View Full Version : Which 4 Season Sleeping Bag
Anthony Micallef
06-10-2008, 17:09
I went camping over the weekend and my Ajungilak Kompact Twin (3 season) didnt keep me as warm as I was expecting even though it has a -5 comfort rating. Admittidly it is about 12 years old so perhaps its had its day.
What would people here recommend Id get for say £100 - £120? Could I pick up a synthetic 4 season for this price?
Bernie Garland
06-10-2008, 17:19
I went camping over the weekend and my Ajungilak Kompact Twin (3 season) didnt keep me as warm as I was expecting even though it has a -5 comfort rating. Admittidly it is about 12 years old so perhaps its had its day.
What would people here recommend Id get for say £100 - £120? Could I pick up a synthetic 4 season for this price?
Get the new army issue of the bay.
Bernie
drewdunnrespect
06-10-2008, 17:34
or buy a 5 season snug pack softie elite 5 whihc supposedly goes down to minus 25
I`m with drew on this one
Personally I like snugpak bags although some guys do have issues.
I have the Elite 4 and it`s the mutts nuts
http://www.snugpak.com/index.php?MenuID=93-101&ItemID=15
A 5 would be grand though
korvin karbon
06-10-2008, 18:03
hijack alert :p. anyone recommend a good center opening bag???
hijack alert :p. anyone recommend a good center opening bag???
The cold weather 95 issue bag is pretty good, or there`s the 58 patt. They both weigh the same as a house but they`re cheap and up to the job.
korvin karbon
06-10-2008, 18:10
The cold weather 95 issue bag is pretty good, or there`s the 58 patt. They both weigh the same as a house but they`re cheap and up to the job.
looked at them, weight and bulk is the issue. Im thinking about this http://www.lasoutdoors.com/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=571&osCsid=5201d92e493fdeacd50fa94 73f08a941 outer shell feels to flimsy however. So any hints on what to get appreciated
You could try one of these, cheap as chips and surprisingly good!
http://www.strikeforcesupplies.co.uk/stock.php?page=bigpic&item=3002
You seem to be favouring synthetic, so my usual recommendation of "look at the Alpkit offerings" doesn't apply. Nanok bags seem to be universally well thought of, if a little on the heavy side, but they're getting harder to find. I'd personally not consider Snugpak bags.
korvin karbon
06-10-2008, 19:46
You could try one of these, cheap as chips and surprisingly good!
http://www.strikeforcesupplies.co.uk/stock.php?page=bigpic&item=3002
looks nice, but want centre opening, i am not falling out a hammock when trying to get in and out a side opening bag LOL
Ideal for hammocking!!!:D http://www.drinkstuff.com/products/product.asp?ID=4071
But more realistically!
http://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Product/64-Woodlore-Sleeping-Bag-Golden-Eagle
korvin karbon
06-10-2008, 20:14
Ideal for hammocking!!!:D http://www.drinkstuff.com/products/product.asp?ID=4071
i just knew someone would put that up LOL. Knowing me i would probably end up just wearing it to get to the camp site LOL
Here's another option....
http://www.combatservicesupport.co.uk/product-6726.wtl
korvin karbon
06-10-2008, 21:48
Here's another option....
http://www.combatservicesupport.co.uk/product-6726.wtl
seen that, little bit pricey LOL. what do you hammock guys normally use when using bag
seen that, little bit pricey LOL. what do you hammock guys normally use when using bag
Well I've got Group Buy quilt now but previouly used a square ( non hooded ) bag rotated 90 degrees so the zip was ontop, on colder days with a Buff worrn around my neck and a beanie hat, though 2 wool army "headovers" would probably do as well and can be got very cheaply.
korvin karbon
06-10-2008, 22:17
Well I've got Group Buy quilt now but previouly used a square ( non hooded ) bag rotated 90 degrees so the zip was ontop, on colder days with a Buff worrn around my neck and a beanie hat, though 2 wool army "headovers" would probably do as well and can be got very cheaply.
genius, i bet you got that idea from the movie "contact" a mars bar to whoever gets the link :p
genius, i bet you got that idea from the movie "contact" a mars bar to whoever gets the link :p
The genius bit comes in a slight modification to the bag.
To lessen the dead air space the quick way is to tie off the 2 foot"wings" with a bit of cord, the better way is to try that a few time, work out how much space suits you, add a little more then mark off the line, push the "wings" inwards and add a couple of zips to the outside of the bag.
This produces a little bit of extra insulation at the foot end and helps you feel better about carrying the extra few grams of unused insulation that previously had been tied off.
Contact? would that be the film with Jodie Foster, the link being, sharing a sleeping bag with Ms Foster would be an even better way to keep warm :D
seen that, little bit pricey LOL. what do you hammock guys normally use when using bag
I use a nice cheap British Army issue dossbag with a center zip, yes they are bulky but that doesn't bother me! its a 4 season bag that cost me nothing (I liberated it when I left the Army!;) ) but you could probably get one for £30.
It all depends if your a lightweight camper or not.
korvin karbon
06-10-2008, 22:45
The genius bit comes in a slight modification to the bag.
To lessen the dead air space the quick way is to tie off the 2 foot"wings" with a bit of cord, the better way is to try that a few time, work out how much space suits you, add a little more then mark off the line, push the "wings" inwards and add a couple of zips to the outside of the bag.
This produces a little bit of extra insulation at the foot end and helps you feel better about carrying the extra few grams of unused insulation that previously had been tied off.
Contact? would that be the film with Jodie Foster, the link being, sharing a sleeping bag with Ms Foster would be an even better way to keep warm :D
cheers :-) i think i will hold fire on getting the new bag and dig out the one i used when i camped out at my grandparents, in the scary livingroom LOL
Jodie Foster, hrmmmm nah LOL
korvin karbon
06-10-2008, 22:46
I use a nice cheap British Army issue dossbag with a center zip, yes they are bulky but that doesn't bother me! its a 4 season bag that cost me nothing (I liberated it when I left the Army!;) ) but you could probably get one for £30.
It all depends if your a lightweight camper or not.
woukd it shove into the bottom of a sabre 60-100? thats the max size i am looking at, ideally have some room left for the tarp too
woukd it shove into the bottom of a sabre 60-100? thats the max size i am looking at, ideally have some room left for the tarp too
I get mine into my PLCE bergen main compartment(100lt) with no trouble and still have room for spare gear, waterproofs and basha kit. My food and cooking gear goes in the two side pouches.
I don't use the compression sack, I place the sleeping bag inside my goretex bivvy bag and then it all gets stuffed into the bergen.
Barn Owl
06-10-2008, 23:50
If you're not walking far and only out for a couple of nights then to hell with the weight/volume.
Get a warm and comfy bag.
I've been using a Belgian bag with centre zip,it's like the UK army ones and with liner is great.
I've recently got a buffalo bag from Sniper that i'm sure will be toasty,even when wet, as i've had buffalo shirts for years that keep you warm when wet also.
Bear in mind though the bag is in conjuction with a bivi bag and usually fire and a tarp at least.
I've put a centre zip in my issue bivi to go with the zips of the buffalo and i'm sure it'll be great under a tarp,with ease of egress and entry.
You don't need food for a couple of nights compared to good comfy shelter.
If you're not walking far and only out for a couple of nights then to hell with the weight/volume.
Get a warm and comfy bag.
I couldn't agree more, I also forgot to mention that my bivvi-bag is a Dutch army one which is bigger than the Brit version and also has a central zip.
sandsnakes
07-10-2008, 09:57
Have you considered using two silk liners in your bag, also getting it properly dry cleaned? We dont realise but bags do take heavy use and do need cleaning.
Two liners and you boil alive on the coldest of nights. You can pick up cheap silk liners on ebay, a few mods and its done. No extra weight etc, etc. The more air you trap the warmer you are. You could also consider a nylon or polyester additional outer shell to the bag, again you are holding on to the air and the heat. Its a mistake to think that you need to spend more or need more kit, sometimes the low tech solutions work just as well or better. :)
Sansnakes
ScarletPimpernel
07-10-2008, 11:22
I also prefer a centre zip, largely because I get sick of being woken by lying on the zip after turning over in my sleep. The UK military issue bag is a good bag, though quite large. I have an ECW one too, which is excellent - just as long as you aren't backpacking.
However, on my last trip to sandy places I took a Snugpak and a silk liner, just so I could carry it in my daysack for use if the elderly airframe went TU. In the event I only used it on my return, and they worked very well in the freezing cold of a Mess with no heating (thanks, Sodexho).
Anyone tried the US military sleeping system - two sleeping bags and a bivi bag? They seem to be around £120 - £150 complete.
mortalmerlin
07-10-2008, 18:52
I would just buy an army arctic bag and keep the change.
Shambling Shaman
07-10-2008, 19:05
I like my Nanok -10 - A bit bulky but solid.
Greg thanks for the link - http://www.strikeforcesupplies.co.uk. ..ic&item=300 2
Nanok bags seem to be universally well thought of, if a little on the heavy side, but they're getting harder to find.
I don't have any trouble at all finding them.
:cool:
korvin karbon
07-10-2008, 22:17
cheers for all the help, i am probably going to get a new british army PLCE bag. I want to see one before though. Anybody know where i can get one in Edinburgh or Glasgow?
huntersforge
07-10-2008, 22:27
[QUOTE=Shambling Shaman;446125]I like my Nanok -10 - A bit bulky but solid.
Me too . Can honestly say I have never had a cold night in mine , Never had it out at -10 though - 5 been my limit thus far .:)
RobertRogers
07-10-2008, 23:31
Wiggies makes great bags, synthetic - which I recommend over down for areas that wet and damp are a factor, especially if outings are longer term than just one night.
cheers for all the help, i am probably going to get a new british army PLCE bag. I want to see one before though. Anybody know where i can get one in Edinburgh or Glasgow?
(Edinburgh) Redfern Barracks or maybe the castle!!:D
Only kidding mate!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320297330889
The photo shows the bag inside out, as you can see it has two inside pockets to warm / dry your socks etc..
I have a mountain equipment snowline. It's awesome. Rated to -37C, and weighs 1400g. And it always feels comfortable, I can even sleep in the house when it's about 14C and feel comfortable.
I don't have any trouble at all finding them.
:cool:
That's interesting. I thought they'd stopped supplying the endurance range in the UK, which was why a number of suppliers sold off stock a few months ago? Are you still able to get them?