UKC

Sleeping bag recommendations.

New Topic
This topic has been archived, and won't accept reply postings.
 Cadairmanuk 20 Oct 2012
Good morning ,

I'm after some advise on sleeping bags. I'm looking to do some winter wild camping in north wales this winter. I'm looking for the ideal combination, light , packs down small but still really warm. I know it's a lot to ask really. I don't really feel the cold and last year my set up was. Quality foam mat, mountain equipment mattress and then a marmot two season bag. I slept in base layers and a fleece. At -9 on cadair idris I was on the edge really but would have been toasty if I but my paramo trousers and jacket on. I do now have a down jacket I could sleep in. So I'm looking at something's that packs down well and a comfort level around -5/-10.

Ben
 PaulHermes 20 Oct 2012
In reply to Cadairmanuk: Try the Alpkit range, superb price and lots of down
 martinph78 20 Oct 2012
In reply to Cadairmanuk: We were in Cotswold outdoors last weekend and they had a synthetic RAB bag in for £100 that was excellent value for money. Comfort rating of -9. My mate bought one. It is a bit weighty at 1.8kgs but otherwise we couldn't find anything better for the money (and we looked in every store in Keswick
 tom84 20 Oct 2012
In reply to Cadairmanuk:

Western Mountaineering ultralite. -7 bag for 800grams. also it'll last forever if you look after it, everyone recommends alpkit for basically everything on ukc- which is fine, but there are better options...
muFF1n 20 Oct 2012
In reply to Cadairmanuk:

"packs down well and a comfort level around -5/-10. "

Of course I cant tell from your cold british dampiness,
but still I would recommend to think system, not miracle,
where we are we use from bottom to top up to -10° Celsius:

1.) Therm-a-Rest Original Z Lite or Z Lite Sol
2.) a bag with 500g high quality (fat, no live-plucking)down, bag in total 1-1.2kg
3.) The Pieps MFL Double Alien Double Bivybag

ad1:
often shortend according to body lenght this is the by far warmest/lightest mat to go. If going colder or for several days I also take a short thin Exped Synmat or Downmat with me to protect the body core.

ad2:
cheap live-plucked and quality down make a lot difference, you will recognize after the second cold night in a row.
Also bag design. I did have bags from highly respected brands that either awkwardly distributed down or where not able to keep it in places I need.

If you know your needs regarding down distribution well and especially if want a bag for more humid conditions go and talk to PHD (http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/ ). I have two bags from them: both very, very good quality at a fair price. They hold/concentrate down in the foot box and around the center, even on back, very well. I've slept in my Minim 400 at -5°C with all and my duvet (Arcteryx Solo) really comfy. Using a down jacket I'd even use the Minim for for -10° to -15° nights in a tent.
If you plan to bivy in snowcaves the Minim is already overkill.

If you know and like the down distribution of Valandre you could also go for the LaFayette (http://www.valandre.com/eng/Sleeping_Bags_and_Outerwear/sleeping_bags/lafay... ): 564g fat down, 1024g in total, good for comfort up to -12/13°C. The folks at Valandre are also very competent and happy to help.
This is a proven and widely used bag at a fair price (below EUR 400) but many here consider it being overkill, even in winter as you will anyway try to sleep sheltered in a snow cave.
Don't (!) go for a big cheap heavy bag with a full zip which you will use only once. Buy light, high quality which doesn't need venting to prevent you sweating.

ad 3:
Pieps MFL Double Alien Double Bivybag is standard, you can buy cheaper at the Alpine Club here, has good venting capabilities and is highly versatile. Dont even think of membranes. This is to protect from humidity in snowcaves and tents and add a few degrees of warmth.
If you risk unplanned bivy's in winter you carry a blizzard bag (http://www.blizzardsurvival.com/product.php/100/blizzard-survival-bag ).

hth

PS: PHD and Valandre are capable of repairing/tuning gear inhouse, others,
especially big general brands don't.
OP Cadairmanuk 20 Oct 2012
In reply to Cadairmanuk:

Thanks all.
 Captain Gear 20 Oct 2012
In reply to Cadairmanuk:

Would you be interested in a PHD Hispar 500 in excellent condition?


http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/product_info.php?cat=26&products_id=245

PM me if interested.

New Topic
This topic has been archived, and won't accept reply postings.
Loading Notifications...