The Vango Predator 450 is a flagship synthetic bag packed with features to make this one of the best bags proving plenty of bang, for your buck.
"The Predator range of sleeping bags is designed for use at the extreme limit. Available in mummy or square. Predators will be used by experienced campers, mountaineers and expedition members who will only use the highest performance sleeping bag suitable for the most hostile environments. Highly compressible Dupont Thermolite Extra is used in conjunction with Thermolite Micro for the ultimate warmth to weight ratio."
As stated this bag is for use in slightly more 'wild' conditions, where some down bags would provide to much heat and most synthetic bags wouldnt provide enough. Although this bag has the disadvantage with most synthetic bags, the size, it does hold most of the properties which are normally only found in down bags.
Ive only used this bag a few times, in the scotish highlands and in the north of wales whilst climbing in winter. Although i did sacrafice precious space and weight by opting for this bag, it did provide superb comfort and heat which was a well earned luxury after a hard day climbing.
This bag was pretty cheap considering the product in hand. It was £90 from my local 'Outdoors' camping shop, and considering it gives better properties than some £200 downbags, i take it as quite a bargin.
My bag came in some strange green colour which i think looks pretty ok compared to some sleeping bag colours. It came with an excellent compression sack which reduces the size of the bag by about 1/3 (shame it doesnt do the same for the weight.)
At around 2.5 kg it is slightly heavy for a sleeping bag, considering my Ultralite 900 is just 1kg. But the weight is not a problem with the excellent nights sleep you will be recieveing.
It says the bag can be used down to about -30, but i wouldnt use this bag anywhere less than about -15 (the comfort rating.) -30 is when skin starts to turn black so a high end down bag would be prefered in a situation such as that.
When inside the bag it isnt that spacious, which can be a good or a bad thing, whichever way you look at it. On one hand it makes the bag warmer, but if you are a slightly larger person, then this isnt the bag for you.
Name: Vango Predator 450 Temp Rating: -30c Comfort Rating: -15c Weight: 2.45 kg Length: 220cm Chest: 80cm Feet: 60 cm Pack Size: 40 x 24 cm (un compressed)
Features:
"3D Construction tailored shape reduces air pockets in the bag increasing the thermal efficiency.
3 piece hood insulates the head, reducing heat loss.
Doughnut shoulder baffle reduces heat loss from inside the bag.
Polair Silky lining soft to the touch, wicks away moisture.
Polair Supa RS shell fabric ripstop, tough and water resistent.
2-way YKK Autolock zip can be used to regulate heat.
Anti-snag zip baffle reduces zip snag and cold areas.
Anatomically shaped foot plug keeps feet warmer.
IFTH Tested provides guaranteed performance.
4 strap compression sac further reduces the pack size.
Mesh pocket on velcro closure for convenient storage.
Check out www.vango.co.uk for more details on this great bag.
Chris
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