Thread: Sleeping Bag

Hi Guys and gals- Need a new sleeping bag, old bag relegated to being dog's going-away matt.
Can any of the south islanders recommend a good down rating? (is that what you call it?) 700 down, 900 down etc. Want to not freeze in winter and not suffocate in summer.. the smaller the pack size weight the better obviously.. Again, any insight would be much appreciated.
Cheers.

The loft power is all about how fluffy it gets after being compressed by a weight (I can't remember the exact amount of down and the exact weight). Anyway, my opinion, in the south, you'll probably roast in the summer when you're in your winter bag!

I bought a special ordered bag from Ballengers. Really happy with it. It'd be too warm for a normal man though - but I thought I would shell out so that my hunting companions never had to hear my winging about being cold. Anyway Ballengers H&F have been really good to me. They don't push the hard sell, they actually care about people getting what they need.

Also I am sure we all chipped in to a sleeping bag thread not that long ago?

Dougie

You will never get one bag to do both winter & summer! Just buy two bags.

I have used Macpac bags for years but got a ONE PLANET bag when I needed a light weight one a few years ago. They are awesome!



Cocoon -5

Down Fill

I just have a med sort of cheap one. Its too hot in summer and to cold in winter.

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I got a real good Black wolf sleeping bag from BCF while in Australia for wheat harvest it is summer weight and I never suffocated in it from the heat over there so as soon as I can I am going to get a winter weight one in the same brand from FCO, plus black wolf sleeping bags are the only ones I have come across that cater for fat pricks like me

I agree on the two bags. Mine are old Fairydown bags, an Everest which I think is 900g fill and a Lite Weight which I think is 550g. Back in the day it was just the weight of 90/10 goose down/small feather rather than the loft figure they use now. Another important thing to look at is your mat. I recently moved to an Exped Downmat 7 and I am well impressed. Best sleep I've ever had in a tent.

Never buy one off the internet - This is one product you gotta buy from a shop. I got one that is nowhere near the -10 as advertised.

Wish I'd never returned my army 'farter'. That bag had no tag on it so I dont know what brand it was.

i climb .co.nz :: Mountaineering gear at wholesale prices

i have the number 0
hunt summer and winter
get cold feet in mid winter - i mean like mid july in the snow sort of thing around mount cook - ive always had feet problems though, had my bag around 4 years from memory

R93 has one of these for hunting trips

Originally Posted by Smiddy

i climb .co.nz :: Mountaineering gear at wholesale prices

i have the number 0
hunt summer and winter
get cold feet in mid winter - i mean like mid july in the snow sort of thing around mount cook - ive always had feet problems though, had my bag around 4 years from memory

The Mont Bell stuff really looks the shizzle. The gear is uber light and made for mountains, not huts.

I have a Mountain Hardware bag that has a useful feature. It has a baffle that zips open. This expands the bag and sheds heat faster. Not ideal for summer but bearable. Still have a summer bag.

Two bags

Also depends a lot on your other kit. Do you tent, bivy or fly camp ? And also mat makes a huge difference like GM said.

Personally I don't like mummy bag shape. Especially for summer / spring I want something more rectangular, with a full length zip so you can use it like a duvet if the weather is warm.

Originally Posted by Smiddy

i climb .co.nz :: Mountaineering gear at wholesale prices

i have the number 0
hunt summer and winter
get cold feet in mid winter - i mean like mid july in the snow sort of thing around mount cook - ive always had feet problems though, had my bag around 4 years from memory

iclimb are top guys to deal with too, really good service.

I have a 10+ year old Fairydown Scorpion (750 or 800 fill I think, one model down from the Everest) which is great in winter (tents in the mountains etc) and I never do it up in summer but sometimes its still too warm. Zip is getting a bit stuffed now though, if I replace it instead of getting it fixed it will probably be with a Mont Bell.

Had a wicked frost on the hill but I was inside snug as a rug

I've got 2 sleeping bags (summer/winter) as well. The tricks that I learned to look for are fit across the shoulders as most bags I find too small. The other thing is compressibility or how small ya can pack em down to.

My winter one isn't quite warm enough but that problem is solved by layering up with my dry camp clothing merino/thermal layers on inside.

I don't mind wrapping up against the cold but I don't like being too hot, throwing the thing half off and getting eaten by insects all night.

Also in midsummer you can just use a silk liner and one layer of clothes under if it's really hot - a lot less to carry.