Does anyone have any recommendation for a bikepacking 3 season sleeping bag for an older female of 159.5 cm?
I have just done my first bikepacking weekend using the 14 year old synthetic Coleman mummy bag that my son has used occasionally for cubs/scouts/DoE etc. This poor worn paper-thin affair did keep me warm enough but this was as we sweltered in temperatures of 30+ degrees during the day, and I think that most of the heat was afterglow. As we say, it doesn't owe me any money. My next trip is planned for early October in South East England. It will be cooler.
So I'm looking for ethically sourced down, preferably hydrophobic, reasonable quality. Budget is probably between £200-£300. Bag not quilt. I haven't bought a down bag for 40 years so seeking the wisdom of the group.
Requirements more or less in order of importance:
It has to fit, so please do NOT tempt me with bags that don't come in a suitable length.
Comfort rating around zero degrees +/- around 2 would be best. "Comfort", not lower limit.
I'm not sold on the "women are different" line, length far more important that pinkiness.
Small pack size. I have a ridiculously small bike with little frame space.
Light weight but not ultralight requirement as the bike will carry it not me haha and some robustness in material is important.
Not super narrow. Many of the lighter weight bags seem to be super narrow and I'd like a little wriggle room as I'd like to rotate inside the bag (I found last weekend). I weigh about 52kgs so not a wide person.
Full length zip so I can unzip the foot for more ventilation - doesn't have to be true full length just close. Also easier for morning airing.
Current short list:
Cumulus Panyam 450 (custom build in XS for up to 163cm) - the hot favourite
Rab Womens Ascent 500
Thermarest Questar 20 in short length
Mountain Equipment Helium 400 women(not hydrophobic down)
What else should I be considering? Anyone tried a Panyam in XS and how did they find it? In particular, how roomy?
Give me the benefit of your wisdom people! Thanks.
Might be worth asking this over on the BearBones forum too.
https://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/index.php
PHD https://www.design-your-own-sleeping-bag.com/ takes around 45 days from order to dispatch.
I've a 1-2 season Alpkit Pipedream 200 and a 2-3 season Rab Neutrino 400 - both down & decent but I'm over a foot taller, and both are XL's. They do Regular sizes too.
Both pack down to less than their advertised packsize which for me is more important than weight when bikepacking.
Qwerty - PHD lovely stuff but we're starting at £600 and going upwards... a bit too pricey for me.
intheborders - Alpkit stuff is great value for money but I don't quite make the minimum height for their smallest size.
scotroutes - thanks for the pointer, will look there
I used to have a Rab Ascent 700. Not the woman’s as I’m 5’9” so too tall for the woman’s kit. But I have got rid of it in the last 2 years. It had too much space, and therefore took way too much time/energy to warm up the negative space. As a result it wasn’t a warm for its weight. High volume bags sound good on paper (room to wiggle about in), but in experience they aren’t. And the whole ‘woman aren’t different’ thing I agree with to a degree - but in general woman do sleep colder than men (I certainly sleep colder than my husband) so the extra warm for many (not all!) is appreciated.
For what it’s worth I swapped to the Rab Neutrino Pro. Just a smidge over your budget https://www.tauntonleisure.com/sleep-equipment-accessories/sleeping-bags/rab-womens-neutrino-400-sleeping-bag--nightfall-blue__14569
It's way from a perfect solution but you can "reduce the length" of a bag by using a strap/bungee round the foot end. You're still carrying excess weight of course (hence not perfect).
Thanks Scotroutes but if you reduce the length as you describe, your feet end up way short of the footbox which is where typically the manufacturers have thoughtfully added extra stuffing. So not only have you carried the extra weight, your feet are still cold 🙁 . I think if it were a one night thing it would work and I'll file that under "good to know".
In the meantime I have taken on board ahsat's advice about warmth trumps wiggles. I'm approaching the female warmth thing by paying attention to the higher "comfort" rating rather than the "limit" rating. I like the spec of the Neutrino and its now my second option on the list just below the Cumulus Panyam. The Pro version doesn't come in small but the 400 would be fine. The Panyam will be cheaper even after import duty, but the Neutrino will be more readily available.
Valley and Peak do custom made quilts at a very decent price. Their small length might still be too long but as each is made to order they may do an even shorter one for you.
https://valleyandpeak.co.uk/products/classic-quilt-standard
We've both got PHD Elephant Feet bags for bikepacking. Need to use a duvet jacket for the body but they work really well and are seriously small pack.
Western Mountaineering do very nice bags. Very very happy with my Megalite.
All of the pipedream bags from Alpkit are basically short fit in their normal fit.
I can't get in one at 5'11. It's how they keep their weights down and competitive for the price. If you're shorter go for it.