In reply to Post #81
Yes and it's very likely that the field testers just tell these companies what they want to hear to keep them sweet.

In reply to Post #1
I recently got the Trakker SLX150 V3 which i specifically purchased for my France trips. I used it for the first time for a week in March and it was spot on. It has an inner dome and I also got the overwrap, so essentially a triple skin. Plenty of room, solid build, good ventilation and warm. It's a pramhood so not silly expensive (who needs a trendy bivvy you can put up in 30 seconds when you are in France for a week). Highly recommend it, absolute steel at the price they are sold for aswell.

In reply to Post #13
ironically believe it or not, people in other disciplines look to fishing gear because it's made specifically for it and is deemed fit for purpose.

We look outside our discipline to find that perfect gear and to avoid carp tax. yet people from other disciplines look to fishing clothing because it's specialist. Like shooting, camping etc.

Controversial I know, but personally I don't rate military gear. ( I used it in anger for 15 years)Yes it's robust and designed to be dragged through a bush and crawl through mud. however where it excels in durability it lacks in comfort. I always found it was like wearing a noisy stiff crisp packet, not to mention a neck line that felt it was made from a plastic bucket. its heavy and breathability was non existent.

In reply to Post #1
I really rate the ridgemonkey thermapro shell waterproofs. The material is incredibly comfortable and soft. Used in extreme downpours and kept completely dry.

being ex forces myself I've used and have plenty of military goretex... does the job / robust... but just no where near as comfortable as the ridgemonkey set.

In reply to Post #1
original toaster - still going strong after years of use
Flourocast mainline - very decent manageable line, casts and behaves superbly.
Stove - had it years and it's been superb.
waterproofs - incredible quality, comfy, lightweight and extremely waterproof.
curve shank hooks - reliable, durable, mega sharp
thermal mug - one of the best I've ever had
rig scissors - sharp and durable and seem to last forever

I genuinely can't think of anything I've got from them that's been a let down?

I havnt got one but the choppa is decent bit of kit.

so yes... plenty of ridgemonkey gear is very decent, I rate it highly, it's gear that has had genuine thought gone into it rather than just off the shelf rebranded or copy cat products.

Who uses these...... Any good?

Hi, can anyone reccommend decent van hire for a french trip. Looking at 10 day hire (due to no Sunday returns).

Usually travel in own car but that's not an option this year so looking at hiring a van.

In reply to Post #12
Appreciate that, moisture can also be drawn in through atmosphere if it's a particularly moist day. Not had an issue with mine personally, it's literally half a breath and it's full. Something to be mindful of I guess but for me not worth worrying about.

In reply to Post #4
The SIM has foam in it, when u release the cap the foam is allowed to expand which draws in air.

In order to deflate it, open the valve and either roll it up then shut the valve.

Or

Do what I do with mine, just lay on the bed and open the valve, once the air stops then shut the valve. You won't get all the air out this way but it works for me. Ive often forgot to do it and folded the bed with it inflated, only realised on the next session. So your bed will still fold up. I use mine for my trakker RLX, leaving both the SIM and bag on the bed. (got the solar SP tec for long sessions which obviously doesn't need a SIM).

Ps. over time the foam can lose its spring and you'll notice it doesn't get very firm when you open the valve, so you can blow on the valve to give it abit more air if needed to make it firmer.

In reply to Post #1
If your pellets are oily then that can affect the breakdown of the PVA (longer to breakdown), more so over time.

Also the buoyancy of the hookbait (wafters/pop ups) can be affected by the pellets drawing moisture from it, over time. Therefore making it more buoyant. I try to avoid having bags sat made up for longer than a week.

If you are going to have them made up for ages then less oily pellets and artificial hookbaits are the one.