Sleeping bag temperature ratings.. most honest & transparent?

[lub0]

Out of all the good makers such as PHD, Western Mountaineering, RAB and Cumulus ect which would you say make the best lightweight sleeping bags that are durably made with honest temperature ratings and are of course very light and packable?

I've been doing a lot of research on ultralight bags and it seems that Rab's offerings are both overpriced and out-shined in every way by pretty much every other brand like PHD and Cumulus that make reasonably priced/performing bags but then there's Western Mountaineering being slightly higher priced but on paper they are that bit better in terms of weight and temp ratings than PHD/Cumulus however this is all on paper and there's no way of knowing which bag performs better in practical real world terms.

It seems the sleeping bag market is an absolute minefield! I'm really after a bag that weighs no more than 550gram, is durably made and is good to +5 celcius. The Cumulus Quantum 200 is an unbelievable 495 grams and is rated at 0 celcius whereas the identically priced PHD Minimus is only 25 grams lighter yet only rated to 5+ celcius. Whose the one being honest here, or are Cumulus really for real and make honestly-rated ridiculously lightweight bags?

 

[Lupin Rider]

I have a cumulus quantum350. It is very warm, have slept at -3 a couple of times in it and was toasty, both in tent and under tarp. Clearly warmer in the tent though. I got it to be a part of a lightweight walking setup Not planning a trip as challenging as yours just yet though. Been following your other thread, tonight ive going to weigh all my kit and see what else i can do lighten it. At moment i have too many clothes i think. Aiming for 10 kg excluding water or food.

 

[lub0]

Thanks for the feedback on the Cumulus. I'm pretty certain I'm going to get a Cumulus as they appear to be the best in terms of performance/weight to cost ratio compared to the other brands. The PHD bags have very similar performance and costs as the Cumulus, so I guess the deciding factor comes down to which would have the best build quality and long-term durability. Any commends on this is appreciated.

From careful comparison of the Cumulus and PHD range of bags I've noticed PHD do not make a match for the Cumulus Quantum 200 which is 465 grams and good to 0c because PHD only make a -5 and a +5 but not anything between these two figures. Would a 0c like the Cumulus Quantum 200 bag but good for all-year use in the UK as that would save a lot of £££ by not having to buy two bags for summer/winter use.

Thank god this sleeping bag will be the last high-value item I have to purchase for my light-weight setup to be complete!

 

[Lupin Rider]

i have no experience of the phd bags so cant compare build quality. The culumus has been just fine over the time i have had it (18months perhaps). I got the 350 rather than the 200 (chirstmas present a couple of years back) as i prefer to be over warm and unzipped than cooler.

I know what you mean about the cost. Having looked at the cost of the pile of kit ive accumulated over time it is all top kit but has been quite an outlay. Should all last for ever though. Hopefully.

 

[sandbender]

I have tried none of the suggested brands. I can however recommend the Crux range of sleeping bags, light and certainly warm enough for the seasons they are made for.

A bit pricey for pretty much everyone though.

 

[lub0]

i have no experience of the phd bags so cant compare build quality. The culumus has been just fine over the time i have had it (18months perhaps). I got the 350 rather than the 200 (chirstmas present a couple of years back) as i prefer to be over warm and unzipped than cooler.

I know what you mean about the cost. Having looked at the cost of the pile of kit ive accumulated over time it is all top kit but has been quite an outlay. Should all last for ever though. Hopefully.

Thanks for the feedback, I'm still undecided on the 200 or 350. Wouldn't the 200 being 0c be good for the height of winter, too?

I have tried none of the suggested brands. I can however recommend the Crux range of sleeping bags, light and certainly warm enough for the seasons they are made for.

A bit pricey for pretty much everyone though.

Nice weight to temp ratio but why such astronomical prices?? Are they particularly durable, like their rucksacks are? As Lupid Rider mentioned, when you spend big bucks on kit you obviously want it durably made, but with lightweight sleeping bags I'm still weary of how durable they are when weight-saving materials are such a high design consideration.

 

[tartanferret]

Have you already considered an Alpkit PD400? pretty light and £150.

http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16415&category_id=286

 

[lub0]

Yeah I considered it but for £55 more the Cumulus Quantum 200 has a comfort rating of 0c and is 220g lighter while the Alpkit PD400 has a -3c limit, but what is its comfort rating?? Can anyone tell me why Cumulus only state comfort ratings and not also limits?

 

[Lupin Rider]

Why dont you call them and ask

 

[sandbender]

"...Nice weight to temp ratio but why such astronomical prices?? Are they particularly durable, like their rucksacks are? As Lupid Rider mentioned, when you spend big bucks on kit you obviously want it durably made, but with lightweight sleeping bags I'm still weary of how durable they are when weight-saving materials are such a high design consideration..."

I have the 500, it does seem quite durable for such a light bag, I purchased mine when I thought I'd be able to use it much more than I have so it hasn't been out so much. Some of the magazine reviewers have commended its build quality. One of its strengths has been that I can leave my bivi bag at home, the bag itself is waterproof enough.

 

[Vulpes]

Generally, as a rule of thumb, I regard the lowest rating to be slept in all my thermals. Saying that, I've got a Marmot Never Summer, which is rated to -18 and I've slept in it at -10 in 200&600g layers and gotten off just about alright, but it took a while to get warmed up.

 

[lub0]

Is it true Cumulus use US rating system when defining their bags fill power as discussed here - http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi...tml?forum_thread_id=18425&skip_to_post=338372

If so that is deceptive!

Also there is a UK and EU Cumulus webite. The UK site dosn't have the latest Cumulus products like the EU site does look...

http://www.sleepingbags-cumulus.eu/
http://www.cumulus-sleepingbags.co.uk/

ANd unfortunately the EU site does not ship to UK which is a shame.

Generally, as a rule of thumb, I regard the lowest rating to be slept in all my thermals. Saying that, I've got a Marmot Never Summer, which is rated to -18 and I've slept in it at -10 in 200&600g layers and gotten off just about alright, but it took a while to get warmed up.

So Marmot lied... just makes you wonder which bag maker doesn't!

 

[Vulpes]

Is it true Cumulus use US rating system when defining their bags fill power as discussed here - http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi...tml?forum_thread_id=18425&skip_to_post=338372

If so that is deceptive!

Also there is a UK and EU Cumulus webite. The UK site dosn't have the latest Cumulus products like the EU site does look...

http://www.sleepingbags-cumulus.eu/
http://www.cumulus-sleepingbags.co.uk/

ANd unfortunately the EU site does not ship to UK which is a shame.



So Marmot lied... just makes you wonder which bag maker doesn't!

Just take it all with a pinch of salt. People sleep comfortably at different temperatures, etc etc, so there's to many variables already to give them excuses to over inflate the ratings. I've used my Marmot all over the place and it's well made and rugged, I just know that if I'm going to sleep in -18 in it, I'd best put a coat on! Had the thing for years well enough to know that rating is very overrated.

 

[mercurykev]

I had a similar dilemma with similar requirements and ended up getting a Western Mountaineering Summerlite. It's a lovely bag, packs down to nothing - fits in a 4l dry bag - and lofts up very well.

 

[Shewie]

I have a couple of PHD bags, there's something about the way they're made which really makes them punch above their weight. My Minim 300 saw me through 5 consecutive nights of zero or colder in May on the TGO, the down lofts like no other bag or quilt I've owned. If I'd have taken my Pipedream 400 I know I'd have had a couple of chilly nights.

Sleeping bags are precious things though, you'll get biased views from anyone who's invested in a decent down bag.

 

[lub0]

I have a couple of PHD bags, there's something about the way they're made which really makes them punch above their weight. My Minim 300 saw me through 5 consecutive nights of zero or colder in May on the TGO, the down lofts like no other bag or quilt I've owned. If I'd have taken my Pipedream 400 I know I'd have had a couple of chilly nights.

Sleeping bags are precious things though, you'll get biased views from anyone who's invested in a decent down bag.

Can't see the Minim 300 on PHD's site, is it discontinued or a custom made bag? Thanks for the comment on PHD, I may be swayed to them more now!

 

[Shewie]

Can't see the Minim 300 on PHD's site, is it discontinued or a custom made bag? Thanks for the comment on PHD, I may be swayed to them more now!

The Minim 300 is one they do for a limited time when the sale is on, no idea why but they are a bit quirky like that.

 

[lub0]

Typical! Just when I have enough money to buy the Cumulus Quantum 200 I'm having second thoughts. It's a lot of money to spend on something I technically already have albeit 600 grams heavier! Decisions, decisions!

 

[Lupin Rider]

Typical! Just when I have enough money to buy the Cumulus Quantum 200 I'm having second thoughts. It's a lot of money to spend on something I technically already have albeit 600 grams heavier! Decisions, decisions!

Stay with the one you have and resupply on route instead.

 

[torc]

I'm a bit late but this might interest you, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EN_13537 and http://sectionhiker.com/deciphering-en13537-sleeping-bag-temperature-ratings/.
Happy trails...torc.