French or British sleeping bag?

[stu1979uk]

Hi all,
I'm looking for a sleeping bag and came across a French Army MK2 bag its new and has a waterproof base and only at £20 i thought it was worth a look but the description is a bit vague, no ratings etc does anyone have one or any info on them?
The other option i was looking at was the 58 pattern British bag new at £40.

Both on the link below
http://www.surplusandadventure.com/ishop/800/shopscr3023.html

I will probally use with tarp and hammock but like the idea of the waterproof base giving the option of kipping on the deck is appealing. I intend to use in and around Scotland so hopefully no Arctic conditions.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated many thanks, Stuart

[Geuf]

I would go for a bag without a waterproof base and buy a bivybag with that.

The thing about sleeping bags is: you have to know a couple of things before you start searching for a bag. Where and when are you going to use them. what are the lowest temperatures you will be using it in. are you a sweaty person or a rather dry person. (down or synthetic) are you feeling cold reasonably quick or not. Will you be using it in damp area's? (down or synthetic) and how much money do you want to spend.

I have a German army issue sleeping bag ( €20) with a dutch bivybag ( either the fully closeable (€ 100) or the standard, green goretex shell, open one (€30). they work great for me around freezing level.
If you want to go far below freezing this combination is not so great an I'll need something better. For now this works best for me.
Don't forget to have something to insulate you from the ground. that's also very important.
Hope you find something usefull!

bag:
http://img02.picoodle.com/img/img02/7/2/17/f_germanbagm_e119d0f.jpg

simple goretex shell:
http://img03.picoodle.com/img/img03/7/2/17/f_Afbeelding0m_63f5954.jpg

fully closeable:
http://img02.picoodle.com/img/img02/7/2/17/f_naamloosm_0b2052e.jpg

[stu1979uk]

Cheers Geuf,

I hopefully will not be using the bag in temperatures much less than 0 degrees and i dont feel the cold to badly but can sweat a bit at times.
I thought of getting a bivibag with either of the 2 bags but i would assume the water proof base would substantially add to the weight of the bag therefore a bivi would be a better option.
Thanks for the advice and nice pics.

[Goose]

I have one of those french bags, must have had it 15-20 years, and it still gets used occasionally. They are totally different to the British G10 bag although when rolled they look very similar, apart from the french bag has buckles instead of toggles. The big difference is in the make up of it, it is a basic sleeping bag with a cover that comprises a waterproof base and a top cover that is somewhat water resistant. The thing I liked most about the bag over the G10 was that it could be opened up and used like a double quilt, handy in the back of vehicles using it like a wrap around rather than trying to get into and out of a bag in a rush!
The advantages over the british bag was the adaptability, its drying properties and its perfomance when damp. The disadvantages are, it is bulky especially for its rating(I would estimate it is a two to three season bag if the G10 is 3 to 4 season), and the water resistant properties are reduntant with bivi bags available now. I keep mine as a spare, it is roomy enough to go over another 2 season bag.
I think overall Geufs suggestion about the sleeping bag/bivi combo, with some sort of roll mat(self inflating are good but you don't need to pay thermarest prices!) is your best bet though!
I was out a couple of weeks ago, the night the snow hit, and was using a cheapish 3 season eurohike bag, a gelert self inflating mat, a british goretex bivi bag( you can pick them up for around £20) and a small blanket wrapped around my feet(they usually get cold!) this was in a hammock without an underblanket and I was fine. If I changed anything about my set up it might be for a lighter better bag, but the one I had was up to the job, just a pain to carry.

[BushTucker]

This is an interesting topic for me as I lost my old bag when my car was nicked along with other bits. I was bought one for xmas by a relative who unfortuneatly forgot my measurements, I can get in and zip the bugger up but then cannot move it it, at all 8-(.

I only need a small tog rating as I have a fair bit of natural padding so would be looking for a min of around 90cm.