Piemonster wrote: ↑Fri Jul 10, 2020 5:58 pm
Correction, my current bag weighs 1.61kg

Does anyone have a good guide to sleeping bag ratings. I believe my existing bag is using the EN system.

The EN system gives four values but really we are only interested in two of them: comfort and limit. Comfort is defined as the lowest temperature an average woman will get a night's sleep while limit is the same for the average man. Note that the test protocol assumes that the subject is wearing a set of light thermals.

In practice think of the comfort value being for cold sleepers and the limit value for warm sleepers, actually better to think of them as starting points. If a bag is about right for the conditions then whether you feel cold or not can depend on lots of other things: how tired you are; how hungry; how cold you are getting into the bag; etc.

True

But that’s hard to measure

What I do know is the EN rating on my current bag and that bag has generally been about right albeit I’d like a little more insulation. So as long as I end up with something about there, it’ll be warm enough. That’s an issue if I buy from someone that uses their own rating system and doesn’t quote an EN rating.

If you're buying a down bag and the manufacturer gives details of insulation quantity and fp then it's fairly easy to compare all bags.

If it's a synthetic bag, then it'll be much more complicated and probably not really worth trying.

Finding it very hard to look past this https://www.phdesigns.co.uk/hispar-300- ... g-bag-2020

About the only concern I have (assuming I can get a full length zip) is the pack size.

About the only concern I have (assuming I can get a full length zip) is the pack size.

For any given temp rating a phd bag should stuff down as well (maybe better goven the high fp) than anything else.

Piemonster wrote: ↑Sat Jul 11, 2020 7:14 am Finding it very hard to look past this https://www.phdesigns.co.uk/hispar-300- ... g-bag-2020

About the only concern I have (assuming I can get a full length zip) is the pack size.

I've got the 400 (-9) version of that for winter. Eye-watering price but you're getting £126 'off' and it'll last longer than you. I can stuff mine quite happily into an 8L drybag which goes on my bars (at that weight you don't know it's there). I'm v glad I have the full zip though, for 40g weight penalty. It's a luxurious bag to be inside and I have a little giggle every time I slide in.

If you're buying you may as well sell the other kidney too and get the K Series version .

I was going to take some bottles in my old lady's trolley to the bottle bank, but fiddling with sleeping bags is much more fun.... hang on.....back in a sec....

Well that was fun. The 400 goes quite happily into 8L as mentioned. My Minimus K is equally happy in a 5L, and in fact only takes up about 3L of that.



I've never bothered trying the 400 into 5L... blow me though, it does!




Having said that, I'm using a 10L bag for the 400, with the no doubt misguided view that it'll loft quicker when taken out.

The thing is, the Hispar is super-wide and massively roomy. I can (fairly) easily change clothes inside it. Of course that room can be a downside too - wasted air space inside.



The only niggle I have is their zips - not always snag-free. Fixed that with a patented Reg milk-bottle-based MYOG.

Reg 'Toasty Warm' Perrin

If it's a synthetic bag, then it'll be much more complicated and probably not really worth trying.

Aye you cannot really compare if they have used a different inuslation material- a few use their own propietary stuff as well [Nordisk lightweight 10 c one for example- forget what its calledfilling nd bag]
That said you do occasionaly see ones where they have the same fill and weigth but different temp ratings - which leads us back to not point trying

The only thing I know about down is i dont use it,
I tell alie down is usually lighter but if you look around and spend a small fortune you can get near it iterms of weight and warmth.
Eg the nordisk is rated at 10 degree[ its not that warm IME] and is a shade over 300 g- but not much change from £200- Not sure what down costs tbh.

RIP wrote: ↑Sat Jul 11, 2020 10:29 am I was going to take some bottles in my old lady's trolley to the bottle bank, but fiddling with sleeping bags is much more fun.... hang on.....back in a sec....

I’ve gone for the Hispar 300 with a full length zip. The custom versions I looked at came in heavier and more expensive somehow. So I’d be paying several hundred extra just for a security pocket.

I say I’ve gone for, this is a birthday present from SWMBO.

I think my existing 20 or so year old PHD Minimus is a significant factor in the decision making. Superb bag, still warm, still light!

Reg 'Toasty Warm' Perrin

Cheers for all that, interesting. I’m feeling this is going to be a good purchase.

Tell us all about it when it comes through the letterbox

(Just make sure you trim your nails before use, or that'll be the end of that investment with its 7X inner )

((Just noticed they've invented another water-resistant outer - Hypershell, compared to my Ultrashell. I'd be holding out for the Zigashell before buying if I was you ))

I was looking for the same 2 items and ended up with a Forclaz 900 3-season down bag from decathlon. Haven’t tried it yet but it seems very good quality and also comes with a midge net. Also bought a used macpac minaret tent, which is a bit weighty but fantastic quality and very robust..if it’s just a 1p tent their microlight may be worth a look. I think it’s around 1.5 kg.

hoppy58 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 15, 2020 8:01 pm Macpac microlight

Big fan, love mine. "Weighty" but indestructible.

Interesting. Seems they do a transverse pole jobby as well now, 32%-off here: https://www.absolute-snow.co.uk/V/Macpa ... HoEALw_wcB

Oh my, the warm glow of consumerism is strong today

Although I’m expertly installing (see bodging) a new drivetrain on at the minute so dare not touch it!

Eh? Bag's arrived then has it? Give us a look!