widu13
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Is it water repellent? Specifically thinking of possible splash back when there is little or vegetation to hold the rain back.
The Ian Dent-Willoughby Cocoon
- Thread starter In Wood
- Start date
Nice review In woods, You've swayed me over to the GB. I was looking to get an alpkit bag for the colder months as my arctic issue bag is toasty but fills my backpack and weighs a ton.
I want something smaller and lighter and warm, and the way you can regulate the warmth with the zip and also use it as a regular sleeping bag wins it for me.
Coupled with the fact you dont need a thermarest under you I will have much more room in my back pack.I toyed with the idea of making my own with a sleeping bag but didn't think it would be wide enough and would of had to buy one and alter it.
well done on the design Ian(WS)
great review Ian(In woods)
I want something smaller and lighter and warm, and the way you can regulate the warmth with the zip and also use it as a regular sleeping bag wins it for me.
Coupled with the fact you dont need a thermarest under you I will have much more room in my back pack.I toyed with the idea of making my own with a sleeping bag but didn't think it would be wide enough and would of had to buy one and alter it.
well done on the design Ian(WS)
great review Ian(In woods)
You are welcome Bodge, just don't wear that Swanni you got off me inside it or you will melt.
Hope to see you again in January.
Hope to see you again in January.
More info on the cocoon.
SimonM asked if it could be set up with a DD hammock whilst still using the mozzy net, well yes it can.
I set up my DD without rigging the mozzy net up, then slid the cocoon over the hammock, by running the additional ridge line through the cocoon and passing it through the central loops on the mozzy net it works quite well, keeping the cocoon and mozzy net well up off your face and away from your feet at the other end.
The only faff about (and it is not a massive fuss) is doing up the zips. Obviously you fasten up the cocoon first but if you dont have a torch it is a bit dark to find the zip on the mozzy net to fasten that up too. You need good balance too as you need to sit up to get the second zip closed.
But as a whole I was quite impressed as to how well they go together, I had thought there was no need for the mozzy net as you were enclosed inside the cocoon, but with this option you can have the cocoon open some way as ventilation if it is not that cold and still not be bitten by the nasty blighters. So well done SimonM for asking and getting me to experiment, I am impressed with this set up.
There are possibly endless tweaks you could do to the cocoon to make it fit any hammock, like side holes so it works with a Hennessey, Velcro tabs to attach it to the mozzy net or other options, but I think as it is, it is just about perfect for what it was designed for, if you do have a Hennessey, it would not take much to adapt it yourself and as we know we Bushcrafters are a resourceful lot, but I dont know how you would zip it up once inside your Hennessey thats for you Hennessey guys to figure out
.. Hmm I can almost hear those brain cogs starting to whir now.
So as I said before, my name is down for one and I highly recommend this bit of kit and again, I have no ties or connection to either Wandrinstar, SnugPak or anyone involved in this product, just happy to be given the chance to do the first review and very pleased with the kit.
SimonM asked if it could be set up with a DD hammock whilst still using the mozzy net, well yes it can.
I set up my DD without rigging the mozzy net up, then slid the cocoon over the hammock, by running the additional ridge line through the cocoon and passing it through the central loops on the mozzy net it works quite well, keeping the cocoon and mozzy net well up off your face and away from your feet at the other end.
The only faff about (and it is not a massive fuss) is doing up the zips. Obviously you fasten up the cocoon first but if you dont have a torch it is a bit dark to find the zip on the mozzy net to fasten that up too. You need good balance too as you need to sit up to get the second zip closed.
But as a whole I was quite impressed as to how well they go together, I had thought there was no need for the mozzy net as you were enclosed inside the cocoon, but with this option you can have the cocoon open some way as ventilation if it is not that cold and still not be bitten by the nasty blighters. So well done SimonM for asking and getting me to experiment, I am impressed with this set up.
There are possibly endless tweaks you could do to the cocoon to make it fit any hammock, like side holes so it works with a Hennessey, Velcro tabs to attach it to the mozzy net or other options, but I think as it is, it is just about perfect for what it was designed for, if you do have a Hennessey, it would not take much to adapt it yourself and as we know we Bushcrafters are a resourceful lot,
but I dont know how you would zip it up once inside your Hennessey thats for you Hennessey guys to figure out
.. Hmm I can almost hear those brain cogs starting to whir now. So as I said before, my name is down for one and I highly recommend this bit of kit and again, I have no ties or connection to either Wandrinstar, SnugPak or anyone involved in this product, just happy to be given the chance to do the first review and very pleased with the kit.
Hi,First thank you for adding my name on the group buy list, and just to say brilliant review every question I would have asked has been asked and answered, most interested about the mozzi net question and answer, so roll on payment, order and delivery, then global warming do your worst. Regards Bill
Payment would be much appreciated NOWif you want Coccoon as a Chrissie pressie. (Royal Mail permitting).
Please put any questions and orders on Group Buy. Saves me getting confused (in my present state, that is getting easier as time goes by).
Please put any questions and orders on Group Buy. Saves me getting confused (in my present state, that is getting easier as time goes by).
D
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I'd justifed not joining GB because I have a DD Travel Hammock. Now that excuse is blown out of the water.
Dilemma. Do I blow this (and next) month's toy budget, or hope there's enough interest in the GB that it will still be going in the New Year, or do I just go with an underblanket/quilt combo that I'll probably get more use out of...
The choice is yours my friend. BUT, there always is a but, you could always use the Coccoon in winter and the Combo in summer. Coccoon when backpacking and the Combo when in the car.
in woods nice meeting you at the middlewood meet hope to see you in january and also do you require a tarp still with this cocoon cheers drew
I had the cocoon last weekend to test out.
I was at a Scout Camp up near Aberdeen, The weather was dry but cold.
Very cold.
The night-time temperature was around -10 deg C
Sadly the cold killed my camera batteries so no pictures
The cocoon went up very easily. As always I had my hammock setup pre-assembled in a dry bag.
after setting up my tarp, I strung the hammock/cocoon combo and adjusted the tensioning cords.
It went up with no fuss.
Getting in and settled for the night was easy compared to the roll mat/sleeping bag combo.
I simply unzipped the cocoon, got into the hammock and zipped it up after myself.
Job Done.
comfort wise I was very comfortable. I was certainly warm enough despite the low temperature. The combo of insulation and reflectatherm certainly did its job.
Packed in my drybag the cocoon/hammock takes up less room than my underblanket/quilt combo although it is a little more restrictive in use.
There are a couple of little modifications I'd like on the mkII version though.
A mesh pocket (like on the military bag) for stashing watch/glasses, shock cord/cord locks on the entry points for the hammock so they can be closed off (if desired)
and some rows of stitching beside the zip to reduce the chance of snagging on the fabric.
If you want to get out of the cocoon in a hurry, a snagged zip is not an ideal situation.
That said, those are just little niggles/upgrade ideas. I don't know if the extras would have an undue increase in the manufacturing cost of the cocoon.
All told, this is a fantastic piece of equipment for the dedicated hammock camper. the cold weather potential of the cocoon is huge. If you have the quilt as well, you could use it in really cold temperatures without any problems.
All told, I'm very happy with it.
I'll be using it a couple of times more before it goes back to Ian.
Looking forward to it, and fully confident that it'll handle any weather conditions the UK can throw at me.
I was at a Scout Camp up near Aberdeen, The weather was dry but cold.
Very cold.
The night-time temperature was around -10 deg C
Sadly the cold killed my camera batteries so no pictures
The cocoon went up very easily. As always I had my hammock setup pre-assembled in a dry bag.
after setting up my tarp, I strung the hammock/cocoon combo and adjusted the tensioning cords.
It went up with no fuss.
Getting in and settled for the night was easy compared to the roll mat/sleeping bag combo.
I simply unzipped the cocoon, got into the hammock and zipped it up after myself.
Job Done.
comfort wise I was very comfortable. I was certainly warm enough despite the low temperature. The combo of insulation and reflectatherm certainly did its job.
Packed in my drybag the cocoon/hammock takes up less room than my underblanket/quilt combo although it is a little more restrictive in use.
There are a couple of little modifications I'd like on the mkII version though.
A mesh pocket (like on the military bag) for stashing watch/glasses, shock cord/cord locks on the entry points for the hammock so they can be closed off (if desired)
and some rows of stitching beside the zip to reduce the chance of snagging on the fabric.
If you want to get out of the cocoon in a hurry, a snagged zip is not an ideal situation.
That said, those are just little niggles/upgrade ideas. I don't know if the extras would have an undue increase in the manufacturing cost of the cocoon.
All told, this is a fantastic piece of equipment for the dedicated hammock camper. the cold weather potential of the cocoon is huge. If you have the quilt as well, you could use it in really cold temperatures without any problems.
All told, I'm very happy with it.
I'll be using it a couple of times more before it goes back to Ian.
Looking forward to it, and fully confident that it'll handle any weather conditions the UK can throw at me.
Cheers Graham, having proved to be warm at -10 gives me plenty of confidence.
Cant wait for mine to arrive.
Cant wait for mine to arrive.
Hey guys this sounds too good to be true,
This may sound like a silly question but do your feet not get cold, even with the food end tied off its not going be as warm as a bag or is it?
Next question, could you use a softie 12 (4 Season Bag) with it having a double zip,slide one end of the hammock through the foot end and the other end out of the hood end of the sleeping bag?
I only ask as I have a DD Travel Hammock 2008,(the single zip version) and a softie 12.
This may sound like a silly question but do your feet not get cold, even with the food end tied off its not going be as warm as a bag or is it?
Next question, could you use a softie 12 (4 Season Bag) with it having a double zip,slide one end of the hammock through the foot end and the other end out of the hood end of the sleeping bag?
I only ask as I have a DD Travel Hammock 2008,(the single zip version) and a softie 12.
I gather mine together with a bit of cord, but only if it's windy.
Might be a bit snug and your face will still be exposed, which may appeal. Sounds like it's worth a try though.
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