Alpkit Pipedream 250

[Yorkshirewanderer]

Just wondered if anyone had one and what they thought of them? Im pretty much ready to press the buy button after looking around for a while for a new bag. For the weight and price it looks like a good buy. I am still open to suggestions but the Alpkit bag is at the top end of my budget at £130. I am wanting one as light as possible for around that price and at 650g it seems a bargain.

Thoughts guys.......

 

[Old Bones]

I havn't seen a reviews yet, although Pipedreams have always had a great rep. I understand that the 250 is really pared down, and its does only go down to about 1 degree. Best thing is to email Alpkit, and outline your requirements - if they dont think its suitable, then they will probably tell you. I suspect the 400 might be more flexible, and although £40 more, is a great price for the spec - your not going to find anything else at that price.

Alpkits customer service is great (OK - they sent me some goodies after I made a suggestion, so I'm biased), and they are pretty straight, but If I was looking at something to use in Spring or Autumn, then its wouldn't be the 250.

 

[Yorkshirewanderer]

Cheers Old Bones, I'm not looking at winter camping so didn't really think i would need to go so low down in the temp range, so thought the 250 would be suitable. I'm liking the look of the 400 but don't know if I can get away with spending that much without SWMBO noticing! I do realize that the more you pay the better you will get but for the sake of a 2.5c difference in temp rating would it really make that much difference? I'm just asking as I don't really know. or am I best seeing what I have to sell to raise the extra £40?

 

[tartanferret]

It's a shame the new PD range are a sewn through design. My PD400 and 600 have baffles to eliminate cold spots.

It's a long shot but I'd try to source one of the original PD400 second hand. They are quite a snug fit though.

 

[tartanferret]

Thoughts guys.......

considered a quilt mate? Like the UK hammocks summer quilt

http://ukhammocks.co.uk/products/ukhammocks-down-tq-summer-fill?variant=1136853696

 

[Yorkshirewanderer]

I have heard a lot of good things said about the original PD400 that why I was looking at that range.
A quilt is something I haven't thought of, I don't know if I like the thought of not being cocooned up like you are with a bag especially with the draught from the bottom of your not tucked in, thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[Johnnyboy1971]

I have on a few occasions used my top under quilt as a sleeping bag and it's brilliant. No wasted compressed fabric under you. I use mine with the Alpkit wide boy mat so I don't roll off it. Also never had a problem with being uncovered.
I did consider asking for a top quilt making with loops either side spaced at intervals so I could attach light shock cord to keep it cinched together.

 

[fenrir]

I have one of the recent PD400:

pros:

- size
- weight
- relatively warm (given my location in the alps, I hardly sleep below 1100m altitude, and even now in summer we have 8 degC and below during the night)

cons:

- there is no shoulder baffle (assuming that this is the right term); when you turn around, you do notice the warm air being pushed out
- it's a sewn-through design. but then I have to admit that I didn't feel explicit cold spots.

I've added a silk liner (my seamstress will add a zipper to it). The liner (vs the bag) is meant to soak up any dirt/sweat/... and thus prolong both its lifetime as well as the number of times i need to get it cleaned (the liner i can throw into my own washing machine). But it also adds warmth; notably so for its fist-size when packed.

Finally, I put everything into the Snugpak SF bivi bag.

So far, temperatures of around 7 degC, with decent winds, in the open, where cosy warm for the entire night using the combination of pd400+silk liner+bivi wearing boxershorts only.

 

[Yorkshirewanderer]

I have one of the recent PD400:

pros:

- size
- weight
- relatively warm (given my location in the alps, I hardly sleep below 1100m altitude, and even now in summer we have 8 degC and below during the night)

cons:

- there is no shoulder baffle (assuming that this is the right term); when you turn around, you do notice the warm air being pushed out
- it's a sewn-through design. but then I have to admit that I didn't feel explicit cold spots.

I've added a silk liner (my seamstress will add a zipper to it). The liner (vs the bag) is meant to soak up any dirt/sweat/... and thus prolong both its lifetime as well as the number of times i need to get it cleaned (the liner i can throw into my own washing machine). But it also adds warmth; notably so for its fist-size when packed.

Finally, I put everything into the Snugpak SF bivi bag.

So far, temperatures of around 7 degC, with decent winds, in the open, where cosy warm for the entire night using the combination of pd400+silk liner+bivi wearing boxershorts only.

Thankyou Fenrir, that's just the kind of info I was looking for, I've started to look more towards the PD400 now as opposed to the 250 as I think it will be better in the long run, it may have to wait till next payday now.