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Too Many Sleeping Bag Options!

Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2019 11:55 am
by grmtylr
I'm looking for a sleeping bag to use on a couple of bike packing trips, it's only going to be for summer/autumn use in decent weather and will be used with a bivi bag for the time being.
After looking around the interweb I seem to be overloaded with choices but as ever, the decent stuff seems to be expensive!

Any suggestions for reasonably quality bags that don't weigh the same as a planet and cost a month's wages?
Looking at keeping the budget below £100.

Re: Too Many Sleeping Bag Options!

Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2019 12:18 pm
by ScotRoutes
Something from the Mountain Hardware Lamina range, according to your temperature requirements.

For instance.. https://rockrun.com/products/mountain-h ... z-spark-34

Re: Too Many Sleeping Bag Options!

Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2019 12:22 pm
by Bearbonesnorm
At sub £100 I'd be probably be having a look at a quality synthetic bag rather than a poor / cheap down one - although you might be lucky and pick up something on sale.

As a synthetic option, I think the Lamina range is hard to beat and there's usually some good offers floating about. Like this HyperLamina Spark for just shy of £100. It weighs 900g and has a claimed comfort rating of 0c. It should see you through most of the year within the UK.
https://rockrun.com/collections/mountai ... f-0-c-long

Other models of Lamina are available but I always think this one offers the best weight / warmth / cost ratio.

EDIT:
Beaten to it by Colin

Re: Too Many Sleeping Bag Options!

Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2019 12:27 pm
by whitestone
Quality, light, cheap: Pick any two. :wink:

For under £100 you'd be better going for synthetic rather than down. For whatever reason down has shot up in price in the last couple of years: just under three years ago I bought a Cumulus 150 quilt for £120. It's now £170.

What temperature rating do you want? Are you a warm or cold sleeper? If you are a warm sleeper then look at the "limit" temperature rating, if a cold sleeper the "comfort" rating.

I've not bought a synthetic bag for years but Alpkit stuff is usually good value for money: their Mountain Ghost synthetic bags start at £59.

Re: Too Many Sleeping Bag Options!

Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2019 12:33 pm
by Bearbonesnorm
I've not bought a synthetic bag for years but Alpkit stuff is usually good value for money: their Mountain Ghost synthetic bags start at £59.
I was going to mention those Bob but they appear heavier than the Lamina for less warmth - however, going back to your point about quality / weight / cost

Re: Too Many Sleeping Bag Options!

Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2019 12:43 pm
by whitestone
When I say "years" I mean something like twenty years! A Snugpack I believe, still lurking around in the back of one of the cupboards :lol:

Re: Too Many Sleeping Bag Options!

Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2019 1:52 pm
by Rasta
A summer rated down bag may get compressed by the weight of a bivi bag. Especially the heavier 3 layer Gortex or when it is wet. A lot of cold spots.

Re: Too Many Sleeping Bag Options!

Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2019 4:10 pm
by grmtylr
Thanks Guys.
The Mountain Hardwear bag looks good to me I’ll get one of those ordered along with a Hunka bivvy bag I think.

Once they’re here I think that should be pretty much everything I need.

Re: Too Many Sleeping Bag Options!

Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2019 4:26 pm
by Bearbonesnorm
I’ll get one of those ordered along with a Hunka bivvy bag
If you're wanting to put your mat inside, I'd pay the extra for the XL version.

Re: Too Many Sleeping Bag Options!

Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2019 4:32 pm
by grmtylr
Bearbonesnorm wrote: Sat Jul 27, 2019 4:26 pm
I’ll get one of those ordered along with a Hunka bivvy bag
If you're wanting to put your mat inside, I'd pay the extra for the XL version.
I never really thought about that.
Am I better off with the mat in the bivvy bag rather than outside?

Re: Too Many Sleeping Bag Options!

Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2019 4:35 pm
by whitestone
grmtylr wrote: Sat Jul 27, 2019 4:32 pm
Bearbonesnorm wrote: Sat Jul 27, 2019 4:26 pm
I’ll get one of those ordered along with a Hunka bivvy bag
If you're wanting to put your mat inside, I'd pay the extra for the XL version.
I never really thought about that.
Am I better off with the mat in the bivvy bag rather than outside?
In my climbing days using CCF mats we'd always have the mat on the outside of the bivy bag because the mat would protect the bag when bivvying on rocks. Now, using inflatable mats and usually being on grass, I have them on the inside so the bag protects the mat.

Another choose two from three with standard sized bivy bags: sleeping mat; sleeping bag; you. You might see a flaw :wink: :lol:

Re: Too Many Sleeping Bag Options!

Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2019 5:27 pm
by Bearbonesnorm
To a degree it's horses for courses but given the cost of a decent mat, I prefer to put mine inside the bivvy if possible. It also has the benefit of making it harder (though not impossible) to roll off the mat in the night. If I have to put my mat outside the bivvy, I'll nearly always use some form of 'groundsheet' which of course is additional weight / faff and can be another slippery layer to contend with.

Re: Too Many Sleeping Bag Options!

Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2019 9:41 pm
by grmtylr
Thanks for the tips, I think I'll go with the XL and see how it works out.

Re: Too Many Sleeping Bag Options!

Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2019 10:48 am
by middleagedmadness
grmtylr wrote: Sat Jul 27, 2019 9:41 pm Thanks for the tips, I think I'll go with the XL and see how it works out.
Don't forget to add a double bagger when stu puts them up for sale :wink: