View Full Version : New sleeping bag
Nightingale
05-01-2009, 13:37
Hi there,
I'm going to Switzerland this summer and looking for a sleeping bag which fits my needs.
I've searched this forum for knowledge and threads where others were in same boat as I am. Unfortunately it seems that the sleeping bags which are advised are a tad more extreme than I need.
For trips to Switzerland (summer) and Norwegian mountains (autumn), what sleeping bag will cover my needs?
I have been watching this bag, but I'm no expert and therefore I could use some advice.
http://www.wynnster.com/catalogue.asp?category=Sleepin g%20Bags&sub=Summit%20Series - the summit sleeping bag.
What's your opinion?
Thanks in advance.
/NG
Wallenstein
05-01-2009, 13:51
Will you be carrying the sleeping bag for long distances in your pack?
If you're staying in one place, or using cars / canoes etc it widens your choice as a good synthetic bag will be cheaper (but heavier) than a down bag.
I have one of these... £25 and very comfortable, but 2kg (so you wouldn't want to carry it far!)
http://www.greenleafoutdoors.co.uk/Echo-350-Sleeping-Bag-DEAL-PRICE_AKM82.aspx
Probably a bit warm for the summer, but great for autumn in the hills.
For summer use I would open it up and use it as a quilt, which will allow you to cool down a bit.
Woodlore have reduced the price of their Osprey, a good 3 season bag if it`s in your budget.
http://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Product/62-Woodlore-Sleeping-Bag-Osprey/
Nightingale
05-01-2009, 14:37
My trips are usually a week in the nature with backpack and I will carry all my stuff myself.
Shewie: I think it's a bit warm even for Norwegian mountains in autumn, don't you think?
I have a cocoon and planning to get a bivvy cover as well.
I think comfort around 0/-5C is fine.
It depends on your budget! Check out the Mountain Equipment Lightline 450. It packs small, has a very water resistant shell, and only weighs 1100g. I have used mine in the Scottish Mountains in April without a tent (tarp only), and was fine in just a base layer. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for!
http://www.mountain-equipment.co.uk/the_gear/down_sleeping_bags/extreme/lightline---435/
Or Alpkit make good bags, cheaper too!
http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16321&category_id=253
My trips are usually a week in the nature with backpack and I will carry all my stuff myself.
Shewie: I think it's a bit warm even for Norwegian mountains in autumn, don't you think?
I have a cocoon and planning to get a bivvy cover as well.
I think comfort around 0/-5C is fine.
Look at the Alpkits then like Wink said. Not got one myself but never heard a bad word about them.
Nightingale
05-01-2009, 15:33
Well, I think it is a bit expensive, isn't there a model "under" like a 350 or something?.
When the Mountain Equipment Lightline 450 has "a very water resistant shell" can I spare the bivvy cover or?
The drilite shell on the ME is water resistant to the extent that you can pour a cup of water on the bag exterior and it just runs off, but the seams are not taped and I don't know how long the water would continue to run off. The drilite is also around the inside of the hood area, so the down is not wet from your breath in the night.
I do not possess a bivvy bag, but I always have the tarp for rain protection, and something underneath to stop wet from the ground. Last time out my groudsheet (recycled from an old tent) started to leak, so I used bin bags for the rest of the trip. I stayed dry in torrential rain though, with the tarp. Less condensation than a bivvy.
I don't know how good the shell on the Alpkit is. They are a friendly bunch though, so you could ask them. They have a cheap deal on a lightweight down bag at the moment (£45 from memory), which might be warm enough with a silk liner and a bivvy bag, if you sleep warm/wear some clothes in bed. I know that some ultralight backpackers think that carrying a warm sleeping bag when you have a fleece or down jacket to wear in bed is crazy!
Nightingale
05-01-2009, 17:19
I have woolen underwear and a linen bag, I thinking of getting a new "cheap" sleeping bag and a bivvy cover.
As written before I travel to Switzerland this summer and Norwegian mountains in autumn. I don't know what comfort temp. the sleeping bag require when I got woolen underwear and a linen bag, plus a backing underneath (dunno what it's named in English) and a bivvy cover.
I'm going to carry it around, but it is not a must that the sleeping bag is ultra light.
My budget is around 110 GBP for bivvy cover and sleeping bag - I don't have to spent them all if I don't have to :)
What about the US modular sleep system ?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-US-Army-Marines-Issue-Modular-Sleeping-Bag-System_W0QQitemZ220294711649QQ cmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Collectabl es_Militaria_LE?hash=item22029 4711649&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C66%3A2%7 C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
Nightingale
05-01-2009, 17:32
Looks very good, but I reside in Denmark. I have to get someone i UK to buy it and then sent it to Denmark.
EDIT:
Hm, it weighs 5 kg? or is it the weigh of a package?
I'd also recommend Alpkit, got an SH800 myself (wrote this review (http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29688&highlight=alpkit) in the review section). They sell a bivvy bag as well, which has been reviewed here (http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36108&highlight=alpkit) by Nagual.
Will you be climbing high mountains in Switzerland? Can be quite chilly up there, even in summer... Same for Norway, all depends on the height, how far up north you're going and how warm you sleep...
Woolen underwear is excellent, and the linen bag might add a few degrees (but not much in my experience).
Edit: since you're a Dane, you should take advantage of the cheap GBP ;)
Nightingale
05-01-2009, 18:22
I'm not going to climb high mountains.
Whats the difference between the sleeping bags you recommend and the summit sleeping bag (http://www.wynnster.com/catalogue.asp?category=Sleepin g%20Bags&sub=Summit%20Series) ?
Yours are like 3 og 4 times more expensive.
I'm not going to climb high mountains.
Whats the difference between the sleeping bags you recommend and the summit sleeping bag (http://www.wynnster.com/catalogue.asp?category=Sleepin g%20Bags&sub=Summit%20Series) ?
Yours are like 3 og 4 times more expensive.
The summit sleeping bag (£24) is quite a bit heavier (1,9kg) and a lot less insulating: according to their website, the minimum comfort temperature would be about +7°C.
Compared to fe the cheapest Alpkit bag (SH400, now £45): max weight 1,136kg, comfort temperature +3°C. The pack size of the Alpkit is very likely a lot smaller as well.
So you would be paying for lighter weight combined with more warmth and a smaller size. (and you can get the SkyeHigh bags from Alpkit in 3 different sizes, which I personally need, being a bit taller than most...)
But plenty of other interesting brands out there as well, think about what you'll need to be comfortable at night and how much money that lighter/less bulky backpack is worth... (and be careful, some brands like to be very optimistic about their comfort ratings)
Maybe you could have a look at meteorological data (the minimum temperatures) for the exact location and time of the year you'll be out there? And if you would use average minimum temperatures, never a bad idea to add a couple of degrees to be safe.
Cheers and good luck,
Lasse
Nightingale
05-01-2009, 22:38
Ah, I see.
I only need comfort temperature around 0C.
The only thing I'm worrying about is the fact that my sleeping bag get wet. Is it a myth that goose down bags are hard to dry?
Ah, I see.
I only need comfort temperature around 0C.
The only thing I'm worrying about is the fact that my sleeping bag get wet. Is it a myth that goose down bags are hard to dry?
That is absolutely no myth, and is the number one disadvantage of down bags imo... When the down feathers get wet, they kind of stick together, and you'd have to dry them (carefully) and than try to redistribute the down again (could be done in a big laundry dryer with tennis balls I've heard).
If you get one, it's never a bad idea to put it in a waterproof bag in your backpack (I use a drybag) just to be sure. However I have been hiking with my down bag in my backpack without the dry bag up 'till now and have been just fine. You usually don't get the bag wet, it's just in case something goes terribly wrong...
As posted above, synthetic bags loose a lot less insulating power when wet compared to down bags (in the order of say 30% vs 80%, quite a difference). But many people have used down bags without any problems at all... (but I'd never give a young child a down bag)
It's also best to air out your sleeping bag every morning, if possible, this will help keep any odours at bay and will prevent the bag getting too damp (any bag you sleep in will always get a little damp during the night because of sweat etc)
Nightingale
05-01-2009, 22:56
Thought so, but if I use a bivvy cover i guess I'll reduce the chance of getting my sleeping bag wet by a great deal.
Is there an alternative to the SH400 or maybe a "buy bag and cover setup"? - the price is fine.
I have used some military leftover bag before, but I don't know about the stats and quality - so I can't really compare. Anyway I have always been warm in it and I don't think it was downs.
EDIT: I'm going to Kandersteg in Switzerland (summer) and Lifjell in Norway (summer). Will the SH400 keep me warm enough when I'm also wearing woolen clothes and have linen bag?
Wilderbeast
05-01-2009, 23:27
0/-5c you say, I have a mountain equipment classic 500, it's a down bag, very light and the comfort range is between 20C and -5C with an extreme of -20C, I love it! Get them off ebay-far cheaper!
Nightingale
06-01-2009, 07:28
What about a Mountain equipment firewalker 1? I can get that for 49.6 £ in Denmark.
what do you mean by a tad more extreme then you need? If you mean by temp then it's always better to get the ones with a lower comfort temp then the temperature you expecting, it's always better to be hot then freezing. From my previous experience that is
Nightingale
06-01-2009, 21:07
It sure is. But the firewalker 1 and the SH600 is nearly the same sleeping bag stat vise isn't it?
But the Firewalker is around 40 £ cheaper. Due I have to ship the SH600 to denmark.
Hi NG
Check out Alpkit (http://www.alpkit.co.uk)
Great value, well made, good performance down sleeping bags at competitive prices:
For instance the Skye High 600 for just £80. Here's the link http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16320&category_id=253
Comfy to -5 degC, weighs 1215g. Available in different lengths to suit your height
Hope this helps
Nightingale
06-01-2009, 21:48
Since you recommend the SH600.
The Firewalker 1 has nearly same stats, but I spare nearly 40 £. Is the extra 2 degree that worth?
I think you might be getting a wee bit confused by the way Mountain Equipment list the temperature rating. The lower figure on their "sleep zone" of -3c is NOT the comfort rating. The bag actually has a comfort rating of +10c, according to this site:
http://www.joe-brown.com/outdoor-equipment/special-offers/sleeping-bags/mountain-equipment-firewalker-1.html
So, the difference between that and the Alpkit bag is more like 15 degrees than 2!
PS: Go for the Alpkit!
Nightingale
08-01-2009, 07:19
I can see that most people advise alpkit. But my problem is that I have to spent like 30 £ to get the sleeping bag to Denmark. I have to find a store which is cheaper or something.
But my problem is that I have to spent like 30 £ to get the sleeping bag to Denmark.
30£? Delivery to Sweden was 15£ (for a LOT of gear) last week and delivery to Belgium was 8£ last year, so to Denmark it should be something in between unless they raised their shipping cost?
Might still be too much to your likings though...