Trakker Tempest RS Cool Guys

At Gerry’s Fishing, we know that while we all pray for a heatwave, sitting inside a baking bivvy in mid-July can feel like being in an oven. The Trakker Tempest RS Cool Guys are a simple yet ingenious solution designed specifically for the new RS range of shelters. These aren’t just standard guy ropes; they are a dedicated cooling system that allows you to transform your shelter’s ventilation, dropping the internal temperature by several degrees when the sun is at its peak.

By using the Cool Guys, you can peg out the four rear vent covers of your Tempest RS. Instead of the covers simply being rolled up or left loose, they are extended outwards to create “mini-awnings” over the vents. This provides a dual benefit: it creates an extended area of shade over the mesh, preventing direct sunlight from heating the air entering the bivvy, while simultaneously maximizing the through-flow of air.

Stay Cool Under Pressure

The kit is designed for speed and ease of use, staying true to the Tempest “quick-erect” ethos. Each kit comes with eight adjustable-length guy ropes featuring quick-release carabiner clips. This means you can snap them onto the vent covers in seconds. Trakker has also included eight heavy-duty T-pegs and a dedicated Aquatexx™ drawstring bag to keep the kit organized in your carryall.

Technical Specifications

Examples of Where to Use

• European Summer Campaigns: If you’re heading to France or Spain where temperatures regularly top 30°C, these are an absolute essential to make your bivvy habitable during the day.

• Open, Sun-Drenched Swims: On lakes with little tree cover, the Cool Guys provide the necessary shade over your vents to keep the interior cool while you wait for a bite.

• High-Humidity Sessions: By pegging out the vents, you maximize the “chimney effect” of airflow, which helps to further reduce condensation during humid summer nights.

• Long-Stay Sessions: When you’re living out of your bivvy for a week, small comforts like a cooler internal temperature make a massive difference to your energy levels and overall enjoyment.

Gerry’s Pro Tip

“The secret to getting the most out of your Cool Guys is the angle of the pegging. Don’t just pull them straight down; peg them out at a roughly 45-degree angle away from the bivvy. This creates the largest possible ‘shade canopy’ over the mesh vents. Also, if a sudden summer thunderstorm rolls in, you don’t necessarily have to unclip them—the extended covers will actually help deflect rain away from the mesh while still allowing air to circulate, keeping the ‘stuffiness’ out of your shelter during the rain.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Will these fit older Tempest models?

The Cool Guys are specifically designed for the Tempest RS range, which features the necessary attachment points on the vent covers. While you might be able to ‘mod’ them onto older models, they are optimized for the RS system for a perfect, tensioned fit.

Do I need all eight guy ropes at once?

The kit includes eight to allow for full coverage of the four rear vents (two per vent). Using all of them ensures the vent covers are taut and won’t flap in the wind, providing the most stable shade and best airflow.

Are they easy to store?

Yes. They come in a very compact Aquatexx™ drawstring bag that takes up almost no room. We recommend just keeping them in the same bag as your bivvy pegs so they are always there when the sun starts to bite.

Can I leave them attached when I pack away?

While you could leave the carabiners clipped on, we recommend removing them to prevent the guy ropes from getting tangled in the bivvy fabric or the hinge block during pack-down. The carabiner clips make it so fast to attach that it’s worth the extra few seconds to do it right.