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I need a lightweight sleeping bag for bivvying etc 4 season preferably. Would get the alpkit but the fact its down makes me wonder how long it will last if I get it wet. The snugpak look good value any views on these?
Look after a down bag and it'll last years. A 4 season synthetic bag will be very heavy / bulky compaired to down. If you're careful there's no real reason why you'll get a down bag wet even in a bivvy bag.
hi there. I used to use Snugpak when I used to go carp fishing......amazing bit of kit..... the Army use snugpak..it really is top quality gear.
Just to add to your choice, I'd suggest a very close look at Nanok bags. I've used their stuff for years, and it's been very good ...
I've a Nanok bag too, very nice. Oddly Nanok do a bag which is part down insulation and part synthetic ... just in case you can't make your mind up 😉
I have 2 snugpak bags - summer and winter
both excellent but i've never tried a down bag
Don't know about the Alpkit ones, but I've used snugpak ones an awful lot and given the toughest life they could have.
One thing I will say is the military green ones seem to be made tougher with reinforced box in the foot area and harder wearing shell. The civilian ones I've tried haven't been so robust.
Mine has travelled with me to the arseholes of the world over the last 10 years and is still going strong.
I'm not looking to annoy anyone here, the the worst warmth to weight ratio bag I've ever owned is by nanok. Might just be that model though.
I bought a snugpak about 15 years ago for summer use "in case it might get wet". It still hasn't, mainly because of using a Ortleib dry sack to stuff it into. It's had hundreds of uses, been washed and retained its insulation value, and generally been the cockroach of the sleeping bag world. I wish it would die so I could get myself a down bag.
Snugpak are among the best synthetics, but I'd go down and a waterproof stuff sack.
(Brands owned and used Snugpak, Nanok, North Face and Ajunglak (spl?))
The Ortleib rubber dry bags are a mega piece of kit. I've done countless water crossings and have never had a wet gonk bag. Don't settle for the cheap jobbies, only Ortleib.
For civvy use down bags - you don't have to worry about those sneaky Taliban catching you out trying to dry your bag and you can afford to not to have to be discreet and sleep in the bottom of a water filled hole in the ground. I've got a Rab down bag for home use and 2- and 4-season Snugpak bags for work, as above
I've had both of them for 12+ years, the Rab one will probably last as long but doesn't see anywhere near as rough use. But all down to weight and budget at the end of the day...One thing I will say is the military green ones seem to be made tougher with reinforced box in the foot area and harder wearing shell. The civilian ones I've tried haven't been so robust. Mine has travelled with me to the arseholes of the world over the last 10 years and is still going strong.
Down bags are 80000% better than synthetic bags. Warmer for their weight, feel more snuggly and less sweaty. I've had my alpkit bag since they started selling them (2005?) and it's taken quite a beating. Only now am I considering replacing it (with another Alpkit bag).
Neither, have a look [url= http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/sleepingbags.php?cat=26 ]here[/url].
Made to measure and totally custom have what you want on your bag, zip side/length, more filling in certain areas bla bla the options are endless.
I have one, great bit of kit.
Another Snugpak fan here. Had the Hawk in the (very distant) past, and have been using an Elite3 for the last few years. My camping generally happens between Sept-March with maybe a bit in the summer. The Elite3 packs small, and keeps me toasty warm. Plus down blocks my sinuses.
Stop snorting it 😉
It is a phd bag I'll be getting when the snugpak dies. Although by the time that happens I might have saved enough to buy the company.......