Looking to buy a new year round sleeping bag.
Especially one that can cope with them very cold nights .
Currently use a trakker 365 but its getting old and tatty and tbh its a tad too small .
Iv been looking at the gardner carp duvet anyone use this bag ?
Anymore recommendations?
Especially one that can cope with them very cold nights .
Currently use a trakker 365 but its getting old and tatty and tbh its a tad too small .
Iv been looking at the gardner carp duvet anyone use this bag ?
Anymore recommendations?
In reply to Post #1
Had the gardner carp duvet and now got fox ripstop 5 season and the fix is in a different league. Materials much better and its a lot warmer as well. No good if you dont like fleece lining though. Ive had every top end bag going and the fox is top of the tree imo.
Had the gardner carp duvet and now got fox ripstop 5 season and the fix is in a different league. Materials much better and its a lot warmer as well. No good if you dont like fleece lining though. Ive had every top end bag going and the fox is top of the tree imo.
In reply to Post #1
Fortis techlite👍
Fortis techlite👍
In reply to Post #3
Never rated the techlite at all. Not very warm, zips are crap and not big enough for me. Only plus it has is its pack down size.
Never rated the techlite at all. Not very warm, zips are crap and not big enough for me. Only plus it has is its pack down size.
Never been cold in the Fortis Techlite bag and fish through winter no matter what the weather.
In reply to Post #1
I went for the Gardner carp duvet, has the middle section that can be removed in summer to be cooler. Did consider the Techlite but felt the Gardner balanced weight/cost better for me.
Used it for 18 months or so now and no issues. Do a work overnighter every week so used in all weathers. Have a SIM underneath, with thermals on and a hat been fine down to freezing.
I went for the Gardner carp duvet, has the middle section that can be removed in summer to be cooler. Did consider the Techlite but felt the Gardner balanced weight/cost better for me.
Used it for 18 months or so now and no issues. Do a work overnighter every week so used in all weathers. Have a SIM underneath, with thermals on and a hat been fine down to freezing.
In reply to Post #4
The Techlite is less than half the weight of the Fox.
"Best bag" all depends on what your priorities are imo. I agree the Techlite isn't the warmest bag but it's miles ahead of anything in terms of heat/weight ratio. If weight aint an issue for the user then the world's your oyster.
I've never been cold in the Techlite but I do add a lightweight cover when we get into the real depths of winter.
The Techlite is less than half the weight of the Fox.
"Best bag" all depends on what your priorities are imo. I agree the Techlite isn't the warmest bag but it's miles ahead of anything in terms of heat/weight ratio. If weight aint an issue for the user then the world's your oyster.
I've never been cold in the Techlite but I do add a lightweight cover when we get into the real depths of winter.
In reply to Post #1
I have both Gardner Compact (used for over 5yrs) and more recently (this spring) the Techlite Standard. On balance its a tough call between them - the Gardner is less restrictive / more breathable / warm but has an annoying baffle that can be uncomfortable if your tall / not hunkered down in the bag. The Techlite is waay less bulky / much lighter / no overhang on bedchair / compresses flat when stored permanently on bedchair / is equally warm but has poor zips and fabric that's nowhere near as hardwearing / stain proof. Both have smooth linings (which I much prefer over fleece), the Techlite arguably being really 'slippy' . . .
Haven't tested the Techlite in winter (and am probably not planning to anyway as I have better things to do than carping) but with a cover I'm sure it would be on level pegging with the Gardner . . .
I have both Gardner Compact (used for over 5yrs) and more recently (this spring) the Techlite Standard. On balance its a tough call between them - the Gardner is less restrictive / more breathable / warm but has an annoying baffle that can be uncomfortable if your tall / not hunkered down in the bag. The Techlite is waay less bulky / much lighter / no overhang on bedchair / compresses flat when stored permanently on bedchair / is equally warm but has poor zips and fabric that's nowhere near as hardwearing / stain proof. Both have smooth linings (which I much prefer over fleece), the Techlite arguably being really 'slippy' . . .
Haven't tested the Techlite in winter (and am probably not planning to anyway as I have better things to do than carping) but with a cover I'm sure it would be on level pegging with the Gardner . . .
If you're not bothered about weight or transport size the Fox Ventec (none ripstop) is hard to beat, it has a reversible inner fleece or polyester. I'm still using my original Ventec but I'm considering buying the new Flatliner System which has the Ventec All Season.
I had a original Gardner Carp duvet many many years ago and I loved it, no experience of the present one though.
I had a original Gardner Carp duvet many many years ago and I loved it, no experience of the present one though.
In reply to Post #1
I've gone from a tech lite to a trakker MF HDR sleep system, which I think is pretty much the 365, and it's miles better.
Obviously a weight difference but the trakker is better material, much better zips and generally a better bag. It's actually so warm it's probably too much even with the layers striped out for the summer. I don't think I'll ever need to add the bag cover to it.
I found the tech lite cold in proper winter and even found I carried a bag cover for marginal nights so it slightly defeated the weight saving aspect. I would say my tech lite was the original version, I think they did improve it with a mark 2 didn't they??
I've gone from a tech lite to a trakker MF HDR sleep system, which I think is pretty much the 365, and it's miles better.
Obviously a weight difference but the trakker is better material, much better zips and generally a better bag. It's actually so warm it's probably too much even with the layers striped out for the summer. I don't think I'll ever need to add the bag cover to it.
I found the tech lite cold in proper winter and even found I carried a bag cover for marginal nights so it slightly defeated the weight saving aspect. I would say my tech lite was the original version, I think they did improve it with a mark 2 didn't they??
In reply to Post #7
I've had quite a few bags over the years, the snug pak elite 5 is a great bag and is far warmer than the tech lite, but my current winter bag is the snug pak special forces 2, packs down to nothing and mega toasty in the coldest of nights
I've had quite a few bags over the years, the snug pak elite 5 is a great bag and is far warmer than the tech lite, but my current winter bag is the snug pak special forces 2, packs down to nothing and mega toasty in the coldest of nights
In reply to Post #1
Not cheap or carpy, also centre zip only - which I don't mind, but very versatile and warm.
Is the Snugpak special forces complete system sleeping bag with bivvy bag included
Lightweight and small pack down size.
Not cheap or carpy, also centre zip only - which I don't mind, but very versatile and warm.
Is the Snugpak special forces complete system sleeping bag with bivvy bag included
Lightweight and small pack down size.
In reply to Post #1
I dont rate my Gardner bag, thought it would be a warm bag come the winter but definitely not a 5 season bag without the use of a thick winter bag cover (carp spirit thermal one is excellent)
After seeing the cost of them now would look elsewhere.
If I had the money I would buy a different bag.
I dont rate my Gardner bag, thought it would be a warm bag come the winter but definitely not a 5 season bag without the use of a thick winter bag cover (carp spirit thermal one is excellent)
After seeing the cost of them now would look elsewhere.
If I had the money I would buy a different bag.
I bought the Gardener Compact Duvet last autumn and I have to say I've not been particularly impressed.
That internal baffle that runs across your back is bloody uncomfortable and makes absolutely no sense to me.
Twice now I've had the zips jam, making getting out traumatic as a fish charges off.
Considering it's weight and bulk I don't find it particularly warm either, nothing near my original Gardener Duvet or Nash Frostbite.
That internal baffle that runs across your back is bloody uncomfortable and makes absolutely no sense to me.
Twice now I've had the zips jam, making getting out traumatic as a fish charges off.
Considering it's weight and bulk I don't find it particularly warm either, nothing near my original Gardener Duvet or Nash Frostbite.
The baffle in the Gardner bag seriously lets it down.