Therm-a-Rest Vela 20F/-6C Double

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I had to get a lighter two-person blanket instead of two separate sleeping bags, the purpose was also to get a summer/spring-autumn blanket and the first of the down fillings alongside the winter bag. It saves quite a lot in weight compared to two bags and there is enough warmth at least for the Finnish summers. The quality was positively surprising, light and excellent comfort. Surprisingly good lift in down quickly even after compression when taken out. I observed the movement of the down in use against the light in their own cavities, and at least in this individual they seemed to stay evenly on all sides, and there were no cold spots. There was a lot of down inside the blanket, and the weight in its storage bag on its own scale showed a little more than the declared 1.37kg. I ended up with this double model because I have previously bought a double-wide base for a two-person tent and have no previous experience with blanket-type blankets. I was also fascinated by the idea that with a blanket you can easily increase the frost resistance of your own winter sleeping bag in severe frosts. Suitable for sleeping alone or in pairs, indoors and outdoors. Sufficient width and length, no need to fight for cover. Even when sleeping as a couple, there has been no need to pull strings under the sleeping pad, so that the hems would not rise when turning. That's how well the anti-draft collars on the edges of the blanket and the bag for the legs work. There is also a handy zippered pocket for both sleepers, for example for a phone or a headlamp. The purpose is to use this also with a bivy bag for one person when I spend the night as a "summer/autumn cover" when the weather gets cooler, but not quite freezing yet. The water-repellent fabric and treated down seem to repel moisture leaving the body well and remain airy. After all, it is a bit big even when packed as a solution for one person, but it goes down to a double size smaller than the reliable Carinthia Defense SA M05 synthetic sleeping bag, which was previously the only bag, and is also half lighter, whether you compared them in their own transport sacks or in a pump-style compression bag with the air squeezed out. Based on the pre-purchase examination, I was left with a firm belief that with this blanket and a decent 4.8 R-value platform, the tarjeta would be kept there around zero quite painlessly. Below that, we start to be in the territory of Carinthia SA M05 in terms of temperatures. I am satisfied that this version with 0c comfort value was chosen, instead of the lighter one. Even if the weight is a few hundred grams more, summer nights in Finland often get quite low, and I believe that a larger amount of filling will reduce the movement of the down inside the blanket in the lateral direction. All in all, I can recommend this blanket especially for the summer/spring-September season, as long as you remember to invest in a sufficient sleeping pad.

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The product does not in any way keep what it promises in relation to the -6 degrees. We tested in the shelter at -1 degrees and after an hour had to give up on the cold and jump into our normal winter sleeping bags. But it is a nice blanket, so it will probably be our sleeping solution this summer.

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The blanket is really high quality. The "Puissi" feature is a convenient layer when "dressing" using several sleeping bags or blankets. The blanket is versatile, as it can be packed into a very small space. When using a blanket, I recommend covering it with something that can withstand moisture, which easily accumulates inside when camping.