Advice please. What sleeping bag?

[24tom]

Evening

My old synthetic, "light" sleeping bag is well past its best, it's had a long hard life, so I can't complain. It was always a bit of a compromise though. It packed small, but wasn't warm, or very light really. I *think* my ideal bag will be:
-Light
-"Comfortable (ish)" down to near zero
-Small packing
-No more than around £150

Use will be for (running) mountain marathons, as well as bikepacking trips. Probably even split between tent/bothy/bivvy. I'm a bit of a wuss when it comes to a bivvy though, and prefer a tent if the weather is poor. I'm fairly settled on getting a down bag, just not sure which. A quick google suggests that the Rab Neutrino 200 looks to fit my needs (maybe a little bit on the expensive side). Also like the look of the Neutrino Endurance... probably slightly more practical for UK conditions.

Is there anything else I should be looking for?

Thanks for listening to my rambling ;-)

[Bearbonesnorm]

I think a PD 400 fits the criteria very well.

http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?tar ... ory_id=286

[24tom]

Cheers Stu. Had a look, and it is definitely on the list.

[faddyvictor]

I think a PD 400 fits the criteria very well.

http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?tar ... ory_id=286

So do i, superb bag thats warm enough for some winter nights aswell if you add a down jacket

[Taylor]

PD400 here. Well worth the money for a -3 bag

[Chew]

Another recomendation for the PD400.

It'll back down into an 8 litre dry bag (with a bit of persuasion) and you'll still have room for some dry sleeping clothes.

I'd class it as a 3+ season bag. Great on its own down to zero, and combine it with a down jacket, liner, wooly hat and socks and you'll easily get down to -5. I was that hot at El an Back i had to take a layer off.

[24tom]

Cheers chaps. Lets say I wanted to go a bit lighter, and something for Spring-Summer use. Is there anything more suitable than the PD400 for a similar price?

[Bearbonesnorm]

Lets say I wanted to go a bit lighter, and something for Spring-Summer use. Is there anything more suitable than the PD400 for a similar price?

I used to use a Golite Adrenaline 1 ... very well made, waterproof head and foot. Link below but if you shop around you may find one cheap.

http://www.e-outdoor.co.uk/440689/produ ... g_bag.aspx

OR a Yeti: http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/ ... g_bag.html

[FLV]

hello, I would strongly reccomend PHD gear.

They aren't the cheapest granted but their ratings in my experience are spot on or even conservative.

I have a minimus bag, rated to +5 which I have slept in at about -4 or -5 in a hooped bivi with a 3/4 thermarest prolite 4. Now, I wasn't comfortable but I did get a few hours sleep in between tossing and turning to find a warm spot for my hips and feet. At +5 its ace, very warm. Its also very light.

http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/product_info ... ucts_id=31

I also have a diamir 500 from them too, also ace and easily good to the temp they suggested. I've owned this one 9 years now. Still great.

They often have sales if you're in a rush or by adding a little weight in their design your own feature you can save a bit of money.
HAving a quick look for £180 I can get a +7 degree bag to 500g - I wouldnt hesitate to take this with a jacket in spring summer. The more you spend, the lighter and warmer you go. For £253 you get to +4 and 410g :D

http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/dyosleepingbag/

[InspiredRamblings]

Take a look at Cumulus? I have a Quantum 350 and its good down below freezing, and packs up tiny. Made in the Europe, they were recommended to me by Helen Lloyd. They don't seem to have the Quantum any more on their new website, but I found when I bought mine (a couple of years ago) that they seemed cheaper than the equivalent Rab etc. Not sure how they compare now.

Maybe have a look at the LiteLine 300 or 200?

Rather randomly their (horrible) old website still exists here. They were based in the UK but the new website suggests they're now in Germany or Poland - I'm not sure whether they have totally moved from the UK or not. Their old website shows the older bags and tells you a bit more about them. Its definitely the same company though - both websites show a couple of the same bags (e.g. the Mysterious Traveller), and I know that Helen had a bag similar to mine but has gone with a new Excuisite from the new site for her winter trip.

It looks like you can order direct from the new website, or the old website shows a list of UK distributors, at least two of which (that I've checked) are showing as still selling the older range. Confusing, but worth a look!

[pushbikemike]

@inspiredramblings. The sleeping bag website looks good. Tempted by the lightest one with no zip for a minimalist set up. Is the rating used by them pretty accurate for your sleeping bag?

[InspiredRamblings]

@inspiredramblings. The sleeping bag website looks good. Tempted by the lightest one with no zip for a minimalist set up. Is the rating used by them pretty accurate for your sleeping bag?

Hmmm, always hard to tell. When I've used mine down around freezing, when I've been cold its because I've felt it from underneath. The Quantum 350 has less fill in the base because it gets squashed anyway, not sure about the new ones. I was using a Thermarest (Prolite I think - the orange one with fairly rectangular profile) and found I was getting chilly, but mostly from underneath. Since I've got an Exped Downmat, this hasn't been a problem, although I probably haven't used them both together in the cold properly. I used them both in a Hunka for a week in September and was toasty - too hot at times.

Not sure thats much help...! I guess all I can say is that I've got no reason to suggest that their ratings aren't accurate...

[johnnystorm]

At the risk if falling into the "I've got this so it's the best" trap my Thermarest Haven is under budget and combined with a decent mat does a great job. Took me a while to accept that I wouldn't die from lying on a mat rather than bag filling!

[Mike]

im using a rab quantum 250 right through yr other than when its really cold then i get the PD600 out, its light weight packs down small. this bag kept me dry on snowdon summit in the damp cloud for a night i woke up it was soaked however i was dry inside! no good for a second night tho once wet

[pushbikemike]

@inspiredramblings. The sleeping bag website looks good. Tempted by the lightest one with no zip for a minimalist set up. Is the rating used by them pretty accurate for your sleeping bag?

Hmmm, always hard to tell. When I've used mine down around freezing, when I've been cold its because I've felt it from underneath. The Quantum 350 has less fill in the base because it gets squashed anyway, not sure about the new ones. I was using a Thermarest (Prolite I think - the orange one with fairly rectangular profile) and found I was getting chilly, but mostly from underneath. Since I've got an Exped Downmat, this hasn't been a problem, although I probably haven't used them both together in the cold properly. I used them both in a Hunka for a week in September and was toasty - too hot at times.

Not sure thats much help...! I guess all I can say is that I've got no reason to suggest that their ratings aren't accurate...

Very helpful. Always good hearing people's experiences of kit. A warm mat makes a big difference in winter. Cheers for the heads up about this company. Like the look of their kit. May save some pennies and buy one. M

[24tom]

Wow, thanks for all the replies. Plenty to think about there...

[zigrat]

PhD: warm, light, water resistant....

[Cheeky Monkey]

PhD: warm, light, water resistant....

.... and rather pricey

I'd still like one though.

Has anyone mentioned Revelate Designs or UKhammocks for Quilt style alternatives?