Sleeping bags

[Wolf_Larson]

Can you get a sleeping bag thats warm but light for an irish winter ?

[666_pack]

have a look at the cotswolds web page there are real bargins to be had.

www.cotswoldoutdoor.com

[chris]

The softie range is pretty epic packs down to nothing and is light as possible however they are syntehitic. Down is very good but for a years trip may cause problems if it gets wet.
I use a softie merlin 3 rated to 0c never had any problems with it (apart frm one night in the V. North of scotland) and a Down filled Nanok rated to -5c never had any probs with it either, just need to work up the courage to wash it!

One tip, if your going for a years trip get a sleeping bag liner, No.1 they keep it clean and if your bag starts to smell its a heck of a lot easier to wash a liner! No.2 Depending on quality and material they can actually add a few 'c's to the range of your bag for e.g. with a silk liner a -5 bag can effectively become a -7 bag (Hypothecially depends on your bag and liner etc)

[Wolf_Larson]

Is there a sleeping bag that could be washed and quickley dryed, and still keep you warm in winter ??

[chris]

Roughly in the world of sleeping bags down is the best insulator to weight ratio, so to keep you warm you need less down. Synth on the other hand typically will require more material to do the same job. for the length of trip you have in mind you may just need to accept that its gonna get smelly, the linner will help alot as you can wash and dry it as many times as neccesary and very quickly.
Washing a sleeping bag is a delicate business, you need to be VERY carefull as they become extremely heavy and can rip under their own weight if not handled correctly.

Down is more difficult to wash as not only do you have to worry about the exterior of the bag but the baffles can also rip (These are the compartments that hold the feathers in place preventing them from all clumping up) As well as this drying its a challange because the feathers can clump within the baffles. The only way i've really seen is to wash it in a bath and tumble dry it slowly on a low heat with a few tennis balls chucked in to knock the clumps out

I'm not sure about easy wash bags but i'll have a look for you see if I cant find anything.

[Wolf_Larson]

Cheers chris, top man

[chris]

http://www.helsport.com/helsport/

These chaps might be up your street. They say they manufacture their bags from nylon which doesnt absord as much moisture and dries quickly.

Also I forgot to mention that men will be able to sleep more comfortably at colder temps than women. Something to remember when your looking at the lower limit temp of you sleeping bag.
As well as this you should maybe think of spending a little less money on your sleeping bag and investing that in the best roll mat you can find. Having the worlds best bag is all well and good but with no roll mat its pretty much usless. Down sleeping bags wont insulate when compresed so when you lie in it effectively your only insulated from 3 sides therefore a mat is essential, not sure if synth is the same but def invest in a decent mat!

[Wolf_Larson]

Cheers chris, would them sleeping bags be easy to dryout ?

[Wolf_Larson]

www.mountain-equipment.co.uk/    Sleeping bags look good !

[chris]

I dont think you would overly need anything that pro for what your looking to do. To be honest with you i reckon you should be looking to spend around £30-50 on your mat and max £40 on your bag and like £10 on a liner and that would suit your needs fine. You should be able to get your whole sleep system sorted for undr 100quid no bother.

[Wolf_Larson]

XERO 250
Exceptionally compressible and punching well above what its weight would suggest, this superb minimalist bag was a winner of the 2007 European Outdoor Industry Award for innovation.


TECHNICAL DATA

TOTAL WEIGHT

600g

FILL WEIGHT

250

PACKED SIZE

16cm x 19cm

EXTREME TEMPERATURE

-10°C

COMFORT LIMIT TEMPERATURE

4°C

COMFORT TEMPERATURE

8°C

SLEEPZONE

25 to 0°C

THIS ONE LOOKS GOOD I THINK ?

[DryBag]

It rarely drops much below -5 at sea level (need to adjust about 1 degree per 100m altitude), and the coldest temperature ever recorded anywhere in Northern Ireland was -17.5 in 1979, so with a bivi bag or tent, your clothes on you and a decent carry mat you should be fine in one of these:

[Wolf_Larson]

   Cheers Drybag

[Wolf_Larson]

WIGGYS SLEEPING BAGS

Ultra Light
Product #: 6.12.1
Temperature Rating:
+20 Degrees F
FTRSS: -20 Degrees F

Style: Mummy

www.wiggys.com/

Colors: Black, Olive Green, Royal Blue

Stuff Sack Size:
11" x 20"
(Uncompressed)

Compression Stuff Sack & Pillow Included

FTRSS (2 Bag System) CORE BAG

WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK LADS, AS AN ALL ROUNDER ??  

[Wolf_Larson]

lightest, warmest goose down sleeping bags

Does anybody know much about this ?