Winter sleeping bags

[fatbikephil]

I tried searching for threads on this but the search engine took the huff so I'll have to ask...
I'm needing a winter bag which will work down to -5 easily and -10 with a bit of teeth gritting. I'm averagely warm I think....
First off thought of a sungpak softie 9 or softie expansion as weights seem not to bad (1.5kg inc heavy stuff sack) for a synthetic and it will be a bit more idiot proof in the wet winter than a down bag. Plus its available for less than 100 quid.

Then I looked at down bags and the Rab Ascent 700 seems to be about right temp wise and not too bad price wise. However the weight looks to be about the same as the snugpack (1300g) so I'm assuming comfort temps don't match? The neutrino 600 is much lighter but a bit too much dosh. I've thought of getting a quilt and using that plus my existing bag (quantum 200) but I reckon I'll end up with it knotted round my neck as I tend to move around alot at night.....

All being well I'm due 200 bar off the Inland revenue soon so thats my budget. Any thoughts, recommendations or advice very welcome.

[rich.mike]

I just bought this:

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/oex-leviath ... lsrc=aw.ds

Impressed by the quality for a bargain price, stuffs down nicely and extremely warm!

[ScotRoutes]

I was looking at this only last week...

https://rockrun.com/products/mountain-h ... z-flame-22

22F is -6C but I always use a thin liner too.

1.2Kg and £116.

or

https://rockrun.com/products/mountain-h ... a-flame-20

-7C, 0.96Kg and £160

[whitestone]

What have you got at the moment Phil? You could get an overbag or quilt to improve the rating. I've a 5C rated bag and a 5C rated quilt. Together they are good to at least -6C (I've not had chance to test to lower temps)

Edit: sorry missed the last paragraph. Quantum 200 is 0C rated, something like the Cumulus 150 as an over bag would get the rating down to well below -6C. Once you are lying down they don't move very much and you can always use straps around your mat.

[Moder-dye]

In have the softie and it works for me in some pretty cold conditions. Being broader than your average bear I like the expansion zip.

Not used it on the bike yet though as its a lot bulkier and heavier than my 3 season down bag with a down jacket (that I always have) draped over me.

[Zippy]

My ages old AK pd400 I've slept in just below 0deg plenty comfortably, and says comfort -3 which I believe. That's 750g total weight.

So I'd say a 600 fill down bag would tick your comfort boxes and should be sub 1kg. Dunno what the prices are like these days though!

[Bearbonesnorm]

If you fancy synthetic, how about a Hyperlamina 'Flame' for £160? Looks like it should do all you want.

https://rockrun.com/collections/sleepin ... a-flame-20

[whitestone]

If the manufacturers are quoting "comfort", "limit" and "extreme" ratings then they should have been tested to EN 13537 and so should be comparable. Of course one manufacturer might take a tested value of -4.5C and round it to -4C while another rounds it to -5C.

At -5C the only dampness will be from your breath and perspiration.

How much room is there for you in the Quantum? You might be able to use a filler bag to boost its temp rating. A synthetic overbag/quilt might work as well - https://support.enlightenedequipment.co ... t-Layering talks about this specifically the dew point lying either within the synthetic layer or better outside the two bags/quilts altogether (obviously they are trying to sell you one of their quilts as well).

For reference my PHD sleeping bag weighs 435g and the Cumulus 150 quilt weighs 375g so 810g for a system that goes from +9C for the quilt on its own to at least -6C for the two together.

While looking up weights and ratings I came across a couple of Cumulus bags - http://sleepingbags-cumulus.eu/uk/categ ... d=60&vid=6 has a comfort rating of -5C and a limit of -12C. Just over your budget though plus you'd have to order from the continent.

[Mariner]

Do look up Criterion who are Cumulus in the UK.
I have the Traveller 500 -7C down bag which is very good.
Its a rubbish web site though and I dont think they are doing the quilts so you have to go to Cumulus direct if you go that route.

[fatbikephil]

Cheers all - much food for thought

I just bought this: http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/oex-leviath ... lsrc=aw.ds
Impressed by the quality for a bargain price, stuffs down nicely and extremely warm!

That looks a bargain - defo top of the list for a full down bag.

Bob - My quantum is a wee bit tight - at 6'1" I'm on the limit for it plus rab and alpkit bags all quote up to 6'1" for there regular lengths which means I either have to be a bit snug length wise or go for a longer bag with the weight penaly (little as it is).

Those MH synthetic bags look good too.

[samcallard]

Got a Rab Ascent 700 and never been cold in it. Would recommend a liner because of all the sweat. Doesn't pack down tooooo small though (fills my alpkit 13l drybag).

Not sure if that helps...