Topic: Sleeping Bag Choices (Read 11682 times)

harveymt · « **on:** April 11, 2013 »

I'm looking to buy a sleeping bag. I'm 5'9" with big shoulders. I haven't been camping in ages so I'm not sure what I'm looking for. I would say at the minute camping will be limited to 5 or 6 times a year mostly summer although knowing me I'll probably brave a few winter camps. I've read loads about various bags over the last week and have probably read myself into a corner and confused the issue.

The way I see it I could either get a less warm bag/3 season bag and wear more layers in the bag if I'm cold or go for the warmer bag/4 season and wear just base layers.

Some bags I keep coming back to are, firstly the Gelert X-Treme Lite 1200. You can pick this up on Amazon for about £40 delivered. It seems fairly well reviewed, is 1.5kg and cheap. This seems about the best bag for lesser money. Jumping up a level I've seen a couple of alternatives.

There's the Vango Supernova 5000 and the Mountain Equipment Starlight 4. These seem to have a few more features and I presume a better build quality. Both can be had for around £100 online.

Does anyone have any thought on those bags?

Cotswold have the Mountain Equipment range. I'll be in Belfast on Saturday and I'll have a look at some of them. I did not look at any down bags as they all seemed out of my price range though Cotswold have a Marmot Never Winter for £110. I understand down requires a bit of work to keep it in good condition? Any pointers on this?

Right and left zips seem to be personal preference and dependent on what side you sleep on if you sleep that way. Is that about right?

Cheers for any thoughts.

clairebear · « **Reply #1 on:** April 11, 2013 »

Hay I got a gelert xtreme lite 1200. I'm 5.6and size 10/12. Fits me with loads if room though your shoulders may be tight. I have about a good foot of room at the bottom. Advertised as a 4 season but I believe it to be only a 3 season. In saying that I had it out in our recent cold snap and it performed admirably. It's a mummy type bag so if you are broad in the shoulders you may find it tightish when moving around.

For the price it's great and it's light. Compresses well down in the stuff sack too.

I intend to bivi in it with a British army bag over the spring/ summer months.

Hope this helps

C.

LandyLiam · « **Reply #2 on:** April 11, 2013 »

I'd recommend getting a cheapish bag and see how you get on with that, you'll then know what you really want in a bag and pay good money to get the size, weight and comfort you want, then you can bide your time and maybe pick up a good 2nd hand (or on sale) one the you'll have 2 bags for the price of 1

I started out with a 2.7kg bag at £25 that took up most of the space in the rucksack

but it was warm

Ramblingman · « **Reply #3 on:** April 11, 2013 »

If you plan to camp in the summer more than other seasons you should seriously consider a summer sleeping bag. If you try to use a 4 season bag in the summer it will just be to warm. Think about going for a decent summer bag you will use this the most. Late spring/summer/early autumn. You can couple this with a liner or bivi to increase the warmth or use without a tent. More versatile. Then go for a cheaper 4season bag later in the year if you still want to winter camp. Carrying the weight will keep you warm and the size will not matter as much as you will probably not use it as much.

whoRya · « **Reply #4 on:** April 11, 2013 »

It's so easy to read (or review) yourself into a corner. I like that phrase, I can identify with it well. We are all very different and it is hard to offer any 'advice' but I appreciate the 3/4 season connundrum.

You certainly seem to intend to use the bag mostly in the three season period (does 1 season even exist in our land - especially at 500 metres?). No doubt you'll have been looking out at the recent weather and thought that a snow camp would be a blast, which has set your mind to consider 4 season bags. Even in the middle of winter our temperatures don't often go below what many 3 season bags can cope with, and as you say there are other options to 'bulk up' a little when the temperatures are low. I suppose you can also prepare your mind to the fact that you will probably not have the most comfortable nights' sleep at your sleeping bags temperature limits. You may decide that even with waking up a little chilly a few times during the night it is a small price to pay to get yourself up-there.

Perhaps down the line you'll justify supplementing your one-bag-fits-all with another one that provides more choice, whether that be a 2 season bag or a 4 season bag.

Check out the Great Sleeping bag thread on NI Wild, make your decision and then get out and enjoy yourself

harveymt · « **Reply #5 on:** April 11, 2013 »

I think what I shall do is buy my tent first this month. Nearly sure I'll get a Coleman Cobra 2. Seems good for the money.

I'll go try a couple of bags at the hundred pound or so mark to see what they are like then order the Gelert after next pay day. At least I'll have something more expensive to compare it to. If it compares well then I've got a bargain, if not I can return it and get another bag or even hold onto it as a spare bag.

The Gelert is 3 season so hopefully won't be too warm in summer and if Claire's experience is anything to go by it should perform in some winter conditions too albeit I might need a couple of extra layers.

GMB · « **Reply #6 on:** April 11, 2013 »

I'll vouch for the Mountain Equipment bags.

Getting the Gelert is a great idea to get you going and then take your time to hunt for a bargain sometime in the future. Good buys are out there if you bide your time. I recently picked up a new ME Xero 350 for £120!

twentyclicks · « **Reply #7 on:** April 11, 2013 »

Anything with a lower limit (not extreme!) of about 0 will probably do for 90% of the time you'd be out in this country, but you would probably want something a bit warmer if you want to do 3-4 season summit camps as it's always a good few degrees colder up top, and more exposed to wind chill.

I've never particularly felt 'too warm' at any time of year in my -7 bag in the hills. Maybe on the odd day we actually get a hot summer it might but you can always open them up to vent or use as a quilt. The only thing is it's bulky and heavy (ish... 1.4kg) for fast/light trips, but I'm saving for a 2-season down bag for those occasions. As the others have said, check out the great big sleeping bag sticky.

Wolf_Larson · « **Reply #8 on:** April 11, 2013 »

Cheap one man tent and use the extra money to get a real nice sleeping bag. Thats how i started, i had a pro action one man tent (£17) from Argos and i got a Berghaus mummy sleeping bag.

Matthew · « **Reply #9 on:** April 12, 2013 »

Quote from: twentyclicks on April 11, 2013

Anything with a lower limit (not extreme!) of about 0 will probably do for 90% of the time you'd be out in this country

That's an excellent point and something I have always found. Have a look at the Mountain Hardwear Lamina bags Cotswold regularly do good deals on them.

Matthew · « **Reply #10 on:** April 12, 2013 »

http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/mountain-equipment-starlight-iv-sleeping-bag-82510052?id_colour=6957
http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/mountain-hardwear-lamina-20-regular-sleeping-bag-82410120?id_colour=108

Kayakgirl · « **Reply #11 on:** April 12, 2013 »

I have the female version of the starlight and love it.. It is so warm.. Definitely recommend it.

Kayakgirl · « **Reply #12 on:** April 12, 2013 »

Mine was 111

jonny2324 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 13, 2013 »

After much debate and a helpful hand from a few on here I settled for the Mountain Hardware Lumina .. Althought it's the older model... I managed to grab it for £65 in the Cotswalds January sale

... Perfect for my needs. Lovely and warm

Untitled by John boy25jonson2324, on Flickr

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Author Topic: Sleeping Bag Choices (Read 11682 times)

harveymt

Sleeping Bag Choices

clairebear

Sleeping Bag Choices

LandyLiam

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Ramblingman

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whoRya

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harveymt

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GMB

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twentyclicks

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Wolf_Larson

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Matthew

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Matthew

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Kayakgirl

Sleeping Bag Choices

Kayakgirl

Sleeping Bag Choices

jonny2324

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