new sleeping bag for newbie

[fishingadventure]

Hey Everyone,

First real post here so go easy. haha.
I'm just getting started in the bushwalking/hiking scene so at present I am at the stage of getting the required gear.. I am in the market for a sleeping bag. I will be using it mainly in Victoria around the Otway's in spring/summer/autumn and in Tassie in December.
I know this is a pretty ambiguous topic and one I have read a lot about on this forum and other websites. I am looking at two bags in particular. The One Planet Bungle either -7 or -10 and the S2S Latitude LtII. Has anyone had experience with either bag? What would peoples recommendations be?

Thanks in advance

Scott

[johnrs]

Hi Scott
Both premium manufacturers!
Probably don't need a -10 bag unless you sleep real cold
or plan winter use.
John

[fishingadventure]

Thanks John,

Yeah i might venture into winter use maybe in the future.. would a -10 bag be too warm in the summer/spring time do you think?

Regards

Scott

[oldpiscator]

-10 would be too warm for me in those locations and time of the year.

[north-north-west]

There's no one bag that will cover every season and every location. What you need to look at is the entire sleeping system - bag, mat, clothing. A less warm bag (or quilt) can be used in colder conditions with the right extras (thermals, down jacket, down booties or very warm woollen socks, etc). Plus, as has been said, it does depend to some extent on your metabolism. Some of us sleep cold. *shiver*

Both One Planet and S2S make good bags, but a -10 bag would be too much for a lot of people outside of winter except during cold snaps.

[fishingadventure]

hey thanks everyone for there replies... i sleep fairly warm i think so maybe the -10 will be too warm.. I know it would be ideal to have two bags for different conditions and time of the year but i don't really have the cash for that.. so saying that whats a good temp rating for an alrouder?

Thanks in advance

[Mark F]

For the shoulder season/tassie summer I feel a 0 to -5 bag is ideal for the areas you describe. For more flexibility ensure it has full zip allowing it to open out like a quilt. It may also be worth considering a quilt if you are happy with the concept - many threads here and elsewhere on quilts vs bags. - often cheaper, lighter and more flexible but do require a good sleeping pad - but so does a sleeping bag.

[findbuddha]

If you wanted the one warmer bag both for all seasons you could try to find one that has 'continuous baffles'. This allows you to shake some down to the underneath of the bag, where it will get compressed by your body and therefore not insulate you. Both of the bags you listed have full length zips which is good for versatility, but the OP baffles run vertically and the S2S baffles have a side partition deliberately included according to this review: http://www.paddypallin.com.au/blog/revi ... eping-bag/

And don't skimp on a sleeping pad

[Moondog55]

There are a lot of techniques for boosting a bags rating, and for sleeping cooler if need be, because EN ratings are taken assuming the use of long underwear socks and a warm hat. Whatever tho, buy the very best quality you can afford.
If you plan to boost the rating by wearing clothing inside make sure the bag you buy has enough room to do so.
If you buy a slim fitting LW bag you an use an UL quilt over the top
Of the two bags you mention I would probably suggest the Bungle-7 with the 800FP down option and try and get a really LW bag for the middle of summer as well.
I admit to a prejudice against too much zip

[fishingadventure]

im learning towards the bungle -4 now seeing how OP allow you to boost the down later for a small fee. Need to also look into the sleeping pads. So much to look at! ha. Has anyone got a bungle that could comment on the how much room you actually have inside?

thanks heaps for the replies it is helping a lot.

[Moondog55]

Just ask them for A the internal dimension then get yourself measured over your arms with them folded over your chest B, take B from A to give a rough idea of how tight or otherwise they are

[yyhazy]

If you are heading to Tassie or planning for winter use I would recommend a -10 bag. Even in December the temperature in Tassie can dip to very low. I was hit by a blizzard myself last December while walking in the central plateau. I would't worry about if being too hot: you can always unzip it a bit or put your feet outside to get cool.

[jdeks]

Too warm = uncomfortable. Shrug it off a bit or squish some down to the sides. Bothersome but manageable

Too cold = dead. All your mates nick your stuff and you miss Game of Thrones. Total bummer.

I've got a -7 C quilt and it does me basically anywhere and everywhere. Had it for about 4 years now, I'll use it until its dead, if that ever happens. Something around that -10 C area will do you basically anywhere in Aus. -5 C isnt far off but there's more than a few places you'll find it wanting in winter.

On that note - forget the sleeping bag entirely. Get a quilt. Warmer in winter, cooler in summer, lightetr and often cheaper. Theres a bloke on this that makes some real beauties, undercling mike. hit him up.

[GPSGuided]

Even a 0 degree bag would do for 3 seasons use. Such a bag would again be lighter and take up less volume. For colder evenings, just wear a bit more clothing. I have a 7 deg bag for summer and warmer days, and a 0 bag for colder days.

[fishingadventure]

wow gotta say i thort i was close to a decision now i feel i am miles away! haha.. thanks for the info tho i do appreciate everyones feedback.. going to melb on the weekend and am going to check out the OP store and Paddy's so hopefully i can make a decision after all that.

Cheers

scott

[fishingadventure]

Hey everyone.. so i ended up getting the S2S LT2.. received it in the mail on Friday and after having the weekend to play with it i gotta say I'm am really impressed with it.. Obviously haven't used it outside yet so i will do a real review when the time comes..
Whats everyones thoughts on sleeping bag liners? and should i be using one with my new bag?

Scott

[RonK]

Yes. Get a silk liner. It will keep the inside of your bag clean and add a little warmth.

[GPSGuided]

Maybe my silk liner off eBay is cheap and heavy, I ended up never bothering with it. Just had clean camp/sleep cloth that I change into every night. The extra weight to me was optional.

[Moondog55]

I tried using them but gave up They are more trouble than the extra weight is worth in my experience