I'm looking to purchase a couple of new bags this year, just for general camping (in a tent) - mainly spring/summer use, but occasionally autumn also. We used to use an airbed, but this year we are going to try a 10cm SIM - so should be a bit better insulated, not to mention less chance of getting seasick!!
We bought a couple of cheap Eurohike 250 bags years ago, and generally they have been OK as I am a warm sleeper, but my other half is often cold, and I have found them a little too cold for camping in late autumn or early spring. I will keep them for summer use, but I'd like to upgrade to a couple of reasonable 3 season bags.
We car camp, so pack size/weight is not really an issue. I'd like to try some bikepacking at some point, but if I do I will buy a lighter bag specifically for that - I don't mind spending out if I only have to buy one for a more specific purpose!!
Trouble I have is in the synthetic bag, general 2/3 season use category, there is a lot of choice with all sorts of budgets!!
My budget for the pair is say £100, up to £150.
I had initially seen a Vango Latitude 300 in my local store, and they looked like good quality:
http://www.vango.co.uk/gb/trekking/694-latitude-300.html
Seem to be about £40 in Go, or my local place had a display one for £30 - the specs look good enough, pack size/weight not too bad for car use, but is it a bit cheap for the temp ratings to be realistic? Many people recommend the Nitestar bags, but the Latitude ones appear to be a better spec with smaller pack size.
Also been looking at Snugpaks - the Chrysalis 3 looks good, maybe a bit snug (no pun intended!) - but again, have heard Snugpak's temp ratings can be very optimistic:
http://www.snugpak.com/outdoor/sleeping-bags/chrysalis-3
On the flipside, I read a bushcraft review for the Snugpak Travelpak 3 - which is a fair bit cheaper, and the guy said it was very warm for bivvy use in cold & wet conditions.
I hear the Snugpak Softie mentioned a lot, but they are a bit out of my budget really - easy to get carried away, but the main use for these bags will be leisure camping.
Any real world recommendations would be much appreciated 🙂
Some stuff here:
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/recommend-me-a-warm-sleeping-bag-for-bike-packing
For car camping I prefer a quilt (usually with an open sleeping bag underneath, so I'm not much use. If weight and pack size aren't an issue, I would think there would be loads to choose from.
I can vouch for the Vango latitude , bought 1 and used it at Battle on the Beach where it was close to zero and was nice and cosy !!
Thanks guys - we do sometimes take an old duvet, as we have the dog with us as well, so he usually ends up sleeping on the bed with us!!
Trouble with a traditional duvet is sometimes they seem to get damp.
I did consider getting a double down/synthetic quilt of some sort to use over our existing bags if needed, but wasn't sure how effective it would be - the alpkit cloud cover looked good, but out of stock until June iirc.
Chambo82 - that's good to hear, do you have the 300?
If you want cheap but snug, then a Coleman Pathfinder: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Coleman-Pathfinder-camp-sleeping-mummy/dp/B00HQLMN2O
£19.95
It's essentially the same as one I bought from Lidl/Aldi for the same price. I bought the Coleman last year when I went camping in October in South Devon for nine days, and realised when I got there that the bag wasn't in the car like I thought it was. It was twice as much in the shop, but half the price of the next best.
It's a pretty thick bag, padding-wise, very snug and comfy. I was sleeping on a 10cm SIM, it got pretty chilly at night with a force 5-6 blowing directly at my tent from the sea half a mile or so away, but I didn't care, 'cos I was toasty.
For twenty quid, it's almost disposable, but it's too good for that.
Has a little inner pocket for keeping a key or something safe. I use a cheap cotton bag liner from Wilco as well, just to keep the budget angle going.
Tent was £80 from Millets, as well. 😀
What's the pack size out of interest?
Outwell campion lux. Bought new ones for festival duty last year, bulky but toast. Believe it or not it dropped to 4/5 degrees on an early August night there but we were still toasty whilst others were whinging next morning. Used right up to mid october. Reckon you can get a pair for 60 quid total.
Yeo got the 300 latitude matey
Cougar - Moderator
What's the pack size out of interest?
Of the Coleman? "Colour: grey - blue Size: 220 x 80 x 55cm Packed size: 40 x 25cm Weight: 1,7kg"
Not a backpacking bag, but perfect for car camping, and if it gets trashed after a couple of years, well so what, it's the price of a few beers over a weekend!
If its mainly just the mrs that gets cold splash out on a better bag for her, a big alpkit down something would be just in budget and a massive improvement over the existing ones, esp combined with a proper mat. If you get cold well you have 2 Eurohike bags to use just for yourself.
Then if you do get a better bag for bikepacking then you will then both have good bags, with a pair of Eurohike as spares.
I've got a snugpak chrysalisis 2. Does me down to about 0 wearing nothing after that I've need to stick on some joggies and a T-shirt, socks. I've also got a silk liner for it which adds a few degrees.
That Coleman is dirt cheap, sounds like it's plenty warm enough from your use CountZero.
Likewise the outwell champion lux, my local camp shop has those on sale for £25.
But Stato has made a good suggestion, maybe better to buy one better bag now for SWMBO and either carry on with my old eurohikes, or even for £20 just try a Coleman pathfinder.
So I could go for down...
Alpkit SkyeHigh 500 - £130 - +1/-4/-20 - 1050g
Vango Venom 300 - £100 - +5/0/-15 - 900g
Or a decent synthetic...
Rab Ignition 3 - £110 - +2/-3/-13 - 1050g
MH Lamina 35 - £93 - +5/0/-16 - 1060g
MH Lamina 20 - £101 - -2/-7/-26 - 1287g
Snugpak Chrysalis 3 - -5 comfort limit/-10 extreme - 1600g
I realise that the ratings are only a guide, but the Lamina 35 or 20 looks like a good contender.
Alpkit SkyeHigh 500 - £130 - +1/-4/-20 - 1050g
Vango Venom 300 - £100 - +5/0/-15 - 900g
Or a bag at 720g which will pack smaller rated to -2C. It's £199 though but there isn't many places where an extra £70 gets a 200-300g weight saving, space saving, and better performance.
Minim 350 down sleeping bagBlack M1 fabric. Weight: 720g. Typical Operating Temperature: -2°C. £199. Length: standard.
http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/bargain-box
As suggested above if it's the Mrs who is cold and budget is limited sort her bag out this time and replace yours next year.
Yep - this is what I'm thinking for now irc, will get a new bag for my other half now, and myself a lightweight bag in the future.
Hence me not being over concerned with pack size for this purchase.
, will get a new bag for my other half now, and myself a lightweight bag in the future. Hence me not being over concerned with pack size for this purchase.
Reasonable strategy. Though Mrs IRC wouldn't be chuffed if I bought her a "value" bag then bought a top end one for me. I camp far more than her and use it for hillwalking/hiking as well as bike touring so arguably need a good bag more but I didn't try and run that logic past her. Last sleeping bag purchase was two PHDs in the sale. Kept Mrs IRC happy, gave work to a UK company so a win win.
Was going to say Ajungilak as i have had one for years and its still brilliant. Looked it up on the web and looks like not made anymore? Directed to Mammut page. They look good!
Reasonable strategy. Though Mrs IRC wouldn't be chuffed if I bought her a "value" bag then bought a top end one for me. I camp far more than her and use it for hillwalking/hiking as well as bike touring so arguably need a good bag more but I didn't try and run that logic past her. Last sleeping bag purchase was two PHDs in the sale. Kept Mrs IRC happy, gave work to a UK company so a win win.
Funny you should say that - when we were looking at them the other day, and I was suggesting she has a 4 season, and I would have a 3 season as I didn't get as cold as she did - she said she wanted us to have the same!!
Not so much a 'value' bag, but as she will never likely use it when needing to pack light, there is less of a reason to pay extra for a lightweight bag!! Besides, for now I will be slumming it in my cheap Eurohike!!
Was going to say Ajungilak as i have had one for years and its still brilliant. Looked it up on the web and looks like not made anymore? Directed to Mammut page. They look good!
A friend of mine has an old Ajungilak bag that he swears by. I looked at Mammut but they don't seem to be as readily available online as they used to be.
I use the Mammut Montana 2 And this is a Bargain. [url= http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/mammut-montana-2-sleeping-bag-p263588 ]Mammut Montana 2[/url] But it is common for a Female to sleep 5c lower than a male. So look for a Women only bag. My Mrs uses the Rab Ignition 3 we are only 3 season wild campers.
Here is a good site[url= https://www.alpkit.com/sleeping-bags ]Alp Kit[/url] Make sure the sleeping bag is up to date tested too!!
Cheers Grantway, I had been looking for the Montana 3 on the back of good reviews, but must be discontinued as I can't find any sellers.
I have actually just found an ME Starlight 3 for £60 - seems like a similar spec to the Rab Ignition 4 or Lamina 20, albeit heavier, but a bit cheaper.
I think it could be the one!
Oh I have that bag too. Yes another great bag but yep discontinued last year.
Rap 4 is a very heavy but 4 seasoned bag. i always drive to my destination so I take both bags and take what I need.
I've got one of the older Coleman/Lidl ones for car camping/huts.
Mine's an 'Adventureridge'.
😐
Been great, excellent vfm.
Wearing out now and a bit thread bare in places.
Obviously not as nice finishing and materials as a posh one, but mines lasted six or so years of climbing huts and tents.
Saves prematurely knackering your posh bag too.
A lot of places have discounted bigger name bags in 'last years colours'.
🙂
Joe Browns discount place in Llanberis usually has a few bargains.
Decided on the Starlight III in women's fit, was going to purchase from Gaynors clearance for £60, but stumbled across a brand new one on eBay for £42.50 - I'm hoping she'll feel the benefit over our old bags 🙂
Just to follow this up, the Starlight III arrived, not been put to the test yet, but first impressions are goo, nicely made.
Pack size is quite large, but totally acceptable for car camping - the extra weight/loft compared to our thin 2 season Eurohikes is reassuring to be honest - my other half was chuffed with it anyway!!
We're away camping in a couple of weeks so it will be put to the test!! I'm almost certain if we have weather like we've had this weekend, then it would be far too warm for me - but typically, my other half is quite a cold sleeper!
