Sleeping bags

[MattR]

Looking for a new sleeping bag. I like the idea of the Mountain Hardware gortex bag but it’s mega expensive. Anyone recommend something similar? Needs to be 4 season but I’m not too worried about weight.


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[~TABASCO~]

Typically the good ‘pro’ stuff is expensive. Probably money well spent if your sleeping in mega cold.

 

[DamMechanic]

I really like my Big Agnes bag for its
compactability but a 15 degree bag means you won’t die but your not going to be comfortable.
My wife scored one of these military bags at a Goodwill outlet she just happened to be at the right place at the right time:

USGI 4 Piece Modular Sleep System

www.fortbraggsurplus.us

It’s a bitchin bag. I like the modular aspect of it and it has great zippers.

 

[Cycledude]

For our first Alaska trip back in 2007 I bought a sleeping bag from Cabelas rated for -20 , it Was never much below freezing and the bag worked great.
For warm weather trips I use a lighter bag that packs much smaller.

 

[Reno]

Just wondering why, you want a Gortex bag? unless your sleeping outside with no tent or ultra high altitudes. I would go with a good down -30 degree Sleeping bag, they are light weight, and compress very tight with a compression stuff sack. they are also great in warmer weather. JMO

 

[DamMechanic]

So the outside cover is a Bivy sack. No tent needed for the hardcore guys. If your tough enough, park your bike, small lightweight tarp tied to the bike and crawl under and sleep. Or just sleep close to a tree. Definitely saves some bag space.
I have slept under picnic tables before.

 

[MattR]

Just wondering why, you want a Gortex bag? unless your sleeping outside with no tent or ultra high altitudes. I would go with a good down -30 degree Sleeping bag, they are light weight, and compress very tight with a compression stuff sack. they are also great in warmer weather. JMO

Yeah we get rain all year round in the uk and if you camp regularly your bag will get wet or damp. Down bags don’t work well when wet so I was thinking of either a goretex protected down bag or a synthetic bag that will still work well when damp. Weight isn’t an issue now so I can afford to choose bags that I wouldn’t have chosen when back packing a few years ago


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[fac191]

Would you not be better off getting a cot to sleep on so as to get the bag off the floor to keep it warmer/drier ?

 

[MileageMonster]

In Holland and Belgium it is also wet and damp, especially in the Belgian Ardennes. I use a four season synthetic bag there. Does not matter if it is wet or damp, it still isolates well in that state. Down will deteriorate if used wet regularly.
I agree, it is a small investment, but better than a f*cked up down bag. Snugpak has affordable military grade sleeping bags.
(I am not connected to or benefit from naming that brand, just sharing some 40 years outdoor experience throughout the world)

 

[Zagato]

Interesting about 'down' versus, synthetic. I am researching bags also as I froze in Scotland when it went down to -1. I had to put all my biking gear on apart from the helmet. I have a 30 year old thermarest and a -18 down 30 year old Caravan bag which my wife washed and ruined.
Top of the list at the moment is the Marmot Never Summer 0 bag. It is a reasonable price but it is made of down and my sleeping bag is always pretty much always damp/wet when sailing or camping!! Have to say bag prices seem to be a rip off.

 

[MileageMonster]

Lidl has sometimes good and reasonably prices synthetic bags in their shops.
One of my colleagues uses one for 15 years already, never complained.
I prefer sticking to the Snugpak, never missed a beat and I use it Heavy Duty!!
Lots of backpacking, Belgian Ardennes, Germany and couple of Himalaya trips.

 

[MattR]

Would you not be better off getting a cot to sleep on so as to get the bag off the floor to keep it warmer/drier ?

I’ve got one


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[Gastramp]

Another thumbs up for Snugpak

I use the ‘special forces’ system… two bags, lighter and heavier which can be used together for extreme use.
I’ve never needed to do that… the warmer bag is fine for a U.K. winter and the lighter is good for Summer and early Autumn etc

I use a ‘Go-Kot’ American made cot.
Excellent bit of kit, in fact I suggested they make a dry bag for bikers and they have.. ( I’m not benefiting from this plug but I can give you a code for a discount if anyone is interested )

It also fits perfectly in the British army bug net/tent which is very cheap on eBay etc or from surplus sites.

Happy trails


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[Zagato]

I spent a while looking at the Snugpack products, they became my first choice BUT there are so many reviews and videos saying the zips snag which make owners suggest going for a bag with a non snag zip. The top of the range (pricey!) Snug Pack which I think is the one you describe is non snag due to the extra wide zip strip for two bags. The other single bags set up just snag apparently... even though in the specs they say they use the non snag zips! I need government give them a call. Oh and down is no good for me, synthetic much more practical!

I also like the bags which have a zip down the middle for side sleepers so you are not sleeping on the zip All the time and you can reach the zip also. Obvious but good idea...

 

[Checkswrecks]

Would you not be better off getting a cot to sleep on so as to get the bag off the floor to keep it warmer/drier ?

+1
I have an earlier version of this and the couple of inches off the ground makes a world of difference. With the pickup truck and before building the Murphy bed in the van I used it in there to keep off the metal floors in those and it made a difference.

Amazon.com: Cambyso Camping Cot Ultralight and Compact Outdoor Folding Bed Heavy Duty Portable Bed Camping Gear Supplies for Camping, Trekking, Fishing, Beach and Office Nap : Sports & Outdoors

Buy Cambyso Camping Cot Ultralight and Compact Outdoor Folding Bed Heavy Duty Portable Bed Camping Gear Supplies for Camping, Trekking, Fishing, Beach and Office Nap: Cots - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[Zagato]

OK loads of video reviews watched and forum reviews read... going for the Snugpac Special Forces combi system. It's more than I wanted to pay at £300 but all the features make it good value, especially the fact you get the option of using a summer and winter bag separately which combined will cover any serious cold weather I may encounter. Non snag, centre zip, baffles, hooks, reinforced foot area etc etc. Thanks for the help folks. Never heard of Snugpac. Sorry to hijack your thread Matt.

 

[Gastramp]

They sure ain't cheap... but buy once cry once as they say. I bought not expecting to buy another sleeping bag. I'm very impressed with them so far.

 

[MattR]

I have looked at the snugpak system and at £300 it still is at the cheaper end of the market for an expedition bag. I still haven’t made my mind up yet though. I need a bag that will work in the mountains of Europe and the Uk


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[Gastramp]

I have looked at the snugpak system and at £300 it still is at the cheaper end of the market for an expedition bag. I still haven’t made my mind up yet though. I need a bag that will work in the mountains of Europe and the Uk


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There's a guy in the wildcamping group that's testing a heated bag. Apparently it's being 'kickstarted' at the moment. Personally I use various extras to raise the R factor of lighter bags when required or when I'm not carrying the big winter bag. There will be more on my YouTube when I get round to putting the films together.

 

[Zagato]

What wild camping group is that, sounds interesting. I am going to Sweden this year and hopefully onto Norway, mostly wildcamping to keep costs down. You never really know where you can wild camp until you get into the area.

Not sure how electric bags, batteries, keeping them charged would work out in the field! I think it is better to keep things simple and reliable. If it goes wrong you could be really stuffed!