Bushwalk Australia

Hi guys,

I've decided to splash out on a sleeping bag but I'm a bit lost. I've spent heaps of time reading up on this now but I don't think I'm any clearer on what I want...

Considering my back problems, my greatest priority is weight and size but obviously I want a decent quality sleeping bag too.

I'd say it's unlikely I'll ever do any overnight hiking in winter or camp out in snow (and if I do I could always buy a seperate sleeping bag) so the temp rating doesn't have to go too low.

I'm probably willing to pay up to $350ish but obviously would prefer to pay less.

Can anyone give me any suggestions? Surely this doesn't have to be too complicated!

Thanks
Neil

I have a mountain hardware Phantom. Rated to 0degrees and i've had it in much colder weather than that, stayed snug and warm all night. Weighs 600g.

I went through the same process earlier in the year. I ended up with a Mont-Bell Ultralight Spiral Down Hugger #3. I got this over a Western Mountaineering summerlite because I wanted a bit of extra room inside. If you want a bit more room again you can get the mont-bell super spiral version at the expense of a bit more weight (and cost). I've used this for a few nights now and am very happy with it. Haven't been down to its rated temp of -1 though. I've measured it at 605g with stuff sack.

(shhh, don't tell anyone I told you this, but in a couple of weeks one of these will set you back a tad over $400, and you'll get a a $25 gift card rebate too)
http://www.macpac.com.au/shop/en_au/gea ... s-400.html

I've got a MDs Ultra 500 (around 900g and a bit). I've had it around zero and it was comfortable, and it's rated to -7. Cheapish too, only $300 on sale. For less cold weather the 300 would be fine I reckon. For the record I'm about 189cms, and I fit in it, just.

I wouldnt call 900+ Grams ultra light, although compared to your 2kg+ thing you used to carry......

ILUVSWTAS wrote:I wouldnt call 900+ Grams ultra light, although compared to your 2kg+ thing you used to carry......

It's pretty damn light compared to 2.1kgs! Try putting on a fat suit and a pair of high heeled clogs so you're my size and then try buying a sleeping bag... many of them don't fit too well. It's a proper sleeping bag too, not some glorified liner.

Anyway, the 300 is under 800g and is well within the price range ($370 RRP - 25%), considering MDs have a sale every other day.

Just posted a reply but it seems to have disappeared...

Thanks for all the suggestions guys!

I'm thinking if I'm going to spend in the high-$300's, I might as well go another $50 or so and get the Mac Pac one. Is that special going to be on the website or in shops blacksheep?

Unless anyone can suggest an alternative that will be significantly cheaper and still well under 1kg?

Cheers
Neil

Bearing in mind these guys are too manly admit that they might get cold in their light weight bags..

I hear they just sleep inside their packs with all their thermals and down jacket on when it gets too cold..

I'm also trying to find an alternative bag in the $300 - $400 price range. My current bag takes up too much space (24cm x 35cm compressed in a waterproof stuff sack).

It weighs around 1.8kg.

I spent hours browsing through various offerings on e-bay but found it difficult to decipher the temperature ratings.

im also looking in the sub 1kg market, for around the same price, only i am looking for a quilt style (i have not had my back zipped up in a few years now...)

also, like flatfoot, space is my biggest thing. my current bag takes up about a 3rd of my pack space, and weighs about 2.5kg. i have not found an alternative that i like that is sub $550 yet... altho parity is making things look nicer...

Montbell does a 30f bag that weighs 560g for the long size (5'10"+) and is under $300.

http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.ph ... id=1121798

Drifting wrote:Montbell does a 30f bag that weighs 560g for the long size (5'10"+) and is under $300.

http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.ph ... id=1121798

This bag looks like it would be a good lightweight bag for autumn/winter/spring trips in NSW.

Does anyone have experience using a bag like this in Tasmanian conditions? I'm walking the OT in mid December but would like a bag that would be versatile enough for spring and autumn trips in Tasmania. I have a thermalite reactor liner and would also wear long thermals if it was really cold.

It's pushing it to order one via a shipping agent and have it delivered before I leave home (Sydney) ... Although if I had it delivered to family in Hobart it might be okay.

flatfoot, se if the guys at http://www.iclimb.co.nz have one. They ship fast and usually price well. I bought my M/B sleeping bag form them. No connection other than a satisfied customer.

climberman wrote:flatfoot, se if the guys at http://www.iclimb.co.nz have one. They ship fast and usually price well. I bought my M/B sleeping bag form them. No connection other than a satisfied customer.

Thanks. I'll checkout their site. Do you have any thoughts on the suitability of the bag?

flatfoot wrote:Do you have any thoughts on the suitability of the bag?

I had a 650Loft version but sold it last year to upgrade to a higher loft bag.
Those montbells are very well designed and you can wear a nice thick jacket in your sleeping bag without compromising the loft ability.

As you're going to a lighter bag, Dont forget to take that merino wool G-string of yours to help with the layering system too.
every bit extra helps. as for myself, i have a habit of going commando so i tend to go for abit of a warmer bag.

Azza wrote:Bearing in mind these guys are too manly admit that they might get cold in their light weight bags..

I hear they just sleep inside their packs with all their thermals and down jacket on when it gets too cold..

LOL, that was Jez... Ultra 500 is quite warm, with just using a silk liner, and wearing boxers, thank you. I reckon I'd be right down to -3, -5 at a pinch. Any less and it'd be uncomfortable.

ollster wrote:

Azza wrote:Bearing in mind these guys are too manly admit that they might get cold in their light weight bags..

I hear they just sleep inside their packs with all their thermals and down jacket on when it gets too cold..

LOL, that was Jez... Ultra 500 is quite warm, with just using a silk liner, and wearing boxers, thank you. I reckon I'd be right down to -3, -5 at a pinch. Any less and it'd be uncomfortable.

I must have a look at this thing Jez used.... we had around -6 on the travellers and I was warm in my new bag. Thermalite reactor helped though im sure.

I can't find the Mont Bell Spiral Down Hugger #3 for under $360... The Mac Pac bag is still looking good I think.

http://www.moontrail.com/mont-bell-ul-s ... -3-reg.php
US $249 with 37bonus points

Thanks Lizzy. I meant in Australia though... Don't you have to use freight forwarders and all that jazz if you order something like this from the US? Also presents a problem if you have a warranty issue. Has anyone else here done it?

manofunreal wrote:I can't find the Mont Bell Spiral Down Hugger #3 for under $360... The Mac Pac bag is still looking good I think.

Make sure to get the Ultralight one. The MB model numbers can be pretty confusing. Moontrail is where I bought it from (from Lizzy's advice). Yes warranty may be an issue, you'll probably have to send it back OS. But getting it here isn't a problem. You only really need freight forwarders if the seller won't ship overseas (moontrail does and calculates shipping automatically), or if the brand is on the restricted export list (and the seller follows this).

manofunreal wrote:Thanks Lizzy. I meant in Australia though... Don't you have to use freight forwarders and all that jazz if you order something like this from the US? Also presents a problem if you have a warranty issue. Has anyone else here done it?

I've bought lots of gear from OS through either e-bay, shipping agents or direct from the original store. If you are gearing up with quality gear then the cost savings factored over a number of purchases mean that you can bear the cost of sending the odd item back to the supplier (or cutting your losses and buying a replacement). Most gear would only have a 12 month warranty anyway. With my purchases this year, I've easily saved over $1000 on local pricing. I typically save at least 20% (and often more) by purchasing from overseas.

Alright I think I'm gonna do it... Thanks so much for the help everyone!

If you are happy to shop overseas (which I would fully recommend) it might be worth checking out Marmot bags on campsaver.com.

They are on special at the moment and some that might suit your needs (I.e. the Arroyo 30 or Hydrogen 30 or Helium 15) can all be had for under $300 + postage.

I have a Marmot Bag (the Arroyo) and am very happy with it.

Make sure you compare EN13537 ratings (or fill weights combined with loft ratings) to get an good idea of which bags are warmer than others.

Already ordered the Mont Bell Spiral Down Hugger #3... Thanks anyway!

manofunreal wrote:Already ordered the Mont Bell Spiral Down Hugger #3... Thanks anyway!

I placed my order via moontrail. They gave an estimate of between 5 and 30 days via USPS Express Mail. If it takes longer than 26 days, I'll be walking the OT with my old sleeping bag. I expect to see it in 2 weeks although ... then again the silly season is approaching

Total price including shipping USD $315.69

(I ordered the larger size)

I read the Montbell spiral uses 10oz of 800 loft- that is about 285gm.(that's 25% less down than our express 400)
nice warm weather bag, but pack warm socks and a beanie for tassie use!

Thats simply not true Balcksheep. I use a Mountain Hardware Phantom 45, which is a very similar bag. It's rated to a comfortable 0, weighs a whopping 550grams, and I have had it in very cold conditions, well under 0 degrees and have not needed socks or a beannie at all.

ILUVSWTAS wrote:Thats simply not true Balcksheep. I use a Mountain Hardware Phantom 45, which is a very similar bag. It's rated to a comfortable 0, weighs a whopping 550grams, and I have had it in very cold conditions, well under 0 degrees and have not needed socks or a beannie at all.

285gms of down is eff all... you'll be lucky to get away with that amount long term once a bit of down falls out and the loft packs down a bit.