The sleeping bag minefield
- Thread starter Xylophile
- Start date
I have had for about 20 yrs a fleece bag liner from RAB which I've found to be excellent as a boost to your normal bag. I also use it in the summer on its own or in a bivi bag.
Sleeping bags are always a problem for me as I hate a side zip. For that reason I ended up getting a Woodlaw bag which I find great but is bulky.
I've looked for years as phd but also keep thinking about quilts. At the moment I can't spend as I've a 3 yr old.
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Sleeping bags are always a problem for me as I hate a side zip. For that reason I ended up getting a Woodlaw bag which I find great but is bulky.
I've looked for years as phd but also keep thinking about quilts. At the moment I can't spend as I've a 3 yr old.
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I've got an 11 and a 9 year old - trust me, it doesn't get any better! Hence the reason it took me 22 years to get a new bag...
Also a good pad with a high R value will is as important as the bag IMO and will make for a good nights sleep
Ive actually got a decent pad, ive got a oex its bulky as its full length and ill probably will replace it at one point with something smaller and lighter but its low down in my priority's at the moment
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/oex-compact-2-5-self-inflating-sleeping-mat-p321483
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/oex-compact-2-5-self-inflating-sleeping-mat-p321483
Came across these recently. The price has just been reduced too. I'm going to but the -15 and see what its like.
https://www.tundrasleepingbags.com/sleeping-bags/simply-green/simply-green-minus-15
https://www.tundrasleepingbags.com/sleeping-bags/simply-green/simply-green-minus-15
I started with Snugpak Green bags, a 6 and a 10. The 10 was almost warm enough for tarp camping in Hertfordshire woods in November - February without waking with anything cold. Think that had I had a better mat, or a bivibag, it would have been more than enough. Is a bit bulky though.
Next I got a Marmot Helium with a water resistant outer. Lovely bag, very happy with it. Used in April in Sweden in a hammock and in Canada in January in a tipi. Wasn't actually warm enough alone in canada, but it was down to -15degC at night. Was a bit too warm for summer use in the UK. Getting too hot in a bag is almost as bad as being cold.
Since I wanted something a little lighter for summer, and that I could pair with the Marmot for Canada, I got a Jacks-R-Better Sierra Sniveller quilt. Nice idea to have it double as a garment to wear around camp, but in practice I have never used it like this. Claims its rated to -4C, but I must sleep cold since I have been chilly when it has been just above freezing.
Since I like my hammocks I have a couple of under-quilts, the UK-Hammocks one is excellent, and they do top quilts which look very good value. I also made my own synthetic underquilt using two layers of 4oz Climashield Apex. Looking at US made bags and quilts using this insulation I reckon that making your own is very good value. Bought the material from www.extremtextil.de/index_en.html.
I am seriously thinking about making a top quilt out of similar materials. I used the synthetic under quilt in over the top of the Sierra Sniveller and it worked remarkably well. Got condensation on the inside of the synthetic
bag rather than in the down. I like the gear Kifaru makes, and this is similar to what they use their Woobie poncho liners for, to up-rate sleeping bags. Its an idea if you want extra warmth some of the time.
Next I got a Marmot Helium with a water resistant outer. Lovely bag, very happy with it. Used in April in Sweden in a hammock and in Canada in January in a tipi. Wasn't actually warm enough alone in canada, but it was down to -15degC at night. Was a bit too warm for summer use in the UK. Getting too hot in a bag is almost as bad as being cold.
Since I wanted something a little lighter for summer, and that I could pair with the Marmot for Canada, I got a Jacks-R-Better Sierra Sniveller quilt. Nice idea to have it double as a garment to wear around camp, but in practice I have never used it like this. Claims its rated to -4C, but I must sleep cold since I have been chilly when it has been just above freezing.
Since I like my hammocks I have a couple of under-quilts, the UK-Hammocks one is excellent, and they do top quilts which look very good value. I also made my own synthetic underquilt using two layers of 4oz Climashield Apex. Looking at US made bags and quilts using this insulation I reckon that making your own is very good value. Bought the material from www.extremtextil.de/index_en.html.
I am seriously thinking about making a top quilt out of similar materials. I used the synthetic under quilt in over the top of the Sierra Sniveller and it worked remarkably well. Got condensation on the inside of the synthetic
bag rather than in the down. I like the gear Kifaru makes, and this is similar to what they use their Woobie poncho liners for, to up-rate sleeping bags. Its an idea if you want extra warmth some of the time.
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I'm 99% made my mind up on the north face blue kazoo. Got to make a phone call to gaynor sports tomorrow to clarify one thing and then make payment.
Im not sure of the cost of the TNF Blue Kazoo, but Im sure you can do better, have you looked at a used PHD or Cumulus the savings are large including the cost of have it washed etc.
Im not a great fan of the TNF and how they do business...
Im not a great fan of the TNF and how they do business...
I paid 225 for the blue kazoo everything included. I made a spreadsheet and it was the best fit for my need. It's 650 hungarian down. The compressed volumn was the smallest and the comfort rating was exactly where I wanted it. I made a spreadsheet and it came out on top.
I like the north face. My dealings with them have been great
I like the north face. My dealings with them have been great
You should do a review of it after you've had it out a few times - especially giving reasons why you went for it and how it lived up to your requirements. That would help all those who come along behind you and are considering their options.
I hope it works well for you.
