Fox Frontier II

Few carp bivvies carry the kind of reputation the original Fox Frontier built up over the years, so when Fox set out to update it, the brief was never going to be a ground-up reinvention. Instead, the Frontier II is explicitly built to keep everything that worked about the original shelter while bringing in a set of targeted upgrades aimed at usability, protection and setup speed. For anglers who've used and rated the original Frontier, that's a reassuring starting point rather than a risk.

The most significant change sits in the frame itself. The ETS BOSS, or Easy Tension System, is now a geared mechanism that Fox say prevents frame collapse during setup, a problem that's long been one of the more frustrating moments in pitching a tensioned bivvy, especially solo and in poor weather. A refined release trigger on the ETS block is designed to streamline breakdown too, meaning the improvements aren't just about getting the bivvy up faster, but about packing it away with less fuss at the end of a session or when moving swims. New sprung-loaded, keyed elbow joints with ergonomic grips complement this, designed specifically to speed up the whole process of assembling the frame.

Access and visibility get real attention on the Frontier II as well. Fox have widened the front door, which should make it noticeably easier to see out of the bivvy and get in and out without the awkward squeeze that narrower doors can create, particularly when you're loaded up with gear. New mozzy vents either side of the front door add further airflow and visibility options beyond just the main door itself, while a Zip-in Groundsheet is included for easier attachment and more complete protection against damp ground and draughts getting underneath the shelter.

Ventilation across the whole bivvy has been reworked too, with all three sizes in the range now featuring four all-weather vents each. Crucially, Fox say these are accessible from inside with camo mozzy mesh and pegging options, specifically designed to maintain airflow even when it's raining outside. That's a meaningful detail for anyone who's had to choose between a stuffy, condensation-prone bivvy or opening the main door and letting the weather in; being able to manage ventilation from inside without compromising protection is exactly the kind of incremental but genuinely useful change that separates an updated bivvy from a cosmetic refresh.

Storage has been quietly improved as well. Two extra hanging hooks by the door now complement the four mesh pockets and central hook that were already a feature of the original design, giving you more places to keep torches, bits of terminal tackle or anything else you want close to hand rather than digging through a holdall in the dark. It's a small addition, but it's the kind of thing that makes a genuine difference across a multi-day session.

On the hardware side, Fox have fitted a new quick-release cam system to the supplied Heavy Duty Storm Pole, aimed at making that part of the setup and breakdown process quicker too. The Vapour Peak, previously an optional extra on many bivvies in this class, now comes supplied as standard with every Frontier II model, which is a genuinely welcome change since it removes an additional cost that buyers of the original Frontier would have had to factor in separately if they wanted that extra bit of weatherproofing and ventilation at the apex of the bivvy.

The Frontier II launches across three sizes: the standard Frontier II, a larger Frontier II X, and the biggest Frontier II XL, all sharing the same core feature set but scaling up in internal space for anglers who want more room to move, store gear, or potentially fish alongside another angler with the right extras. Speaking of extras, Fox have built out a genuinely comprehensive range of optional add-ons for all three sizes, including a Camo Mozzy Mesh Front Panel with a new letterbox-style door, a Deluxe Wrap that extends coverage by 60cm and is designed to fit two bedchairs (effectively converting the bivvy into a two-person shelter, complete with aligned vents and storm pole points), and a Deluxe Extension adding 1.5m to the front with full bivvy-level coverage rather than a basic porch.

It's worth being clear that the Inner Mesh Shield, which connects directly to the Zip-in Groundsheet for a fully enclosed inner layer, is only available as an optional extra on the X and XL sizes rather than the standard Frontier II, so anglers specifically wanting that feature need to factor size into their decision from the outset. Similarly, anyone hoping to fish two-up as standard, without buying the Deluxe Wrap, will find the standard Frontier II is built around a single angler's needs rather than two.

Taken together, the Frontier II represents a sensible, considered update to a bivvy that didn't need reinventing, just sharpening up around the edges where real-world use had shown room for improvement. A geared anti-collapse frame, better ventilation that works even in the rain, improved storage, and a standard-fit Vapour Peak all add up to a shelter that should feel familiar to anyone who's used the original Frontier, while genuinely solving some of the small frustrations that come with pitching and living out of a bivvy session after session.