LONG lightweight synthetic sleeping bag
Moderators: Bearbonesnorm, Taylor, Chew
- gairym
- Posts: 3151
- Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 11:05 am
- Location: Chamonix, France (but a Yorkshire lad).
LONG lightweight synthetic sleeping bag
howdy,
it's question time again.....
i'm thinking that i should get another sleeping bag (although i'll continue to use the Vango 'Venom 300').
the one i've been using is super-warm, comfy and light but.....if i'm honest it's a little too short for me (i'm 2.5cm longer than their longest suggested height).
i'm also thinking that for my 10 day trip i'd rather go synthetic than risk being in trouble if i get the bag wet due to a poorly put up tarp or other mistake i'm likely to make whilst very fatigued.
so.....
any suggestions on a bag which is:
- synthetically filled
- light (ideally 800g maximum)
- small
- suitable for down to about +3-5 degrees
- LONG enough for someone 6'2"
- ideally not costing the earth but open to suggestions.
so far all i've found is the Mountain Equipment 'Lamina 45' or 'Ultralamina 32'.
as per usual - all advice/assistance mucho appreciated!
cheers, gairy.
it's question time again.....
i'm thinking that i should get another sleeping bag (although i'll continue to use the Vango 'Venom 300').
the one i've been using is super-warm, comfy and light but.....if i'm honest it's a little too short for me (i'm 2.5cm longer than their longest suggested height).
i'm also thinking that for my 10 day trip i'd rather go synthetic than risk being in trouble if i get the bag wet due to a poorly put up tarp or other mistake i'm likely to make whilst very fatigued.
so.....
any suggestions on a bag which is:
- synthetically filled
- light (ideally 800g maximum)
- small
- suitable for down to about +3-5 degrees
- LONG enough for someone 6'2"
- ideally not costing the earth but open to suggestions.
so far all i've found is the Mountain Equipment 'Lamina 45' or 'Ultralamina 32'.
as per usual - all advice/assistance mucho appreciated!
cheers, gairy.
- Bearbonesnorm
- Posts: 24197
- Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2011 8:53 pm
- Location: my own little world
Re: LONG lightweight synthetic sleeping bag
I have one of these - http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/ ... g_bag.html
They also do a lighter one (rated to +4) which is less than 700g ... saying that I don't find mine too heavy or bulky. There's much more 'bag' to tuck underneath you than you might imagine too.
They also do a lighter one (rated to +4) which is less than 700g ... saying that I don't find mine too heavy or bulky. There's much more 'bag' to tuck underneath you than you might imagine too.
May the bridges you burn light your way
-
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Re: LONG lightweight synthetic sleeping bag
The golite quilts are great, I'm 6'4" and length is perfect in long, just ditch the useless straps that they supply.
- gairym
- Posts: 3151
- Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 11:05 am
- Location: Chamonix, France (but a Yorkshire lad).
Re: LONG lightweight synthetic sleeping bag
yeah, i found the GoLite's early on in my search and thought that my search was over!
but.....I can't find the RS 1+ Season Quilt (Long) in stock anywhere???
even the GoLite website doesn't have any!
bugger.
but.....I can't find the RS 1+ Season Quilt (Long) in stock anywhere???
even the GoLite website doesn't have any!
bugger.
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: LONG lightweight synthetic sleeping bag
If it were me, I'd buy the 3 anyway ... the RS 1 does say comfort of +4 but Go-lite describe that as the "Headline" figure, in reality it's a +8 comfort rating.
The RS will have a real world comfort of 0 even though it's rated at -4.
The RS will have a real world comfort of 0 even though it's rated at -4.
May the bridges you burn light your way
-
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- Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2011 11:26 am
Re: LONG lightweight synthetic sleeping bag
Where you getting that from? Because I've got the 1 season and it's way warmer than my 8 degree rated bag.s8tannorm wrote:If it were me, I'd buy the 3 anyway ... the RS 1 does say comfort of +4 but Go-lite describe that as the "Headline" figure, in reality it's a +8 comfort rating.
The RS will have a real world comfort of 0 even though it's rated at -4.
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: LONG lightweight synthetic sleeping bag
Colour: Coriander/GreaseWhere you getting that from? Because I've got the 1 season and it's way warmer than my 8 degree rated bag.
To Fit: Up to 6'
Weight: 709g / 1lb 9oz;
Fill Weight: 330g of 800+ European Goose Down
Headline Rating: 4ºC
Comfort: 8ºC, EN13537 Tested
Lower Limit: 4ºC, EN13537 Tested
Extreme: -11ºC, EN13537 Tested
Pack size: supplied with a stuffsack 14cm diameter x 26cm long, with a compression sack this could be reduced significantly.
May the bridges you burn light your way
- gairym
- Posts: 3151
- Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 11:05 am
- Location: Chamonix, France (but a Yorkshire lad).
Re: LONG lightweight synthetic sleeping bag
i emailed golite to ask when they'd be likely to have more of the RS 1 in stock and they said that they're not making anymore this year and so that's kind of that anyway!s8tannorm wrote:If it were me, I'd buy the 3 anyway ... the RS 1 does say comfort of +4 but Go-lite describe that as the "Headline" figure, in reality it's a +8 comfort rating.
The RS will have a real world comfort of 0 even though it's rated at -4.
as for the other two options.....
- the GoLite 'RS 3' is a good choice but is a little more than i wanted to carry in terms of weight.
- the Mountain Hardwear 'Ultralamina 32' seems like it might work but has the same issues as the 'RS 1' in terms of actual working comfort temperatures.
it's looking like i might not get my perfect sleeping bag!
honestly, is it too much to ask for absolutely everything i want with zero compromise???
apparently it is!
-
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Re: LONG lightweight synthetic sleeping bag
to be honest finding a synthetic bag that is available for someone 6'2" and not needed for really cold temps isn't too difficult to find. If you're in france look at Quecha available in Decathalon stores, they do a 'ultralight' synthetic range in long lengths, jump in the car and raid Snell in Chamonix or the Millet shop.
And dunno where the copied bit about the quilt came from, my UL1 Golite quilt is probably the best sleeping bag I own.
And dunno where the copied bit about the quilt came from, my UL1 Golite quilt is probably the best sleeping bag I own.
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- gairym
- Posts: 3151
- Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 11:05 am
- Location: Chamonix, France (but a Yorkshire lad).
Re: LONG lightweight synthetic sleeping bag
cool, that's reassuring!didnothingfatal wrote:And dunno where the copied bit about the quilt came from, my UL1 Golite quilt is probably the best sleeping bag I own.
all,
thanks all for the input so far - i've narrowed things down to two potential choices at this point:
1. the GoLite 'RS 3' (but i've got a few questions which i'll ask below).
or.....and this is a new option that i just found.....
2. a North Face 'Lynx'
both around the £100 mark (in Long) and both should suit my needs.
but.....i hadn't realised earlier about the whole quilt/backless malarky.
what's the deal with this?
from what i've read quilts reduce the amount of filling/fabric used for pointless (non)insulation underneath you (which is compressed and therefore loses it's loft/insulation) - is this the case with the GoLite?
is it still a fully enclosed 'bag' as opposed to an actual quilt that just lays on top of you?
would this work with my POE Peak Elite AC 2/3's legth sleeping mat?
does backlessness make sense?
does it work?
i'm skeptical but open to the idea if it works.
ok, sorry to drag this out but i ideally want to buy a second sleeping bag once (as two attempts should be enough to find the bag i need for my trip - no?).
cheers, gairy.
- Bearbonesnorm
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- Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2011 8:53 pm
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Re: LONG lightweight synthetic sleeping bag
gairy ... the RS is a 'top bag' but it's also pretty big / wide. It does have a foot box with insulation all the way round and is only open at the back from around the knees up.
There's a couple of adjustable straps that run underneath to hold the bag to your mat and to stop it sliding off. Once you're in you wouldn't know you weren't in a regular sleeping bag. Imagine taking a normal bag and unzipping it 3/4 of the way down. Put the zip down to the ground and get in ... that's what it's like.
Your poe mat will work fine, mine does. Just remember they don't have a hood, so pack a hat
There's a couple of adjustable straps that run underneath to hold the bag to your mat and to stop it sliding off. Once you're in you wouldn't know you weren't in a regular sleeping bag. Imagine taking a normal bag and unzipping it 3/4 of the way down. Put the zip down to the ground and get in ... that's what it's like.
Your poe mat will work fine, mine does. Just remember they don't have a hood, so pack a hat

May the bridges you burn light your way
- gairym
- Posts: 3151
- Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 11:05 am
- Location: Chamonix, France (but a Yorkshire lad).
Re: LONG lightweight synthetic sleeping bag
interesting - that's quite the departure from a 'normal' sleeping bag set-up!s8tannorm wrote:gairy ... the RS is a 'top bag' but it's also pretty big / wide. It does have a foot box with insulation all the way round and is only open at the back from around the knees up.
also, i move around A LOT at night and from what i've been reading about 'quilts vs bags' (pretty much everything i could find online - which is a lot for something i never knew existed) a quilt might be a way to solve my years of restless nights camping - no?
i'm definitely interested - more research me thinks!
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: LONG lightweight synthetic sleeping bag
I'll get mine out in the morning and take you some pictures, it'll give you a pretty good idea.
Once you're in the thing, the only real difference is the fact you'll be sleeping directly on top of your mat.
Once you're in the thing, the only real difference is the fact you'll be sleeping directly on top of your mat.
May the bridges you burn light your way
- gairym
- Posts: 3151
- Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 11:05 am
- Location: Chamonix, France (but a Yorkshire lad).
Re: LONG lightweight synthetic sleeping bag
thanks, nice one fella.s8tannorm wrote:I'll get mine out in the morning and take you some pictures, it'll give you a pretty good idea.
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: LONG lightweight synthetic sleeping bag
Here you go gairy. This is it looking from underneath, like I said, you've a full foot box and plenty of girth so keeping draughts out shouldn't be a problem. You can just make out the black fastening straps that go under your mat. The bag at the top is your stuff sack, which is pretty small given it's a synthetic bag. The 'feel' of the bag is as near to down as you're likely to achieve with a synthetic fill ... it really does loft very well.


May the bridges you burn light your way
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Re: LONG lightweight synthetic sleeping bag
What about the PHD quilt? Super light, optional foot box. The double looks a good option for two sharing a Laser Comp (yes it can be done)
- gairym
- Posts: 3151
- Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 11:05 am
- Location: Chamonix, France (but a Yorkshire lad).
Re: LONG lightweight synthetic sleeping bag
stuart,
thanks for that! now i know exactly what i'm looking at.
all,
i'm now utterly confused!
i really like the idea of going off-piste and getting the more unconventional GoLite 'RS 3' quilt but i really need this item to work properly as i think the wife may well kick my ass if i were to decide that i didn't like the whole quilt idea after trying it and then tell her that i intended to spend another 100 quid on getting a sleeping bag after all.
hmmmm.....
do i play it safe and go for a bag or live life on the edge and opt for the unknown (potentially far better for all i know)???
conundrum!
thanks for that! now i know exactly what i'm looking at.
looks very nice indeed (if only i was loaded!).didnothingfatal wrote:What about the PHD quilt? Super light, optional foot box. The double looks a good option for two sharing a Laser Comp (yes it can be done)
all,
i'm now utterly confused!
i really like the idea of going off-piste and getting the more unconventional GoLite 'RS 3' quilt but i really need this item to work properly as i think the wife may well kick my ass if i were to decide that i didn't like the whole quilt idea after trying it and then tell her that i intended to spend another 100 quid on getting a sleeping bag after all.
hmmmm.....
do i play it safe and go for a bag or live life on the edge and opt for the unknown (potentially far better for all i know)???
conundrum!
-
- Posts: 860
- Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2011 11:26 am
Re: LONG lightweight synthetic sleeping bag
Why not get Andrew Skurka's new book, you'll get some great ideas on lightweight gear. Personally, I like quilts, I have 9 sleeping bags in the attic, and I like using the quilt most, I also have a true top bag, and like that. But, I now have a klymit sleeping mat, quilts and top bags are getting complicated. Personally, I'd get a quilt and high quality mat, not a neo air, the surface isn't the nicest against the skin I feel, Exped Syn or Down Mat, POE Elite AC. Buy your sleeping bag as part of the whole sleep system, match to mat, etc.
- Bearbonesnorm
- Posts: 24197
- Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2011 8:53 pm
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Re: LONG lightweight synthetic sleeping bag
May the bridges you burn light your way
- Bearbonesnorm
- Posts: 24197
- Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2011 8:53 pm
- Location: my own little world
Re: LONG lightweight synthetic sleeping bag
DNF which one have you got, is it true there's plenty of tossing room?I now have a klymit sleeping mat

May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: LONG lightweight synthetic sleeping bag
First sleeping mats with plenty of "tossing room", and now quilts that allow for "plenty of girth"


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Re: LONG lightweight synthetic sleeping bag
The Inertia X Lite, it's too small for tossing sadly!s8tannorm wrote:DNF which one have you got, is it true there's plenty of tossing room?I now have a klymit sleeping mat

- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: LONG lightweight synthetic sleeping bag
So aside from tossing room, how is the mat? I looked at them yesterday but I really can't decide about them, does cold not come up through the 'holes' and do you not fall through those 'holes'. As a side sleeper I imagine I may be at a disadvantage to someone who sleeps on their back?
May the bridges you burn light your way
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Re: LONG lightweight synthetic sleeping bag
Well in the living room it's comfortable enough, the POE Elite is comfier. Haven't had a chance to try it out, but having a big gear test overnighter in a few weeks on the Chilterns as I've been buying some silly light gear. Will update my blog when tested. My main concern is the loft pockets and a quilt, but plan on sleeping in a down gilet.