Just got my brand new Carinthia Defence 4 today and thought I would write a quick out-the-box review to try and answer a few of the questions I had when I was considering this bag.
the fist thing you notice is the quality of the compression sack, which is made of a nice watetproof material and has several compression straps made of strong webbing. My bag had obviously been compressed for some time but after a few shakes to get it into shape it just puffed up of its own accord. As has been said in every review the materials used on the bag are very nice and of a good quality as is the workmanship. Now size wise I opted for the 185 version. This was a bit of a gamble as I had had the old British army Arctic bag in a medium years ago and found it a tad too short, prefering the longer version instead. However, I thought I would take a gamble and it proved the correct decision. I'm a shade under 5'9", fairly broad shouldered and the 185 is spot on. Length wise it's perfect, just enough excess that it doesn't feel tight at all but not too much redundant space. Width wise, if I'm honest I'd have liked the few extra inches you get on the longer bag as i like a lot of wriggle room, but that said its fine and I think most people would say roomy.
This brings me on to the question of the small face hole, which had put me off getting the bag previously. I do sometimes get a bit claustrophobic in sleeping bags and just one look at that tiny face hole had me thinking this one was a no no. I had read a few reviews that said it wasn't too much of a problem and in the end, long story short, I took a gamble on that too. As soon as I got in the bag and did it up I was amazed how much room there is around the head area and how big that small hole seems when you're inside looking out. It just feels fine, it's hard to explain because I thought it would be an issue but I'm pretty sure it won't be. Plus it's easy to have your head out of it and use the top of the bag as a pillow. You can even do the zip up round your neck no problems.
As I said, I have t slt in it yet but all other reviews have vouched for its warmth and comfort and nothing I've seen so far makes me doubt them. I'd say, on initial inspection, this is a great bag and I'm looking forward to years of cold hammock camping in it.
Hope this was of help to someone. In short, if your considering getting one, do it!
the fist thing you notice is the quality of the compression sack, which is made of a nice watetproof material and has several compression straps made of strong webbing. My bag had obviously been compressed for some time but after a few shakes to get it into shape it just puffed up of its own accord. As has been said in every review the materials used on the bag are very nice and of a good quality as is the workmanship. Now size wise I opted for the 185 version. This was a bit of a gamble as I had had the old British army Arctic bag in a medium years ago and found it a tad too short, prefering the longer version instead. However, I thought I would take a gamble and it proved the correct decision. I'm a shade under 5'9", fairly broad shouldered and the 185 is spot on. Length wise it's perfect, just enough excess that it doesn't feel tight at all but not too much redundant space. Width wise, if I'm honest I'd have liked the few extra inches you get on the longer bag as i like a lot of wriggle room, but that said its fine and I think most people would say roomy.
This brings me on to the question of the small face hole, which had put me off getting the bag previously. I do sometimes get a bit claustrophobic in sleeping bags and just one look at that tiny face hole had me thinking this one was a no no. I had read a few reviews that said it wasn't too much of a problem and in the end, long story short, I took a gamble on that too. As soon as I got in the bag and did it up I was amazed how much room there is around the head area and how big that small hole seems when you're inside looking out. It just feels fine, it's hard to explain because I thought it would be an issue but I'm pretty sure it won't be. Plus it's easy to have your head out of it and use the top of the bag as a pillow. You can even do the zip up round your neck no problems.
As I said, I have t slt in it yet but all other reviews have vouched for its warmth and comfort and nothing I've seen so far makes me doubt them. I'd say, on initial inspection, this is a great bag and I'm looking forward to years of cold hammock camping in it.
Hope this was of help to someone. In short, if your considering getting one, do it!
