Softie 3 Merlin - Anyone tried these?

[lamper]

Mate is looking for a new bag and I love Snugpak, but this looks too good to be true, its so small and light and still warm. This freaks me out as it look like its synthetic.

I love Snugpak and I know they are the good producers, but are these as good as they claim to be?

http://www.snugpak.com/photos/softie_3_olive_normal.gif

(http://www.snugpak.com/index.php?MenuID=93-101&ItemID=14)

Softie 3 Merlin


A tried and tested favourite, this British made sleeping bag combines micro pack size with serious performance.


International best seller and brand leader, this lightest and smallest of the Softie® sleeping bag range utilises space age technology in the form of a highly breathable metallised barrier (Relectatherm) to give a temperaturerating that exceeds expectations. Used in climates as diverse as the Australian outback to the foothills of the Himalayas. Comes with reinforced foot as standard.

Nato Stock Number: 8465-99-979-5700

Technical information

Weight: 900 grams
Packsize: 16x16cm (fully compressed)
Temp: Comfort 5°c Low -0°c
Colours: Black, Camouflage, Desert Tan, Olive, Red (Civilian)

[Mesquite]

I love Snugpak and I know they are the good producers, but are these as good as they claim to be?
)

They're good sleeping bags but my personal experience is they are over optimistic with their rating.

I've got 2, the Merlin, and Hawk. I bought the Hawk first and although it's supposed to go down to -10 I was cold and I had a bivi bag as well and the temperature was only about -2 or 3.

I now use the merlin inside the hawk and I'm fine

[Joonsy]

They're good sleeping bags but my personal experience is they are over optimistic with their rating.

I agree, over-optimistic temp rating, hoods are too big and badly shaped as well.

[Quarryman]

I have also been looking at Snugpak sleeping bags, but seem to be going round and round in circles, from Elite 3 to Softie9 Hawk (can anyone tell me the difference between these ranges?) and the Special Forces2.
I've my birthday coming up and SWMSBO is asking what I'd like but I just can't make my mind up.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Matt

[swampy99]

I have a kestrel softie 6 they are good but I would say it is a 3 season bag says it is good to 0 but was getting cold before that. Got th jungle bag aswell so it goes over that and then in the bivi snug as a bug.
They are nice bags and with an expander panel in warm weather is very comfy to kip in.

[Chris the Cat]

For the money,I still think they are very good
However,as been said above,go up a season if you want to be warm
rather than just not die!
Cheers.
CHris

[hammock monkey]

its very hard to rate a season in my mind, if you're in a tent, on the ground, using a liner or bivvy bag.

Perhaps its easier to go lighter and layer up as the weather dictates? A bivvy bag makes a huge difference, add a silk liner and you'd probably cook!

It also depends if you sleep 'hot' or 'cold' if you know what i mean. I've used snugpak for years and prefer them to most others i've tried, but i've never really liked any sleeping bags.

I hate being too hot at night, so a lighter bag works for me. But if in doubt, get a down bag I'd say.

[woof]

I got the elite 3 this year, and sleaped out in a bivi under a tarp, in march and april, and found it very snug.

Slept out in a one man tent 2 weeks ago, and found the bag to hot. I like mine, hope this helps.

Rob

[lamper]

Thanks peeps for the insight. Need to actually see one now to make sure I fit nicely. As said above, hate being restricted in a bag...

[He' s left the building]

If you hate being restricted in the bag (like me!) then I'd recommend the Snugpak SF double-bag system, with centre 'burst-out' zips. The inner bag is the equivalent of the Merlin (summer/one-season) and the outer is a 3-season bag.

For a trek to Everest Base Camp you will need both bags, using the thinner one at lower altitudes and the thicker one higher up, both bags together at base camp.

[lamper]

Boops,

Thanks for the advice. I wont be taking it to Everest, just hoping for some kind soul to add to my sponsorship money!!!

I have Rab for my trek (http://www.rab.uk.com/equipment/sleeping_bags/new_atlas_endurance_series---137/ - the 700)