Execellent review, straight to the point, no fuss no drama, all angles covered. I've been looking at this bag now you've convinced me, I'm ordering now. Ticks all my boxes. Thanks you.
I have the softie elite 4 Because being south of 5ft I need to be able to shorten the bag and not many sleeping bags you can shorten the Length of and for the price it is hard to beat. I have had mine for a few years now and it's seen the wettest and coldest English weather and it's still going strong. I use a liner to keep the bag in the best condition and it's easier to wash a liner rather than the bag. All the best
A liner adds a couple of degrees to the temperature too, not due to the thickness of the liner material itself, but because it traps an extra layer of air. I always use a bivi bag, but I do sleep without a tent - under a tarp or poncho - but it makes a difference. I've slept out in 5 degrees C in a cheapo £10 sleeping bag comfort rated at plus 15, but with a bivvy bag and fleece liner I was toasty. Looking at investing the £80 in this, and maybe a tenner for a lightweight liner. I could get the snugpak extreme for around half that but it's a lot bigger when packed and weighs in at 2.6kg instead of 1.6kg.
I have a Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin, which is fantastic in the summer, as well as for museum over nights and the like, so I bought two for my boys, and they really like them. Mine is UK made, while theirs have the added mosquito net.
Dear Paul Messner Sir... good to see you. May I take a moment of your time to say I appreciate your honest review on that particular bag it appears to be quite technical the double zips. I already have Sleeping bags that I will be setting free from there stuff sacks on your good advice. Thanks for the tip about opening the zip at foot level for extra cooling. I got a cheap andes sleeping bag just for fun it's massive it had a compression sack I broke the compression sack after a few ins/outs the straps tore off. Stuff is getting better now days. I learnt that a person can put there self inflating mat inside the sleeping bag I tried it it's ok. Good Show Paul Messner. From Craig White.Cornwall. See you soon be good!
A great review Paul. The bag is similar to my Snugpak Softie Autumn bag that I have used now for around 6 years. As well as using it on the ground and in my bivvy bag it works great cocooning my hammock due to the exit holes at the foot end. Thank you for sharing. Paul :)
I have the softie elite 4 and its a great bag, I have used it down to 5 degrees and it was fine coupled with my exped UL down mat, excellent review as always Paul, thanks for taking the time, ATB Kaizer
what a superb review very well done when you fold the foot, fold it under to it insulated the feet Also Use the expand panel for cold situations where you are going to sleep dressed I have just purchased the Elite 2 I hear from your review that the 2 without the collar will be a cooler sleep I will have the Special Forces bivvi and a wicking liner so that should cover lower than rated temps The 2 is that much lighter for me to carry
Hey Paul! It is great to see your early videos! Did you use this one much? I am looking at something wider and generally bit warmer than some of the bags I have. GOod for car camping as well as back packing? Seems good value
I bought this bag, meant for emergencies - but right now my apartment is really cold because i can't afford to use the heating, keeping me nice and cosy while watching YT 😂
Thanks for watching Martin. It's a really good bag for most of the year in the UK. Sometimes need to add a fleece liner for the coldest of weather. ATB Paul
Is it a good idea to get a bivy sack for it? I live in an area that gets relatively A lot of cold rain, is the water repellence enough, or should I get bivy sack
Come across your channel and have watched a few videos as I am getting into the world of solo camping. Already bought a cloud peak 2 having watched your video. With regards to this bag, is there another similar youd recommend or a lighter one for 3 season due to your concerns with the comfort rating? Cheers pal
The comfort rating that Snugpak state is generous in my opinion. It's great bag but when the temp is below 5 degrees I've always felt cold in some way. That doesn't mean that -5 as they state is not good for someone else. I now use the Alpkit Skyhigh 700. This bag is much warmer in my opinion and is Alpkits comfort rating seems spot on. It's a bit more expensive though. Thanks for watching. ATB Paul
I don't have any affiliation with anyone. All my kit is bought and paid for by me and the reviews are my honest opinion. If it's rubbish....I'll tell you :). Thanks for watching.
+Ray Hi Ray. I've used this bag with a Snugpak stratosphere bivi bag. I may have a video in my playlist somewhere with this combination. I've used it with a bivi down to about 5 degrees. I had no problem with it at all. However I do think the minus 5 rating is exaggerated. For me, I felt a chill under zero. You will need a good quality mat underneath you though to keep you warm. ATB Paul
Thanks for the sub. Something a little different in my new video if you're interested. A bit of woodland camping. Thanks for watching ua-cam.com/video/cFkKjNkJmLQ/v-deo.html
I own this sleeping bag and it has a terrible zipper just what you want do after a all day hike is spend 20 minutes trying to get your zipper up in your bag and then never able to get it back down again 👎
Hi Joe. Thanks for watching and taking time to comment. I never had too much trouble with the zip on this bag. My only gripe was the temperature rating was a bit inaccurate for me. I found I was feeling a chill about 5 degrees above the comfort rating. Best wishes. Paul
Execellent review, straight to the point, no fuss no drama, all angles covered. I've been looking at this bag now you've convinced me, I'm ordering now. Ticks all my boxes. Thanks you.
Thank you for watching. Glad you like the review.
If you stick at this for another 5 years or so…….you could quit your day job and do UA-cam full time…..that’s how good this review is!! 😉
Guess what happened lol
I have the softie elite 4 Because being south of 5ft I need to be able to shorten the bag and not many sleeping bags you can shorten the Length of and for the price it is hard to beat. I have had mine for a few years now and it's seen the wettest and coldest English weather and it's still going strong. I use a liner to keep the bag in the best condition and it's easier to wash a liner rather than the bag.
All the best
A liner adds a couple of degrees to the temperature too, not due to the thickness of the liner material itself, but because it traps an extra layer of air. I always use a bivi bag, but I do sleep without a tent - under a tarp or poncho - but it makes a difference. I've slept out in 5 degrees C in a cheapo £10 sleeping bag comfort rated at plus 15, but with a bivvy bag and fleece liner I was toasty. Looking at investing the £80 in this, and maybe a tenner for a lightweight liner. I could get the snugpak extreme for around half that but it's a lot bigger when packed and weighs in at 2.6kg instead of 1.6kg.
had my autumn Chrysalis 3 for 8 years still working fine stick in a silk liner and its 4 season
I have a Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin, which is fantastic in the summer, as well as for museum over nights and the like, so I bought two for my boys, and they really like them. Mine is UK made, while theirs have the added mosquito net.
After having this bag for about 8 years I never knew what the clips were for or never even noticed the other zip. Live and learn, eh?
Good review mate. All points covered, to the point, no unnecessary fluff.
looks like a nice bag. I like the extra space feature and you can minimise it for the extra warmth if needed.
It's a very good bag Philip...I like the extra space for most of the year. I do close up in the colder weather. Cheers
Dear Paul Messner Sir... good to see you. May I take a moment of your time to say I appreciate your honest review on that particular bag it appears to be quite technical the double zips. I already have Sleeping bags that I will be setting free from there stuff sacks on your good advice. Thanks for the tip about opening the zip at foot level for extra cooling. I got a cheap andes sleeping bag just for fun it's massive it had a compression sack I broke the compression sack after a few ins/outs the straps tore off.
Stuff is getting better now days. I learnt that a person can put there self inflating mat inside the sleeping bag I tried it it's ok.
Good Show Paul Messner. From Craig White.Cornwall. See you soon be good!
Cheers Craig.
A great review Paul. The bag is similar to my Snugpak Softie Autumn bag that I have used now for around 6 years. As well as using it on the ground and in my bivvy bag it works great cocooning my hammock due to the exit holes at the foot end. Thank you for sharing. Paul :)
Thank you for watching Paul. I use this bag in my hammock but tend to leave it open and use it more a quilt. I use the DD under quilt. ATB Paul
Paul, Your videos are really helpful. Keep up the good work!
I have the softie elite 4 and its a great bag, I have used it down to 5 degrees and it was fine coupled with my exped UL down mat, excellent review as always Paul, thanks for taking the time, ATB Kaizer
what a superb review
very well done
when you fold the foot, fold it under to it insulated the feet
Also
Use the expand panel for cold situations where you are going to sleep dressed
I have just purchased the Elite 2
I hear from your review that the 2 without the collar will be a cooler sleep
I will have the Special Forces bivvi and a wicking liner so that should cover lower than rated temps
The 2 is that much lighter for me to carry
A great bag, I unzip mine and use as a topquilt.
Hey Paul! It is great to see your early videos! Did you use this one much? I am looking at something wider and generally bit warmer than some of the bags I have. GOod for car camping as well as back packing? Seems good value
I wonder if there is any sleeping bag that got their temperature ratings realistic...
Nice one I have this bag , agree , good down to about freezing . Take care Paul 👍
"Pinch of salt" is an understatement. I have this bag and I've been cold on UK summer nights.
Nonsense. It was a lifesaver for me on a boat, when temps were around 2 degrees.
I have this bag and have been cold at 3 degrees.
Hm....
Defo need the 4.... 3 can be cold outside summer
Great reveiw! Will probably buy this sack... Regards / Krister Berglund, Stockholm
I bought this bag, meant for emergencies - but right now my apartment is really cold because i can't afford to use the heating, keeping me nice and cosy while watching YT 😂
What month was you using the bag in UK Paul to be cold at 0 degree ?,
Thats a really nice review. The sleeping bag looks great :)
- Martin
Thanks for watching Martin. It's a really good bag for most of the year in the UK. Sometimes need to add a fleece liner for the coldest of weather. ATB Paul
Is it a good idea to get a bivy sack for it? I live in an area that gets relatively A lot of cold rain, is the water repellence enough, or should I get bivy sack
Paul great video, How much would u save on the heating with a bag like that?
Paul do you find the bag ok in terms of room at the foot end?
Come across your channel and have watched a few videos as I am getting into the world of solo camping. Already bought a cloud peak 2 having watched your video.
With regards to this bag, is there another similar youd recommend or a lighter one for 3 season due to your concerns with the comfort rating? Cheers pal
great value bag and loving the DAB ha ha (thats all we get with my boy lol). Another great review. thanks for sharing. ATB Steve
Glad you liked the review Steve....The DAB won't be a regular thing. I had to win a bet with my lad though haha. ATB Paul
Hi Paul, I'm looking to buy this very bag...I like the expansion system as I too am a big lad...what comfort rating would you give it....roughly???
The comfort rating that Snugpak state is generous in my opinion. It's great bag but when the temp is below 5 degrees I've always felt cold in some way. That doesn't mean that -5 as they state is not good for someone else. I now use the Alpkit Skyhigh 700. This bag is much warmer in my opinion and is Alpkits comfort rating seems spot on. It's a bit more expensive though. Thanks for watching. ATB Paul
Nice review, Paul. I was looking for an affiliate link to click on in the end. :)
I don't have any affiliation with anyone. All my kit is bought and paid for by me and the reviews are my honest opinion. If it's rubbish....I'll tell you :). Thanks for watching.
@@PaulMessner Oh, how things change
Taking snugpak temp ratings with a pinch of salt is a feature in most in not all.
Solid dab, dad.
Paul have you used that in conjunction with a bivy sack? And if so how did you fare in cooler weather?
+Ray Hi Ray. I've used this bag with a Snugpak stratosphere bivi bag. I may have a video in my playlist somewhere with this combination. I've used it with a bivi down to about 5 degrees. I had no problem with it at all. However I do think the minus 5 rating is exaggerated. For me, I felt a chill under zero. You will need a good quality mat underneath you though to keep you warm. ATB Paul
thump up.....
subscription earned
Thanks for the sub. Something a little different in my new video if you're interested. A bit of woodland camping. Thanks for watching
ua-cam.com/video/cFkKjNkJmLQ/v-deo.html
Where to buy this bag
good review atb phil
wildphil64 glad you liked it Phil. It's a very good bag for most of the year use in the ok...ATB Paul
You need to practice that Dab Mr Messner but good effort!!!!
Poor effort really. It was a request from the boy....I aim to please.
I own this sleeping bag and it has a terrible zipper just what you want do after a all day hike is spend 20 minutes trying to get your zipper up in your bag and then never able to get it back down again 👎
Hi Joe. Thanks for watching and taking time to comment. I never had too much trouble with the zip on this bag. My only gripe was the temperature rating was a bit inaccurate for me. I found I was feeling a chill about 5 degrees above the comfort rating. Best wishes. Paul
mines better i got a saenger anaconda
Most people don't know how to dress in these sleepings. No clothes, only thin layer or bag doesn't work. Basic military trng.
is it made in UK or China ?