A strange sensation in the night...

[spandit]

...WARMTH!

Slept out in the garden last night in my new Dutch modular sleep system. Getting into it all in the dark was a challenge but once I was in, it was pretty comfortable.

It's a bit disorientating being inside 3 bags as finding zips and adjusters is not easy but the Hunka XL is so big that my pillow was secure and clear from the ground. I had the inner bag zipped up but the outer bag was partially undone.

Took a thermometer out with me and the minimum temperature last night was -1ºC! Having a large Thermarest in the bivi with me meant that it was a bit tight so I could feel my bum cooling slightly but not enough to stop me from sleeping

I think with a smaller mat or inside a hammock I would have been even more comfortable but pleased that I wasn't cold!

 

[Greek1983]

Nice to read you're satisfied with a sleep system that didn't cost you a fortune. How did the mosquito net perform? Or wasn't necessary?


Looking forward for an additional review when sleeping inside a hammock.

 

[spandit]

How did the mosquito net perform? Or wasn't necessary?

Didn't use it in the end - was a bit cold for insects

 

[The Lord Poncho]

Excellent news- we had a bit of frost last night, so it must have been a chilly one down where you are. Would you consider putting the thermarest outside of the bivi bag to avoid the compression of the loft?

 

[spandit]

Excellent news- we had a bit of frost last night, so it must have been a chilly one down where you are. Would you consider putting the thermarest outside of the bivi bag to avoid the compression of the loft?

I did think about it but with that much Nylon, things get pretty slippery and I was sleeping next to the pond! I didn't really want to put the Thermarest directly on the grass. I'm going to take to the trees next week

 

[Col_M]

I did think about it but with that much Nylon, things get pretty slippery and I was sleeping next to the pond!

Something you can do to fix that is get some clear silicone from a DIY shop and mix it with some white spirit to thin it then paint a couple lines onto the Therm-a-rest. You'll then have some grippy strips that stop you sliding about.

 

[spandit]

Something you can do to fix that is get some clear silicone

Problem is, white spirit stinks & you can't get rid of the smell easily. Might give it a go, although I'm intending on swinging next weekend

 

[Andy BB]

Problem is, white spirit stinks & you can't get rid of the smell easily. Might give it a go, although I'm intending on swinging next weekend

Surely you'll need a double bivvy for that?

 

[spandit]

Surely you'll need a double bivvy for that?

Scared of intimacy are you?

 

[Andy BB]

Scared of intimacy are you?

Why, I didn't know you cared

 

[Kernowek Scouser]

Thanks for the review Spandit, I happened upon these bags myself a little while ago an have been umming and ahhing over getting one ever since.

Your experience of these bags is nudging me towards thinking 'FU-Kit' and buying them

 

[spandit]

I reckon with the zip open the outer bag would make a great TQ as it's got a sewn footbox

 

[Col_M]

Problem is, white spirit stinks & you can't get rid of the smell easily. Might give it a go, although I'm intending on swinging next weekend

Very true, I used it to seal the seams on my DIY tarp and to be honest it didn't smell much at all but something you sleep right next to may be a bit much.

 

[santaman2000]

...WARMTH!

Slept out in the garden last night in my new Dutch modular sleep system. Getting into it all in the dark was a challenge but once I was in, it was pretty comfortable.

It's a bit disorientating being inside 3 bags as finding zips and adjusters is not easy but the Hunka XL is so big that my pillow was secure and clear from the ground. I had the inner bag zipped up but the outer bag was partially undone...

Not really familiar with the Dutch system. Do the bags fasten together as they do in the USGI system? If so, then they aren't intended to have both bags zipped. Just zipping the outer one should be sufficient.

 

[spandit]

Not really familiar with the Dutch system. Do the bags fasten together as they do in the USGI system? If so, then they aren't intended to have both bags zipped. Just zipping the outer one should be sufficient.

No they don't. In a zipped bivi bag they'd be fine but the Alpkit Hunka XL is top loading

 

[santaman2000]

Yeah I just read your other thread on the system. It would be impoosible to do with one bag being a side zip and the other a top/center zip. It's pretty easy with the US system being entirely side zip. That said, I would like to see it manufactured/issued as all top/center zip.

 

[Native Nathan]

sorry to hijack the thread.

Anyone tried the Snugpak Special forces sleeping system?
2 bags both central zipped that zip together and a central zipped bivvy bag.

Seems to be a great set up for

 

[spandit]

jackcbr has the outer bag at least, don't know if he's got the full system