Snugpak sleeping bag advice

[Toddy]

I need a new sleeping bag; one son has appropriated my Ajungilak and the other is casting covetous eyes at my North Face one. To be fair it is far too long for me and I was going to cut off about 30cm from the bottom, but he's 6' tall and I'm 5'3".
I've been eyeing up a Snugpak SF2 and the Snugpak code green 9 Hawk, and10 Harrier,
Does anyone have any of these? How do you find them? I know they have a reputation of being over optimistic on their ratings so I'm going for heavier than I should need for a 3 season bag.

Cheers,
Toddy

 

[Doc]

Hi Toddy,

I like Snugpak bags, but I'm aware not everyone agrees. They pack down very small indeed - it's almost amazing how a big bulky sleeping bag goes in to that tiny stuffsac. They are popular with servicemen.

I have the Snugpak softie 6. At this time of year it's a bit warm, but I wouldn't want to use it in winter and even in March I'd probably want a liner. Bear in mind I usually use a tent, and they say men need less insulation than women. So I think you're right going for at least the 9.

Snugpak do a good but bulky fleece liner.

 

[Toddy]

Thanks Doc; good to know about the packing down, it *looks* good for it but it's reassuring to know it actually works.
I read the more general reviews of Snugpak bags and reckoned from all of the comments that they must need a liner to reach their perfomance ratings. I've got a silk one to try out.
I usually use a tent too...midges & clegs


Cheers,
Toddy

 

[redflex]

I have been shopping around and just order a snugpak ,it was the best for what I need, and it goes down very small.


I have a vango which I ues at the winter it has been good.

I have always used a liner get a good one silk for summer etc,

 

[sandbender]

I have a Nanok, works well during those cold Perthshire nights and packs down very small

 

[bushman762]

Hi Toddy,

I've a snugpak for summer use ( great bag,had it for years), but I recently bought a nanok for spring/ autum, can't comment on it yet, but outdoorcode (member on here) is quoting good prices.

Best Regards,

 

[odin13]

i just picked up a aztec hunter 2. or 1 i forget, which is basically a copy of the snugpak softie 3, it packs down very small, and seems fine for summer use, and at £30, u cant go wrong however i plan to get a snugpak softie 9 for the rest of the year, which would hopefully be ok,
cheers,
alex

 

[fungy]

The snug pak range of sleeping bags are great for the UK reason being with them having a synthetic down if they get wet they stay relatively warm. Temp ratings are not to bad I have a travel pak 600 it's rating was around -2c, got caught out one january night at about -6c, was'nt to bad, a little bit chilly (but the wife still has photo's of the ice in the tent, she say's she might use them when she wants to divorce me for mental crulty).Their website is www.snugpak.co.uk, hope this helps.

 

[lardbloke]

Why not just puchase another ajungilak (Mammut)?? I prefer this brand to most as they do the job and usually have a few extra cool features. I recently picked up a little viking bag for my 5 year old for ten quid of ebay, so they are still around. There is one official retailer down in Llanberis still (DMM International Ltd) and the new seasons bags look promising. As with all camping gear (as well with other products in life) you pay for what you get, unless it has got a fashionable label attatched....

 

[Toddy]

The Ajungilak was warm but didn't pack down very well. I also found it a touch neat across the bust and hips and Son1 has more or less inherited it. I fancied the snugpak with the front opening zips for comfort as well as the small pack size.
The cheapest I've been able to track down the SF2, with p&p, is £101.94. and the code green softie Harrier10 is £92.90.

Thanks for all the info folks,
Cheers,
Toddy

 

[grahoom]

i have a highlander sleeping bag - its a 2 season one (i sleep warm) - but i bought it because it packs down really small and is really light (900 g)

maybe have a look at some of their other ones, as they are a good alternative to snugpak i reckon, but a bit cheaper.

 

[Oakleaf]

HI

I have a Softie 6 ( kestrel ) - like it a great deal. It packs small - even with expanda panel fitted.

For me the ratings are about right, but then I do 'tend' toward the large side....
ok I could be accused of having swallowed a duvet, never mind a sleeping bag! Bag performance can be very subjective.

My better half has a Snugpak - cant recall the model and its up at the cottage - but about four grades up from mine. Packs to about 1.75 times the size - still much smaller than a army issue bag for example. She is significantly more petite ( would say that wouldnt I ), but has found it fine right down to about -5 ( per the dash board thermometer ). The filling/ reflective coatings etc do seem to work as performance is out of proportion to what you would expect from the loft.

Additionally - I tend to be a bit heavy on kit. The build quality and materials are very good - havent bust it yet.

Did a lot of searching, but found Adventure 1 in Glasgow very competitive when I got mine about two years ago.

Wave when you pass Lesmahagow!

 

[addyb]

I'm not a big fan of synthetic bags, I prefer down. Yes, synthetic insulation like Primaloft 1 or Hyperloft still provides warmth when wet, but it's heavy, and doesn't compress very well.

On the other hand, down will kill you when it's wet, and takes forever to dry, but if one can manage to keep it dry, it's much lighter, packs down amazingly well, and will last for eons. My Dad spend something incredible like $700 dollars for a gore-tex down bag, it's rated to -17 degrees Celcius. It's lovely stuff, crinkly as all hell, but sometimes he doesn't even use the bivvy bag if he doesn't take a tent. I use a regular down bag, not gore-tex, but it's actually not too bad in a tent. My usual method of keeping it dry is to button my Ventile (lovely stuff) or gore-tex over the bootbox, at the end of the tent, to keep the moisture off. And on the side wall, I put my clothes up against it, keeps the side of the bag dry, too.

I guess it all boils down in the end to personal preferance. That's the beauty of things.

A.

 

[Toddy]

Did a lot of searching, but found Adventure 1 in Glasgow very competitive when I got mine about two years ago.

Wave when you pass Lesmahagow![/QUOTE]

Hi Oakleaf, I'm in Bothwell, didn't realise you were so close.
Are you and your 'better half' going up to Perth?

Cheers,
Toddy

 

[Oakleaf]

Toddy

Unfortunately not . Prior committments that weekend.

Had been PM'ing Troy - as other part of my life is spent in Moray.

Looks to have the makings as of a great meet - good luck.

 

[jamesdevine]

As I can't use down. I have to us synthetic and find a winter bag that packs down smaller then swedish army rucksack (35lt) has been a real trial.

Snugpak is the only one that I have found to fit the bill and with a little bit of searching I can get a softie 10 for €150euro from John Bull including shipping (a softie 9 reatails are 160-175 euro's here in Dublin) so I have that high on my list.

Having said that I known Nanok have gotten a great rep here and they are about the same price. Can anyone tell how small the -10 packs down too?

James

 

[Caboose117]

im looking for a 4 season sleeping bag and ive been looking at the Snugpak 3+ Sleeper for $89.99 i do not now how to convert that to euros or pounds would u sugget it ?

 

[outdoorgirl]

I have the Harrier 10 in Orange - the lowest temps I've used it in were about 6C. I was in a bivi bag and natural shelter and plenty warm. If you need any dimensions, just let me know and I'll get the tape measure out...

ODG

 

[Winston Dover]

Ive had my snugpack Discovery for 13 years now and its been the best bag i have owned.

It has handled all sorts of nights out and kept me warm at all times. (this included my first hammock night a few weeks back).

When my girlfriend started getting into the camping/bushcraft side of things I recomended she bought a snugpack, she bought the Softie and it is proving excellant for her.

Another good things is that my zip broke recently, I emaild snugpack and they fitted a new zip, which now mathces the one on my girlfrineds bag (Snugpack changed zips a few years ago) and returned it to me in 4 days and it only cost me £15 including postage.

Thats great aftersale service on a 13 year old bag.

 

[EdS]

I like Snugpak gear.

Got a fair bit - pack down well.

Toddy if you know what bag you want drop me a note there might be a slight second, or discounted bag next time I passthe factory.