UKC

Snugpak Sleeping Bags.... any Good for winter? tactical 5 or expedition bag for Scottish snow? or do i go full hog and go with a down bag???

any thoughts much appreciated cheers

In reply to medomjones: I used a couple of Snugpak bags for years.

They're good value but down is the way forwards!

In reply to jezb1:

the world of sleeping bags is confusing... any recommendations for a down bag?? circa £150??

cheers

In reply to jezb1:

Down is pants for Scottish winters... too damp!!!

In reply to Euge: Not in my opinion, mega light bivi bag over the top if your in a snow hole and if you're in a tent there's no problem any way.

Alpkit are the cheapest half decent down bags, failing that a second hand one around £150.

In reply to medomjones: I've got a Softie 12 which is still going very strong after 16 years, and definitiely wearm enough for winter. They are good bags. But a bit heavy.

In reply to medomjones:

I am in a similar dilemma. Like the look of Snugpack range, but like the look and the reports of the Mountain Hardware Lamina Zero even better. Apparently a good bag, but be careful if you are 6'+ and have had too many mince pies/jaffa cakes already in ones lifetime.
Agree with a previous post, the variable UK climate creates faff for down usage. Save weight on other camping items and have a good nights sleep wrapped in a synthetic.

In reply to medomjones:

I've got a snugpak osprey or softie 12 (can't remember which of the top of my head), got it for £90 online, never been cold in it, wet or dry, I'm 6'2" and have plenty of room. Downside is it's a tad heavy and bulky when packed.

Compare this to my mates alpkit down bag (whatever the standard warm one is called...1200 pipedream or something), in Scotland this January, even with a bivi bag, in a tent, his was soaked due to the high humidity after 1 night, and he was freezing even in all his clothes. Mine got damp but dried quickly in the day (being synthetic) and kept me warm and smug all week.

In reply to jezb1:
agreed down is fine. I used down for my first season winter climbing which I camped most trips, didn't need a bivi bag in my tent.

In reply to Dave 88:
Was he sleeping directly on the ground sheet or something? or perhaps he wasn't carefull with his wet clothes or where he left his bag during the day? Both me and my climbing partner at the time used down with no problems in winter over multpile trips, we were only doing 2 nights at a time mind. That said I've used down in some minging conditions for multiple nights and never had an issue with it damping out yet but I am careful with it!

In reply to Dave 88:

Your friend perhaps need to get some airflow through his tent. Ventilation, even in cold winter conditions, is a must...

In reply to medomjones:

I dunno, it can be hard to care when you're warm and dry and just want to get your head down!

He just seemed to be getting massive condensation issues. The bivi bag wasn't closed top either. I had a bit of moisture but it didn't seem to affect the insulation.

In reply to Siward:

Just read your post. I suppose the advice to the OP is: down is fine, but if you're a disorganised punter like myself, synthetic will be a bit more forgiving!

In reply to Dave 88:
I think the bivi bag was the issue, either that or he wet himself

In reply to nickinscottishmountains:
Impressive length (imperial?).
I can recommend a good E.D. specialist.

In reply to medomjones:

I used to have a Snugpak Softie Winter and it was fine, just a bit bulky and heavy when packed. That was the only drawback though, was very impressed with it for the price.

In reply to medomjones: I have a snugpak tactical 3. Very nice bag, packs small enough for overnighters with 45 l rucksack and lightweight tent. I've been cold out in the Cairngorms this winter (it it loosing some loft after ~300 nights use!) so am considering a tactical 4 or equal softie.

Directly compared to down whilst bivvying it is superior on the basis of condensation. I've had mates in down bags get cold while I'm toasty right beside them (in the 'lower' rated synthetic bag). If you get a down bag for the bivvy, you are well advised to get a very good quality and breathable bivvy bag (pair expensive bag with expensive bivvy), an expensive down bag with a cheap bivvy is asking for it. Saying that, a down bag in a well ventilated tent is just the ticket for cold weather.

The other major advantage of the softie over down is you can get into it in your damp clothes and be dry by morning and have a warmish nights sleep!

In reply to medomjones:

I had a softie 6 and used it at -23 in canada and it was just about do able. I now have a softie chrysalis which I find is an excellent winter bag loads of space really warm and even comes with clips so you can hang it up to dry excellent bag

Neil