I'm no ultralite backpacker, but after 10 years of hauling my 5kg 3/4-season sleeping bag around, I thought it was about time to spring for some new kit. My goal was to get something with similar functionality to my old Norwegian army sleeping bag with regards to space, but less weight. So, I made a list, and got off to the WEB to see if anyone had written anything helpful about the topic.
My list:
- Weight 2-3kg (~50% reduction)
- 4-season
- Center zipper
- Weatherproof
- Self cleaning
After reading for a while, I concluded that synthetic was the only alternative for me as the environment I live in (SW Norway) tend to be a bit on the wet side. As you may already know, down loses its insulation effect when it gets wet. (Down would be wonderful as the bag would have been instantly warm, lighter and less voluminous than a synthetic bag, and was my initial desire...)
The bad thing with internet shopping is that there is to much to choose from, and that you are not able to test anything before you get it home. So you end up searching for things people have tried out and have written the odd kind word about on the web. I think I stumbled over the keyword USMSS on bushcraftuk.com, and started looking for a sleep system comprising of two bags, a 2-season bag and a 3-season bag that could be combined. I also stumbled over the manufacturer Carinthia on my browsing for USMSS. The modular sleeping system is NATO approved, and has been used by many countries armed forces.
I found some reviews of the Carinthia Defence 4 in different languages - not to many in English though. I read through the German reviews, and watched some youtube videos without understanding the languages spoken. Long story short - I decided to purchase a set of Carinthias Defence 4 and Tropen when I found a Norwegian internet shop selling the large version (200cm/6'6") of the pair for NOK 1957,- (USD 322/GBP 193). If this works, I will have a system that will work fairly nice for me in my environment.
MANUFACTURER SPECS
Tropen (2-season sleeping bag)
- NSN# 8465-41-000-1612
- Manufacturer temperature rating: Comfort lim +5°C (41°F) , Extreme -12°C (10°F)
- Weight ~1300g (45,8oz)
- Length: 235cm (~93")
- Shoulder width: 87cm (~34")
- Footend width: 65cm (~26")
Defence 4 (3-season sleeping bag)
- NSN# 8465-41-000-1606
- Manufacturer temperature rating: Comfort lim -15°C (5°F) , Extreme -38°C (-36°F)
- Weight ~2000g (70,5oz)
- Length: 230cm (~91")
- Shoulder width: 87cm (~34")
- Footend width: 60cm (~24")
Anyone here who has any experience with this sleep system?
I will get back with more information as soon as I have received and tested the bags.
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