Which sleeping bag/bags for scotland?

[Scuba Pete]

I know this question of sleeping bags has been covered many times but there is so much information its hard to digest.

I am looking to camp in Scotland all year round, well if its not too cold in winter. I spend a lot of time outdoors diving up north etc and I want to do more exploring.

I have read the recommendations for snugpak, nanok -10 etc.

My questions are, can I get away with just a winter bag? Or will I be too warm in summer? What are the best choices for Scotland?

I want to keep the pack size and weight to a minimum, but as long I as I am warm I am happy. I have quite a good tolerance for the cold, but Scotland does get cold.

Thanks

Pete
mm3nwi

 

[Lifthasir]

A 'proper' winter bag will be much too warm for summer use. But it depends
on how 'warm' you are as a sleeper.

There is also a difference between being a bit chilly when sleeping in winter and
being cold enough to worry. It's a mistake among many that outdoor winter kit will
always keep you just right.

A 3-season bag is massively uprated with a top quality sleeping mat. You can
always sleep in your extra clothing if it's bitterly cold. A good hood fit also makes
a difference, as does how the bag fits your unique body shape.

I've used an Ajungilak Kompakt (3 season bag) down to -8C in the UK with a Karrimor Karrimat (yellow foam). I wore a Gore windstopped balaclava and
had the sleeping bag hood done up nicely. I can't say I was toasty, I can't say
I was cold but I had a decents night's kip. I have to say that I didn't know it would be that cold and I was in a decent tent as well.

It rains a lot in Scotland. I would prefer a synthetic bag for that reason, especially
if you intend to camp for more than 2 nights.

 

[gregorach]

Yeah, I've got an Anjugilak Kompact too and it does me pretty well in most conditions. Can get a bit warm in summer, but it's not going to kill you.

 

[bogflogger]

I have a 3 season down bag. This does me for 2 week winter trips in Scottish winters at altitude. If I am cold, it's on with a hat and socks. Although you do have to be careful about moisture build up (air bag daily) and spilled brews, I would not swap it for any synthetic bag. A couple of essentials to go with it are a full length Thermarest and a polycotton sleeping bag liner. A Gore-tex bivvy bag is also used when bivvying, or to increase warmth if needed, in the tent. Buying a "4-5 season" bag is an expensive mistake, unless you are going to Antartica or the Himalayas, they are much too hot for comfort in the UK except in the very worst winter weather, and far too hot in any other weather.

 

[Graham_S]

a three season bag and a fleece liner will work well for all year camping.
my sleeping system includes a nanok -10, a fleece liner, a silk liner, a goretex bivvi bag and a thermarest. in the middle of summer the two liners and the bivvi bag are enough to sleep out in. remember you can unzip your bag if it's too warm.

 

[Scuba Pete]

Thanks for your comments. It would be nice if I could get away with one bag, I dont like the idea of filling my whole pack with a bag.

The snugpack seem to offer great packsize but I hear there figures are a bit subjective. If I got one of the Softie range what would should I get. (if I used a thermerest etc)

I have not decided on a hammock or tent yet, I am going to try a hammock and see, so I dont want a bag that I will need I tent with.

The nanok looks good, the performance is lighter and smaller pack size, is it worth getting the green one?

Anyone else got any sugestions?

Thanks

Pete

 

[Lifthasir]

All season ratings are subjective. Are you a warm or a cold sleeper, or average.

Rough guidlines are:

1. Down bags pack smaller and lighter for the same (like for like)rating.
Useless if soaked through and may never be the same again. Most expensive. Poor (cheap) construction can negate the down filling if it's doesn't allow it to settle and drap3 properly around your body. A cheap, poorly constructed down bag won't be better than a top quality synthetic. You can use Nikwax to increase their weatherproofing but I have no experience of his (thoug other Nikwax products I've used have done exactly what they said on the label). All the top
makes like RAB, Mountain Equipment etc...make tried and 'Everest' tested bags.

2. Synthetic bags usually have a larger packed size and heavier weight than
down for the same (like for like) rating. The better quality synthetic bags are
much lighter and compressable than cheaper ones. They retain much better
insualtion properties than down if soaked and dry out much faster and without much issue. However, if you're considering staying put with a soaked bag - you are probably in dire straights.

All the good 'names' are much of a muchness. Don't worry about the 'nth'
degree of packed size, weight or technicalities. Personal recommendations
based on heavy useage are the best guide.

I really rate my Agungilak. Nice fit, good zip, excellent filling, good hood. I've had
it for nearly 10 years. I went for it because it was basically 50 or 60 quid cheaper
than a similar down bag. Others will advise if the kit they have is good or bad. At
the end of the day, put on some clean clothes and head down to your nearest
specialist retailed and climb inside a few bags - you'll be surprised at how
different the fit is from maker to maker. Get a bag that fits you and has a
quality zip and hood!

 

[Angus Og]

remember you can unzip your bag if it's too warm.

Ye but remember those damned midges will be after your blood.

Can’t see you getting away with one bag, because your winter bag is going to be too warm and it takes up a lot of room. I have frequently slept in the North West highlands above a 1000ft in just a jacket and a shemagh for my head but that’s if it’s been dry for a while.

 

[redflex]

You should also consider what you plan to sleep in. Are you planning on using tent, hammock or tarp set up?.

This will make a big difference on what you choose for your bag.

 

[tomtom]

i use a rab atlas 750 and if you look back you will find many threads in which i sing its praises.. its rated to -5°C

if you got for a 3/4 season bag it may not see you through a winter on the tundra but no doubt it will do you nicely most of the year here if you want to go out in the snow you can always pick up a surplus army bag (P50??) and put one inside the other.. this gives you the option of not having to carry it all when you dont need so much insulation.

 

[Scuba Pete]

I see what you all mean. I was planning to try out a tarp hammock, and see how I go. If its gets too cold I will just get a tent.

It seems that I might have to get 2 bags after all, I will have to see how cold I get. As its approching summer I could get a season 3/4 as surggested and look at a winter bag later in the year.

I like the look of the snugpak softie. What bag do you think I could use during spring/summer/fall that I could use in a hammock? I was thinking the softie 6 or 9.

If anyone has any other bags they think will be ok, I will read up on them on the net.

Thanks for all the help

Pete

 

[Don Redondo]

I have not decided on a hammock or tent yet, I am going to try a hammock and see, so I dont want a bag that I will need I tent with.

Dont forget that if you go the hammock route you need to insulate the hammock bottom with something non compressible, or use an external quilt, otherwise hanging in an air stream will strip that heat away very quickly

look here for some great ideas:

http://www.tothewoods.net/JeffsHikingPage.html

 

[gaz_miggy]

i have a snugpak its a 0 bag but iv found uv better adding 5 or so degreas i was talking to graham_s and goose about this at the last north meet and they sed somthing similar. saying that thow ita a good 3 season bag and all i do is get a small 1season and put one inside the othere abugger if ur in a hammock but walm as toste.

 

[Nemisis]

If you are going with the two bag idea why not take a look at the nanuk 0c and a -10 as they are designed to fit one inside the other should it get real cold. That way all the seasonal options are covered and your not struggling should it get real cold trying to dress up or squeeze two none compatable bags together.
Dave.

 

[pierre girard]

I know this question of sleeping bags has been covered many times but there is so much information its hard to digest.

I am looking to camp in Scotland all year round, well if its not too cold in winter. I spend a lot of time outdoors diving up north etc and I want to do more exploring.

I have read the recommendations for snugpak, nanok -10 etc.

My questions are, can I get away with just a winter bag? Or will I be too warm in summer? What are the best choices for Scotland?

I want to keep the pack size and weight to a minimum, but as long I as I am warm I am happy. I have quite a good tolerance for the cold, but Scotland does get cold.

Thanks

Pete
mm3nwi

Don't know much about Scotland, but my usual way of dealing with the seasons is to use one down bag for spring and fall and two down bags, one inside the other, for winter (for summer, and some spring and fall weather, I use an HB blanket).

Two down bags take up less space than one synthetic fill bag.

I bought the down bags very cheap - used, on e-bay. I've purchased six down bags this way, for the family, and was only dissapointed once - when a California seller stated it was a good warm bag (I contacted the seller, advised them their information was missleading, shipped the bag back and received a refund).

Careful questions to the seller before purchasing have allowed me to get the bags I wanted for an average of about $35.

PG

 

[Scuba Pete]

Thanks for all the replies, I am getting a better idea of what I am looking for.

Its very wet in scotland and I was thinking that I would be better with a synthetic filling, even thou they are bigger.

I liked the idea of using one bag inside of each other. Are the performance bags designed to fit in each other, or is it the green ones. The performace look smaller and lighter.

Pete

 

[Nemisis]

The green ones endurance 0c and -10c are the ones designed to go together.I suggest you call Andew (outdoorcode) a member on here he can give you full details as he sells them a great guy and brilliant service too.
Dave.

 

[Toddy]

A silk sleeping bag/sleeping bag liner is a *very* good thing
Packs and weighs next to nothing but adds 5oC to the warnth of a sleeping bag, keeps the inside fresh and is easily laundered, and does by itself in Summer.
If you can get one of the £10 Lidl's ones they're a bargain too.

I echo all the good comments about Andrew/Outdoorcode and the Nanok bag. Excellent service.

Cheers,
Toddy

 

[mojofilter]

I have a Rab Ladakh 600, which I was lucky enough to get for, I think, £120 cos it was RH zip and it keeps me plenty warm enough below zero in just my boxers! Way too hot for summer use though.

http://www.safariquip.co.uk/acatalog/SafariQuip_Rab_37.html

 

[Scuba Pete]

Sounds good. I will have a read up on some bags and give outdoorcode a call.

Does anyone know how the pack sizes compare with the performance and the endurance nanoks? There website does not seem to give this info. I have a sabre 45 and it would be nice if only the bottom of the main pack was used for a sleeping bag.

The silk liners sounds like a good idea toddy, I bet its comfortable.

Thanks for all your help.

Pete