Sleeping bags for cycle touring

[PennyC]

We will be cycle camping around Europe for 3 months with our tandem in Aug to Oct. Does anyone have strong views about certain sleeping bags ? As we are on a tandem, luggage space is limited so we are looking for very small and light bags. We have invested in a Hilleberg Nallo 2GT tent so we may get away with a 2 season down bag.

Any ideas ?

Penny

[Stuart]

As long as you can keep the bag dry the down bags are by far the best. They pack down small and are relatively light. My one was made by 'Rab' and when shaken before use, lofts beautifully.
'Lidl', the German supermarket are selling Silk sleeping bag liners this week for £9.99. These liners will add an extra 5 degrees of insulation to your bag and protect it from soiling. The liners pack down small and are quite light too.

[Andy Tallis]

I'm on my way back from the arctic circle with a mountain equipment firewalker 2. I've been comfortable in -3 and it is only 1.4kg and fits in a front pannier. A firewalker 1 or even the ultralight would probably do for you. Mine has been brilliant and they're quite well priced.

[PW]

If they're still available the Buffalo bag made of Pertex & fibre pile is excellent. Warm, water resistant up to 1/2" rain/hour, still warm when wet & quick drying. I've used mine all over the place for at least 15 years with no bother. A mate slept on the roof of a shepherds hut in the Turkish mountains in his, wearing only underpants, when he woke the bag was covered in frost - he was warm as toast.

[fifer]

Stuart is absolutely right; Rab down bags are the best money can buy. I recently cycle-camped in the Western Isles and my 500gm Rab bag was superbly comfortable even though it was pretty cold some nights. I believe they offer a 300 or 350gm bag, which may suit you better, especially with a silk liner.

[0lski]

I bought the single skin, lightweight tent from Argos last week. It was great until it rained and let a pint of water seep in.

[mel]

Try the Decaethlon store, they do a reasonably priced range of good quality lightweight tents and sleeping bags.

[mel]

A useful material for increasing the season rating of sleeping bags is Horticultural Fleece, the stuff garden centres sell for protecting greenhouse plants, it has good insulation properties, it's breathable, it's cheap (around £1-50/metre) and weighs next to nothing. Make sleeping bag liners from it.

[bikepacker]

I looked at this but it is not as good as it seems. Also a problem if you want to cycle off leaving your tent on site.
Anyway Wiggles and others do it cheaper.