Bought a Rab Neutrino last year, weighs 600g, rated 5degrees down to zero (think), packs small... cost £201 !
I used it on the moors last week, it was useless - temp probably 1 or 2 above 0 (Garmin said -0.8 but I don't believe it, it seems to to record colder than actual)
When I put my head inside I can see a lot of light ! I know the loft moves about so you have to shake it - did that, but not very different...
Where I bought it from is a good firm, they will exchange it without quibble (and send it back to Rab)
Did a test bivvy last night (back garden). It was +12degrees so warm, if not very damp because it poured down...
A tablecloth would have been more use ! At midnight I swapped it for my old Mountain Equipment bag, a lot better.
But before I change it for something like:
Western Mountaineering Highlite - rated +2degrees - weighs 455g - has 225g of 850 + Fill Power Down
does anybody have any comments ?
Do the ratings mean anything ?
I would have thought the thing that matters is the amount and quality of down ?
Sleeping bags
Moderators: Bearbonesnorm, Taylor, Chew
Re: Sleeping bags
There are different models of Neutrino bags. If yours is 600g then it is the 200, which is rated to 6.5c comfort and 0c limit of comfort - ie little wonder you felt cold. Sounds like you'd be better with the 400
not a great review here http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Backpacki ... utrino-200
not a great review here http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Backpacki ... utrino-200
Re: Sleeping bags
Sounds like you have too high rated bag.
Generally
Comfort rating you should be find
Limit is you'll be cold, but ok with a jacket
Extreme, you wont be dead but you wish you were
Are you a cold or warm sleeper?
What mat were you using?
I'd be surprised if it was +12c all last night
Generally
Comfort rating you should be find
Limit is you'll be cold, but ok with a jacket
Extreme, you wont be dead but you wish you were
Are you a cold or warm sleeper?
What mat were you using?
I'd be surprised if it was +12c all last night
Re: Sleeping bags
I'd agree with the above, it's a summer bag, and it's not summer out there - the review suggests that it's cold for what it is on top of that.
You really need to know for yourself if you sleep hot or cold - a good rule of thumb is if you sleep better in winter or summer, do you need to have the window open from April through to October, or do you have an extra duvet as soon as the clocks go back? This gives you an indication of where you are going to fit with the comfort rating - I know for me, I'm uncomfortable at the comfort rating, it's too hot, and tend to pitch my choices slightly lower than it - but I'd do it on the basis of looking at average night time temps for where you are going to be at the time - and this can be seriously variable. I only have 3 (cheap) sleeping bags - winter, spring/autumn and summer - but if it's summer high in the Cairngorms, then it's unlikely that I'll need the summer bag.
You really need to know for yourself if you sleep hot or cold - a good rule of thumb is if you sleep better in winter or summer, do you need to have the window open from April through to October, or do you have an extra duvet as soon as the clocks go back? This gives you an indication of where you are going to fit with the comfort rating - I know for me, I'm uncomfortable at the comfort rating, it's too hot, and tend to pitch my choices slightly lower than it - but I'd do it on the basis of looking at average night time temps for where you are going to be at the time - and this can be seriously variable. I only have 3 (cheap) sleeping bags - winter, spring/autumn and summer - but if it's summer high in the Cairngorms, then it's unlikely that I'll need the summer bag.
Re: Sleeping bags
No bad advice so far.
Theres often light to seen through these sort of bags. Sometimes due to the lack of down and sometimes due the nature of the lightweight fabrics used to construct them, I expect even the colour can effect it.
I'm still using my PHD minim bag in the peak. So long as I get the hood bit snugged over its doable. I can reccomend thier products and their ratings, Personally I can push thier +5 bag down to about 0 and not be too bad. I've survived in -5 or -6 in it but I wasnt happy.
You may well be a cold sleeper but it can certainly make a difference with what you are wearing, what you have on the ground, and what you have over the bag.
have a read of this
http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/techtemp.php?
(sorry if I sound like a PHD fanboy, but I am)
Theres often light to seen through these sort of bags. Sometimes due to the lack of down and sometimes due the nature of the lightweight fabrics used to construct them, I expect even the colour can effect it.
I'm still using my PHD minim bag in the peak. So long as I get the hood bit snugged over its doable. I can reccomend thier products and their ratings, Personally I can push thier +5 bag down to about 0 and not be too bad. I've survived in -5 or -6 in it but I wasnt happy.
You may well be a cold sleeper but it can certainly make a difference with what you are wearing, what you have on the ground, and what you have over the bag.
have a read of this
http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/techtemp.php?
(sorry if I sound like a PHD fanboy, but I am)
Re: Sleeping bags
Thanks all for your very useful advice.
I was using a Karrimat which is 7mm thick, full length.
I probably do sleep cold... not much fat on me, 10st weight...
I did have a Klymit but I've sent it back because it has leaks (not holes that I have caused, but I think manufacturing faults).. I like the idea of the Klymit as your back is not weighing down so much on the 'down' of the sleeping back, and I think it works.
I've sent the Klymit and the Neutrino back (to Ultralight Outdoor Gear) today.
The PHD design concept looks good... perhaps I need a Minim 400 bag...
I was using a Karrimat which is 7mm thick, full length.
I probably do sleep cold... not much fat on me, 10st weight...
I did have a Klymit but I've sent it back because it has leaks (not holes that I have caused, but I think manufacturing faults).. I like the idea of the Klymit as your back is not weighing down so much on the 'down' of the sleeping back, and I think it works.
I've sent the Klymit and the Neutrino back (to Ultralight Outdoor Gear) today.
The PHD design concept looks good... perhaps I need a Minim 400 bag...