A question on sleeping bags...

[I Am The Ant]

As a beginner trekker, I've been doing a lot of reading on which sleeping bag to purchase for Tasmanian conditions, but after much deliberation, I'm still non the wiser as to which one I should get.

The whole down vs. synthetic debate has left me more than a little confused as well. I get that synth's are a heck of a lot cheaper, but are also heavier and probably don't keep you as warm as a down bag. Like everyone else, I'd like a bag that's going to keep me warm (the plan is to do the Overland Track for the first time in summertime, but I've been warned to expect any season, so I want to be prepared for anything the weather throws at me), but at the same time, one that's not going to break the piggy bank too much.

I guess what I want to know is other people's experiences with different bags on the track. Sort of a nudge in the right direction for me, so to speak. My fear is spending a whole heap of money on a bag because a store clerk has told me it'll do the job, and then find out once I'm there that it's not worth what I spent, and doesn't do what I want it to do.

Any tips and opinions are most welcome (please, please!)

Ant..

[Son of a Beach]

Synthetics are, as you said, generally not as warm or as light as down. However, they also take up a lot more room in your pack - ie, they usually don't compress as well as down.

I would never consider a synthetic bag for bushwalking because they are so inferior on all these 3 points.

For the Overland Track in summer, I'd want to have a sleeping bag that's suited to at least -2°C, and if doing the Overland Track in winter, I'd want something that would be OK down to at least -7°C.

You should also consider what other uses you may have for a sleeping bag after you've done the OT. You might find yourself hooked and getting into all sorts of bushwalking in the following years. A -10°C bag will be good enough for just about anything in Tasmania at any time of year (but depending on how warm you sleep, and how you use the bag, it may be too hot in summer on the OT).

I have my brand preferences, but probably just because it's what I know and have come to trust. I'm sure that bags from any of the major brands will be fine.

Note that there's a good explanation of the European standard for sleeping bag warmth, and what the 3 temperature values for each bag mean here. Note however, that not all manufacturers use the same standard.

I hope this is enough to get you thinking. What other information are you after?

[I Am The Ant]

Thanks for that. I hadn't thought about the size issue before, to be honest, so I'm glad you mentioned that.

I'll definitely be getting a down bag... my bank balance will just have to put up with it for a while.

Assuming I enjoy doing the OT as much as I think I will (I've done quite a few shorter day walks and really enjoyed them, which is why I've decided to take it a step further), there will def. be more treks on the horizon in the future.

A few people have told me that it's best to have two sleeping bags - one for the summer, and another for the winter, because as you mentioned, it can get quite hot using a cold weather bag in the summer months. Though I am a big of a cold frog at times, so I probably wouldn't suffer as much as some.

What kind of brands do you recommend personally? I've used Katmandu gear before - not sleeping bags, but other gear - and quite liked their stuff, but I have no clue on any of the others. As you can probably tell, I'm totally green when it comes to camping out and the like.

[Son of a Beach]

A few people have told me that it's best to have two sleeping bags - one for the summer, and another for the winter, because as you mentioned, it can get quite hot using a cold weather bag in the summer months.

This can be an issue, but is easily overcome with a single warm sleeping bag by leaving the zip open part or all the way. I have a very warm sleeping bag, and on most summer trips, I leave the zip fully open, and use it more like a doona (even though it's a mummy shape). Note that there are some bags (some ultra-light ones) which don't work as well this way, because the zips only open half way down the bag. My next bag (hopefully next week) will be a semi-rectangular shape. Even though they're a tad heavier, and not quite as warm (for their weight), I think it will suit me better as the mummy bags are too restrictive for a restless sleeper like me.

What kind of brands do you recommend personally? I've used Katmandu gear before - not sleeping bags, but other gear - and quite liked their stuff, but I have no clue on any of the others. As you can probably tell, I'm totally green when it comes to camping out and the like.

I've got a J&H Winterlite (J&H are now 'One Planet') which has finally got a big rip down the side after about 20 years of good use (fabric got caught in the zip and I pulled hard and the 20 year old fabric gave way - down everywhere!). My next bag (currently on order) will be a One Planet Zephyr 700 (if I like it when I try it in the shop). One Planet are not cheap, but they're good quality and are an Australian company (most of their products are either made or partially made in Australia).

I think Katmandu bags would be fine, but I'm really not familiar with them (I'm sure others here can comment on that). However, make sure you wait for one of their sales (which come along frequently), as that will bring the prices down to something realistic.

I believe that MacPac and Mountain Designs also have good bags, but I've not used them myself.

I'm sure any well-known brand would be good, so it's really just up to the features you want. Eg, does it need to be completely waterproof? rectanglular, semi-rectangular, mummy shape? 2d or 3d hood? Slot for sliding in a sleeping mat? hood slot for stuffing in pillow/jumpers/etc?

Personally I don't need any of these features and just need to choose my preferred shape, and temperature rating, and then get something that's light weight and in my price range.

[I Am The Ant]

This can be an issue, but is easily overcome with a single warm sleeping bag by leaving the zip open part or all the way. I have a very warm sleeping bag, and on most summer trips, I leave the zip fully open, and use it more like a doona (even though it's a mummy shape). Note that there are some bags (some ultra-light ones) which don't work as well this way, because the zips only open half way down the bag.

Thanks for the tip, that's a pretty handy thing to know. I'll be sure to check out how far down the zipper goes when I go in to try some on for size.

I think Katmandu bags would be fine, but I'm really not familiar with them (I'm sure others here can comment on that). However, make sure you wait for one of their sales (which come along frequently), as that will bring the prices down to something realistic.

Yeah, I learnt pretty quickly to wait for their sales. Prices otherwise are just completely ridiculous! I live about 4 hours north of the nearest store, so have to make a special trip to get the good gear. We only have a BCF in town, which is fine... if you're not worried about pack weight, warmth, etc.

I'm sure any well-known brand would be good, so it's really just up to the features you want. Eg, does it need to be completely waterproof? rectanglular, semi-rectangular, mummy shape? 2d or 3d hood? Slot for sliding in a sleeping mat? hood slot for stuffing in pillow/jumpers/etc?

Personally I don't need any of these features and just need to choose my preferred shape, and temperature rating, and then get something that's light weight and in my price range.

That's me in a nutshell. I'm not really after any particular feature, and the shape I choose will be whatever feels right once I've got the temperature I require. I'll be thrilled if I can get a good, sturdy bag that's going to keep me warm, and is afforable on my budget.

It looks like all I need to do now is to wait for a sale at one of the bigger chains and take a weekend trip to the Vegas to get me a bag.

Thanks for all your help and handy tips. It's definitely got me thinking.

Ant..

[wello]

There's a gear survey in the current issue of Wild magazine on both down and synthetic bags. Plenty of pointers there about the pros and cons (Nik has mentioned most in posts above). A couple of other things to be aware of: It's not a bad idea to get in the bag and make sure you fit, particularly if you're tall! Also, some people can't stand the mummy shape so trying it out before you buy should help you make the right choice there too.

Possibly the only advantage synthetic has over down is that it does give some warmpth while wet. Down is useless when wet and takes a long time to dry out. This may make synthetic worth considering for longish trips where you'll be in a tent and might get a bit damp. Not really a consideration on the overland though, as you've always got huts and heaters to fall back on. I just purchased a light weight bivy which I might use as a sleeping bag cover inside the tent in wet situations.

Wello

[ivantheterrible]

i have a combo bag...mostly synthetic with 200 grams of down on top of the synthetic. I washed it for the first time in 5 years yesterday and the down is still soaking wet, while the synthetic is good to go.

[Darren]

G'Day Ant
Another option could be a light down sleeping bag with a hight loft synthetic jacket pants combo. I’m using a golite feather light I got for 100 bucks 2nd hand but with tags on the net, A bmw cocoon pullover and some I/2 length, 3 oz climashield xp shorts that I’m making ( and hopefully will finish in time). This gives me some around camp warmth if desired, keep me alive warmth if everything gets soaked and toasty comfort to 0 or a tad lower when all’s good.
Scour the used gear forums both here and o/s for bargins and don’t put all you warmth eggs in one basket.
Hope that helps
Darren

[I Am The Ant]

Thanks for the pointers wello and ivan.

G'Day Ant
Another option could be a light down sleeping bag with a hight loft synthetic jacket pants combo. I’m using a golite feather light I got for 100 bucks 2nd hand but with tags on the net, A bmw cocoon pullover and some I/2 length, 3 oz climashield xp shorts that I’m making ( and hopefully will finish in time). This gives me some around camp warmth if desired, keep me alive warmth if everything gets soaked and toasty comfort to 0 or a tad lower when all’s good.
Scour the used gear forums both here and o/s for bargins and don’t put all you warmth eggs in one basket.
Hope that helps

Thank you, it does help. I've certainly got lots to think about now. Since I posted this thread I've found another mag at the local newsagent that had some handy hints about thermal sleeping mats, so that's given me yet another option of buying a bag slightly under the comfort temp, and then buying a good insulated mat to pick up the slack, so to speak.

And I like being rugged up, too - in the comfort of my actual bed, I'm much more used to throwing on an extra layer of clothing as opposed to throwing on an extra blanket.

I just booked my Easter break today - a "practice" of cooler bush conditions at Lamington, so I'll be looking at getting the remainder of my gear soon. I'm still yet to get a proper tent - laughable, I know! I do have a tent, but its pretty crappy and I wouldnt' trust it in any kind of bad weather. Right now I have my heart set on a 2nd Arrow, but I can't find anywhere close by where I can get one.

Ant..

[Gippsmick]

A few people have told me that it's best to have two sleeping bags - one for the summer, and another for the winter, because as you mentioned, it can get quite hot using a cold weather bag in the summer months.

Consider buying a sleeping bag rated to 2 or 3 season and wearing extra layers on colder trips instead of buying two bags. No use in carrying extra weight in the form of a down jacket or fleece plants if they will be shed before jumping in the bag.

[I Am The Ant]

Consider buying a sleeping bag rated to 2 or 3 season and wearing extra layers on colder trips instead of buying two bags. No use in carrying extra weight in the form of a down jacket or fleece plants if they will be shed before jumping in the bag.

Thanks for that, Gippsmick. I'm definitely considering that option.

Ant..