Sleeping bag choices

[moldyform]

Hi, Time for a new sleeping bag. Ive been looking at these few. Are they ok or could i get a better bag for similar money?

Kathmandu
http://www.kathmandu.com.au/Sleeping_Ge ... proof.html

Moutain Hardwear
http://www.backcountry.com/mountain-har ... egree-down

North Face
http://www.backcountry.com/the-north-fa ... egree-down

Big Agnes
http://www.backcountry.com/big-agnes-po ... egree-down

Your help would be great!
Cheers

[Strider]

What is your budget and where will you be using it?

[moldyform]

Budget around 500$.
Ill be mainly using it in NSW in 0 to -10 climate.

I also like this one
http://www.backcountry.com/marmot-lithi ... egree-down

It seems that Back Country charge around 250$ for postage tho which i think is a bit rich!

[wayno]

use a mail forwarding company in the states if you want to get anything shipped. their prices are reasonable

[wayno]

you realise the temperature rating for those bags on backcountry.com are in fahrenheit?? 0F is -17C
all those bags on backcountry will be good bags. I don't bother with kathmandu bags if can avoid them. they arent as good as the other brands you're looking at here...

[moldyform]

yeah realise they are in F. But im pretty sure the rating they state is the extream temp not a comfort temp so assume a -17 C bag would be good for -5 to -10.

So how does the forwarding companies work?

[Dale]

What about a Montbell Super Spiral from Moontrail with... (drumroll) 64 bonus points. EN rated to -10c. Just the kit you can get for free on the bonus points can make a big difference to your wallet.

[wayno]

you pay them a one off handling fee or a subscription, nothing extravagant and they give you a postal address in the states you can use as the shipping address of anything your order online over there, depending on the forwarding company and the service type you decide to use, they may either forward automatically or hold it till you decide how you want it shipped.
the company I use you can get stuff sent through USPS pretty cheap, i got a jacket sent for $10 and it came in a large box that would have been big enough for a sleeping bag,
you should be able to get stuff couriered for maybe A$50

[wayno]

I"d read the super spirals are prone to loosing down through their stitching..

[wayno]

check your personal messages < I don't want to mention any forwarding company names on a public forum

[wayno]

i think backcountry have a reputation for charging a lot for shipping compared to other companies
have a look on http://www.gearbuyer.com for the products you're after and that will show you a range of online companies that sell what you're looking for

[Dale]

I"d read the super spirals are prone to loosing down through their stitching..

I've owned a #5 and friends have the #1 model - so far no issue with losing down. I sold my #5 as I wanted a warmer bag, have heard good things from them re: the #1 so far.

[wayno]

I'm a big fan of exped sleeping bags
they list sellers in aus
I've got an ultralight 300 and a lite 500
ultralites are a new range, very light, but low on features, and not made for the claustrophobic, not a lot of room in them, hte opening at the neck is so narrow you have to unzip the bag to get in and out of it. but it's so light for it's warmth. top of the line down. they come with a drybag stuff sack and a mesh storage bag.
the lite bag has great warmth with most of the features you get in decent bags, roomier than the ultralite. their comfort bags are roomier again.
http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage_int.nsf

[wayno]

this link goes into the exped bag design details.

http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage_int.nsf/0/189EF52A9DC5EB92C1257857005512E4?opendocument

this details their range

http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_ho ... endocument

[wayno]

just looking at the weights of those bags you're looking at on backcountry i'd say that is the extreme rating for them, a kilo and a half is a pretty warm down bag, but also look at the loft rating, the north face bag is 650 loft, it won't pack down as small as a higher loft back, lower loft down is cheaper.

[RSD]

If you aren't too concerned about weight then check the Macpac stores or webpage - they have some decent down bags on clearance.

[nq111]

If you are prepared to take some time and long around, some amazing deals in the US from time to time. You might even pick up a new 800+ loft sub kilo -8 degree bag for less than $200 in time.

Pretty much all the major brands have a few good models, as well as the sleeping bag specialists like western mountaineering that have consistently good bags. The lower loft downs (e.g. 650, 700) will keep you just as warm - just it will take more weight and bulk to do so. Ideally aim for something EN rated for temperature and the features (e.g. narrow, roomy, full zip?) and weight you are prepared to accept.

Unfortunately the cost of doing business in Australia most local bags are heavy / lower rated fill to save cost or much more expensive than overseas.

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

Check out here.

http://www.golite.com/sleeping-bags/4-season

Huge savings with their current sale.

[nq111]

Check out here.

http://www.golite.com/sleeping-bags/4-season

Huge savings with their current sale.

That's what i am talking about!

[LTM]

Campsaver have a wide range of bags and reasonable postage. http://www.campsaver.com/

They often have discounts.

[moldyform]

Thanks for all the help!
I Think ill jsut keep my eyes peeled for a good bargain.
Thoses Eeped ones look very good!

Cheers All

[moldyform]

Ok i think ive narrowed it down to these 2. Any comments on these 2? has anyone tried them?
Wondering if one of these is much better then other quality wise?

http://www.bivouac.co.nz/exped-lite-900 ... g-bag.html

http://www.backcountry.com/marmot-lithi ... egree-down


Cheers

[wayno]

hard choice,
I love my exped 500, typical swiss design, paid attention to the details....
the marmots are also good bags with a very good rep

[nq111]

Ok i think ive narrowed it down to these 2. Any comments on these 2? has anyone tried them?
Wondering if one of these is much better then other quality wise?
Cheers

Both will likely be great - though I am not a fan of the waterproof shell on the Marmot

[RSD]

Sunny Sports have the Marmot on sale for $429.95 at the moment.

[roysta]

Western Mountaineering Ultralite (-7) or Marmot Plasma 15 (-9) are both good bags.
I have one of each.

[moldyform]

Hi i have found an exded Swan that i like. Its an older model i belive but looks to be ok.
Has any one on here had one of these?

They look to be an ok bag. just wondering if anyone knows what the comfort temperature rating is?

Cheers

[icemancometh]

how do you like the plasma, roysta?

for $500 I'd go the plasma or the wm alpinlite
as i mentioned on a diff thread, 450 gets you a plasma 15 landed for the long from backcountrygear as they are on sale...very tempted to get one but wont get here in time for my trip as only just saw it
900g 550g down 900fill

[nq111]

I have the plasma 15 (purchased about 4 wks after they were released!) and like it. Clever use of features to maximise warmth for weight - the hood is got to be the best in the business being fitted and actually usable. Down 'pillow' is the only silly feature (gimick). I like the baffle design - i would much rather the down be were it is meant to be to maximise warmth. 'Ability to move down around' in my opinion is code for 'Need to regularly move down back to where it should be'. Much rather vent with a zipper.

Cut is not super slim, nor super roomy. Enough room just for some bags with boots, clothes, inner boots whatever.

Fabric is very thin and a little care required to keep it out of the zipper - but easy enough to deal with.

[dannnnn]

would anyone mind helping me out with my own "which bag" dilemma??

bag for my g/f, who is 5'9", about 60kg and she sleeps cold. most of our walking is in queensland where minimum temps get down to around 0-3deg. budget is about $400.

i presently have a OP bungle -7 that she's very happy with - on most walks i end up borrowing a (crappy) bag from a mate and giving her my bag. i would be happy to buy another one of these but have been tempted by a STS Traverse XT2 which is presently available for a fairly good price.

has anyone had much experience with STS bags? i am torn between going with what i know vs. something that might be better?? some input would greatly help!

thanks!

- dan

ps: i hope you don't mind me hijacking your thread, but there were already several "which bag??" threads and i didn't want to create another one...