Choosing a Sleeping Bag ?

[CasualNerd]

I'm looking for a light sleeping bag, as I already have a very heavy winter bag that's too warm even in winter. I'm also upgrading to an insulated mat, so I figure I can get away with a zero degree comfort rated bag in Tassie for most of the year, saving the heavy bag for snow.

Currently the Sea to Summit Trek2 is on sale for $300, which is 1Kg, -1 comfort rated, and opens as a quilt. This seems like a good all round choice, versatile and cheap too.

Is there any similar bags, that might save me some money / weight ? Would anyone suggest a colder rated bag for Tasmania, or even a warmer bag ?

[onward]

Good luck with the research…probably the most perennial question on here (or which tent?)!
No expert, but very happy with my One Planet Bushlight -7C at 960gm…too warm at 0C, but does open as a quilt. Also recently bought an Enlightened Equipment -7C quilt at 600gms but have yet to test it at less than 7C (my first quilt so I did get longer and wider so I could wrap around and pull it over my head…a good decision…don’t know yet), both were bought for 3-season Tassie and Victorian Alps. I do sleep warm. Would have ordered one of undercling-Mike’s quilts if they had of happened earlier!
http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=21674

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

Definitely look at undercling-mike's quilts.

Australian made, supporting a fellow forum member, look absolutely top notch. I can imagine his business exploding if the AUD continues to tank.

[wayno]

have a search on the forum, topic has been discussed in threads before.

[Nuts]

I'd like to try one of Mike's quilts at some stage.
Meanwhile, as far as bags go, these are at a tempting price: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/kelty-cosm ... eping-bags ($180-90 au)

[CasualNerd]

have a search on the forum, topic has been discussed in threads before.

I've read through a few dozen threads from the past year. Plenty to think about but hoping for some more opinions and advice, especially about my particular choice. I know this comes up a lot...

Edit: Not ready to try a quilt yet, I understand the idea I just don't think it will be as comfortable as I do move around a lot as I sleep.

[Moondog55]

You haven't told us which sleeping bag you currently own, that would help us help you
As discussed and stated often there is no one does everything bag but in winter above the snowline better too warm than not warm enough

[CasualNerd]

You haven't told us which sleeping bag you currently own, that would help us help you
As discussed and stated often there is no one does everything bag but in winter above the snowline better too warm than not warm enough

I currently have a very old (90's ?) Kathmandu goosedown bag, it was waay too hot this winter at Pelion hut in the snow, I imagine it got below zero inside ? Anyway it's 2.4 kilos and only good for very very cold nights. I'll use it again if I ever need it for winter, but I imagine a much lighter model could do 3 seasons quite comfortably and safely.

[Moondog55]

OK so half the weight as a maximum and preferably lower
Easy as if you have the money for a new down bag. unfortunately I have no experience with the Trek 2 , it looks like a decent middle of the range bag more suited to traveling than bushwalking tho and while it is $400- you may do better by spending a bit more money and really saving some weight and bulk in the pack
It really depends on how important to you the flexibility of being able to open into a full doona rather than minimising the weight is
If you wanted to stay with a winter weight of 2.4 kilos you could get something that would cover you for almost any conditions on the planet except perhaps Antarctica
So much depends on your budget and how willing you are to trade dollars for grams saved
I'd be reasonably happy with the combination of a Spark 1 or 2 and a Traveller combination for instance to cover most of the year

On sale ATM
BPL in Melbourne is this one too

http://www.backpackinglight.com.au/stor ... g/dp/11504

OR go the duvet and half bag route with a synthetic shorty inside that Traveller

http://www.backpackinglight.com.au/stor ... g/dp/13060

[CasualNerd]

....Trek 2 , it looks like a decent middle of the range bag more suited to traveling than bushwalking tho and while it is $400- you may do better by spending a bit more money and really saving some weight and bulk in the pack...

Only really looking because it's on sale for $300. like you say it's a good middle of the road.

At this point I'm not keen on 'sleeping systems' or quilts, I think a half decent down bag is as technical as it needs to be for me. How accurate can you expect the rating to be for the Terra Nova ? It has 350 gms fill @ 600 loft, compared to the s2s 500gms @ 650 loft, yet only a degree difference ?

If money was no object I'd spend $500 for the smallest bag possible, but from what I've found so far the difference is about 200gm pack weight.

[wayno]

depends on a bags shape and construction as to how warm one will be compared to another and athe weight of the fabric affects the weight of the bag as much as the down weight, some bags are very tight mummy bags, little spare air in the bag, but not much room to move around in and thats not for everyone.
also what sort of baffles they have if any and how the baffles are constructed, proper baffles add extra weight in materials.. some backs have narrower baffles meaning the bag loft is thinner where the baffle is or it may even be stitch through which gives a cold spot
warmer bags have slanted offset baffles, as the warmer sea to summit bags do, to allow overlap of loft from neighbouring compartments to ensure better down coverage and reduce cold spots because down isnt always evenly spread around, slanted baffles use more material again.... a decent bag will have decent loft on the sides as well by cutting the compartments so the inner is on a shorter radius to the outer, and they'll have a decent draft stop baffle and it may have a neck baffle as well. warmer construction adds weight. if you cant sleep without starfishing at night then you dont want a tightly made mummy bag.

Last edited by wayno on Sun 06 Dec, 2015 4:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Moondog55]

I'd say it was an optimistic rating for a fit male wearing heavy winter underwear rather than a conservative rating for a tired walker wearing LW long johns But that is an opinion and not a technical appraisal as we don't know the insulation thickness which is all that really counts
I do I admit push the whole sleeping system a bit because that's what I have found works for me

[CasualNerd]

Thanks for the input guys, went ahead and ordered myself the trek 2 and comfort light insulated mat.

Going to have to find better job so i can get ultralight everything next.

[stry]

I'd say it was an optimistic rating for a fit male wearing heavy winter underwear rather than a conservative rating for a tired walker wearing LW long johns But that is an opinion and not a technical appraisal as we don't know the insulation thickness which is all that really counts
I do I admit push the whole sleeping system a bit because that's what I have found works for me

If we are referring to the bag with 350 grams of 600 loft down, I agree. You may even be a little generous in your comments.

Oops - just noticed you bought the Trek 11. Much better choice, and also good value. Some supplementation may still be needed on cold nights, and some experimenting will soon let you work that one out.

[neilmny]

..with the Trek 2 , it looks like a decent middle of the range bag more suited to traveling than bushwalking tho...........

What do you base this on MD?
We own Trek 3's and couldn't be happier with them bushwalking........I don't know how they would go snow camping though..........perhaps our DIY quilts as liners would do that trick.

[Moondog55]

..with the Trek 2 , it looks like a decent middle of the range bag more suited to traveling than bushwalking tho...........

What do you base this on MD?
We own Trek 3's and couldn't be happier with them bushwalking........I don't know how they would go snow camping though..........perhaps our DIY quilts as liners would do that trick.

A mummy bag is warmer for carried weight due to the shape and all that zipper adds to the weight too but a bag that can open into a quilt makes huts/hostels/and I assume Tea-houses more comfortable
Also it is 650 fill power down so not as warm for carried weight as something with 850-900 fill power down
When carrying on my back I do try and maximise my warmth Vs weight as much as I can even tho I'm far from an ultra-lighter
Quilt over the top would work better than as a liner to get you warmer for snow

[Tai]

Anyone care to advise which is a better choice ( with UL a priority, but dont want to freeze either ):

Sea to Summit travers 1 - 1000g goose down
Sea to Summit Trek TK 1 - 830g duck down
Sea to Summit Trek TKII - 1045g duck down

Tai

[whitefang]

Anyone care to advise which is a better choice ( with UL a priority, but dont want to freeze either ):

Sea to Summit travers 1 - 1000g goose down
Sea to Summit Trek TK 1 - 830g duck down
Sea to Summit Trek TKII - 1045g duck down

Tai

Depends on the conditions you expect to face. The Trek 1 and Trek 2 are constructed the same, but the Trek 2 has more fill and is warmer. The traverse is similar specs to the trek 2.

I own a Trek 1 and it has been perfect for South Australian conditions (for me). Either of the Trek bags will serve you well. I'm not familiar with the traverse though.

[Strider]

Anyone care to advise which is a better choice ( with UL a priority, but dont want to freeze either ):

Sea to Summit travers 1 - 1000g goose down
Sea to Summit Trek TK 1 - 830g duck down
Sea to Summit Trek TKII - 1045g duck down

Tai

If UL is really a priority, consider a quilt.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[Moondog55]

There was a rule of thumb saying back when I started walking
One pound of down for summer
Two pounds for winter and 3 pounds for Everest
not true even then but it gives you an idea
Fill weight of course and in those days with cotton japara shells a winter sleeping bag was a strain on the back as well as a serious drain on the bank balance

[PedroArvy]

If money is no object, as it should be in the case of bushwalking gear, I'd buy a Western Mountaineering Summerlite
540 grams of ultralite beauty.

[paul_gee]

Anyone care to advise which is a better choice ( with UL a priority, but dont want to freeze either ):

Sea to Summit travers 1 - 1000g goose down
Sea to Summit Trek TK 1 - 830g duck down
Sea to Summit Trek TKII - 1045g duck down

Tai

If you're considering the Traverse and Trek, throw the Sea to Summit Talus into the equation too. Here's a wee comparison:



Range can be found here: http://camping.snowys.com.au/search?w=s ... ping%20bag

[Tintin]

I am looking to shave weight out of my hiking set up as I am doing a 2-3 day hike where water availability is unreliable so I will be taking all of it (8-10L...heavy!). I am thinking, is it known for people to skip the sleeping bag and just use a liner? I would save 1.3kg this way, and I would have my bivvy tent, insulated pad, jacket, thermals and liner for warmth? What are peoples thoughts?

[Moondog55]

A few of us use a LW half bag plus a warm jacket but liners are not warm at all in my experience
It can get cold at night and a good rest is important
Remember that the pack gets kilos lighter every day as you go through the consumables

[jjoz58]

I just replied to moondog on the marketplace forum about a trek 2 I have for sale. viewtopic.php?f=13&t=22064 I will put it up properly for sale if he's not interested. I'm also negotiable on price, rather have it being used than sitting in the cupboard.