Sleeping bag

[gloomyandy]

Looking for a new sleeping bag. For use cycle camping in the UK from late April to late October. Will be used mainly in a small tent, plus occasional use in a hostel etc. I'm not very tall 5'6" so shorter/lighter bags may be good. Will be used in NW Scotland and I seem to feel the cold at night. Any recommendations?

[MLJ]

I have found down bags the best for cycle camping. Mine is no longer listed, but one of these could be suitable:
http://www.mountain-equipment.co.uk/the_gear/down_sleeping_bags/

[foxyrider]

get a three season bag and a silk liner. Try Decathlon, some of their kit is really good and great value and they do different sizes too.

[jeeves]

Alpkit sleeping bags have been widely recommended on this forum
I got myself one last week, currently on offer at cheaper than before (£110 down from £140)
Down sleeping bag which packs down very small into its own compression sack.
Comes with a loft bag for storage, very pleased with mine

[willem jongman]

Alpkit do good budget kit. However, since you did not mention budget, have a look at the PHD Minim 450 Dryshell, currently in their sale. Early Spring or late Autumn in Schotland can be cold and wet, so a Dryshell outer is very helpful.
Willem

[cjs]

....you did not mention budget....

I find it virtually impossible to suggest without an idea of budget.......

Just for the record, for me,who

• likes comfort
• is not time constricted (retired, loads of it)
• can not warrant the cost of a down lightweight bag
• not too concerned with the weight penalties
• and is 6'4"

found warmth & value with a Decathlon Ultralight XL - the Ultralights come in a variety of sizes and and temperature ranges - but of course low temperatures & XL sizes = weight....

Initially I tried various in stock bags from my local Cotswold but they were all far too small and neat!

I would suggest identify a budget, identify your temperature range based on intended locales and heights ASL and then have a good forage amongst the hiking and biking forums...

Hope this helps..

[Sweep]

Interesting CJS -found this review of a chap who adapted one (though fleeces sound bulky to me) and reckons he was liketoast at minus 11.


http://woozlesbucket.blogspot.it/2010/0 ... eview.html

I do like the idea of adapting a bag with linings (I have a Decathlon silk one but not yet used it) and lightweight clothing which you only sleep in.

Sounds like an alternative to the one-bag ultra-high performance route.

(note - I currently use a relatively bulky but still performing Mountain Equipment bag)

[gloomyandy]

Hi Folks,
firstly thanks for the comments so far. As to budget I don't really have any limit in mind (within reason I'm not going to be spending £500 on a bag), but other than that I see this as a longish term investment (my existing bag - a RAB - I've had for probably 20+ years), so I'd like to get a good one. Looking at the comments so far...
* I like the idea of some form of dry treatment, I've managed to get my old bag wet a few times.
* It must have a zip (can't face struggling in and out of one without).
* Probably going to go the down route (have been happy with my old down bag).
The main thing I'm struggling with is the temperature range. In my current bag I was cold last year in the Hebrides in early May (very heavy frost for a few nights), but I'm not really sure what the fill power etc. is of my old bag, so I don't really have much to compare against and I suspect it will be hard for anyone to offer advice on this one (which is a pity).

Had a quick look at the Alpkit bags (some of which seem to be out of stock) and they look pretty good (and have a very good price), but happy to consider others...

Thanks

Andy

[nmnm]

Alpkit are terrific but out of stock (pipedream range anyway) til summer. They have apage recommending a specialist down cleaning service firm who also offer a reconditioning service - new bag for your old down, top up the down, new down for old bag etc.

Worth a look, maybe.

For me, the phd 450 mentioned above, w/ optional zip, looks brilliant. Run it with a liner when cold, or a down gillet / bodywarmer, even.

EDIT: actually, I see Alpkit have the short version of SkyeHigh 600 and 800 in stock, today anyway. They should be on the contender list for sure.

[mercurykev]

Alpkit do good budget kit. However, since you did not mention budget, have a look at the PHD Minim 450 Dryshell, currently in their sale. Early Spring or late Autumn in Schotland can be cold and wet, so a Dryshell outer is very helpful.
Willem

+1 for PHD bag. I've got one of the -15c Advanced Basecamp bags and it is excellent - I was camping yesterday up in Glen Etive and it kept me taosty warm and the dryshell coped well with the condensation. I've also got an Alpkit Pipedream 600 with is good but not in the same league as the PHD.

My recommendation would be a PHD 450 dryshell but with a full zip added so that it could be opened out and used as a blanket in warmer weather.

[gloomyandy]

Hi Folks,
I think I'm rather dim I couldn't find the PHD 450 a number of people have mentioned. Than I spotted the key words "in the sale". Certainly looks a very nice bag! Will probably go for one of those I think.

Thanks for the help

Andy

[mercurykev]

Here's the link to the PHD bag - http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/product_info.php?cat=79&products_id=290

[gloomyandy]

Hi,
thanks for the link. Do any of you PHD owners happen to know if when you add a zip to a bag like minim do they add a baffle of some sort to cover the zip as well? I've posted a question to PHD about this, but so far no reply.

Thanks again for the help

Andy

[nmnm]

so far no reply

They shut 2pm on Thurs, I see, open again on Monday.

[andrew_s]

Hi,
thanks for the link. Do any of you PHD owners happen to know if when you add a zip to a bag like minim do they add a baffle of some sort to cover the zip as well? I've posted a question to PHD about this, but so far no reply.

Thanks again for the help

Andy

I'll look when I get home. I'm pretty sure they do.