i was in morocco in january and my sleeping bag was excellent in the really cold nights. problem was it took up 3 times as much space as my tent and air mat. anyone got any good suggestions? compact as well as warm is what i am looking for! thanks in advance!
Very compact 3 season sleeping bag
- Thread starter de crowe
- Start date
johnnystorm
Registered user
http://www.mountaineering-designs.co.uk/our_brand.shtml
http://www.alpkit.com/pipedream/
http://www.alpkit.com/skyehigh/
Down is the way forward, just make sure it doesn't get soaked. I've got a Mountaineering Designs bag I bought in 1997 and it's still excellent. I always use a liner so the bag itself doesn't need washing.
http://www.alpkit.com/pipedream/
http://www.alpkit.com/skyehigh/
Down is the way forward, just make sure it doesn't get soaked. I've got a Mountaineering Designs bag I bought in 1997 and it's still excellent. I always use a liner so the bag itself doesn't need washing.
Rolf
Guest
I have a 3 season Mountain Equipment down bag which is very compact - have used it for a number of mountain marathons when weight and size is very important. Was not cheap (about £300) ten years ago but still very warm. For realy compact stuff try searching for montain marathon equipment.
I've been going through the same process and therefore asking much the same question as De Crowe - except I'm allergic to down, or down is allergic to me, you know what I mean. Any further suggestion with regards to synthetic sleeping bags that compress to a reasonable size?
Thanks.
Thanks.
johnnystorm
Registered user
Not wanting to tell you your condition, have you actually tried down? I go all snotty and dewey eyed with cats/ancient feathery pillows, etc but the links above are for Down (90% down 10% feather max, with the feathers had removed!) and down is different from feathers. I have had no problems with good quality down bags or jackets.
If down is indeed a problem there are plenty of good Synthetic bags. I had a Vango Ultralite a few years back that packed very small BUT the filling didn't like being compressed and recompressed so lost it's effect quite quickly. The light weight nylon also made it like sleeping in a crisp bag. Great!
Nylon such as pertex are much nicer to the touch.thanks very much for the info so far. can i add another question? can anyone recommend a compact mat(?) as well to go underneath the sleeping bag. the air mattress is ok but is prone to air loss!
johnnystorm
Registered user
I've got one of the original thermarests that is also about 10 years old and still going strong, bloody ought to seeing as it cost about 70 quid (before student discount though, happy days!). http://www.alpit.com as I mentioned above do their own versions which are probably just as good. I see people recommending Exped as well, but I've not seen one. If you haven't tried a thermarest (or their like) then don't be fooled by squeezing one in the shop and being unimpressed. Once you've tried one you'll wonder why you ever bothered with poxy Karrimats! 
really appreciate the advice, thanks jonnystorm
tiny air matress..... try millets blow up matress... £9.95 for a wee blow up mattress...., and they fold down to the size of a pint glass....
They are slim though, so if youre a larger type GS er... no good.
They aqre okay to sleep on, as Ive used them for last 2-3 years. and VERY cheap, so if its no good, youve lost sod all.
They are listed as Eurohike
They are slim though, so if youre a larger type GS er... no good.
They aqre okay to sleep on, as Ive used them for last 2-3 years. and VERY cheap, so if its no good, youve lost sod all.
They are listed as Eurohike
johnnystorm
Registered user
No worries! I've got *loads* of sleeping bags (I ought to throw more stuff away!). I've got trad rectangular ones cotton/nylon, a couple of £30ish ones from Millets, the aforementioned Vango Ultralite was robbed from my Sister in Johannesburg, some Army surplus ones (pack down to the size of an old fashioned metal dustbin) and the only ones that get regularly used are the down bag and a really cheap argos one for indoors staying at mates. Using either with a fleece liner makes use of either one of them suitable for kipping at a mates to sleeping on a Glaciar!
johnnystorm
Registered user
BaldBaBoon
Registered user
www.snugpak.com
I can say with full recommendation, to go for the SNUGPAK line of sleeping bags.These are the bags that i bought and used extensively when i was in the forces.They do a huge range of equipment,but these are the two i have used....have a look at their SLEEKA JACKET,exceptional warmth..warm when soaked through...dry it minutes..packs down to nothing and lightweight,i always carry one of this with everywhere i travel....ideal for when you get caught out in the cold.
The Special Forces Antartica 2 series, i used down to -58 ....this is their highest rated bag,Mummy design..packs down to a cylinder about 30cm long and 20cm wide....a bit over the top unless you are in the Arctic circle.
The SOFTIE MERLIN 3 range are a far better bet for the use you intend.
These come in very fetching colours ( Bright pink and blue is the one i have ) and are rated as a 2-3 season bag and are also the mummy design...you just have your nose poking out when its cold.....most importantly they pack away to something just larger than a CAN OF COKE,and weigh 900gms.
And the most important piece of sleeping bag equipment is A SILK SLEEPING BAG LINER....one of these effectively adds an extra season rating to your sleeping bag,keeps the main bag clean and protects it from wear.And also lets you join a toga party,as it can be used as an emergency toga.....most importantly again...a good quality one scrunches down to just bigger than a pack of 20 fags.
Merlin 3......large can of coke
Silk Liner....Pack of fags
you cannot get better than that.
Rollmats are also very important for comfort and insulation,if you have the old foam type ( inflatable are heavy and expensive ) and old army trick is to cut the rollmat down so it is the width and length from your head to your arse....this is the part that needs to be insulated...the length of your legs doesnt need the insulation or the supposed comfort,and youve just saved weight and space.
I can say with full recommendation, to go for the SNUGPAK line of sleeping bags.These are the bags that i bought and used extensively when i was in the forces.They do a huge range of equipment,but these are the two i have used....have a look at their SLEEKA JACKET,exceptional warmth..warm when soaked through...dry it minutes..packs down to nothing and lightweight,i always carry one of this with everywhere i travel....ideal for when you get caught out in the cold.
The Special Forces Antartica 2 series, i used down to -58 ....this is their highest rated bag,Mummy design..packs down to a cylinder about 30cm long and 20cm wide....a bit over the top unless you are in the Arctic circle.
The SOFTIE MERLIN 3 range are a far better bet for the use you intend.
These come in very fetching colours ( Bright pink and blue is the one i have ) and are rated as a 2-3 season bag and are also the mummy design...you just have your nose poking out when its cold.....most importantly they pack away to something just larger than a CAN OF COKE,and weigh 900gms.
And the most important piece of sleeping bag equipment is A SILK SLEEPING BAG LINER....one of these effectively adds an extra season rating to your sleeping bag,keeps the main bag clean and protects it from wear.And also lets you join a toga party,as it can be used as an emergency toga.....most importantly again...a good quality one scrunches down to just bigger than a pack of 20 fags.
Merlin 3......large can of coke
Silk Liner....Pack of fags
you cannot get better than that.
Rollmats are also very important for comfort and insulation,if you have the old foam type ( inflatable are heavy and expensive ) and old army trick is to cut the rollmat down so it is the width and length from your head to your arse....this is the part that needs to be insulated...the length of your legs doesnt need the insulation or the supposed comfort,and youve just saved weight and space.
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