Recent content by Aristotle

My EDC kit inspired by thread has been really useful so far. Sticking plasters, usb cables & power bank, painkillers, SAK scissors, pencil and paper. All have been used when out and about. The pouch really doesn't need too much over-thinking.

Manufacturers make clothing that will sell, otherwise they would go out of business. They make a range of sizes that will fit a large number of typical people. People who have proportions far outside of the typical range won't be a good fit for the standard clothes. I often have difficulty...

I have now put together an EDC kit based very closely on that video, mostly containing things that I already owned. I bought a small, stretchy zip pouch from an eBay seller in the UK -To be honest, it wasn't that much of a challenge! The small power bank that I bought was a little too large...

I don't think that they have really thought it through. It is already illegal to carry a fixed blade knife around with you in the UK without good reason, serrated or not. It has long been illegal to stab people too.

A very handy Leatherman Crunch (mini Mole grips) with the blade removed that I have had for around 20 years. Plus, depending upon what I am doing/going either: A folding Stanley knife (at work. Engineer in a chemical plant) CRKT PILAR (UK version) Higonokami (town/pub friendly) Svord Mini...

I use Zebra stainless steel pens. I have found that I look after them more and, due to their distinctive appearance, don't lose them compared with Bic pens. So much so that, even at work at a large factory site, I manage to keep them long enough to require refills.

That's a really interesting video

Sleeping bags and clothing do follow the same laws of physics as everything else, though....

Field (back garden) test: Temperature was warmer than last weekend around 7DegC at 23:30, it was dry and was a bit breezy (I was in my French F2 tent with the side vents open). I wore a long sleeve cotton base layer, a long sleeve merino base layer, a pair of fleecy jog pants and thick socks...

Do any synthetic sleeping bags have realistic/more representative temperature ratings?

I have now machine washed the bag with soap flakes and dried it. I rinsed it a couple times after the wash cycles. Drying involved hanging it up outside for 24 hours, tumble drying a few cycles on a low heat with tennis balls and a running shoe and hung up in the utility room. I need to test it.

Is it the quality of the insulation that is the issue? Insulation is a fairly well-known science and sleeping bags have been made and used for a very long time.

Thanks, but I'll risk it

Their bags presumably do not measure up very well to the EN/ISO standard.

For context: I'm a 46 year old male, in good health. I am lean and fit, having far less fat than the typical UK male. I possibly feel the cold more than I did at 21. I was using a Decathlon "therma-rest" type mat. I have camped and bivvied a fair amount over the years. The bag was bought...