Sleeping bag help

**winchman** · 06-12-2011, 18:37

Our Daughter is doing her D of E after Xmas, so need s a good 4 season sleeping bag.
She feels the cold, is almost 6ft and needs something that packs up small as she takes too much stuff.
Any ideas?
The only cunning plan I have is a good friend is going to Kiev ( spelling ) in Russa, would he be able to get me a good one cheap?
She wont have used.

**Johnnyboy1971** · 06-12-2011, 18:42

Do you have a budget mate

**winchman** · 06-12-2011, 18:53

Ideally below £100 or nearer 50 if possible, she has a Synthetic bag I paid £40 for from Amazon, its an Echo? its very good but you need a small van to carry it

**Johnnyboy1971** · 06-12-2011, 18:57

Was going to suggest the alpkits pipedream series
http://www.alpkit.com/pipedream
Or the Skyehigh
http://www.alpkit.com/skyehigh
These are also worth a look at depending if she is sleeping out doors or indoors.
http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?...ategory_id=290

**PeterH** · 06-12-2011, 19:37

I don't think you will get:

New
4 season
Down

Retail in Uk for your desired price, try looking at Vango as the best pure price but I would think Alpkit Skyehigh is your best bet for performance per pound sub 150 but costs more. If you search eBay for marmot sawtooth at the moment you may find one that has 2 days to go and is rated sub zero C (being us marmot talk in F when referring to bags as zero rated).

When and where are they going as DofE expedition season is normally BST in the UK? Wet or dry cold obviously affects things, to be honest down may not be that good a choice, throwing out the excess weight and ruthless team packing would be better.

**Loenja** · 06-12-2011, 20:14

Originally Posted by Johnnyboy1971

Was going to suggest the alpkits pipedream series
http://www.alpkit.com/pipedream
Or the Skyehigh
http://www.alpkit.com/skyehigh
These are also worth a look at depending if she is sleeping out doors or indoors.
http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?...ategory_id=290

they are great, got one earlier this year and ive only been out a few times fut its sooo warm

**snozz** · 06-12-2011, 20:30

Any good? http://www.millets.co.uk/camping/sle...FcsmtAodI1YhQA

Coupled with a liner, should see her through most UK weather - 2 of the 3 reviews are positive(!)

Personally i'd watch ebay for used down bags, but if she insists on new ....

**Harb505** · 06-12-2011, 21:21

"Eurohike is high in warmth and comfort and its down fill insulation makes this an ideal choice for cold temperatures suitable for conditions up to -21C"
I would guess that means suitable in an extreme survavial situation i.e. you'll be freezing but you'll survive?

**PeterH** · 06-12-2011, 22:00

Unfortunately after a quick look I could not see how much down (500g?) or what type. It also does not say that is an EN temp rating or as you pointed out which one of the three normally cited; comfort, transition and extreme (female, male and just about still alive!) but they all tend to be subjective. Hummmm

**winchman** · 07-12-2011, 10:02

Originally Posted by snozz

Any good? http://www.millets.co.uk/camping/sle...FcsmtAodI1YhQA

Coupled with a liner, should see her through most UK weather - 2 of the 3 reviews are positive(!)

Personally i'd watch ebay for used down bags, but if she insists on new ....

Thanks very much for this. So impressed I bought our son one too.
They have 40% off at the moment so its takes this off at check out, so paid £35 for a down bag
Two bags, two fleece liners £94.91 inc delivery now thats a result.

**Claudiasboris** · 07-12-2011, 10:09

Hi Winchman,

DofE expeditions and practices shouldn't been done in winter. The season is from the end of March to the end of October, avoiding the really bad weather. As such, a three season bag should suffice, depending on conditions, terrain, etc. Of course if she does feel the cold, there's nothing wrong with using a four season (I usually do).

Sleeping bag liners and sleeping mats help an awful lot and shouldn't be ignored.

Hope that helps a bit.

Claudiasboris

**winchman** · 07-12-2011, 10:12

Originally Posted by Claudiasboris

Hi Winchman,

DofE expeditions and practices shouldn't been done in winter. The season is from the end of March to the end of October, avoiding the really bad weather. As such, a three season bag should suffice, depending on conditions, terrain, etc. Of course if she does feel the cold, there's nothing wrong with using a four season (I usually do).

Sleeping bag liners and sleeping mats help an awful lot and shouldn't be ignored.

Hope that helps a bit.

Claudiasboris

Thanks, she really feels the cold so I have got her one with a fleece liner as I feel it should be the best of both worlds.
Now what mats do people reccomend?
Rememeber my tight budget LOL.
I have the self inflating ones at the moment

**tartanferret** · 07-12-2011, 10:43

R.E Sleeping mat.

Maybe these will fit in your budget? i havnt had chance to try mine out yet..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SELF-INFLA...item2eb8cdbd36

If they are good enough for our armed forces...

**winchman** · 07-12-2011, 10:50

Originally Posted by tartanferret

R.E Sleeping mat.

Maybe these will fit in your budget? i havnt had chance to try mine out yet..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SELF-INFLA...item2eb8cdbd36

If they are good enough for our armed forces...

These look identical to the ones Argos sell Litchfield I think, bought our son one last year, he said it was good but difficult to pack when you are 11 LOL.
Spoke to an ex army bloke at carboot who was selling all his kit, mat was exactly the same but shorter.
I just go in the camping shops and see all sorts of fancy ones but are they worth it?

**PeterH** · 07-12-2011, 23:25

2 observations as a DofE assessor;

- many kids cannot repack self inflating mats, especially if it is raining and they cant fight with it in the field, as Mum told them to put it in the bag, along with rolling up the sleeping bag to put it in the STUFF sack

- almost inevitably they fail to get everything inside unless regular users (in which case above does not apply) so actually a closed cell foam mat that can be rolled easily and safely attached on the outside is the pragmatic answer. The problem is stopping them hanging the sleeping bag outside as well!

Claudiasboris was more explicit about what I was trying to say

**Squidders** · 07-12-2011, 23:48

I was always cold in my alpkit bag... for the money I think you're looking at warm, cheap and used or cold, cheap and new.

Bulk is the issue... good down bags pack small but are expensive, I have never been warmer than in a british army bouncing bomb... but they are hard to find new and are huge when packed.

For a mat... a decent foam one is probably the best idea just because they don't need any attention and are very warm.

**winchman** · 08-12-2011, 06:14

Originally Posted by PeterH

2 observations as a DofE assessor;

- many kids cannot repack self inflating mats, especially if it is raining and they cant fight with it in the field, as Mum told them to put it in the bag, along with rolling up the sleeping bag to put it in the STUFF sack

- almost inevitably they fail to get everything inside unless regular users (in which case above does not apply) so actually a closed cell foam mat that can be rolled easily and safely attached on the outside is the pragmatic answer. The problem is stopping them hanging the sleeping bag outside as well!

Claudiasboris was more explicit about what I was trying to say

Thanks. They have mastered the big bulky synthetic bag when they have been to sleepovers, the mat, well lets just say they need practice LOL
I fully intend to do some dummy runs as I realise how important it is that they know how to use the equipment they have, our lads up for it but daughter has the oh yea I can do that attitude, but we will make her practice then we know she will be ok with it.
One of the reasons I wanted feather bags is so they can put them inside the rucksack.
Just seen in the press Millets is in the brown stuff, I hope I get my stuff and they dont close!

**winchman** · 08-12-2011, 06:24

Originally Posted by Squidders

I
Bulk is the issue... good down bags pack small but are expensive, I have never been warmer than in a british army bouncing bomb... but they are hard to find new and are huge when packed.

For a mat... a decent foam one is probably the best idea just because they don't need any attention and are very warm.

Bouncing bomb, I take it you mean the 58 Pattern Down with the water proof base,bags made by the Chelsea Quilt co?
Our daughter is fussy and wouldnt use a used bag, but our son would, dont want him to stand out at school with an old bag and they are heavy and bulky.
I did manage to buy one from the carboot sale for £3 last week, its very good so this will be cleaned and used for his scout camps when they go with no tent, for £3 I cant go wrong

Its interestig to see how rare the feather ones are, I rang the manufacturer to find out what rating they are, she was very helpful and said they still cant believe how many are still about. They only stopped doing them as in the 90s the MOD cost cutting lead to suppliers in the far east cost cutting with synthetic bags, should get an Email today telling me what rating they are.

**mountainm** · 08-12-2011, 06:51

I recommend getting the tie in 58 PAT cold weather liner that goes with the bag. You can get them off ebay for a tenner.

**winchman** · 08-12-2011, 07:32

Just bought two fleece liners for the feather bags so I assume they would fit?

**mountainm** · 08-12-2011, 08:59

Originally Posted by winchman

Just bought two fleece liners for the feather bags so I assume they would fit?

The benefit of the 58pat liner is that it has tie points to secure it in the bag and opens up the middle with the zip - but any liner will fit.

**Fizzy** · 08-12-2011, 11:40

Originally Posted by winchman

Just seen in the press Millets is in the brown stuff, I hope I get my stuff and they dont close!

Well, my missus is still at work, so I think you'll be fine for now

Had a look at those Eurohike bags at the weekend, and interestingly they're full price in store. Seem decent enough. 40% off everything ended today as well

**Badger74** · 08-12-2011, 16:31

MountainM, do you know what is the 58 patt liner made of?

**mountainm** · 08-12-2011, 16:36

Originally Posted by Badger74

MountainM, do you know what is the 58 patt liner made of?

No sorry, I looked for a label but there's nothing - I read on another forum it's synthetic. It's woven, not knitted if that helps.

**blacktimberwolf** · 08-12-2011, 16:47

Originally Posted by Badger74

MountainM, do you know what is the 58 patt liner made of?

I believe it's nylon.

**Badger74** · 08-12-2011, 16:50

Nylon!

Shudder...it's not for me then.

I was hoping it was at least cotton.

**mountainm** · 08-12-2011, 16:51

Originally Posted by blacktimberwolf

I believe it's nylon.

Mines the cold weather one (I dunno if there was a warm weather one?) and it doesn't feel like Nylon - feels more like a heavy linen truth be told.... but it doesn't crease as easily.
this one (but olive green): http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/58-pattern...#ht_902wt_1396

**Badger74** · 08-12-2011, 16:58

I'm looking at that one already! hence the question.

**mountainm** · 08-12-2011, 17:03

Originally Posted by Badger74

I'm looking at that one already! hence the question.

Well the fibres look and feel like wool, (scratchy, hoping conditioner in the wash will take care of that) they have minimal stretch, but are woven not knitted. They are reminiscent of denim but veering towards garden string....

**mountainm** · 08-12-2011, 17:14

Originally Posted by Badger74

I'm looking at that one already! hence the question.

These are cotton
http://www.militarymart.co.uk//prod_1437.html

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