Bargain Alert Thread

[Cheeky Monkey]

Not exactly lightweight bothying gear but handy nonetheless, cheap duff bags:

http://www.duffbag.com/products/products/duffbag/

[Taylor]

Not just one item but some of this stuff seems good, may have a spend myself soon,
http://www.subzero.co.uk/

[Anthony]

PHD winter sale preview email through today.

[Cheeky Monkey]

Not just one item but some of this stuff seems good, may have a spend myself soon,
http://www.subzero.co.uk/

I'm not knocking the gear, I've never had any and wouldn't know, but it's all a bit ... er ... monchrome isn't it :?

Surely everyone knows red stuff gives you an extra 2.375 degrees warmth over black

[Taylor]

Doesn't black attract more sun though? Even at night? :?

[Bearbonesnorm]

PHD winter sale preview email through today.

Ooh minimus jacket ... much cheapness!

Surely everyone knows red stuff gives you an extra 2.375 degrees warmth over black

Don't panic ... they do a nice lightweight windproof smock in RED for under £40, kinda reminds me of a Montane which isn't a bad thing.

[Nevis]

Just spotted this on stw

Millets 40% off everything including sale items

Blacks 33% off everything

in store and online

Kicked myself for not picking up a 1/2 price 4 season down sleeping bag during the summer but now it's 1/2 price with 40% =£36!

Google the prices first though, not everything is a bargain but there are plenty to be had.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Kicked myself for not picking up a 1/2 price 4 season down sleeping bag during the summer but now it's 1/2 price with 40% =£36!

Nevis have a look on Google before you splash out, I've just seen that bag described as 'intended for summer/indoor' use. Reading the spec I'm a little surprised they've chosen to call it a 4 season bag. They give no details about down quality or fill power. I assume the 500 indicates it contains 500g of insulation which sounds good but if it's 20/80 (or less) and poor quality it'll be a cold bag even in spring. The -21 degree rating is nothing but a lie ... you would die in this bag, in those conditions

Link to bag
http://www.millets.co.uk/camping/sleepi ... ute=628528

[Anthony]

For the money that sleeping bag looks a good buy, but Id agree with Stuart it's comfort rating isn't going to be much below 2 or 3'C. Misleading really.

[didnothingfatal]

"Comfort wise the bag is rated from minus 4 to +20 C and has an extreme rating of minus 21 C and is badged as four season use."

[Bearbonesnorm]

I still don't believe the -4 comfort rating (and how can -4 be classed as 4 season?) ... I suppose they can print whatever extreme rating they like no one will be around to complain

[Nevis]

Thanks for the heads up. I agree -21 seems like complete randomness.

Plan to head into Exeter over the weekend so I'll take a look then.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Seeing as how we're on the subject of sleeping bags ... In no way a winter bag but a superb bargain for the warmer months. Sea to Summit MC2, bag weight 550g, 850+ fill power of 95/5 European down. Reduced to £160 from £310.

http://www.theoutdoorshop.com/showPart.asp?part=PN90166

[didnothingfatal]

I have a North Face Blue Kazoo, ratings are -4°c/ -10°c/-29°c, so they put -29°c as the extreme rating! Having used it in minus -15°c no way would I want to go that low in it! Sleeping bag ratings are marketing crap for the most part!

The Outdoor Shop is such a good shop, I must have spent a fortune on gear there over the years, with it being reasonably local for half hour up the M1. Must not go shopping

[Ian]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EN_13537

EN13537 requires a thermal manikin test which produces four temperature results — upper limit, comfort, lower limit and extreme. These temperatures were worked for normal consumers.

The standard measures four temperature ratings:
Upper Limit — the temperature at which a standard man can sleep without excessive perspiration. It is established with the hood and zippers open and with the arms outside of the bag.
Comfort — the temperature at which a standard woman can expect to sleep comfortably in a relaxed position.
Lower Limit — the temperature at which a standard man can sleep for eight hours in a curled position without waking.
Extreme — the minimum temperature at which a standard woman can remain for six hours without risk of death from hypothermia (though frostbite is still possible).
For the purpose of these measurements, a "standard man" is assumed to be 25 years old, with a height of 1.73 m and a weight of 73 kg; a "standard woman" is assumed to be 25 years old, with a height of 1.60 m and a weight of 60 kg.

[Blackhound]

40% off if you are small:

http://www.webtogs.co.uk/Western_Mounta ... 01788.html

there summerlite bag is excellent.

Other stuff on the site as well.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Or for the lady in your life or perhaps yourself if you are of the fairer sex ... a nice warm RAB Infinity down jacket. They / you'll have to be a 14 or 16 though but if you are, then they're down from £200 to £99 here.

http://www.planetfear.com/item/Brand_Ra ... 181_1.html

[Cheeky Monkey]

If you're a bag fetishist:

http://www.over-board.co.uk/waterproof- ... black.html

Sailing / watersports orientated stuff but have found the bits I'ce got so far pretty bombproof. If they repeat last year there's an item listed a week at a special price in the period leading up to Xmas. Also, used to give a 15% discount code once first order's been placed (not ordered for a while so not sure if they're still doing that).

Got one of their 90L duffle bags for c£20 last year. Great price and kit if it's what you're after.

[Dan_K]

Kicked myself for not picking up a 1/2 price 4 season down sleeping bag during the summer but now it's 1/2 price with 40% =£36!

Nevis have a look on Google before you splash out, I've just seen that bag described as 'intended for summer/indoor' use. Reading the spec I'm a little surprised they've chosen to call it a 4 season bag. They give no details about down quality or fill power. I assume the 500 indicates it contains 500g of insulation which sounds good but if it's 20/80 (or less) and poor quality it'll be a cold bag even in spring. The -21 degree rating is nothing but a lie ... you would die in this bag, in those conditions

Link to bag
http://www.millets.co.uk/camping/sleepi ... ute=628528

I got this bag in the sale for £36 (delivery only) and it seems ok. Think the rating is massively optimistic but it is better than the 2-3 season bag I had. I'll trial it (and have my down jacket with me just in case!) and let you know how I get on. If you don't hear from me, you'll know it didn't go well....

[bod]

Lidl's are selling merino wool base layers for 10-15 quid at the mo. The long johns seemed a bit weird so I passed on those but the t-shirt is pretty good quality. Used it this morning and found the neck to be a bit low so it flapped a bit but can only be a good thing in the summer, fabric isn't as sheer as my Ice Breaker ones but definitely not as scratchy as other ones I've got.

[Taylor]

Rab, Sat 3rd
Montane, Sun 4th
Mountain Equipment. Sun 4th

All 25% off one day only at go outdoors.


http://links.mkt3203.com/servlet/MailVi ... &mt=1&rt=0

[Bearbonesnorm]

If anyone is considering having a dabble in the murky world of rigid forks this winter, have a look at CRC. They've got various types of Kona P2 forks inc 29er for between £25 and £30. They're not all in stock yet but those that aren't are expected in the next week or so.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Cate ... goryID=611

[slugwash]

Looks like Uniqlo are dropping the prices on their ultralight down stuff next Monday to £29.90. I'm guessing it'll be the jackets and/or parkas as they don't appear to have the gilets in stock at the moment. These down jackets got some good write-ups last year.

There's a strict window of availability at that price between 12 noon and 1 PM on Monday from their website.

I've got the parka already and it's grrreat! It packs down quite small and makes a comfy extra layer of toasty warmth in your sleeping bag. It also fits quite well under a slimmish cycling waterproof so is good for bike bivi trips in the colder months.

Link to Mondays Sale....

http://www.biglight.co.uk/Uniqlo2/happy ... n=allhappy

The garments.....

http://shop.uniqlo.com/uk/goods/069089

http://shop.uniqlo.com/uk/goods/069087

[Anthony]

Did I imagine this, but is this the one you squeezed into a balloon bed stuffsac?

[slugwash]

Did I imagine this, but is this the one you squeezed into a balloon bed stuffsac?

I'df forgotten about that. But yes, it was on the OMM 2010.......



BTW, I lost the bag for my Balloon bed on the WRT. I think it was after the bivi in the wind turbines so if anyone's in the area have a look will you ;-)


Here's one of the parkas in action on Dartmoor back in January.
Bring on some more cold, dry weather. I'm getting serious bivi withdrawl twitchings.......