Sleeping systems - advise and insights form the community

[erniec]

One of the issues is as you get older you need a higher rated mat to keep warm.
Older hips and shoulders feel the cold.
The hiking forums have some interesting stuff on it.
I need the higher rating now, it is a bit heavier but worth it.

[HarryMax]

I've got the Katabatic Alsek quilt 22f (-5.6C) quilt, weighs around 660g.

Absolutely love it - been warm as all fuck. Fast dry when I had a tent malfunction and rain came through, does take some getting used to setting it up (straps attach to your sleeping matt).

Was about 600 - 700$ landed in NZ from memory.

[JoelA]

I recently moved from a 25mm thermarest to an exped down mat. "Dura" line not the "ultra" range as the ultra line use a lighter range of fabrics. Ok if you had a long big carry for a one off trip.
Cant help re bags. I have an old fairydown/macpac, tapered rectangle down with an early "event" semi waterproof outer. Few years back when I started getting a cold chest back I sent it to twin needle who stripped the down, washed it, added a dwr or hydro phobic coating and added back in an extra 200gr of down.

So I would look for a bag that the down has been given a hydrophobic coating, helps drying in the event it gets wet. 90/10 down, at least 700 loft (measure of expansion/warmth). The weight of down is greater in a larger bag. So probably 700gr may cover you???
Add a silk liner in summer and a micro fiber insulating one if you plan on a really cold trip.
Z

Out of interest mate - what was the cost all up to have that done by twin needle? I have an older fairy down that could be a good idea. Thanks!

[norsk]

These are about $100 from the surplus shop

CARINTHIA Defence 4

I have slept in mine in -23c and it was quite ok.

[Micky Duck]

if you have an old down bag that is getting a bit thin in places,the down is clumping...chuck it in the dryer on cold wit htennis balls and CLEAN running shoes etc to beat it up as it tumbles..... basically you want to agitate the crap out of it to reloft the down... you can also karate chop the down around baffles to move it from clump into bare spots... the theory of circular baffles was to be able to move it around for different temperatures....

[ZQLewis]

Joel, cant remember exactly but it was cheaper than a new bag. $300 ??
Real cause of the problem was the wife decided to wash my bag for me. Damaged some of the internal baffles.
Z

[Sika 8]

I use a thermarest Xtherm in wide as i generally roll around a bit & am a side sleeper, its bloody warm as its insulated & reflects your own body heat back to you. Weighs around 500gms i think and rolls up pretty small.
Before this i had an Exped synmat duo, almost like a small double mat but weighed somewhere around 800gms

I've had a really good run out of Macpac sleeping bags, I have an epic 800 that i've used for year but it is too bloody hot & i've only ever needed to zip it up twice in that time, generally use it as a duvet altho it's heavy at 1.7kg
Recently bought a firefly 400 and have used it a few times in the Kawekas (biv) & Ruahines (hut) weighs a touch under 800gms i think.

[Staffnurse41]

Sleeping bags - seems to be different manufacturers but very similar spec and very different pricing. We have 3 One Plants bags because every time I do the the pricing / spec comparison One Planet comes out on on top.
I personally use Southern Adventures in Invers as it is an independent store and is free to do really good pricing with permanent discount if you sign up for VIP card
Mats - I’m 56 and personally prefer the Sea to Summit style of mat. Never have an issue of sliding off and they have a pillow lock system that is simple but seems to work. Seems to be tough and quiet to sleep on.
It’s a pity you can’t trial mats particularly before you buy as this is the area where I have noticed with mates that we all have our preferences

[Staffnurse41]

Popped into Southern Adventures and took a photo of their display on the OP Cocoon
Photo is a little confusing but basically regular price on aerated circle with Sale price below on sale card


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ANTSMAN]

Hey team,

oaky so I plan to do some winter hunting mainly on the NI, but I have been uninvited to a hunt in the CHCH backcountry as well so looking for a sleep system to cover both.

I know that the go-to for most is the Domex Halo series, and I am also considering the One Planet Cacoon and will need a wide sleeping mat as well.

Here's the kicker, I have trouble sleeping on thin mats, and need a decent pillow as well, getting on in age and need a comfortable system, the old carcass gets sore and I get really grumpy, also I like to sleep on my side with my knees bent and struggle to do this in traditional bags I find them really restrictive and end up tossing and turning all night.

After googling and doing heaps of research I have come across the Big Agnes wide Q- Core sleeping mat and the ZenBivy Ded 10Deg F which look like great alternatives and would work well for me.

My question is there anything else I need to consider, and can anyone suggest something similar I can get in NZ before I lay out the cash to import this combination from the US?

cheers in advance

Kia ora mate- what did you end up with? I've been looking at Zenbiv too - other EE Revelation quilt.