Hi Chaps,
I'm after a new sleeping bag for the van during trips away, events etc. Needs to be down to about -10c comfort rating, so 4 season.
Not bothered about pack size, so synthetic and down would be fine... I've no experience in this area, does anyone have any suggestions?
Cheers
Ricks
Alpkit get good reviews. Not tried one myself, but when what I have needs replacing I'll be buying from there.
Alpkit! Essentially they offer down bags for the price of synthetic, and in a range of weights/ warmths. And if you're kipping in a van, down should be fine - if you're outside, not so much.
Failing that, my missus just bought me a North Face synthetic bag that seems great. Haven't tried it in anger yet, but am looking forward to doing so!
I've an Alpit and its warm and light, not tried it down to -10 though. Also consider snugpack. http://www.snugpak.com/
If you aren't bothered by pack size then Snugpak make some cheapish synthetic bags that are super warm
Army sleeping bags are also pretty good.
I have a Marmot Wave III synthetic bag which I have used in -13 (it has a rating of -5) and I was only a little bit cold. They do a 4 season one too called the Wave IV with a rating of -10. They are synthetic bags, but damn good ones. The hood design and baffles are brilliant. Plus you get a little pocket by your feet to put a hand-warmer in).
PS - you must have some insulation between you and the surface you are sleeping on to stop you from losing your heat to the floor.
Synthetic or Down works in that your body heat warms up the bag and the lofted fibres/down traps this heat. You heat the bag, then the bag keeps you warm all night. BUT if you have no insulation between you and van floor, the floor will conduct your heat and leave you feeling very cold.
So if you're in a van or a tent make sure you have a kipmat; closed cell are good, self-inflating are good as are air beds.
I got an Alpkit SH800 a couple of weeks ago. First use, bivvi'd in -5 degrees and was quite comfy. Also small and light to carry on the bike. Seems great value for £140.
If it's just for the back of your van, get an Army bouncing bomb from a surplus store - pretty big, pretty heavy but I can assure you, you will never be cold!
For any of the female members looking for a late spring to early autumn sleeping bag the Climbers Shop are doing a women's Golite 1+ season down bag for £110
A genuine sale. Selling for far more everywhere else. A 695g bag good for down to +4C. Only 2 left now.
Cheers chaps,
I'm going to go with a snugpak softie expedition, I think my missus already has one and is very toasty in it. I I use some fat airics for under insulation too 
Thanks everyone
Ricks
+1 for a decent mat as well as bag. Despite being quite a seasoned camper, I got a reminder when I stupidly turned up with a cheap airbed to use with my expensive Rab winter down bag last weekend and suffered during the night. Blagged a spare proper closed cell foam mat off a mate the next night and it made a massive difference. If you don't have a decent mat, your body heat just gets sapped out where the sleeping bag insulation is compressed under your body.
also wanting a new bag before summer kicks in... had a look at the Alpkit bags which seem better VFM than other, bigger brands for a similar product.
And if you're kipping in a van, down should be fine - if you're outside, not so much
how come? what are the advantages of synthetic over down? i thought down was "better" than synthetic.
although most nights (pretty much most of the summer) will be spent kipping in a van, i'll still be bivvying occassionally on the side of mountains.
what are my best options?
cheers.
Less down fill is needed to create the same thermal efficiency so the bag weighs less, compresses further and feels nicer to sleep in. But get it wet and your in the sh*t. The down clumps and loses all of it's magic powers. It then needs to be professionally cleaned (unless you know exactly what to do at home). This adds a function of drying out wet kit in your synthetic bag with you; very handy when walking in Scottish winter!
Modern synthetics have come a long way, my Mountain Hardwear Lamina bag (synthetic) compresses down pretty small and is great. I had a Cumulus down bag that was a miracle of pack sizery and weight but I couldn't guarantee it's dryness; clumsy mates, leaky bag/drybag, condensation in the bivvy bag etc. A mate called this persistent concern "down syndrome".
Nanok of Norway - if it's good enough for Ray Mears, then it's good enough for anyone!!
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