need more than 135cm of headroom
  • You want four mozzy vents for maximum summer airflow - the Exo+ has four, the Exo 1 Man has two
  • You need more internal space - look at the Exo+ or the Avid HQ Dual Layer instead
  • You fish hard through winter without an overwrap as standard - that is a separate purchase
  • You fish open swims where the compact footprint offers no advantage over the larger Exo+

Best Suited For...

Anglers who want the Exo+ experience in a more compact footprint for tighter swims

Frequently Asked Questions

How Heavy Is The Avid Exo Bivvy, And Why Do Retailers List Two Completely Different Weights?

If you see 7.15kg on one website and 15.3kg on another, your maths is not failing you. The bare bivvy frame and skin weigh a nimble 7.15kg, which is remarkably light for a rigid shelter. The full 15.3kg figure accounts for the complete package, including the heavy-duty groundsheet, storm cap, Lok Down storm poles, heavy pegs, and carry bag. If you are travelling light for a quick night session, you can leave the heavy groundsheet behind and save your back.

How Fast Is The Ex Boss Setup, And Do The Self-locating Elbows Actually Work?

The EX Boss central hub and self-locating corner elbows are genuinely quick and do almost all the alignment work for you. You will not spend twenty minutes wrestling twisted aluminium poles in a force five gale. Simply open the frame, push the central boss until it locks, and the corner joints automatically snap into place. You can erect the main shelter in under a minute, leaving you more time to get your rods out while your bankside neighbours are still reading their instruction manuals.

What Are The Exact Dimensions, And Can I Fit A Wide Sleep System Inside?

The EXO measures 240cm wide by 175cm deep, with a peak height of 135cm. At 135cm tall, you will not be standing upright inside, but the nearly vertical flat-back profile allows you to push a wide single bedchair flush against the rear canvas. This leaves plenty of usable floor space out front for your carryall, bait buckets, and cooking gear. It is a true compact one-man bivvy, so if you like to pack half your house for a session, you should look at the larger EXO+ instead

Will The Packed Carry Bag Fit Across A Standard Car Boot?

Packed down into its carry bag, the shelter measures 164cm long by 28cm wide by 30cm high. At 164cm in length, it is on the longer side due to the rigid central boss frame. It will easily fit lengthways with the rear seats folded down or laid across the back footwells, but it will not fit sideways in the boot of a standard hatchback. Measure your boot space first if you drive a small vehicle and prefer to keep your back seats up.

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