Which DOWN bag for £150 or less?

[Bucephalas]

Just about to embark on some hill-walking and need to reduce weight big time.
Decided on the new backpack and my new Moco base layers are on their way, but i need a Down bag that offers the best possible warmth (4 season) but is as lightweight and as small as possible.

My budget is around the 150 mark.

Cheers
Richie

 

[snozz]

Check out the Alpkit sale. Some down bags on there

Snozz

 

[lub0]

I too am seriously contemplating getting a down bag around the 600g mark but have quickly found that you can't get a down bag of this weight for less than £200!

 

[Dartmoor navigator]

Alpkit Skyehigh 800 £155 http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16321&category_id=253

 

[snozz]

Alpkit are out of stock in the sale... but have this in their other stock:

http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16320&category_id=253

Coupled with a liner, may be enough for your needs.

 

[lub0]

I'm afraid Alpkit bags are not lightweight by any means. Look at PHD, Cumulus, Rab and the rare Western Mountaineering and expect to pay at least £200 for a proper lightweight yet warm bag!

 

[Shewie]

The PHD sale starts tomorrow, the Minim 300 is a great buy if you can stretch the wallet ..

http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/special-offers.php?cat=79

 

[Dartmoor navigator]

I'm afraid Alpkit bags are not lightweight by any means. Look at PHD, Cumulus, Rab and the rare Western Mountaineering and expect to pay at least £200 for a proper lightweight yet warm bag!

Alas it's true - the Skyhigh 800 is robust and warm but weighs about 1.5kg and resembles Barnes Wallis' bouncing bomb when compressed. Good value for money but not a patch on Rab or PHD.

 

[lub0]

The PHD sale starts tomorrow, the Minim 300 is a great buy if you can stretch the wallet ..

http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/special-offers.php?cat=79

Do you think the Minim 300 in red "drishell" is worth getting over the standard black? Maybe less durable, less breathable, ect? Would be interested to know.

 

[Bucephalas]

Guess I need to stretch my budget. Cheers All


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=51.641570,-2.680929

 

[mountainm]

http://www.mountaineering-designs.c...public.cgi?action=showprod_RABATLAS1000REDRHZ

bargain to be had £120 - very warm, heavy though 1.8kg

also this:
http://www.mountaineering-designs.co.uk/cgi-bin/trolleyed_public.cgi?action=showprod_CLASSIC750

looks good.

 

[rik_uk3]

Just come across
http://www.sleepingbagshop.co.uk/
might be worth a look.

 

[Shewie]

Do you think the Minim 300 in red "drishell" is worth getting over the standard black? Maybe less durable, less breathable, ect? Would be interested to know.

I wouldn't like to say, I use mine inside a bivvy so just went for the standard M1

 

[Dave]

Guess I need to stretch my budget. Cheers All

How tall are you, whats your chest size?
Im 6ft a 42/43reg chest and had to send my standard sized Minim back, it was so tight.
Rather than pay extra to have width fitted, and the dri-shell, I bought a second hand Rab Quantum Endurance Rab 400 for £120 [RRP £266][ with Pertex Quantum shell to stop condensation wetting the down] and had it professionally cleaned for £50 and some internal baffle stitching repaired by Rab for free! [Excellent customer service] And after cleaning they loft like new.
http://rab.uk.com/love-your-rab/down-care.html
I think its better than the newer replacement neutrino, as it's 96% pure white goose down.
This is a narrow cut bag, but nowhere near as narrow as the PHD. Which, admittedly are excellent. You can get some good bargains on evilbay, and a good down bag will last for many years.

 

[Bucephalas]

I know all RAB products are GT'd for life, so they will always repair any problems.
Just worried about size though.

I'm 5'11 with 42/44'' chest. I guess I'll just have to check out the returns policy before I buy.

Thanks again for the pointers, I'm off to check out the links now.

 

[Bucephalas]

Just found this at £179.98 when most other sites are £300+??
I don't often find GO that much cheaper than the rest.

Any opinions?

 

[Dave]

They do have some stuff thats cheaper than the the rest during Sale time. If youre gonna buy it from Go, may as well go a long and try it in the shop. Judging by your size, I dont think you'll get along with a standard PHD Minim. But they accept returns no bother, if it doesnt fit. As others have said, Cant go wrong with a Rab bag....[If money was no issue I'd get a PHD tailored to fit.]

Do you tend to sleep hot or cold? Im on the warm side, and I find my -4 bag too warm for most of the year. [I also use quilt and an old Vango ultralite bag]

 

[Bucephalas]

Do you tend to sleep hot or cold?

Depends on how much Brandy I've taken with me!

I used to be a warm sleeper but to be honest, the last few months I've found things have changed. They may change again on Friday when i turn....., when I turn............, older than 44

 

[Dave]

Ouch. 44 eh? Ye olde Farte.

:hapbirth:

 

[Bucephalas]

Settle down at the back! and no laughing in class!

(I knew this would happen)

Cheers Dave.