In reply to Post #54
How are you getting on with your new cotswold stuff mate? I see they have just released a new cool bag which, based on their tests, looks class leading and competively priced. How do the rucksacks fare in terms of standing upright when not empty ie: not collapsing in on themselves, which was a criticism of the pre Jag cotswold carryalls/rucksacks?

The changes Jag have made are a step in the right direction but, for the money (personally I have no issue with paying more for made in UK and am happy to support UK manufacturing), they still need a few improvements and need to be ahead of the competition to justify the higher price point

1. Answer the customers long standing questions - will the material fade significantly in the sun? I appreciate if you leave anything out in direct sunlight for a prolonged period of time you will get some colour deterioration but that should be minimal, given the products are expected to last a ‘lifetime’ under reasonable wear.

2. Create some internal structure so the rucksacks/carryalls don’t fall in on themselves - Korda do this for less than half the price, why can't cotswold?

3. Make the base of rucksack and pockets waterproof - Cotswold previously could do this as part of their bespoke offering - offering the 'groundsheet' as an extra is ok, but the base should have this already

4. Get rid of the internal pockets - no one wants them and they just take up space

5. Personally I would like to see slightly thicker, more protective padding - again Korda’s is better

For £400 (inc extras) I want close to perfect, a few tweaks and it would be - until then I'm sticking with Korda Compac

Jag are uniquely placed to shake things up at this end of the market - I would also love to see a Jag/Cotswold Lightweight Bedchair with Jag manufacturing, Cotswold materials and a proper integrated SIM rather than this uber heavy memory foam nonsense and also a Brolly system

In reply to Post #21
I think a SIM with a lower R rating would be good for general use but for regular cold weather trips something around 5 would be better - but agree it's an expensive option or luxury to have both!! In terms of breathability neither memory foam nor SIMs are that breathable - makes sense for SIMs as they are designed to insulate as well as to provide a level of comfort, usually when used directly on the ground. As you say though if the bedchair mattress is made of memory foam plus other materials then it may feel cooler although generally anything fleece covered feels warm and potentially sweaty in warmer weather - guess it varies alot on the individual

In reply to Post #16
It's one to suggest to the guys at Jag Prolite!!

In reply to Post #14
Yeah i was looking at the Helinox insulated cots - all it would take would be to integrate a SIM into the base of a bedchair (with the base fully fused to the frame, like some bedchairs are) I always thought Fortis could do a slightly warmer or maybe thicker additional outer layer on their Techlite then hey presto it's decent combination down to minus 5 or so or even better still a down bag (lighter) Aqua had a go at this (Atom bed) but it wasn't
a complete product.

Literally, excepting the memory foam, slightly improved leg mechanisms and the fusing to the frame bedchair design has barely changed since the 90's with various marketing BS - completely flat frame etc (and then not a completely flat mattress which ruins the concept!) The original bedchairs (original KM fox) did have a flat frame!!!

In reply to Post #4
Interesting, the more i hear the more I'm going off memory foam -
If it's not super comfortable and adds alot more weight I'm not sure of the benefit?!

In reply to Post #7
Thanks, which SIM are you using? The Tactical X has the built in pillow, can't get on with these

In reply to Post #8
Would make sense and have heard the same - some
mitigate this by using a sleeping bag, rather than sleep system, so laying on the bag rather than the fleece or sleeping between the bag layers. Nash do a cover for their memory foam for exactly this reason

In reply to Post #9
I would think a SIM would be more comfortable in warm weather than fleece covered memory foam, especially one with a low R rating? The fishing industry seem to lag massively behind the outdoor industry in both beds and bags - all the info and materials are out there to make the perfect fishing bed and bag yet fishing manufacturers just seem incapable of not copying each other, which is why I guess that non fishing products are so widely used. I have very little fishing clothing (excepting Fortis) but loads of proper outdoor/mountaineering kit, simply because it outperforms in pretty much all areas.

With some thought it would be possible I think to make a fishing style bedchair and proper winter bag (not this 5 season nonsense) weighing less than 10kg, but it would need a down bag - try finding one from a fishing manufacturer!

Hi Guys,

I'm looking to replace my solar sp c-tech mk1 which I've found both incredibly uncomfortable and extremely cold (Solar duracore mattress had no insulating properties, good for air flow in warm weather but not cold)
The most complete memory foam system to me seems to be Avid's Benchmark Ultra - fixes the leg issues of the prior model and in standard size, as a system its just over 16kg - heavy but not Nash or Solar heavy. I want a completely flat profile with no in built pillow nonsense - I will add my own pillow
I've had good feedback from users on other forums who rate both comfort and warmth but interested what folks on here think. I'm trying to avoid needing a separate SIM. For reference i'm just over 11st so hoping the memory foam would be comfortable at that weight (side sleeper)
I may get the bedchair or the bedchair system, haven't yet decided.

Feedback appreciated!

Thank you!