Thinking about buying one of these for winter hunting. Any good?
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Thinking about buying one of these for winter hunting. Any good?
I bought the escapade 700 in extra large and so far are very impressed with it....not too heavy and compresses down small...very warm and roomy,definately pleased I drove the 30kms each way to swap out std for extra large model,so much more comfy to be able to have arms inside bag and not be cramped.
I have one, use one. It’s quite good.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ginga
A mate slept in his Epic 800 in direct rain- mad prick. I bolted back to the Ute to sleep and I was in a Bivvy bag (pricks of things) and had a bag inside that and I was freezing.
I bought same bag as him the following week but only the 600 and although no snow stuff yet it’s a good/ warm / small / quality bag.
Obviously buy on sale as they then become a semi sensible price.
I have one use it as a quilt mostly sharing it with the missus. Its pretty warm. I've also slept in it soaking wet after a huntech bivvy got destroyed by the wind. I somehow slept a good 6 hours with the tarp smashing my face and rain soaking the bag. Was plenty warm but wouldnt tru it mid winter. I also used in over in Canada and it was sweet in a wall tent at minus 30 outside temp however we had a fire for the first 3 hours of the night before the wood ran out.
I have an Express 600, the previous model of the Epic - pretty similar but without the hydro-treated down and slightly lighter.
Its been great, plenty warm enough for me in sub-zero temps especially when combined with a decent mat. I'd want to add a thermal liner or something if using it for winter mountain camping though, 600 is a bit light for that. Its done plenty of this sort of thing in the warmer 3/4 of the year though, and lower altitudes in winter.
https://live.staticflickr.com/1500/2...02f33e79_b.jpgBlockade Ridge by Ben, on Flickr
Had an epic and the main zip bust after a year? Of maybe 20nights use.... no joy getting them to fix it (and then imanaged to put a sharp toenail throught the footbox) so has been deletgated to being used a a quilt in desperate times to be used gently or feathers everywhere
I got one last year, they're pretty good bags, if bought on sale price.
Rightio. Some good reviews. Thanks fellas. Will get one I reckon when I escape!
superglue the hole back up....main zip.....try drycleaners etc..we got main zip in down bag done for under a hundy a couple of years back.Quote:
Originally Posted by 223nut
Twin Needle will repair pretty much anything too, no idea what they charge for a zip replacement but would be interested if anyone knows - I have an older Fairydown Scorpion with a stuffed zip that I wouldn't mind restoring for cold winter use.
Duct tape.... as a temporary fix, it will end up (likly with twin needle) getting done one day. It got replaved with a exped lite 700 which i have been really happy with. Up till the zip broke the epic was an ok bagQuote:
Originally Posted by Micky Duck
I've the Express 400gm, I use it most of the year often at 700 -1000m asl. The 600gm will be fine for winter.
95 dollars for a full zip replacement. Have one waiting for pickupQuote:
Originally Posted by GravelBen
Tenacious tape is an awesome product for patching holes in gear. I have a couple of the patches kits and have used them quite a few times on jackets, sleeping bags, car seat etc
And for zip repairs, if you have a local saddler, worth talking to them. Our local saddler fixed one of my sleeping bag zips for $25. He did my 7mm wetsuit zip for $15 just before lockdown!!
Or your local upholsterer they are pretty good and have range of zips.