Sea to summit Spark SP3
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TIP: The online Bushwalk Inventory System can help bushwalkers with a variety of bushwalk planning tasks, including: Manage which items they take bushwalking so that they do not forget anything they might need, plan meals for their walks, and automatically compile food/fuel shopping lists (lists of consumables) required to make and cook the meals for each walk. It is particularly useful for planning for groups who share food or other items, but is also useful for individual walkers.
TIP: The online Bushwalk Inventory System can help bushwalkers with a variety of bushwalk planning tasks, including: Manage which items they take bushwalking so that they do not forget anything they might need, plan meals for their walks, and automatically compile food/fuel shopping lists (lists of consumables) required to make and cook the meals for each walk. It is particularly useful for planning for groups who share food or other items, but is also useful for individual walkers.
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Sea to summit Spark SP3
by Bart458 » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 4:40 pm
Just wondering if anyone has the Sea to summit Spark SP3 & have they used it in winter &/or the snow? It has 14oz of850 loft goose down.
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Re: Sea to summit Spark SP3
by paul_gee » Mon 04 Apr, 2016 8:45 am
It's one of those question, Bart. My short answer is "No", but if things are just right, it could be upgraded to "Maybe".
Firstly, winter and snow camping can be two very different things. Temperature wise, camping in the outback can be as cold as camping in a tent on the snow. And winter in certain parts of Australia can be very mild.
So I am going to assume your question is, is this bag suitable for cold conditions? Is that a fair assumption?
Is the Spark SP3 designed for this sort of camping? Not really. It's the sort of bag a lightweightist would take with them on The Overlander or to the backcounrty of New Zealand in spring and autumn.
Could you use it for cold weather camping? Of course, but to a point. It depends on whether you're a warm or cold sleeper. Whether you are comfortable putting on more clothes when the temperature drops - thermals, socks, beanie, gloves, perhaps a thermos of hot water under your feet... And it depends on your sleeping mat. It depends on whether you've got a liner too. That said, once you start considering these things you begin to question why you went the Spark in the first place, for a sleeping mat with a high R Value, a liner, extra clothing all takes up space and adds weight to the pack.
Tell us more about why you are looking at the SP3 in particular?
Cheers, Paul
Firstly, winter and snow camping can be two very different things. Temperature wise, camping in the outback can be as cold as camping in a tent on the snow. And winter in certain parts of Australia can be very mild.
So I am going to assume your question is, is this bag suitable for cold conditions? Is that a fair assumption?
Is the Spark SP3 designed for this sort of camping? Not really. It's the sort of bag a lightweightist would take with them on The Overlander or to the backcounrty of New Zealand in spring and autumn.
Could you use it for cold weather camping? Of course, but to a point. It depends on whether you're a warm or cold sleeper. Whether you are comfortable putting on more clothes when the temperature drops - thermals, socks, beanie, gloves, perhaps a thermos of hot water under your feet... And it depends on your sleeping mat. It depends on whether you've got a liner too. That said, once you start considering these things you begin to question why you went the Spark in the first place, for a sleeping mat with a high R Value, a liner, extra clothing all takes up space and adds weight to the pack.
Tell us more about why you are looking at the SP3 in particular?
Cheers, Paul
Crazy keen tramper / trekker / hiker. Former South Australian. Now, exploring the tracks around Melbourne and Victoria.
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paul_gee - Athrotaxis cupressoides
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Re: Sea to summit Spark SP3
by Bart458 » Mon 04 Apr, 2016 5:01 pm
Hi Paul
Thanks for your reply. I have the Big Agnes Bellyache Mountain-8 bag but was considering the SP3 as a UL alternative. Just wasn't sure if the spark would be up to the task which you have categorically answered for me. The BA is reasonably compact in its own right but much warmer so I'll keep that & look at other areas to cut weight. Thanks again
Brett
Thanks for your reply. I have the Big Agnes Bellyache Mountain-8 bag but was considering the SP3 as a UL alternative. Just wasn't sure if the spark would be up to the task which you have categorically answered for me. The BA is reasonably compact in its own right but much warmer so I'll keep that & look at other areas to cut weight. Thanks again
Brett
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Re: Sea to summit Spark SP3
by paul_gee » Mon 04 Apr, 2016 5:03 pm
Glad I could be of some assistance, Bart. 
Crazy keen tramper / trekker / hiker. Former South Australian. Now, exploring the tracks around Melbourne and Victoria.
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paul_gee - Athrotaxis cupressoides
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