View Full Version : Sleeping Bags
Atomic Bimbler
08-09-2008, 20:44
Hello, did a fair bit of winter camping last year (think im a bit wrong, i enjoy 'wild camping' more when its lashing down or snowing lol), but got a bit fed up of having to wear all the clothes i had with me at night in my sugpak elite 3, so for this season im going to splash out on a new sleeping bag :D .
There are so many to choose from but I have whittled it down to these 2:
(A) Woodlore Golden Eagle
(B) Nanok Endurance sf -25ºC (£20 cheaper)
Your advice would be greatly appreciated, even if you throw a spanner in my plans by offering other alternatives :lmao:
Thanks
Are you in a tent or a hammock or on the deck ? Have you used a bivi bag aswell, I find I`m too warm if anything in my elite 4 when I combine the two.
It`s down to the kegs before I get in and I`ll probably end up unzipping the bag half way through the night aswell.
Rich
Atomic Bimbler
08-09-2008, 22:10
Thanks Rich
I normally use a bivi bag on the floor. ( I wriggle too much for a hammock) and if weathers a bit iffy, i'm under a tarp, but I like to have it open at the sides.
My last cold trip was in the Snowdonia area, just after easter. We had rain, sleet, snow, hail etc. Ended up fully clothed with thermals and even put on my mountain shirt. I like to be snug at night :) am also hoping to have a trip to Sweden, so would like it extra toasty
I use a Nanok Endurance -10 and a goretex bivi/thermarest combo.
Keeps me lovely and cosy in the colder months! The stuff sack on the Nanok is a bit dodgy though!
Dan
Scots_Charles_River
08-09-2008, 22:59
I use a Nanok Endurance -10 and a goretex bivi/thermarest combo.
Keeps me lovely and cosy in the colder months! The stuff sack on the Nanok is a bit dodgy though!
Dan
Same as me, even carefully packing the bag I have ripped a small bit of the seam on the stuff sac.
Nick
Atomic Bimbler
08-09-2008, 23:03
Think that would irritate me
Two of the straps ripped straight off of mine. :rolleyes: rubbish!!
Dont let this put you off the bag though, they really are superb. You can buy another stuff sack for around a fiver that'll take much more abuse!
Dan
saddle_tramp
08-09-2008, 23:07
Ive always sworn by buffalo bags. they arnt exactly compact, but theyre well and truely bivvy proof
British Red
08-09-2008, 23:07
The -25 is bleeding enormous! I have one - I know. BB loves it for car camping as its super toasty but it is really, really big. I hope you have a 100 litre sack or forget it
Did I mention its big?
Red
Mesquite
08-09-2008, 23:15
Did I mention its big?
Red
Don't think you did Red.... are you sure it's a big bag then? ;)
British Red
08-09-2008, 23:24
Just been to check
oomongous :lmao:
The -10 fits in the bottom compartment of my Sabre 60-100 a treat.
Glad i didint get the -25 though, heard its REALLY big! ;)
Atomic Bimbler
08-09-2008, 23:31
so the -25 is a bit on the large side then :)
Dan, have u used the -10 in sub zero conditions?
Slept out in january. think it got to about -1 or -2.
Was pretty toasty all night. i seem to sleep better when its really cold outside though!
Good bags mate, you wont regret it! :D
Jedadiah
09-09-2008, 08:41
What sort of budget are you looking at? Going by the bag's you have mentioned i'm assuming you can spend around £100 - £130. For that money you could get yourself a reasonable down bag. This will give you as good if not better insulation but at a fraction of the pack size. If i may be so bold as to suggest considering Alpkit or TNF. In fact there are a fair few down bags available for that price that will not take up your entire pack load.
crazyclimber
09-09-2008, 11:27
Haha, I thought my nanok -10 was big, can't imagine what the -25 is like!
Atomic Bimbler I too use an elite 3 most of the year, i prefer it 'caus like I said it's a lot smaller and lighter than the nanok. A silk liner is great if you want some more insulation (also keeps the bag clean) then you can add a fleece liner too. Plus I'm usually in a bivy bag so although I'm a fairly warm sleeper I'm usually pretty toasty with that lot even on snow. A couple of (cheaper) options maybe unless you really want a new bag
Atomic Bimbler
09-09-2008, 12:14
Thanks guys, do u fine liners restrictive??
I do need to get another sleeping bag anyways, as my boys are growing at an unbelievable rate :)
I do like my snugpak and could go for an elite 4 or 5, they r quite reasonable in price but are the Nanok or woodlore any better quality?
The woodlore bags are made by nanook (I'm sure it says that somewhere on their site), but to slightly different design. The nanooks (the military ones anyway) have zips either side which make it easier to get in and out of, but I think the woodlore have a single centre zip (like british army bags). As for quality, nanook is very good indeed (apart from carry bag, but you can always get a better one elsewhere).
Angus Og
09-09-2008, 13:32
I have Woodlore Golden Eagle, osprey and I also have a friends Nanok Endurance -10 in the house.
Just been up in the loft and took some pictures to give you some idea of the sizing.
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff135/Angus_Og/004.jpg
From left to right, Golden Eagle,........................ ....................... Osprey and........................... ................. Endurance -10
placed next to a Steel Billy Can 12cm
Compressed
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff135/Angus_Og/003.jpg
From left to right, Golden Eagle,........................ ....................... Osprey .............................. ............ Endurance -10
The only reason I bought the Ray Mears ones was the centre zip and that the Nanok Endurance two zips twice as much to go wrong. ;)
Atomic Bimbler
09-09-2008, 14:03
Angus, u r a superstar, thank u very much for yr effort :)
Angus Og
09-09-2008, 16:54
Angus, u r a superstar, thank u very much for yr effort :)
No problem but looking at those pictures I'm glad that carpet is in the loft.:rolleyes:
Atomic Bimbler
09-09-2008, 16:59
Yes, thought it rude 2 comment tho :)
crazyclimber
09-09-2008, 18:22
Thanks guys, do u fine liners restrictive??
Nope, some do some don't it seems. If, like a mate of mine, you turn over all night you'll probably hate them. I know he constantly wakes up all tangled. I tend to just lie all night on my back though so no problema
British Red
09-09-2008, 19:49
I reckon the Golden Eagle is about the size of a Nanok -25 for reference - it really is a beast. Bleeding great with snow on the ground don't get me wrong but bulky.
Now the funniest is it nests inside a 0 for a minus 35 bag - you will however need a Sherpa :)
Red
squantrill
09-09-2008, 20:35
(A) Woodlore Golden Eagle
(B) Nanok Endurance sf -25ºC (£20 cheaper)
I cant speak for the Woodlore but I have the nanok Performance -30 and its prity good I have used it in a hammock and in folding tent and under a tarp and it keeps me warm....
Very warm.... so much so that its to hot and I have to open it ;()
This is the best bag I have ever owned it was expensive but I would pay it again knowing the quality..
Good luck with whatever you choose....
Bear in mind like any bag with baffles the zips a pain in the but especially in a hammock!!
Atomic Bimbler
10-09-2008, 08:53
Thaks 4 the advice everyone :)
The only reason I bought the Ray Mears ones was the centre zip and that the Nanok Endurance two zips twice as much to go wrong. ;)
With the Nanok Extreme, is it possible to get in and out using just one of the two zips? Or do both need to be unzipped?
Jedadiah
10-09-2008, 09:53
With the Nanok Extreme, is it possible to get in and out using just one of the two zips? Or do both need to be unzipped?
No, you do not need to use both zip's; it is just handy for people who like left hand OR right hand zips. The handy thing is, they are two way zips so you are able to unzip them from the bottom and stick both feet out if they are hot whilst still allowing the top portion to be zipped keeping your trunk or torso warm.
you are able to unzip them from the bottom and stick both feet out
:lol:
And if you try to use both zips in turn, you perhaps double the time before you encounter a zip failure ? :)
The RM bags are made by Nanok so you are effectively paying more for the same product. In my opinion you are splashing out more money than you need to on a -25 bag for use in the UK, I used to have the -10 and slept out in that throughout the winter - unlike some other bags Nanok temperature ratings seem to be pretty good, although like British Red says they are bulky. The RM equivilent of the -10 is the 'Osprey' I think - there is one for sale at £85 in the Classifieds at the mo.
Atomic Bimbler
10-09-2008, 12:19
Think I am going for the Nanok -10, found this shop on the web, seems reasonable http://www.uktactical.com/acatalog/Nanok_Endurance_-10.html
Thanks for all your help :D
LOL. Was just about to post and say that they were going for £79.95 on www.uktactical.com
Think thats the cheapest i found.
Good choice mate!
ScarletPimpernel
10-09-2008, 20:23
I have used UK Tactical before, and was impressed with their service - friendly and quick.
Atomic Bimbler
10-09-2008, 22:54
Thanks. I have used them in the past, never had any problems :)
I have the Nanok -10, does anyone know if the SF will go over this bag to provide the extra season ?
cheers,
Toddy
bikething
10-09-2008, 23:21
I have the Nanok -10, does anyone know if the SF will go over this bag to provide the extra season ?
cheers,
Toddy
I thought the 'SF' and the endurance were the same thing? - in which case, the 0 degree bag will fit over the -10 to give a rating of -20 I believe.
Outdoorcode sold the 0 o bag, but this last site mentioned just seems to have the SF, -10 and -25.
cheers,
Toddy
sandsnakes
11-09-2008, 09:36
I have slept out warm as toast in a pattern 58 down bag, an un-issed one which was recently dry cleaned, with two silk liners in minus 5. So i guess it boils down to individual metabolic rate, and the amount of additional insulation next to the skin.
Sandsnakes
bikething
11-09-2008, 11:34
Outdoorcode sold the 0 o bag, but this last site mentioned just seems to have the SF, -10 and -25.
cheers,
ToddyThe Nanok site refers to it as the Endurance SF range.
The UK tactical site uses pretty much the same wording for all 3 bags, but doesn't mention a temperature rating of the 'SF' bag, which i'm guessing from the price will be a 0 degree bag.
It should fit fine (I bought all three from ODC, used the -10 in Norway at -20 :eek: , not had to use the -25 yet!) :)