I'm using the same one tonight! 😂 Maiden voyage so hopefully it keeps me warm. I've got the 5 degrees too and it's excellent in fair weather that packs tiny too.
The zip is really good too as it doesn't come off. The XL version shoulder space is great and I really love the smaller footbox as keeps my feet quite warm
Good review yep there is a massive difference between 600/650 power down and 800. Re volume am listening on an old iPhone at less than half the possible volume it’s plenty loud enough.
What a sight to see you sat there on your settee inside a sleeping bag 😊 it looks like a pretty decent bag. Again your volume needs addressing too low.
I've been using the Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin for a while now, it's under 1kg, packs to around 15x15cm and goes down to 0*C, bought it for around 90 quid a couple years ago (I see they are 30-40% more expensive now), the priority was its packability and the ability to zip 2 bags into 1. Anyone know of a viable upgrade? Packable being the top priority.
It’s hard to beat for the money (warmth vs pack size vs price vs weight) I really rated my Black Ice 700 bag too (from Camperlists). Similar price but a bit more roomy. Most importantly, get a decent R-Value sleeping pad if you’re winter camping (I’d say R5). Decathlon do one for about £135 👍
Great review! I actually have this sleeping bag and was pretty cold in it the other night when it was about 7 degrees celcius. But now I realize it's probably because of my 3.8 R value sleeping mat. I'll need to think of ways to make that just a little bit warmer without having to buy another new sleeping mat. I was also using a Sea to Summit reactor compact liner, perhaps the extreme liner would be better.
I'm not sure it's widely known that R- values are accumulative. So you could use something under your 3.8R mat to boost the R value. I use the large Decathlon MT500 closed cell foam pad with a 2.2R under a decathlon air mat with 3.3R. So a total of 5.5R
@@MG-bs5mr3.8 r should be enough for 7c..unless it s not real 3.8. may I ask what did you wear on your body that night? I looking at this bag and your comment makes me doubt this bag..
@@vvs3796 one thing worth noting is something I've heard (and recently experienced myself): I use (at least) an air mat of R3.3 with an Alpkit Pipedream 400 bag with a silk liner inside. The Pipedream 400 has a comfort limit of -4.2°c. I was out last week in warm temperatures at around 1300 to 1500 feet altitude but I woke up cold inside the bag because it was too warm for the conditions and I was sweating and clammy, that, in turn cooled me. I don't own a Decathlon bag but I've been impressed with their kit I do have.
I'm on an iPhone 12 and over ear headphones and volume maxed out and can barely hear what you're saying, unfortunately 😔 Thank you for the review though!
Hi Andy have you ever washed a down bag? How do you do it? How do I freshen up my down bag? It doesn't smell dreadful but it doesn't smell fresh and I'd like to clean it
@@TimelordUK In a bath and treat it gently i.e. when you wash/rinse it squeeze the water out of the bag rather than wring, as if you don't you can tear the baffles inside; this can also happen when using a machine, hence hand wash in the bath only. Once the water is squeezed out leave to air dry for a couple of hours so more water can drip out and then you can put in a cool tumble dryer with a couple of tennis ball [or socks made into a ball]; these will then 'beat' the down gently whilst it is drying and help get the loft back. If you don't do this you just end up with inefficient 'lumps' of down. Finally, DONT use normal washing detergent as this strips/ruins the down, use one of the down wash products OR [a cheaper alternative] I use liquid soap such as DP liquid soap flakes [available in most supermarkets]. Finally, finally, use a liner in your bag and you don't have to wash it so often as the lines 'catches; your body oils rather than the sleeping bag.
@@vvs3796 You can go to a local laundrette and use a tumble drier there, just make sure you use a Cool temperature...to dry it without just means that your down won't be 'restore'/loft properly, and so defeats the objective.
I've often looked at this and have a lot of other decathlon/forclaz kit but I reckon there are just better bags out there for the same money. I could be wrong though as I'm basing this completely on specs and really just looking to get into more cold weather camping. What would be your preferred winter bag around this price point? Something that'll get you comfortably down to (-5)-(-7)?
To be fair, add a polyester base layer under merino (use as your mid) and you'll be comfortable at even lower in Celsius. I'd like to see you provide a beginners guide to r rating - I know some friends who'd appreciate it. Keep up the great work!
The pack size was too big and it was too warm for the winter camping I now do. It’s a beast of a bag and it’s got to be one of the warmest bags out there!
This is my issue with mummy style sleeping bags. I’m a front sleeper and I need a bit more room. The bags I use most are ‘relaxed’, less tapered, mummy style sleeping bags. I’d recommend Nemo bags for front sleepers Sierra Designs and Big Agnes. Naturehike make some too at the cheaper end.
Some bags, such as Thermarest, Sea to Summit, etc use ridiculously thin materials and fixings to get weight down but that comes with a high risk of ripping or tearing. This is thicker and is also water resistant too. Same applies to tent fabrics, some of the lightweight tents use a thin 20D bathtub floor which is more suited to the fly. I think it comes down to durability at the end of the day.
I'm using the same one tonight! 😂 Maiden voyage so hopefully it keeps me warm. I've got the 5 degrees too and it's excellent in fair weather that packs tiny too.
The zip is really good too as it doesn't come off. The XL version shoulder space is great and I really love the smaller footbox as keeps my feet quite warm
Thanks for sharing 👍
I will get it soon looks fine for the price
Decathlon do very good gear at a great price but I'd be weary saying it's a winter bag if say its a good 3 season bag because of the comfort of 0c
Decathlon gear is bloody good for the money just can't beat it really 👍👍👍
Thanks for the review and the clear explanation about temperature rating! You seem to be reviewing everything I want to buy 😂
I will get it as my first sleeping bag ..and i hope it turns out to be worth the money ...
I just bought the Mt 900 down jacket and it is amazing ❤
I love mine, really good value and lofts up well I would definitely recommend !
Thanks for sharing 👍
Good review yep there is a massive difference between 600/650 power down and 800.
Re volume am listening on an old
iPhone at less than half the possible volume it’s plenty loud enough.
What a sight to see you sat there on your settee inside a sleeping bag 😊 it looks like a pretty decent bag. Again your volume needs addressing too low.
I’ve got my mics on their highest setting and then I add 40% when editing. How do you watch listen? Is it a phone?
@BackpackingUK same here Andy, I'm watching on phone and had to put volume to full to hear you, not tried on TV yet 👍
I am on the Ipad, and it is ‘your’ video, as once it was over the ads came on and were loud and fine.
I think for the money, I would prefer the Naturehike SnowBird down bag
I've been using the Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin for a while now, it's under 1kg, packs to around 15x15cm and goes down to 0*C, bought it for around 90 quid a couple years ago (I see they are 30-40% more expensive now), the priority was its packability and the ability to zip 2 bags into 1. Anyone know of a viable upgrade? Packable being the top priority.
Great review as always. Is there another option i should consider? Its for my teenage son, he wants an upgrade. Cheers.
It’s hard to beat for the money (warmth vs pack size vs price vs weight) I really rated my Black Ice 700 bag too (from Camperlists). Similar price but a bit more roomy. Most importantly, get a decent R-Value sleeping pad if you’re winter camping (I’d say R5). Decathlon do one for about £135 👍
Great review! I actually have this sleeping bag and was pretty cold in it the other night when it was about 7 degrees celcius. But now I realize it's probably because of my 3.8 R value sleeping mat. I'll need to think of ways to make that just a little bit warmer without having to buy another new sleeping mat. I was also using a Sea to Summit reactor compact liner, perhaps the extreme liner would be better.
I'm not sure it's widely known that R- values are accumulative.
So you could use something under your 3.8R mat to boost the R value.
I use the large Decathlon MT500 closed cell foam pad with a 2.2R under a decathlon air mat with 3.3R.
So a total of 5.5R
@@MG-bs5mr3.8 r should be enough for 7c..unless it s not real 3.8. may I ask what did you wear on your body that night? I looking at this bag and your comment makes me doubt this bag..
@@vvs3796 it wasn't me who used the bag, it was the guy I was replying too.
@@vvs3796 one thing worth noting is something I've heard (and recently experienced myself):
I use (at least) an air mat of R3.3 with an Alpkit Pipedream 400 bag with a silk liner inside.
The Pipedream 400 has a comfort limit of -4.2°c.
I was out last week in warm temperatures at around 1300 to 1500 feet altitude but I woke up cold inside the bag because it was too warm for the conditions and I was sweating and clammy, that, in turn cooled me.
I don't own a Decathlon bag but I've been impressed with their kit I do have.
@@MG-bs5mr hmmm..but overall alpkits 400 -4 rating is realistic?
I'm on an iPhone 12 and over ear headphones and volume maxed out and can barely hear what you're saying, unfortunately 😔
Thank you for the review though!
How does it compare to similar priced Snugpak sleeping bags ?
Hi Andy have you ever washed a down bag? How do you do it? How do I freshen up my down bag? It doesn't smell dreadful but it doesn't smell fresh and I'd like to clean it
NikWax do some great products for cleaning down products. I throw in a few down balls too. I think Gaynors is another brand worth checking out.
@@BackpackingUK but how do you physically do it? In a machine at a launderette or by hand soaked in the bath?
@@TimelordUK In a bath and treat it gently i.e. when you wash/rinse it squeeze the water out of the bag rather than wring, as if you don't you can tear the baffles inside; this can also happen when using a machine, hence hand wash in the bath only. Once the water is squeezed out leave to air dry for a couple of hours so more water can drip out and then you can put in a cool tumble dryer with a couple of tennis ball [or socks made into a ball]; these will then 'beat' the down gently whilst it is drying and help get the loft back. If you don't do this you just end up with inefficient 'lumps' of down. Finally, DONT use normal washing detergent as this strips/ruins the down, use one of the down wash products OR [a cheaper alternative] I use liquid soap such as DP liquid soap flakes [available in most supermarkets]. Finally, finally, use a liner in your bag and you don't have to wash it so often as the lines 'catches; your body oils rather than the sleeping bag.
@@teddyb4957so if I don't have a thumble drier,I can forget abt upgrading to a down sleeping bag?
@@vvs3796 You can go to a local laundrette and use a tumble drier there, just make sure you use a Cool temperature...to dry it without just means that your down won't be 'restore'/loft properly, and so defeats the objective.
I've often looked at this and have a lot of other decathlon/forclaz kit but I reckon there are just better bags out there for the same money.
I could be wrong though as I'm basing this completely on specs and really just looking to get into more cold weather camping.
What would be your preferred winter bag around this price point? Something that'll get you comfortably down to (-5)-(-7)?
Being a side sleeper, is there much down on the back of the bag? I know it'd normally be compressed if you sleep on your back.
Great review BTW 👍
I’m fairly sure it’s the same all over. I don’t think it’s split like Thermarest’s 60/40.
@@BackpackingUKsweet, cheers bud 👍🤘
To be fair, add a polyester base layer under merino (use as your mid) and you'll be comfortable at even lower in Celsius.
I'd like to see you provide a beginners guide to r rating - I know some friends who'd appreciate it. Keep up the great work!
I use a hot water bottle, then use the cooler water in the morning to cook in ! Keeps you warm for 4-5 hours !
What happened to your rab accent 1100? How come you don't use that any more?
The pack size was too big and it was too warm for the winter camping I now do. It’s a beast of a bag and it’s got to be one of the warmest bags out there!
Would this fit on the sleeping bag compartment of a deuter aircontact lite 40+10?
I think so, it packs down small for a winter bag.
funny me and my dad just brought ourselves a pair, was hard swiping that card to pay but hope i get my moneys worth aha
Good choice, you won’t regret it!
This might be a silly question but if someone sleeps on their front is this style of bag ok?
This is my issue with mummy style sleeping bags. I’m a front sleeper and I need a bit more room. The bags I use most are ‘relaxed’, less tapered, mummy style sleeping bags. I’d recommend Nemo bags for front sleepers Sierra Designs and Big Agnes. Naturehike make some too at the cheaper end.
@@BackpackingUK Thanks a lot I'll look into them
Wait, 0°C comfort, -5°C limit, it weighs 1kg and has 800FP down?
Why so heavy? It's 800FP and a 0°C comfort bag?
Some bags, such as Thermarest, Sea to Summit, etc use ridiculously thin materials and fixings to get weight down but that comes with a high risk of ripping or tearing. This is thicker and is also water resistant too.
Same applies to tent fabrics, some of the lightweight tents use a thin 20D bathtub floor which is more suited to the fly. I think it comes down to durability at the end of the day.
It's also HALF the price of the higher end bags with lower weight.
They have Simond sleeping bag for expedition,much better than Forclaz
eat a plate of beans before you climb in - the farts will keep you warm!
Is it RDS down? Not a vegan, just someone who hates the idea of live plucking birds. If out to appreciate nature then must respect it too
Yes 👍