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1 Dec 2009
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Registered Users
HUBB regular
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Lochmaben, Scotland
Posts: 67
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If you live in the uk and thining if going rtw buy all basic equip. from Army surplus could save you a small fortune. Not all military equipment is crap. try the ration packs and for the americans MRE meals ready to eat. these dont take up much room and you get puritabs so you can sterilize water..
I take these with me to Russia and police never batter an eye. If you can look at ex russian militry clothing as its very good for winters.
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3 Dec 2009
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Registered Users
New on the HUBB
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Qatar
Posts: 4
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Oneworldbiker I have to say Im impressed. When I see something that is classed as "Military Grade" or "Army Surplus" it usually means words such as comfort, quality and light weight can be ruled right out. Could it be time to re asses this view?
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13 Jan 2010
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Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 190
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Ive posted this in another thread about the same stuff....but its worth saying again.
Snugpak
UK company that started up by making private purchased military equipment and proffesional grade mountain gear.They got a lot of feedback from their customers and have modified and designed entire ranges of equipment on that feedback to have a very extensive selection of items.
I have used their stuff is some God-awful places and the gear is still soldiering on years after I originally bought it.
Their main attraction is the compactness of the sleeping bags and jackets when they are compressed in their stuffsacks.....I use a Merlin 3 sleeping bag with a Silk sleeping bag liner....with both combined amounts to a package slightly bigger than a coke can.I use that from spring to Autumn in the UK with no problems at all.
A proven method with Snupaks that came back from the soldiers using their equipment was to use two smaller bags instead of one larger bag for colder weather, due to their size it is practical to carry a Merlin 3 bag and Softie 9 Hawk bag for cold weather ( with a silk liner as well )...you then mix and match as the weather dictates.
Sleeping Bags - Code Green - Military - Leading Suppliers of Clothing & Sleepingbags - snugpak.com
Sleeping Bags - Outdoor - Leading Suppliers of Clothing & Sleepingbags - snugpak.com
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19 Jan 2010
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Registered Users
New on the HUBB
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: scotland
Posts: 2
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3 season bag
Hi there ,
I too use a snugpac merlin and a silk liner, which i have used down to minus 6 , with no problems at all. great gear at a good price.
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17 Feb 2010
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: England
Posts: 437
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I use a Army sleeping stystem (sleeping bag to non mil bods) + the stuff sack issue with it I got mine issued but lost it in Gulf 1 via a american tanki almost driving over me, so it chewed up my bag,
but you civis can buy on line from silvermans or any army good Army Navy surpluss
DO not get the old type bag as folds up the size of 2 foot balls the new bag
gos down to a football in its stuff sack &
I have a spare stuff sack for my dirty washing keeps them really small tll i get to wash them
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We are the Pilgrims, Master, we shall go Always a little further: it may be beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow, Across that angry or that glimmering sea.
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18 Feb 2010
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Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: London
Posts: 404
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Snugpac
Another vote for Snugpac.
I bought a Softie (don't remember the number, almost the most expensive one I think) more years ago than I can remember. Maybe 20 years ago if they were made then, but at least 15 years ago.
Used lots since then and still going strong on my current trip.
Use a silk liner too.
Including 3 months continuous every-night use in the Canadian and US Rockies about 10 years ago.
Overall, it's been too hot far more often than it's been too cold (hardly at all).
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18 Feb 2010
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: London, UK
Posts: 179
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Ed you still struggling to decide on Down/Synth bags? I've been using a "Stormlite Rolling Clouds 300" (field and trek's own brand I think).. can't seem to find them on google at the moment, probably went out of business. It is down filled, and the first I ever bought. I recommend it for size, warmth and weight. Packed down to the size of insignificance, snag was last summer only pitching the inner in France and then raining that night, got me a tad bit wet/uncomfortable. Ah well.
Not sure about the 3 seasons for Africa, I know it gets nippy at night but how nippy is nippy?
Well, in doubt about the nippiness I just had a google and found this: LifeVenture Downlight 900, hardly breaking the bank at £70 (google around for the spec, but it's 900g and comes in a dry-sack compression bag.
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7 Mar 2010
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: England
Posts: 437
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blacks have a sale on @ the mo a 3 seson bag £29.99, was £59
I got 1 & it squeezes up smaller than my Arm issued Green Maaggot
__________________
We are the Pilgrims, Master, we shall go Always a little further: it may be beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow, Across that angry or that glimmering sea.
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7 Mar 2010
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Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Back in Blighty
Posts: 171
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I spent 3 months touring round Europe camping 99% of the time,it was during the early summer months but I did camp in the mountains quite a bit,I used a Thermarest,worked well,never let me down even though it was supposed to be self inflating which was highly inaccurate,some puff needed too!
I also used a Cumulus Quantam 200 down bag,only used my silk liner about 4 times as it was plenty warm enough,packs down to under half the size of my packed Thermarest. That was nearly 3 years ago & both pieces of kit still going strong & seeing a fair bit of use. The down bag cost well over a hundred notes though I feel it was money well spent,have a look at this lot;
Down Sleeping Bag - Home
Happy hunting
Andy
__________________
Andy L
From the midnight sun to the silk & rhubarb roads, 2014
I am not an adventure rider, just a biker that has adventures.
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7 Mar 2010
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Vancouver, BC, for now...
Posts: 792
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I have been using the Western Mountaineering Ultralight from MEC:
Western Mountaineering Ultralite Sleeping Bag -7C - Mountain Equipment Co-op. Free Shipping Available
Along with a Thermarest pad. The sleeping bag packs even smaller than the pad, and i use two water-proof bags to pack it in to keep it from getting wet. These have worked very well for me for the last 5 years
BTW i have always blown up my thermarest until it's full, never had a problem or a puncture. I've also washed the bag a number of times with Techwash for down with great results.
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9 Mar 2010
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: England
Posts: 437
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Hi I have 2 suggestons Blacks are selling there 3 seson fart sacks for 29.99 instead of 59.99 they come with stuff sack seems to be quite small.
or go to any very good Army forces surpluss shop like silvermans buy the stuff sack & lob your bag in it see how small it goes, the New Army Fart sack
goes down to the size of a football
__________________
We are the Pilgrims, Master, we shall go Always a little further: it may be beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow, Across that angry or that glimmering sea.
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
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Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
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