Hi folks, first time posting. Have tried searching for the answer but to no avail.

Am gearing-up to head out on some solo bikepacking adventures. Now I am carrying a fair bit of weight up top, and I'll be honest, I'm worried I might not fit in a sleeping bag!! Having to buy online, I am worried I'll splash out £200 and not be able to zip it up. Am I being an idiot?

I am basically a XXL in jackets etc. Anyone got any experience? And while I am at it what do you reckon to this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kelty-Cosmic-D ... 07MGMRBGG/

thanks for any help. WOuld really welcome bag recomendations.

Unless you are huge you will fit in a sleeping bag. My brother was 28 stone at his heaviest, or me + me again + my bike as I pointed out very helpfully one day, and he had a sleeping bag.

The issue may be comfort, as once in you won't have much room to move, it will all come with you, and definitely get an Army surplus bivi bag if that is the route your are taking, they are massive and designed for 'big loads'. Probably forget being able to knock one out if you are in a tight sleeping bag, you won't have room for that!

Or, for now, do the ride, but stay in a b&b or even do big loops from home over the winter, get some timber off and treat yourself to a nice sleeping bag ready for the spring?

Good luck!

You can get a zip in expander for some bags - Snugpack spring to mind here but they don't make down bags, however other manufactures do make them too.

Another option would be a quilt but if you're bigger than average, you might need to go custom but doing so would probably provide the perfect solution.

Kelty bag looks okay for the money.

What about the Alpkit Cloud Cover quilt for warmer weathers.
https://alpkit.com/products/cloud-cover

Then wear down trousers, boots and a down jacket under it when it's colder.

Or take a look at the Cumulus quilt range for all temps

What about the Alpkit Cloud Cover quilt for warmer weathers.
https://alpkit.com/products/cloud-cover

Then wear down trousers, boots and a down jacket under it when it's colder.

Or take a look at the Cumulus quilt range for all temps

Both the Cumulus quilt range and (especially) the Cloud cover are pretty small John.

Enlightened Equipment in the US will make a quilt to order. Wider and longer options to fit Clydesdale’s no bother.
Quality is superb, I have one myself. Not a cheap option though,especially if Customs &Revenue get a hold of your parcel

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Thu Oct 08, 2020 9:05 pm

What about the Alpkit Cloud Cover quilt for warmer weathers.
https://alpkit.com/products/cloud-cover

Then wear down trousers, boots and a down jacket under it when it's colder.

Or take a look at the Cumulus quilt range for all temps

Both the Cumulus quilt range and (especially) the Cloud cover are pretty small John.

Yes indeedy, the Cloudcover is (was) tiny. It's also, IMO, a "toy" quilt. Save your money

thanks folks. Much appreciated.

I've got a Mountain Hardwear 'Lamina' bag that comes in XLNG (extra large and long) version and it's great (I'm 6'2" and topped out of 120kg not long ago).

https://www.mountainhardwear.com/p/lami ... =434&pos=0

Warb01.. what kind of weight are we talking and how tall are you. That way (many folk on here, you'd be surprised, are or have been big lads) people might be able to give a more accurate suggestion that'd be more in the ballPark.

Personally I'd also look at it as an incentive to drop some weight. Biggest way to do that is to put less in in first place (not exercising hard as its not as cost effective in both time and money and it'd be proper hard work). See if you can create a daily deficit of calories so you're body is needing to work off the extra load without having to exercise hard for it

Tis very easy becoming big (like growing a scruffy beard I suppose, you just allow it to take hold/over) and you're not the only one down that path. I'd also join the Bearbones Fatfigherts club and do the weekly weigh-in. It really really helps

Both Cumulus https://cumulus.equipment/uk_en/diy and PHD https://www.phdesigns.co.uk/design-your ... eeping-bag do custom bags, they ain't cheap though. Having said that, with a little care a good bag or quilt will last years so the "per night" cost becomes minimal.

Looking at PHD's custom options they go up to 213cm (7') height and 135cm (53") chest