Forum menu
just got my bonus and it's time to upgrade my sleeping bags and ditch the sweaty nasty snugpack hollow fibre things I've used for the last couple of decades...
so anyone give me some tips on good quality down sleeping bags? - my gut instinct says go for a RAB.. but are their other good makes worth looking at?
3+ season use (often used in winter in a campervan, plus all other seasons in the UK) - pack small and light for touring on bike, walking, 24hr events, Bivi etc... and alpine walking in good weather, so temp comfort range to -5degC is as much as needed.
need one for me and one for me missus, total budget approx £500.
Me and my mate got mountain equipment bags befor we wnet to South America.
from here http://www.cmmonline.co.uk/departments/default.asp?catL=3330&catH=3339.
Kathmandu was selling them very cheap the other day.
J.
[url= http://www.theoutdoorshop.com/showPart.asp?part=PN34699 ]Marmot Helium.[/url]
Expensive (£260) but superb quality and very, very warm for such a small packed size.
Sheer luxury 850+ fill power down.
There's also a Hydrogen which will probably be more than adequate for down to -5 and is a bit cheaper (£220).
I dont have personal experience just yet, but by the looks of things alpkit offer superb value for money...
2nd alpkit.
i got skyhigh which are cheap but a little bulky - the pipedreams look great and are a bit more compact i think.
no issues with cheap production so far - well sewn up!
I've got an Alpkit SkyeHigh 600 - lovely bit of kit and cracking VFM.
Alpkit are out of stock of the SkyeHighs till November though, so you'll need to sign up for their advanced notification e-mail to get one the next time stock arrives
http://www.alpkit.com/support/product_updates/
ME Xero range are very good.
5 Different models/warmth ratings.
I have a Xero 350 and it's tiny.
http://www.facewest.co.uk/Mountain-Equipment-Xero-Sleeping-Bags.html
alpkit are good, best VFM
RAB/PHD are better but more £££
I really rate my Rab Quantum bags, better pack size & weight then the AlpKit ones
NeedleSports often have some good deals on RAB bags
I got a couple last year with £50 off 'cos of a label on the wrong side or something, the bags themselves are perfect
Nothing wrong with any of the recommendations above, but also have a look at GoLite, the Adrenaline 40 fits your requirements.
http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/golite_adrenaline_40_down_sleeping_bag_2.html
I have the Adrenaline 20 which I'm very happy with, I like the central zip and the waterproof head and foot area are a nice touch.
Another vote for Alpkit - me and the wife both have Skyehigh 600s - excellent bags, well constructed, lovely and warm and incredible VFM.
I've also got some of their dry-bags, waterproof jeans and other stuff - all superb kit.
[url= http://www.outdoorkit.co.uk/product.php?product_id=1683&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=froogle ]Vango[/url]
This bag is awesome. I have used it back to back with mountain equipment bags of the same rating and it defo is up there in terms of quality and comfort.
I've got one of these Mountain Equipment Lightline Ultras back in the spring for a trip to the Alps. I was going to get an Alpkit but they were out of stock. It's nice, comfy and warm and packs up smallish but probably not as small as the Alpkit. It also has a water resistant outer which was handy in a leaky tent in Snowdonia last week. At this reduced price it's a bargain and I can recommend it.......
I used these guys, http://www.downsleepingbag.co.uk/products.php , they seem to stock quite a few bags a most price points
+1 for Marmot.
I don't like the central GoLite zip, personal preference, prefer properly baffled side zips. Top end bags from Rab, Mountain Equipment, PHD, Marmot etc, all good. Haglofs have some great, though not cheap bags as well. Alpkit bags are great value for money, though not quite as sophisticated as the top-end brands. Think about the outer fabric and how water resistant you want it to be - down bags hate damp btw, when they get wet, they lose all loft, so factor in a waterproof stuff sac as well. Pod does some decent ones that both compress the bag and are waterproof.
I really like Mountain Equipment bags.
Other half has the xero which packs down amazingly small, it's not very roomy though and only a half zip so more difficult to get into, so depending on your size you might need to go for a large version (I know they definitely do this).
I've got a womens ME dreamcatcher, not as compact, but very warm (and i'm a really wimpy person), best feature for me is the stretchy legs bit, which means i can sit up cross legged in the tent and still be in the bag, useful for cold winter evenings/mornings.
Like most things, for the same sort of price it comes down to a choice between comfort and weight
Rab Summit 300 - I've owned for 6 years and its still going strong
ME Lightline
Alpkit