Hello,

I'm looking to try some bike packing this year and am struggling for ideas on long sleeping bags. My current bag is a little too short and synthetic - so it doesn't pack up particularly small. Ideally I'm looking for a bag to fit a 6'3" (191cm) broad shouldered homosapien for temperatures down to low single digits (Celsius ) and which will pack as small as possible. Looking at the options it's hard to say what's any good and so I'm looking for experience from the community.

Also, I don't know if it makes any difference but my bivi has its zip on the right, so is it good to match the sleeping bag zip on the right too for easy access or is this a bad idea as far as draughts go? There seem to be very few (any?) long sleeping bags with the zip on the right. (I am right handed).

Cheers,

Mike

Most RH handed people generally opt for a LH zip. Many manufacturers produce both but LH is nearly always the most popular.

Many manufacturers make longer versions of their bags. The Alpkit Skyehigh 500 comes in a long length and would be a good buy: https://alpkit.com/products/skyehigh-500

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Sat Feb 19, 2022 6:22 pm Most RH handed people generally opt for a LH zip. Many manufacturers produce both but LH is nearly always the most popular.

Ah. As ever Reg ends up being a contrarian . I went RHS zip because that's the side I get out (*) of bed at home.

(*) And indeed in, come to think of it

Thanks for the comments.
My concern with the Alpkit bags is that although they say they're for "up to" 191cm tall people the reviews often say that they're a little on the sort side. I did go into one of their stores to try one for size (Pipedream 400) and was unconvinced that it's be long enough as my feet would have been pressing on the end. Anyone tall used one of their bags and could comment how they work in practice?

Ah. As ever Reg ends up being a contrarian . I went RHS zip because that's the side I get out (*) of bed at home.

I did say 'generally' and we all know that seldom applies to you

Definitely match bivvy zip with sleeping bag zip.

I have sleeping bags/quilts from various places and the long length version always fits well

I’m 6’3, brands include enlightened equipment, western mountaineering, montbell and decathlon

I also get longer length bivy bags and mats. Plus shelters that fit. The problem with being tall is the need for bigger, heavier kit

You're right Ben, weightier kit and more volume. One of my riding buddies is less tall than I am (by some way) and they marvel at how much space I have on the bike to carry stuff (frame triangle, seat post clearance, front wheel clearance) but always seem to miss the fact that I have to carry bigger equivalents to their own kit.
I wasn't aware of those companies until you mentioned them , so I'll go take a look now.
Cheers,
Mike

i need a extra long and extra wide kip bag. any idea's anyone ?

Enlightened Equipment and Western Mountaineering are US companies so be aware of import duties, etc. if you go that route. EE still, as far as I know, ship to the UK post VAT rule changes.

whitestone wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 2:59 pm Enlightened Equipment and Western Mountaineering are US companies so be aware of import duties, etc. if you go that route. EE still, as far as I know, ship to the UK post VAT rule changes.

Western Mountaneering have several UK retailers inc.

https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk ... eering-m50

I've got an Ultralite ( though not x-long as I'm a bit of a short arse) which I'm really happy with and after about 500 nights use still looks like new.