Lightweight sleeping bag for fatties

  • Hey Guest, Early bird pricing on the Summer Moot (29th July - 10th August) available until April 6th, we'd love you to come. PLEASE CLICK HERE to early bird price and get more information.

rik_uk3

Banned
Jun 10, 2006
13,320
24
69
south wales
I can't hike anymore but when I did the Army arctic would go in the bottom of a Bergen, Golite Hex in one side pocket, stove and fuel in the other side pocket which left over half the Bergen for other kit for a weekend away. Thermarest strapped to the front of the pack; neat and tidy.
 

OurJud

Forager
Oct 31, 2008
127
0
Manchester
Hey, Rik, just ordered one of the MOUNTAIN bags! I reckon this seller owes you big time. That's at least three orders he's had as a result of this thread.

Thanks again for the rec. I'll probably be cursing its weight when I'm puffing up some rocky 12" wide pathway, but like Fredstar says, better the extra weight and a good nights sleep rather that sinking slowly into hypothermia under some lightweight tat.
 

Miyagi

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Aug 6, 2008
2,298
5
South Queensferry
I have quite a few sleeping bags.

The warmest is my army arctic bag, purchased from here, but even compressed it still looks like it belongs in a Lancaster.

Being wider than I used to be, I find my comfiest "light-ish" bag is a Tesco "lounger" envelope style with a side zip on the right (when lying face up). It's warm enough to use in gentle Winter and cost £30 at the time.


Liam
 

ex-member BareThrills

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Dec 5, 2011
4,461
3
United Kingdom
but even compressed it still looks like it belongs in a Lancaster.

agree, the snugpack 4 takes up a third of my 70l pack, issue bag is half. great if you are car camping but heavy and bulky if walking in plus limits your carry capacity. its wider at the foot but my snugpak is wider at the shoulder and the gut where it counts
 

Andy BB

Full Member
Apr 19, 2010
3,290
1
Hampshire
To be honest i was hoping to do better with the budget :p


:) To be fair, I got one for about £25, and the down was a bit.....flat. However, got it dry-cleaned by a specialist and it was infinitely better - fluffed up a treat, and was nearly as warm as the army arctic bag! And plenty of space too. Hmmm - wonder where it got to!
 

santaman2000

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Jan 15, 2011
16,909
1,114
67
Florida
I have a similar problem as I weigh 255 pounds (116 kilos or 18.2 stone) However I have several bags that do indeed fit me with no real problem.

However my real problem is finding a true 4 season bag. If it's light enough (in insulation, not weight) for Summer, there's no way it will be warm enough in Winter. After all, Summer temps are around 80f (26.7c) in Summer here (I know a bit cooler there) Whereas Winter temps will often be well below freezing here (and even colder if I camp out West in a mountain deer camp)

The closest I have is the USGI Sleep system but that's only because it's really 2 separate bags that can be used together to create still a 3rd option. But it ain't light (although I did only pay about $80 (or about 51 pounds) for it at the local surplus store.
 

Miyagi

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Aug 6, 2008
2,298
5
South Queensferry
However my real problem is finding a true 4 season bag. If it's light enough (in insulation, not weight) for Summer, there's no way it will be warm enough in Winter.

Totally agree.

It may be more accurate for some well insulated bags to be described as 3 season at the most. By definition the "4th season" (Winter) bag could only be used in that season and would have the insulation/padding of an obese Eskimaux and the warmth of a Yeti's armpit.


Liam.
 

OurJud

Forager
Oct 31, 2008
127
0
Manchester
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

Not that I'm trying to lay a guilt trip on you here, rik, but my sleeping bag has just arrived and I can barely fit in it. There's nothing on the bag to indicate size, but the paperwork definitely says 'large'. Yes, I'm fat, but I'm hardly whale sized.

Once I'd managed to squeeze myself in and do the zip up, I was completely paralyzed. Getting my arms in and out requires me to almost dislocate my shoulders. The only sleeping option possible is on my back, which I can't do because it makes me snore (which make me up).

I'd initially planned to get one of those sleeping bag suits with the arms and legs, but was advised against it. I wish I hadn't listened now and bought one of those instead.

I simply won't be able to use this and have now run out of time and money to get something else, so if I die from hypothermia while I'm up there I'm holding you responsible, rik :D
 

Andy BB

Full Member
Apr 19, 2010
3,290
1
Hampshire
..then you don't have the large, then Jud! I have a large one ( :) ) and have plenty of room to run around in it.

And no-one's ever referred to me as sylphlike.........................
 

ex-member BareThrills

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Dec 5, 2011
4,461
3
United Kingdom
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

Not that I'm trying to lay a guilt trip on you here, rik, but my sleeping bag has just arrived and I can barely fit in it. There's nothing on the bag to indicate size, but the paperwork definitely says 'large'. Yes, I'm fat, but I'm hardly whale sized.

Once I'd managed to squeeze myself in and do the zip up, I was completely paralyzed. Getting my arms in and out requires me to almost dislocate my shoulders. The only sleeping option possible is on my back, which I can't do because it makes me snore (which make me up).

I'd initially planned to get one of those sleeping bag suits with the arms and legs, but was advised against it. I wish I hadn't listened now and bought one of those instead.

I simply won't be able to use this and have now run out of time and money to get something else, so if I die from hypothermia while I'm up there I'm holding you responsible, rik :D

Got a picture? perhaps others can compare with theirs then
 

OurJud

Forager
Oct 31, 2008
127
0
Manchester
I could post a pic, but not sure what I could include as a scale giver - any ideas, and don't say me.

I've just emailed the seller to confirm he sent a large. He's a good egg as I contacted him shortly after ordering to see if he could speed up delivery. He replied within a day to say he'd do his best, and he came up trumps, so if it sounds to him from my description like he's sent the wrong size I imagine he'll be honest about it.
 
Last edited:

BCUK Shop

We have a a number of knives, T-Shirts and other items for sale.

SHOP HERE