Bungle
06-18-2008, 09:15 PM
Myself and some likeminded anglers set up an independent review website back in jan 2007, and we have recently independently reviewed some Snugpak items.
Here's what I said about the Stratosphere shelter...
Snugpak Stratosphere shelter
By Geoff Winn
Now most of us have been there, and wanted to be as mobile as possible but also have the flexibility and comfort of being close to the rods but not wanting to constantly be setting up and taking down the bivvy, bedchair and sleeping bag etc. Well I’ve been carping since the age of 16, and I was genuinely as excited as a schoolboy when I was waiting for delivery of the Snugpak Stratosphere shelter.
Snugpak are best known for their clothing to the carping fraternity, but they also make exceptional outdoor products for the camping and military markets too. The Stratosphere is a shelter, but where it differs from a bivvy is that it is just big enough for you and a sleeping bag. Look at the picture – I have put a camping foam mat in the base and a 4 season duvet style sleeping bag inside it and just pegged out the top and bottom sections. It really is that simple. I leave the 2 small poles in place and roll up the mat and sleeping bag inside the headroom area and when I’m ready for bed, voila - 10 seconds later its rolled out, pegged down and I’m then inside. Next morning it’s the same 10 second pack up. More time to fish and less time setting up and packing up.
Now to the technical bit. The Stratosphere has a waterproof upper and base with an additional mosquito net fitted in the reverse of the headroom area as well as to the front so you can zip up and be 100% bite free. 2 collapsible poles thread into the shelter to form the small but perfectly proportioned headroom area. It even has a zipped mesh compartment above your head for keys, wallet etc. If it’s raining, climb in and zip up the waterproof material and you’re fully cocooned, but don’t worry about condensation as the mesh panels behind your head allows a free flow of fresh air. If you pack it away, it comes complete with a really small stuff sack bag and with plenty of good quality pegs too. In total, the shelter alone weighs in at an impressive 1300 grams – great design and well thought out.
I’m totally sold on the Stratosphere for my short sessions, especially overnighters where I can concentrate on the fishing and not the setting up, packing away chore. With a rrp of around £80, not cheap but the vision, quality of materials and practicality of the Stratosphere is fantastic. If marketed towards the Carp fishing market, this could be a huge seller.
A real headturner of a product and set to change short overnight sessions in my opinion. Top quality like all the Snugpak items reviewed so far by us. For more information, have a look at www.snugpak.com
Here's what I said about the Stratosphere shelter...
Snugpak Stratosphere shelter
By Geoff Winn
Now most of us have been there, and wanted to be as mobile as possible but also have the flexibility and comfort of being close to the rods but not wanting to constantly be setting up and taking down the bivvy, bedchair and sleeping bag etc. Well I’ve been carping since the age of 16, and I was genuinely as excited as a schoolboy when I was waiting for delivery of the Snugpak Stratosphere shelter.
Snugpak are best known for their clothing to the carping fraternity, but they also make exceptional outdoor products for the camping and military markets too. The Stratosphere is a shelter, but where it differs from a bivvy is that it is just big enough for you and a sleeping bag. Look at the picture – I have put a camping foam mat in the base and a 4 season duvet style sleeping bag inside it and just pegged out the top and bottom sections. It really is that simple. I leave the 2 small poles in place and roll up the mat and sleeping bag inside the headroom area and when I’m ready for bed, voila - 10 seconds later its rolled out, pegged down and I’m then inside. Next morning it’s the same 10 second pack up. More time to fish and less time setting up and packing up.
Now to the technical bit. The Stratosphere has a waterproof upper and base with an additional mosquito net fitted in the reverse of the headroom area as well as to the front so you can zip up and be 100% bite free. 2 collapsible poles thread into the shelter to form the small but perfectly proportioned headroom area. It even has a zipped mesh compartment above your head for keys, wallet etc. If it’s raining, climb in and zip up the waterproof material and you’re fully cocooned, but don’t worry about condensation as the mesh panels behind your head allows a free flow of fresh air. If you pack it away, it comes complete with a really small stuff sack bag and with plenty of good quality pegs too. In total, the shelter alone weighs in at an impressive 1300 grams – great design and well thought out.
I’m totally sold on the Stratosphere for my short sessions, especially overnighters where I can concentrate on the fishing and not the setting up, packing away chore. With a rrp of around £80, not cheap but the vision, quality of materials and practicality of the Stratosphere is fantastic. If marketed towards the Carp fishing market, this could be a huge seller.
A real headturner of a product and set to change short overnight sessions in my opinion. Top quality like all the Snugpak items reviewed so far by us. For more information, have a look at www.snugpak.com