sleeping bag recommendations

[MontyVeda]

I'm looking for a good sleeping bag for touring (april-sept). I'd like something which packs as small as possible leaving plenty of pannier room for beer, yet is pretty toasty in say mid april in the north of england.

I've never got on well with mummy type bags and prefer them parallel rather than tapered, and I'm 6'3"


In my experience one never knows how good a bag is until 6am, so I'm reluctant to splash out on something which may not cut the mustard.

 

[cnb]

Hi.. I have always used down filled sleeping bags.. mainly because warmth for weight and pack size were always better than synthetic filled bags..That was and prob still is the case..but synthetic bags are improving, if I was starting over again i would choose a synthetic bag..the advantage over down is they retain some of their warmth if they get wet... Mountain hardwear have some nice ones, packing small with some good temperature ratings.. mountain equipment or snugpack are also worth looking at..And don't forget to get a good insulating mat..

 

[jags]

i use the alpkit pipedream 400 super bag but it might not be to your liking mummy style .
but it's possible they may have what your looking for ,great company to deal with.

 

[cnb]

Yep alpkits supposed to do good stuff..also try looking on the outdoors magic website.. reader reviews...

 

[Brains]

Qualified mountain leader here, with at least 6 sleping bags of assorted types and ratings

If in doubt, use RAB as the benchmark, go with down if space is critical as you get a lot more warmth for the volume (however you pay for this)

I am always inclined to go for 4 season bags even in northern european 'summer' as you can always unzip and cool them down, however in a cold snap you can't turn a 3 season bag into a 4 season bag.

 

[PpPete]

How much you willing to spend?
Down is going to pack much smaller than synthetic.
I'd talk to PHD - get them to make an extra wide bag for you.. They are not cheap, but not hugely expensive either and it's all "made in england."
Not saying RAB isn't good - but made halfway round the world these days.

 

[bikepacker]

My sleeping bag of 8 years is coming to the end of it's life and is not made any more (I too am a little on the large size) so at this years Backpackers Club show I looked at many possible replacements. Prices ranged for down bags from just over £100 upto £450 and the Alpkit ones were very good and seem good value. The one the stood out for me was the long version of this one:

http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co...vario_semi-rectangular_down_sleeping_bag.html

It is also a good price.

 

[Zoof]

Even in July I take 2 micro flease's, leggings & a body warmer.

Used on camp, & sometimes when cycling over mountains in a storm.

Then I just carry a lightweight snugpack, & use the combination with a good mat

to keep warm on a cold night, this saves weight and space.




P S On a cold morning you can't walk around camp with a sleeping bag over your shoulders

you will look like an American Indian.

 

[bikepacker]

What, like this?

http://www.exped.com/exped/web/expe...tLeftTop/0.B4!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=jpg

 

[MontyVeda]

Even in July I take 2 micro flease's, leggings & a body warmer.

Used on camp, & sometimes when cycling over mountains in a storm.

Then I just carry a lightweight snugpack, & use the combination with a good mat

to keep warm on a cold night, this saves weight and space.

...

Yeah I'm thinking along these lines. I've just bagged a Downmat9 so I should be ok from groundfreeze. to date I've made do with £10 sleeping bag coupled with fleece and LJ's if necessary... so maybe a 1 or 2 season 'quality' bag will suit my needs and budget.

some of them down bags are hugely expensive! Might have to save up or find a better paying job!

 

[MontyVeda]

What, like this?

http://www.exped.com...dElemFormat=jpg

He he... I used to have ex-army sleeping bag which did a similar thing to that... most uncomfortable thing I've ever slept in but was pretty toasy when rebuilding the fire at 6am

 

[jay clock]

Starting point for me is the insulation provided by an Exped Downmat. As a bag I have a PHD Minim Ultra down. Snug fit, and ok for warmer weather. And really really small. I have now just bought another PHD on special offer - Minim 300 down with Drishell. Superb quality and they will tailor you one to suit if you want a special.

Mid April in North of England sounds like "down to freezing level". I would over-estimate rather than under estimate the warmth needed

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I'm looking for a good sleeping bag for touring (april-sept). I'd like something which packs as small as possible leaving plenty of pannier room for beer, yet is pretty toasty in say mid april in the north of england.

I've never got on well with mummy type bags and prefer them parallel rather than tapered, and I'm 6'3"


In my experience one never knows how good a bag is until 6am, so I'm reluctant to splash out on something which may not cut the mustard.

Can't help on the parrallel bags - but I did find a link about them in down somewhere - I will try to find it for you. On the tall side of things, I know that RAB do make custom length down bags and having 3 RAB sleeping bags myself - one of which is over 16 years old at least (my husbands 1st bag is over 20 years old) I can recommend them even if they are not made in the UK anymore. They are wonderfully soft and warm and I would not want to be without my RAB premier 1100 and quantum 400 bags. They are not being sold and despite the weight of the serious weight bag, it will be going with us at the start setting out in March and heading North - I hate to be cold and this bag has seen me warm at -18C on a thin standard crashmat before I found the downmats, but there are times when it is just too warm!

NeedleSports Custom length bag information
"Extra long bags that are made to order have about 10% extra down added to fill the extra length."

PHD also do custom length bags as well as custom bags
PHD Custom Bags
Design Your Own PHD Bag

I'll try to track that link down about square down bags
Emma

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

OK - found something
link - has a squarer foot.

don't think it comes in anything warmer and looks like it has been replaced by RAB's new line - but personally I would ring RAB and talk to them
Emma

 

[Zoof]

Yeah I'm thinking along these lines. I've just bagged a Downmat9 so I should be ok from groundfreeze. to date I've made do with £10 sleeping bag coupled with fleece and LJ's if necessary... so maybe a 1 or 2 season 'quality' bag will suit my needs and budget.

some of them down bags are hugely expensive! Might have to save up or find a better paying job!

Weight Weight Weight the way U are going U will need 2 mules 2 carry it.


get it down 2 2 panniers + tent on front


Snug-pack 1400 grams bag £90.00 light foam mat with backing £10.00 It's all I use.


Put the mat on top of the pannier carrier with your tent poles in it for protection. in a army waterproof stuff sack. £15-£20


Then u will not have split tent poles to contend with, on a rainy day like I did.


Also take a spare pole & saw blade 2 cut it down with, if u get wind damage.


Then just go, if it drops below -5 like in Buxton just light a fire, just take the action

that will remedy the situation. It's all part of the fun

zoof