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Snugpack Tactical 4 Sleeping Bag.

1 shot willie

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Have been pondering over another sleeping bag for some time.
Already have a nice lightweight Summer bag and also an extreme Winter Down bag.
Needed another Winter bag that I can throw in the pack/shelter and not worry too much about....something easy to wash and maintain and not needing specialist cleaning.... with a synthetic filling rather than down.
Been throwing ideas and choices in the air.....finally choosing the "Snugpack Tactical 4"
It has a reasonable rating 0f -12 to -17 which is ample to cope with the Winters we see mostly here in the U.K.
The bag has a kind of felt lining which I think is going to be very warm and snug against the skin....I do not wear clothes in a sleeping bag.
The dimensions of the bag are quite generous so even being a Mummy style of bag it should not feel too restricted and offer a bit of wiggle room.
Enough room to keep base layers shirt/trousers inside overnight for day use.
The hood of the bag has a zippered pocket that will take a small pillow or rolled up fleece......a handy little extra to the comfort values.
Reinforced footwell.

Should be here in a couple of days........jobs a good'un.



As soon as my wrist has healed I will be out to try it......getting there now :D
 
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Cheers Bam.......should do the job mate. :)

I will add a bit of a write up and thoughts once I have tried it out.
Quite liking the sound of the fleece lining.....one of the points that swayed me towards it.
Good neck and zip baffles too apparently.

All good fun :D
 
Aye it sounds toasty, the only problem with that is you end up only being able to use it when its absolutely Baltic. :lol:
 
2 way zipper mate.....vent it :p;)

I don't know about you but even when I've got a 'heavy' sleeping bag just draped over me I can get too hot and end up sticking legs out and that. Its always handy to have a nice 'heavy duty' bag for the winter though.
 
Sounds good on the Snugpac advert, although being a cynical old git I don't entirely trust Snugpac. I've got 2 of their sleeping bags, A Harrier 10 and an Elite 4. Both are decent bags but their 'Comfort' and I would assume the 'Survival' temperatures are Waaay out. I know everyone sleeps at different temperatures but I'm just glad I had some extra thermal kit when using the Elite 4 in cold weather. -10 C rating Ha!.. The Harrier 10 is listed at - 7 C comfort, again for me that is a bit hopeful.

I'm about average, not skinny or plump, never really been aware that I feel the cold anymore than others, and it could be a sleeping time thing I suppose, but I don't think I'm the only person to experience this with Snugpac ratings.
As a matter of coincidence, read the one review of the bag in the link posted (above) by Willie...

And I have no connection with yer man from Dublin.....:lol:
 
Hi Sax.

You have every reason to be cynical.....as some ratings are way off the mark on some of the bags out there.

I have used the Defence 4....also made by Snugpak and that was a sound bag.
Time will tell with the Tactical 4 :D If it is not up to the job it will be going back......it will get a worts and all honest review from me on here.

Not everyone sleeps warm.:(

There is a lot people can do to help with sleeping warm.
Above ^^^ I said "I do not wear clothes in the bag".....by that I mean the day to day gear I wear around camp.
I do sleep in a loose fitting set of clean base layers.....and socks.
Having a good fatty meal for dinner and a cup of hot soup or chocolate before climbing in the slug helps too......along with some mild exercise.....hot water bottle maybe.
Have a hot drink in a flask to hand......but don't mix it up with the Pee bottle in the dark :D
Make sure the bag is well fluffed/pumped up before every use....aired..... and laid out on a good matt beneath.
The fit of the bag is important too.....if it's too tight for the user or they are wearing layers of clothing....they will crush the insulation around them in the bag rendering it pretty much useless......too much bulk can be a hinderance rather than a help.
If a bag is too big....tie it off to a comfortable length to help trap that all important warmth the body generates.
Move around slowly in the bag and try not to flush out the warm air inside.

The bag on its own does its best.....but a little help goes a long way to sleeping warm.

I did see the review left by the user of the Tactical 4 but will form my own opinion when the bag arrives and I am able to try it out for myself......taking in to consideration all I have said here.

Time and trials will tell :D:thumbsup:
 
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am glad you clarified (sleeping with no clothes on) , off’y bloody sight I thought to myself :sneaky::lol:

Good pointers there bill cheers. I will be trying your method next time am out ( loose fitting base layers with socks) :D hope the bag works out for you buddy
 
am glad you clarified (sleeping with no clothes on) , off’y bloody sight I thought to myself :sneaky::lol:

Good pointers there bill cheers. I will be trying your method next time am out ( loose fitting base layers with socks) :D hope the bag works out for you buddy

I do the 'jogging on the spot' stuff before getting into the bag if I think I need it, it really makes a difference getting into the bag when you're already warm. If in company you can look a bit of a dick (well bigger dick) but its simple and works.
 
We may look like Dicks @Bam ......but we will hopefully be warm Dicks due to our efforts :rofl:

Roll on the Summer a chaps/chapesess?......never mind all this cold and wet malarky :rofl:
 
The "Snugpack Tactical 4" sleeping bag arrived quickly.......5* seller.

Unwrapped it and had a good look at the compression sack.....stitching....webbing.....buckles and clips look to be quality......the bag itself is made from a nice strong material.
The sleeping bag comes neatly rolled up inside the bag from the factory and has labels attached full of information and details of materials etc.
Pulled it out of the stuff sack and went straight to the two way zip which has a fairly thick webbing strap both sides from top to bottom.....helps prevent the zip catching on the material.....slides well.
It did have a cheap and nasty pull on the zip.....took that off straight away and replaced it with about 6 inches of cord.....stronger and better reach..... and leverage.
The zip has a nice thick baffle running through its length.
Another baffle goes across the bag at shoulder and neck level....able to be cinched up with bungee like cords.
The hood is generous....but not too big that it becomes a pain.
Had a first close up look and feel of the fleece/suede material inside the bag...it is soft and feels nice against the skin......very nice.

Time to fluff and plump it up and climb in and zip her up.

First thing I noticed was this bag is not as roomy as the "Defence 4".......having said that I did not feel restricted inside.
Turned on my side left and right and there is ample room.......could get daytime base layers.... shirt and trousers in there overnight.....if needed too.
Cinched up the neck and shoulder baffle.....and it felt like I was wrapped up in a blanket....soft....very nice.
Plenty of length in the bag too....I am about 5'9" so not the tallest of user.
The bag would suit a person of small/ Medium build....I have a 44' chest and weigh in at about 15st......and it fits me well.
A larger person could add the expansion panel which is compatible with the Tactical 4 and can be purchased for about £30 ish.
One thing I did notice was the zip did not lock into place....shame....but having moved around in the bag a fair bit it did stay where it's meant to be and did not creep down.
The bag was certainly warm.....but I was in the conservatory at the time :rofl: the real test outdoors on a frosty night will obviously be the real test.....but I am feeling good vibes so far.
The footwell does not have the fleece material so I think my down booties will come into play.

Enough for now me thinks....so I set about trying to stuff the bag back into its compression sack......it is a snug fit.....and with a still poorly paw it was a bit of a job :rofl:....will be fine when Im healed Im sure.

So.......there tiz for now.....will add the most important bit when I manage to get the right conditions for an outdoor assessment.

So far.....so good.:thumbsup:
 
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Sounds promising. I like the idea of that fleecy type lining, I've used a separate fleecy liner in the past and ended up all twisted up in knots and fighting, just to get out of the bag. :D
 
Ohhhhh excellent.....I see its open season again for disrupting posts :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :rofl: :rofl:
Or is it one rule for one.....and one for another :sneaky:


Still.....any feedback is better than nothing I suppose :rolleyes::rofl:.....good effort lads :thumbsup:
 
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