Opinions please on sleeping bag

[Dirk Diggler]

Hi i would apreciate any opinions on this bag.

http://www.venturesport.co.uk/venturesport_product.asp?parseid=162

I am looking for something for hiking weekends, so light/small enough for my pack, mostly in Spring to Autumn and in a tent, although i hope to try hammock camping soon.
I would also like to try winter camping so would this bag be ok with a liner and a few layers of clothes ?
Unfortunately my budget is not great and i'm looking to spend up to £60.

 

[jimford]

Hmm, I see they state that it's a 'sub zero' bag, but only comfortable down to +2 degrees C. I guess they could equally claim it's a -10 degrees C bag on the grounds that you'll only suffer mild frostbite in it!

I don't think you'll get much more than a 'holiday' bag for the price.

Beware of extravagant claims by bag sellers. Have a look at Alpkit's range of bags.

Jim

 

[Matthew.Passmore]

As Jim says I would have a look at AlpKit their stuff is good quality and well priced, I have a piped dream 600, lovely bag.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Thanks guys,
Having looked on the Alpkit site the SkyeHigh 800 looks like what i am after, its more than i had hoped to spend but i suppose you get what you pay for, unfortunately they seem to be out of stock.
Any other recommendations on something similar ?

 

[Shewie]

I use a Vango Ultralite 700 2 season bag for most of the year except for winter. I do use an underblanket aswell though which helps.

Packs down tiny and doesn't weigh much

 

[jimford]

I use a Vango Ultralite 700 2 season bag for most of the year except for winter. I do use an underblanket aswell though which helps.

Packs down tiny and doesn't weigh much

But you need to include the blanket for the weight and volume!

Jim

 

[Dirk Diggler]

After looking through the Vango range (Thanks Shewie) This one is starting to look favourite, packs reasonably small, decent weight,2-3 season and bang on my budget.

http://www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/acatalog/Vango_Ultralite_300_Sleeping_Bag.html

Please let me know what you think ?

And at a push do you think this would get me by on the occasional winter night with thermals/liner etc ?

Thanks guys i really do apreciate your advice.

or the Vango 400 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vango-Ultrali...3|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

 

[wistuart]

Snow and Rock have some very tempting Mountain Equipment bags at half price just now:

http://www.snowandrock.com/Department/Mid-Season+Sale/Equipment/Starlite+1+MEQ0099.htm
http://www.snowandrock.com/Department/Mid-Season+Sale/Equipment/Starlite+2+MEQ0100.htm
http://www.snowandrock.com/Department/Mid-Season+Sale/Equipment/Starlite+3+MEQ0101.htm

They don't give much detail but you can get the specs from ME's website here:

http://www.mountain-equipment.co.uk/the_gear/synthetic_sleeping_bags/starlight/

These are synthetic bags and therefore heavier than down but you'll have to spend quite a bit more for down and be aware that it is badly affected by damp.

 

[Opal]

I bought one of these for the summer.
http://www.outdoorworld.co.uk/vango-voyager-50-sleeping-bag-p-2166.html

 

[Belfastman1958]

Some excellent recommendations here. And we all have our own reasons for choosing them - everyone of them valid.

I personally have chosen the Vango 300XL. Mostly because it offers me everything that most other sleeping bags does (Spring - Autumn camping) but also - and more improtantly - it is a little bit wider than the others to accomodate my ever widening girth. Nothing more uncomfortable than sleeping in a bag which doesn't afford room to move during the night.

Further, I was able to buy it 30% cheaper from my local Scout shop than from other reputable dealers. (ie, £30 rather than £45).

So.....there are some other ideas you might want to consider when you come to make your choice.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Thanks to Wistuart

These bags look good http://www.snowandrock.com/Department/Mid-Season+Sale/Equipment/Starlite+1+MEQ0099.htm

And also in Go Outdoors which is round the corner from me they are £63 - they however advertise a price guarantee where they will beat a lower price by 10%
Think i will go and try it out tomorrow............

Thanks all for the advise, i'm pretty much still non the wiser but if i can get the above bag for under £30 i will plump for that.

 

[jimford]

Hmm, it worries me that you're trying to cut the cost, and therefore the quality, of probably the most important bit of kit you need!

Jim

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Hi Jim,
I apreciate what your saying, i am trying to balance out the fact that i need to buy quite a lot of kit, at most i will be doing single night or weekend base camp or wild camp stays in the Lake District for hiking, also having 2 young kids i cant justify spending too much at the moment on single items for myself without feeling selfish about it.
If money was no object it would be another matter, i am just trying to get the best i can within a budget to get started, by the end of the year if i want to start winter camping i may be in a better position to upgrade so to speak.
We do summer holiday camping as a family so although i already have a lot of camping gear, non of its really suitable for backpacking/wild camping.

Anyway here is the spec of the mountain equipment bag which to me looks good value for the price, considering its more than likely spring - autumn i will be using it,but i am definately willing to reconsider.

STARLIGHT I

Polarloft Micro insulation for maximum warmth to weight.
Shingle construction minimises cold spots and optimizes loft.
Lightweight honeycomb outer fabric with water repellent finish
Glow in the dark zips.
Concealed valuables pocket on outer shell.


KEY FEATURES


TOTAL WEIGHT

1270g

FILL WEIGHT


PACKED SIZE

21cm x 32cm

EXTREME TEMPERATURE

-11°C

COMFORT LIMIT TEMPERATURE

3°C

COMFORT TEMPERATURE

7°C

SLEEPZONE

20 to -4°C

The Starlight 2 and 3 are within my budget also.

Many thanks