Sleeping bag advice

[tadpole]

I’m looking for advice
I’ve been using a 58 pattern sleeping bag for the last 6 years, and after my experience on a recent outing I’m sure it is dead. As it is flat and does not keep me warm.
So with a very limited budget I’m looking for a sleeping bag that is as good as a new maggot bag, one that will last as long and be as warm.
I’m on the lardy side of big, and at six one not short, so need a long bag (I borrowed a standard arctic bag as a test and was unable to zip it up, or move once it was zipped for that matter)
Any ideas?
My budget is max £50. I’d love to have more to spend but I don’t.

(if this is in the wrong place, please tell me, and or move it thank you)

[WombleWill]

What sort of sleeping bag are you after??
Mummy
Hollow fibre
Bivi bag?
What sort of gsm rating are you looking at?

This thread is a good one, as im looking for a good sleepingbag as well, instead of using a bivi ;D

ATB,
Will.

[tadpole]

I’m too fat for a Mummy bag, and anyway I move about too much in my sleep, I’m looking for a bag that will keep me warm in England from early March to December. So a four season bag. My old down bag has lasted for a long time so I don’t mind down or some kind of synthetic . Doesn’t have to be too light, as I’m strong enough to carry my old 58 pattern one plus the rest of my kit for half a dozen miles or so, and that weighed in at a couple of Kg.
Gsm rating? Not got a clue, as each manufacturer seems to have a different idea as what is what.

[AdrianRose]

I agree with womble. It's quite a complex issue sleeping bags.

I think your starting point (after price) is the size/weight. I've been using an ex-army sleeping bag for the last 6 years and have been toasty even in a hammock in winter.

There is a trade off tho, it is large and weighs 2kg. You can pick them up for around £30 plus p&p so it is well within your budget.

Ade

[Ben Casey]

I use a Army Sleeping bag it may have the weight but saves all the hassle of the civvy ones :) I paid 60 quid for one and gave it away after one use. I cant walk very far with my kit nowadays but when I do I want to be warm at night and I nearly always get that with my Army one :) Have you tried the one they brought in after the 59? If memory serves me the 59 had the ground sheet fitted to sleep on and you could clip your poncho around it. The new ones maybe heavy but worth it in my opinion :)

[Alamo]

How big is 'lardy side of big'?

What about one of these?
http://www.greatoutdoorsdirect.co.uk/p-187-gelert-freedom-400-dl-xl.aspx
I've got a feeling the stated 900mm width is an external measurement, but they are definitely wider, and longer, than the average bag. Four season is probably a little optimistic too, but with a cheap fleece liner added, I think it may fit the bill.

Same bag a couple of quid cheaper here too.
http://www.winfieldsmegastore.com/gelert-freedom-400-dl-xl-sleeping-bag-~-right-zip-p-sbg164r-c-black_sl_castlerock.html

Alan

[cuppa joe]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VANGO-GALAXY-EXTRA-LARGE-SLEEPING-BAG-/330657121976?pt=UK_SportingGoods_SleepingBags_SM&hash=item4cfcb346b8 if you buy a fleece liner too this is a decent sleeping bag and a good size for you at 225 cm long and 110cm wide......if you need more warmth wear a softie jacket too.

[cuppa joe]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Belgian-army-sleeping-bag-czech-german-austrian-military-surplus-british-supply-/250935104534?pt=UK_SportingGoods_SleepingBags_SM&hash=item3a6ce5d416 this is a bargain too.

[AdrianRose]

How big is 'lardy side of big'?


Same bag a couple of quid cheaper here too.
http://www.winfieldsmegastore.com/gelert-freedom-400-dl-xl-sleeping-bag-~-right-zip-p-sbg164r-c-black_sl_castlerock.html

Alan

I don't live too far away from this shop and have had a good look at this particular bag. It certainly is long (the average cast member of Avatar would fill it well) but the build quality is really poor on the one I looked at. I don't doubt it's a good bag but not sure if it would withstand regular usage.

Ade

[tadpole]

I'm watching two on ebay an large army arctic sleeping bag (my wife uses the small size arctic and it's very warm) and a Vango 900m. which seems very good, but is a Mummy style. Has anyone used the Vango 900? or similar. Whats it like if you move about a lot in your sleep?

"big on the side of lardy" means I'm a heavy weight runner/cyclist ex-fit person gone to seed. 6'1 tall 50" chest 38" waist 42" beer belly.

Edit:
I've plumpted for the army one, it's £20 and the seller seems on the up and up. I messaged him, and he came back within a day to say that the one I've gone for is wide enough and long enough for 6foot plus. I'll let you all know what it's like when I get it.

[cuppa joe]

If you have a 50 inch chest the arctic bag will be too small for you ...my advice would be to go for a fishing sleeping bag ...a nash wide boy or an aqua winter bag.
My Brother is around the same chest ..52 inch and he couldnt zip the bag up...

[tadpole]

If you have a 50 inch chest the arctic bag will be too small for you ...my advice would be to go for a fishing sleeping bag ...a nash wide boy or an aqua winter bag.
My Brother is around the same chest ..52 inch and he couldnt zip the bag up...Oh boll****, to late now. I'll have to try it and maybe sell it on if I can't fit.
Edit Ok I've measured my chest and I've shrunk, :( :shocked: (47.5 inch chest) I reckon my chest has sunk to my waist. So the bag is 70cm laid out flat (130 round) or 52.5 inches internally. will that be still too snug you reckon?

[cuppa joe]

Oh boll****, to late now. I'll have to try it and maybe sell it on if I can't fit.
Edit Ok I've measured my chest and I've shrunk, :( :shocked: (47.5 inch chest) I reckon my chest has sunk to my waist. So the bag is 70cm laid out flat (130 round) or 52.5 inches internally. will that be still too snug you reckon?
I am 46 inches around the chest and the large arctic bag fits me bang on ....width wise anyway ...its way too long aS Im only 5 FT 6 so you should be ok.

[tadpole]

I am 46 inches around the chest and the large arctic bag fits me bang on ....width wise anyway ...its way too long aS Im only 5 FT 6 so you should be ok.

Thank the fish for that.... I'm still missing some chest,:rolleyes: but a least my new bag will fit

[char4chocs]

I went to millets and theyre selling a hollowfibre sleeping bag, 3 season £15 ( I know right)

[tadpole]

Well having tried out the bag, I'm glad I've got it. it's a tad tight across the shoulders, but thankfully I sleep on my arm so I'm ok with that, it's so warm that I doubt I'll use it for anything other than winter and spring camping. I'll use blankets for the summer same as usual.

[Jimmy69]

On the subject of sleeping bags - how small can you guys pack yours down to? For me it always seems to take up the majority of my pack which is a bit annoying when i just want to travel light but not take a huge pack with me.

When shopping around i've seen ones that pack down quite small but always come with a bulked up price tag. :(

[Martin]

On the subject of sleeping bags - how small can you guys pack yours down to? For me it always seems to take up the majority of my pack which is a bit annoying when i just want to travel light but not take a huge pack with me.

When shopping around i've seen ones that pack down quite small but always come with a bulked up price tag. :(

Hmmm, what a question. The problem is, the smaller, lighter and warmer you want your bag, the more expensive it is. I've just shelled out on a Rab Neutrino 400 which packs down really small, is good for below zero temperatures and weighs under 1Kg but it really wasn't cheap. This will replace my Snugpak Elite 4 bag which takes up loads of space, weighs almost two kilos but is good for minus 10.

At the end of the day, you pays yer money and you takes yer choice.

Martin

[rich290185]

hi guys what you think of these??

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Highlander-Echo-250-Sleeping-Bag/dp/B0012BDHTW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1327960694&sr=8-2

http://www.amazon.co.uk/HIGHLANDER-PAC-TEC-CAMPING-SLEEPING-SEASON/dp/B003ODQSQA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1327960694&sr=8-3

iv been looking at them for a bit, too good to be true????

[jus_young]

Something there does not ring true. I have been spending all day looking at different fills for the underquilt 2 project and I did not come across anything at 100gm2 that would give a true 3 season rating. Those prices, those fills ??? Someone please correct me if I am wrong and I will start looking for that fibre filling!

Oh and 2kg is not light. I have bought the Rab down bag, 4 season and 1.1kg and thats a lovely bag.

[rich290185]

i didn't think that gsm worked out!!!

[Martin]

2Kg is anything but light, it is positively heavy. Although compared to a cow it is light.

Martin

[jus_young]

Not sure I would want to sleep in a cow though, might have slept next to a few but thats a different story :ashamed:

[rich290185]

lol what should i be looking for, for a sleeping bag to use early spring to late autumn gsm wise i mean dont have a very large wallet eather!!!!!!!

[cuppa joe]

down is the way to go if you have the cash...but keep them dry as wet down means a cold night....I use a kilosoft 1kg bag for summer and a Carinthia defence 4 bag 2kg for colder nights....weight doesnt bother me too much ...the Carinthia is very water repellent....and really warm and so can be used with a ground sheet and a tarp.
http://www.heinnie.com/Survival/Sleeping-Bags/Carinthia/Carinthia-Defence-4/p-484-518-552-3804/

[jus_young]

This is the bag I was using before my investment with the Rab down bag, Coleman Atom X 1400. Kept me warm in the tent at a stint in the woods in late February. Still have the bag and it will probably be used by my boy when he starts his hammocking ventures.

http://www.outdoorenthusiasts.co.uk/sleeping/mummy-sleeping-bag/coleman-atom-x1400-sleeping-bag/

[comanighttrain]

down is the way to go if you have the cash...but keep them dry as wet down means a cold night....I use a kilosoft 1kg bag for summer and a Carinthia defence 4 bag 2kg for colder nights....weight doesnt bother me too much ...the Carinthia is very water repellent....and really warm and so can be used with a ground sheet and a tarp.
http://www.heinnie.com/Survival/Sleeping-Bags/Carinthia/Carinthia-Defence-4/p-484-518-552-3804/

This bag....can you use it in damp conditions well? without a bivibag over it?

[Martin]

Warm, lightweight, cheap. You can have any two.

Martin

[cuppa joe]

This bag....can you use it in damp conditions well? without a bivibag over it?
Although it states waterproof I would always use a ground sheet and tarp ...but as far as morning dew and damp it's fine.
They come up on ebay now and then and go for between £80 and £100 pounds .

[rich290185]

warm and cheap will do at the mo!!!! :confused2:

[jus_young]

No way could you use this bag without a bivvy. There is no water resistance whatsoever.

Price wise, I caught mine for £40 at the local camp store.

[cuppa joe]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/British-Army-Gore-Tex-Bivvy-Bag-Olive-Green-Goretex-Grade-Two-Used-Condition-/250986600869?pt=UK_Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item3a6ff799a5 bargain I saw whilst browsing....just cut a piece of cloth to use as a patch rub bathroom silicone , seem seal or storm sure onto it and stitch it over the burn holes mentioned in the description for a watertight repair.

[rich290185]

anyone used ant of these?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Snugpak-Sleeping-Bag-OLIVE-CODE-GREEN-ARMY-Military-/350528493416?pt=UK_SportingGoods_SleepingBags_SM&var=&hash=item905cfdc34e

or this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Snugpak-Sleeping-Bag-OLIVE-CODE-GREEN-ARMY-Military-/350528493416?pt=UK_SportingGoods_SleepingBags_SM&var=&hash=item905cfdc34e

[Martin]

anyone used ant of these?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Snugpak-Sleeping-Bag-OLIVE-CODE-GREEN-ARMY-Military-/350528493416?pt=UK_SportingGoods_SleepingBags_SM&var=&hash=item905cfdc34e

or this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Snugpak-Sleeping-Bag-OLIVE-CODE-GREEN-ARMY-Military-/350528493416?pt=UK_SportingGoods_SleepingBags_SM&var=&hash=item905cfdc34e

They're both the same link.

Martin

[rich290185]

oops!!!

was ment to be this one as well

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Challenger-Lite-200-Lightweight-Army-Sleeping-Bag-12c-/120832533685?pt=UK_Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item1c222e24b5

[Ed101]

if you didn't get one yet, check out amazon as well. got some good deals.

[rich290185]

tar mate got a highlander challanger 250 £31 of ebay not had a chance to sleep out in it yet tho!!

[raycea123]

hi buddy im on the quest for a new sleeping bag aswell , how have you got on with your highlander? thinking of getting one myself or spending the extra money on a snugpak :/

[rich290185]

hi mate, i tryed it in a tent and a mates floor with a mat and i can't complain nice and warm for the money cant go wrong if you ask me :)

oh and packs quite well if you put a knee on it and pull straps on bag,about the side of an odd shaped football

[claverhouse]

I have a Carinthia Defence 4 200 which is quite simply the best damn sleeping bag I've ever had, in no small part due to the fact that despite having about 4 other varied ones in the house , including so-called XL size, this is the first that does'nt try to strangle me given that I'm 6'5'' the width of the Carinthia is in the right place across the chest and shoulders. I am interested in getting the inner Tropen 200 for warmer weather ( and given that we regularly have 4 or 5 feet of snow and -20c here in the winter I'd love to test the 2 combined for warmth ). I was about to order one for about £110 but see repeated reference to them having been available for half that - is this now a thing of the past or does anyone have any secret sources to share?

[cuppa joe]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-Bw-Schlafsackuberzug-Carinthia-fur-Bw-Schlafsack-/180762362075?pt=DE_Sport_Camping_Outdoor_Schlafs%C 3%A4cke&hash=item2a1646c0db this seller gets the Tropen in every now and then at a good price.