Sleeping bags for kids

[ryangus]

I'm in the market for sleeping bags for my 4 and 6 year old kids. We live in QLD, and almost all of our camping would be above 0 degrees. I want something that will last - my current Fairy Down I've had for at least 10-15 years. Do they make kids size sleeping bags? Should I just get adult size? Any good deals around at the moment?

[Strider]

Marmot Trestles 30?

http://marmot.com/products/kids_trestle ... ft=117-226

[climberman]

Khatmandu make a few that might be worth looking at, try and wait for a sale. We did this for our tin lids. They will sill be long for kids your ange but will last a few years of growth.

[doogs]

my 6 year old has one of these that I picked up for about $30 in a sale http://www.kathmandu.com.au/sleeping-ge ... ocean.html and my 3 year old has one of these http://www.jack-wolfskin.ca/equipment/s ... -bags.aspx They get about 6 months usage in Tasmania Nov-April, work fine and if they trash them I won't be too upset (they do love having there own bag so it shouldn't happen!). They've had them for 18 months and have probably spent 12 nights camping in them (+ making dens nearly daily in the lounge room at home!) and they are still like new.

[nq111]

I have a north face and a mountain hardware for the kids.

Much of a likeness - all synthetic - weigh about 1kg - rated to about -7oc (but i wouldn't trust them that cold - kids get cold easy + they don't always sleep zipped up properly). Good to about 5ft.

I wouldn't bother too much with a really good lasting bag - they will outgrow them anyway. Down (even if 650 fill) would be good however.

[Onestepmore]

I'd recommened NOT to get down. Synthetic, while heavier and more bulky, isn't going to fail if they get damp, and believe me, kids aren't particularly careful with gear. Much easier to wash too.

Ours started off with Black Wolf -5 rated ones, and they also have a Caribee Hyperlite +12 rated one for summer (much lighter and smaller) http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CARIBEE-PLAS ... 4d0ad0e8ba and a PlasmaLite +7 deg bag http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CARIBEE-PLAS ... 5737103529

As we've started to do more multi overnight walks and want to go lighter, I've now got a Zpacks hoodless quilt for my 12 yo son, for when he's with us (not for scout camps!), that can double as a hammock quilt 20F rated (so approx -3 C)
15 year old daughter has upgraded to a Mont Bell Super Spiral - ie they are now using adult quilts

We use the inexpensive Vietnamese techsilk liners you can get off e-bay for less than $20
We've found these to be very good - much better than paying over $60 for one in Australia
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Single-Pure- ... 3365204245

I came across these when I was researching hammock quilts
Enlighhtened Equipment
Not sure what your budget is, but these appear to be well made hoodless sleeping bags/quilts made specifically for children that are lightweight
http://www.enlightenedequipment.com/pro ... ens-sizes/
Which type depends on the height and age of the child
***Remember - you're the one that's got to carry this stuff, as well as your own gear!***

If I had known about these before, in retrospect I would have bought quilt style for my kids, as they are a lot more versatile than an enclosed sleeping bag. Could open up when friends sleep over, spare bed etc etc. And what child sleeps with the hood over them properly? Quilt and beanie (and preferably one with 'ear' flaps that tie down so it doesn't come off). If their head is warm, and they have on good woollen socks and some decent thermals they'll be toasty as.
I do know some people with small kids that have used a double bag. Use it with your partner when the kids aren't along

[jjay]

I got my kids a couple of north face tigger sleeping bags from the state's. They're really good for small kids like yours as they don't have any draw cords and zip up with Velcro tabs and the like. They also taper down quite so the kids dint find them to restrictive. The cord thing and avoiding down are probably the most important things for kids under six.

They also pack down quite well for synthetic bags which was important for me as we intended to take them on overnight walks.

Given the size I'd expect them to last until theyare at least ten.

Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 2

[Bluegum Mic]

Ive got a marmot trestels for my son though I personally own an enlightened equipment quilt as mentioned above and find his quality fantastic. Tim does a range of quilts for the little ones and I will likely upgrade to these in the coming year or two now that I have another boy due any week. Now to get my hands on another hennessy cub hammock

[ryangus]

Thanks everyone. I'm particularly keen on the quilt type (they unzip to make a blanket, correct?), as this would be more versatile. Any decent models on sale in Australia? I need these before 21/6/13.

[Bluegum Mic]

Yes the quilts undo to be flat like a doona (though there may be a slight taper head to foot). As to where to get by then Im unsure. Most quilts are made in the states by cottage manufacturers. I know it sounds silly but check kmart. They occasionally stock roman sleeping bags and they aren't to bad for what you pay. Otherwise kathmandu but Ive bought some of their kids bags for my neices and wasnt wrapped in them.

[Bluegum Mic]

FYI
Here's a couple of pics of my quilt to demo (mind you this is a 10*F quilt so not for QLD...unless your headed out giraween way mid winter



Vs a marmot trestles kids bag

[Onestepmore]

Hi Mic - is the green quilt one of the Enligtened Equipment ones?

Ryangus - I just checked oon the website for the Protege kid's quilt - it's up to 4 feet/6 years old and is $110 for a 30 degF (approx 0 deg C) bag.
It says 1 - 3 weeks to make the quilt
Maybe worthwhile e-mailing and see if they can push a couple through? You're dealing with a small manufacturer who makes stuff from home, so who knows - they may be able to help you out. Haha especially if you give their gear a good plug!
I've had stuff from the states come in less than a week after posting, so you may get them in time for your trip.

[Bluegum Mic]

Sure is. Its the revelation X. The photos dont do the loft justice. Its monster puffy. So lovely and toasty and the quality is amazing. He does a brilliant job of the various closure systems. Very happy camper (and warm lol). It pairs beautifully with my mat and in the hammock...well its just downy bliss.

[Onestepmore]

Kathmandu has a 'pipsqueak' kids sleeping bag on sale at the moment. The online deal this week (for summit club members) has it for $29.99 (instead of originally $119, now $39.99)
The desription doesn't give a temperature range. It's synthetic.
Might be fine for Qld?

http://www.kathmandu.com.au/outlet/slee ... illow.html

[ryangus]

I contacted Enlightened Equipment, and Tim can't guarantee it will arrive in time. I like the look of their stuff, so will wait until after this trip to make an order. In the meantime, the Kathmandu Pipsqueak bags look like a suitable temporary option, that will make a good backup. Just struggling to find any proper info on them, such as warmth rating, and weather they have a full length zip (which I doubt).

[Gusto]

Snowgum used to make a good value sleeping bag. All the major department stores like Big W stock children's sleeping bags. No need to go to specialist shops if it's above 0 degrees.

Lots of sleeping bags can be fully unzipped to make a quilt. You could just use one adult sleeping bag and they could each sleep in it from different ends.

[doogs]

In the meantime, the Kathmandu Pipsqueak bags look like a suitable temporary option, that will make a good backup. Just struggling to find any proper info on them, such as warmth rating, and weather they have a full length zip (which I doubt).

Yup to the full length zip, my daughter has been in hers to about 6 degrees but I don't know what the rating is... I'll just check the label...nope nothing just the usual blah blah about special superdooper high loft fibres. I can't fault it at the price though

[ryangus]

I ended up going with the Pipsqueak for this trip. These will become backup bags after I order the Enlightened Equipment bags.

Thanks everyone for the advice.

[Onestepmore]

Glad to be of help.
Hope your little ones have a good time

[Moondog55]

The Pipsqueak at that price is a good deal, when my kids needed a winter bag I was lucky enough to already have down half bags they could use.
A trick with down bags is to turn the bottom quarter in and hold it in place with a shockcord loop, reducing the internal volume. With a set of fleeces clothes on and a very light polyester K-Mart parka my 8YO daughter was toasty warm on her first snow camping trip in her mothers EGGE half bag [ if EGGE were still in business that would be my recommendation] at minus 10C using a small Ridgerest and half sized 10mm CCF pad