Sleeping bag recommendation

[ootini]

Hi all,

I'm new here and I'm interested in Cycle-camping, or Bikepacking as some call it. I'm currently deliberating my choice of sleeping bag for some spring-autumn camping trips. I currently have two bags, a very cheap and nasty 1 season Tesco mummy bag, and a Vango Wilderness 250, which, although much warmer, is also much heavier and bigger.
Now as I'll be packing everything in to panniers on the bike, weight is an issue, but secondary to pack size. I was wondering if anyone has any advice on picking up a decent 2-3 season bag, which compresses down nicely for around the £80 mark.
I've done a fair bit of Googling, may be too much, but it seems to me that the best bang for buck so far seems to be the Snugpak Elite 3, or possibly the Elite 2? The Elite 3 summary is below.

• Comfort -5*c (plenty)
• Weight 1600g (not bad)
• Packsize 22 x 26cm (pretty good, and I'm sure with some effort that can be reduced further)
• Cost Around £80 (within budget).

Does any have any other options I may have missed?

Thanks very much

 

[The Lord Poncho]

I have used an elite 2 all year round, combined with an alpkit hunka bivvi bag. I wouldn't like to say that i have been kept warm on every night by it, but certainly most nights are ok. Especially if you combine with a sleeka jacket or similar. It certainly packs down very small and light.

At the price you are willing to pay, I would say that this is a bit of a compromise that you need to be prepared to make - a down bag will generally give you a better compression/weight to warmth ratio, but will be significantly more expensive.

Beware that snugpak temperature ratings are generally understood to be around 5 degrees lower than reality.

 

[ootini]

I have used an elite 2 all year round, combined with an alpkit hunka bivvi bag. I wouldn't like to say that i have been kept warm on every night by it, but certainly most nights are ok. Especially if you combine with a sleeka jacket or similar. It certainly packs down very small and light.

At the price you are willing to pay, I would say that this is a bit of a compromise that you need to be prepared to make - a down bag will generally give you a better compression/weight to warmth ratio, but will be significantly more expensive.

Beware that snugpak temperature ratings are generally understood to be around 5 degrees lower than reality.

Ahhh thought they might be a bit optimistic as I've just seen the Snugpak Travelpak 2 which is claiming a lower comfort temp of 2*c, weight of 1100 grams, pack size of just over 5 litres all for £35!!! This seems a bit too good to be true.

 

[ootini]

http://www.traveloutdoors.co.uk/snugpak-travelpak-2-sleeping-bag/

 

[bopdude]

A lot will depend on what / how and where your sleeping, tent, bivvi or hammock or other ? hill forest dale ? if it were me and using panniers I would forgo something else to make sure I had room for a decent bag.
My 2penneth

 

[caorach]

A lot will depend on what / how and where your sleeping, tent, bivvi or hammock or other ? hill forest dale ?

This is a good point in the sense that if you can clearly define your problem and your priorities then that will being you a lot closer to having a good answer. You may be willing to put up with a few cold nights, for example, or you may be like me and being warm and comfortable may be the priority. Also you might want to consider a good mat as part of this "package" and that might impact upon your decision.

 

[ootini]

Sorry I should have given you guys more information. I'm looking at three to four night trips around North Wales. Hopefully starting in April, so a few weeks from now. We'll be camping mostly in "proper" camp sites as opposed to wild camping. As far as clothing goes, I was hoping to not need a thermal base layer for the evenings, but it's always an option. For what it's worth, I think I sleep quite warm. Oh, and I'll be in a 2 man tent with my gear, bike outside obviously.

 

[ootini]

I've got a Vango Ultralite self inflating mat too.

 

[rik_uk3]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161387773...49&var=460409565135&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BIVVY-REV...t=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item232f62a791

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gelert-Ad...473?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item566b3501f1

Light weight, pack very small.

 

[ootini]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161387773...49&var=460409565135&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BIVVY-REV...t=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item232f62a791

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gelert-Ad...473?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item566b3501f1

Light weight, pack very small.

You'd suggest thermal jacket and pants over a sleeping bag? Never considered that before.

 

[fluffkitten]

If you want to go Snugpak Elite I'd suggest looking at the Chrysalis , pretty much the same bag but different colours and cheaper. I've a Chrysalis 2 which I'm happy with but consider a +5 bag. You can squish it to about 19mm x 18mm.

 

[ootini]

If you want to go Snugpak Elite I'd suggest looking at the Chrysalis , pretty much the same bag but different colours and cheaper. I've a Chrysalis 2 which I'm happy with but consider a +5 bag. You can squish it to about 19mm x 18mm.

Sorry what do you mean by a +5 bag? And I'm assuming you mean cm, not mm? Thanks for the pointer re: chrysalis bag.

 

[fluffkitten]

Sorry what do you mean by a +5 bag? And I'm assuming you mean cm, not mm? Thanks for the pointer re: chrysalis bag.

+5 degrees for comfort, below that it might get a bit chilly despite being rated at +2 degrees comfort. And you're right about the cm, I still haven't had enough coffee today.

 

[ootini]

+5 degrees for comfort, below that it might get a bit chilly despite being rated at +2 degrees comfort. And you're right about the cm, I still haven't had enough coffee today.

Ah OK I see, thanks for the heads up.

 

[Caerleon]

Ootini - sleeping bags are really a personal choice, I would say its 'the' bit of kit to get right and would prioritize that (along with a very good mat) over most other bits of kit. A good nights sleep is a make or break thing especially when out for more than a single night. I agree with Lord Poncho, Snugpak do seem to sugar coat their ratings and personally after owning a few bits of their kit (sleeping bag -zip broke/ hooped bivi-ridiculous amount of condensation/softshell- not that warm) I won't touch them now given past experience (but again purely personal). I don't have one but a mate uses a Vango DofE bag for around £50 & he's dead chuffed with it.

 

[ootini]

Hi thanks for all the advice, based on weight, size, cost etc the Vango ultralite 900 is looking very good.

 

[ebt.]

D,

take a look at the bearbonesbikepacking site. You'll find some good tips there.

FWIW, I use a travelpak3 for the winter, inside an army bivi. I wear thermals too, with that I've woken up toasty and covered in frost

 

[ootini]

D,

take a look at the bearbonesbikepacking site. You'll find some good tips there.

FWIW, I use a travelpak3 for the winter, inside an army bivi. I wear thermals too, with that I've woken up toasty and covered in frost

Cheers! Registering now.

 

[rik_uk3]

You'd suggest thermal jacket and pants over a sleeping bag? Never considered that before.

No, just adding another option.

 

[ADz-1983]

I have used an Elite 3 in past and it compresses quite well for a synthetic. You could also grab a British army softie jacket for about £10 to bump up a layer while in bag.