Which 4 Season Sleeping Bag

[korvin karbon]

I use a nice cheap British Army issue dossbag with a center zip, yes they are bulky but that doesn't bother me! its a 4 season bag that cost me nothing (I liberated it when I left the Army! ) but you could probably get one for £30.
It all depends if your a lightweight camper or not.

woukd it shove into the bottom of a sabre 60-100? thats the max size i am looking at, ideally have some room left for the tarp too

 

[Greg]

woukd it shove into the bottom of a sabre 60-100? thats the max size i am looking at, ideally have some room left for the tarp too

I get mine into my PLCE bergen main compartment(100lt) with no trouble and still have room for spare gear, waterproofs and basha kit. My food and cooking gear goes in the two side pouches.

I don't use the compression sack, I place the sleeping bag inside my goretex bivvy bag and then it all gets stuffed into the bergen.

 

[Barn Owl]

If you're not walking far and only out for a couple of nights then to hell with the weight/volume.
Get a warm and comfy bag.

I've been using a Belgian bag with centre zip,it's like the UK army ones and with liner is great.

I've recently got a buffalo bag from Sniper that i'm sure will be toasty,even when wet, as i've had buffalo shirts for years that keep you warm when wet also.

Bear in mind though the bag is in conjuction with a bivi bag and usually fire and a tarp at least.

I've put a centre zip in my issue bivi to go with the zips of the buffalo and i'm sure it'll be great under a tarp,with ease of egress and entry.

You don't need food for a couple of nights compared to good comfy shelter.

 

[Greg]

If you're not walking far and only out for a couple of nights then to hell with the weight/volume.
Get a warm and comfy bag.

I couldn't agree more, I also forgot to mention that my bivvi-bag is a Dutch army one which is bigger than the Brit version and also has a central zip.

 

[sandsnakes]

Have you considered using two silk liners in your bag, also getting it properly dry cleaned? We dont realise but bags do take heavy use and do need cleaning.

Two liners and you boil alive on the coldest of nights. You can pick up cheap silk liners on ebay, a few mods and its done. No extra weight etc, etc. The more air you trap the warmer you are. You could also consider a nylon or polyester additional outer shell to the bag, again you are holding on to the air and the heat. Its a mistake to think that you need to spend more or need more kit, sometimes the low tech solutions work just as well or better.

Sansnakes

 

[ScarletPimpernel]

I also prefer a centre zip, largely because I get sick of being woken by lying on the zip after turning over in my sleep. The UK military issue bag is a good bag, though quite large. I have an ECW one too, which is excellent - just as long as you aren't backpacking.

However, on my last trip to sandy places I took a Snugpak and a silk liner, just so I could carry it in my daysack for use if the elderly airframe went TU. In the event I only used it on my return, and they worked very well in the freezing cold of a Mess with no heating (thanks, Sodexho).

Anyone tried the US military sleeping system - two sleeping bags and a bivi bag? They seem to be around £120 - £150 complete.

 

[mortalmerlin]

I would just buy an army arctic bag and keep the change.

 

[Shambling Shaman]

I like my Nanok -10 - A bit bulky but solid.

Greg thanks for the link - http://www.strikeforcesupplies.co.uk...ic&item=300 2

 

[Lurch]

Nanok bags seem to be universally well thought of, if a little on the heavy side, but they're getting harder to find.

I don't have any trouble at all finding them.

 

[korvin karbon]

cheers for all the help, i am probably going to get a new british army PLCE bag. I want to see one before though. Anybody know where i can get one in Edinburgh or Glasgow?

 

[huntersforge]

I like my Nanok -10 - A bit bulky but solid.

Me too . Can honestly say I have never had a cold night in mine , Never had it out at -10 though - 5 been my limit thus far .

 

[RobertRogers]

Wiggies makes great bags, synthetic - which I recommend over down for areas that wet and damp are a factor, especially if outings are longer term than just one night.

 

[Greg]

cheers for all the help, i am probably going to get a new british army PLCE bag. I want to see one before though. Anybody know where i can get one in Edinburgh or Glasgow?

(Edinburgh) Redfern Barracks or maybe the castle!!
Only kidding mate!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320297330889

The photo shows the bag inside out, as you can see it has two inside pockets to warm / dry your socks etc..

 

[Chips]

I have a mountain equipment snowline. It's awesome. Rated to -37C, and weighs 1400g. And it always feels comfortable, I can even sleep in the house when it's about 14C and feel comfortable.

 

[scanker]

I don't have any trouble at all finding them.

That's interesting. I thought they'd stopped supplying the endurance range in the UK, which was why a number of suppliers sold off stock a few months ago? Are you still able to get them?