Sub $250 sleeping bag

[n5750547]

Hi everyone

I am wondering if anyone has recommendations for a light sleeping bag that would be reasonably comfortable at +5c. I have linked a EPE bag rated to +3 but I am dubious as I can't find any reviews for it. I would like to keep it below 1kg and $250 which I realise might not be possible on the cost/weight scale. The other option might be employing mum to help me with a DIY quilt so if you have links to decent guides it would be much appreciated.

http://www.wildearth.com.au/buy/explore ... SCO2P05GRY

Cheers
Phil

[Alittleruff]

Good question. I umm'ed and ahh'ed over this one. But in the end, I've got- these

http://www.kathmandu.com.au/sleeping-ge ... -grey.html

My daughter & I will be hiking this weekend coming. I'll let you know how they go. And.... I got them for $209.99. Silk liners were on special at Mountain Design for $39.95 each. Hopefully that is enough to keep us snug. Very compact bags, for the price.

Such a newbie I am, that these bags may still be a fail. I'll try to post back next week.

[n5750547]

Good question. I umm'ed and ahh'ed over this one. But in the end, I've got- these

http://www.kathmandu.com.au/sleeping-ge ... -grey.html

My daughter & I will be hiking this weekend coming. I'll let you know how they go. And.... I got them for $209.99. Silk liners were on special at Mountain Design for $39.95 each. Hopefully that is enough to keep us snug. Very compact bags, for the price.

Such a newbie I am, that these bags may still be a fail. I'll try to post back next week.

I was looking at the over the weekend but at $299 I figured I'd probably not be far off buying a quilt (a guy on here was selling them starting at 330 I think). How did you manage to get them for $209?

Really would like to know how you go with this when you try it out

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[Sandbars]

Hi - I suspect that the kathmandu bag will be nice in the lowlands in the shoulder/warmer months. If you are heading out high or in Winter, probably not. But given that you are from Qld - maybe that might work for you? (given that Qld does not have a proper winter!) I have some serious quilt love going on - they are so versatile - you can wear clothes under them, you can toss them off and just cover your legs in warmer weather... if you can stump up the few extra $ and be patient enough - I would definately buy one of mike's quilts. they are amazing value. As for the EPE, I had one of these, and chopped its head off and took the heavy zips off to make it into a inner to go in our double z-packs quilt for snow.

[neilmny]

Hi everyone

The other option might be employing mum to help me with a DIY quilt so if you have links to decent guides it would be much appreciated.


Cheers
Phil

http://trailsandtracks.blogspot.com.au/ ... t.html?m=0

viewtopic.php?f=53&t=19643

[Alittleruff]

I got a discount for being friends/family The profit margins on the stuff must be massive. My poor Dh did get a fright when he saw the $499.98 tags still attached.

[Mark F]

Agree on the MYO quilt. Costing the materials from Tier Gear (reliable local supplier) - no connection other than as a satisfied customer.
5m Argon 90 @ $14.50 = $72.50 (may get away with 4m if you are short.
2m No-see-um mesh @ $5.50 = $11.00
10 bags (425g) 750 fill power down @ $14.00 = $140.00
Notions, (thread, zip etc) = $10.00
Total = $233.50

This should be good to 0 / -5 with limited clothing and around 750-800g.
The equivalent kit from the US (thru-hiker.com) is over AU$300 so great value.

[n5750547]

Agree on the MYO quilt. Costing the materials from Tier Gear (reliable local supplier) - no connection other than as a satisfied customer.
5m Argon 90 @ $14.50 = $72.50 (may get away with 4m if you are short.
2m No-see-um mesh @ $5.50 = $11.00
10 bags (425g) 750 fill power down @ $14.00 = $140.00
Notions, (thread, zip etc) = $10.00
Total = $233.50

This should be good to 0 / -5 with limited clothing and around 750-800g.
The equivalent kit from the US (thru-hiker.com) is over AU$300 so great value.

I'd definately be getting my materials from Simon should I go down the road but I don't know if I want to take the risk.

I can definately get my mum to help with the sewing but I'd hate to spend money on the premium materials and then end up getting it wrong. Having guys like Mike making $350 quilts (for the -2c) makes it even harder!

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[whitefang]

If you went the MYOG route you could do a synthetic bag/quilt. A lot more simple to sew than a down bag. I have a Terra Rosa Gear 3-season synthetic quilt (sized to fit someone 190cm) and is definitely warm enough at 5*C for me and that comes in at 655g.

[n5750547]

If you went the MYOG route you could do a synthetic bag/quilt. A lot more simple to sew than a down bag. I have a Terra Rosa Gear 3-season synthetic quilt (sized to fit someone 190cm) and is definitely warm enough at 5*C for me and that comes in at 655g.

Yeah that would probably be a good idea. Don't need to worry about baffles or losing down. I just went on the Terra Rosa site but I couldn't find any quilts. Was it custom for you?

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[Chezza]

It will be slightly over your budget but an EE Prodigy quilt would suit and I can't recommend them highly enough for those sorts of temperatures.

http://www.enlightenedequipment.com/prodigy/

[Chezza]

I see you're in Queensland. This quilt opens right up which makes it great for warm nights.

[whitefang]

If you went the MYOG route you could do a synthetic bag/quilt. A lot more simple to sew than a down bag. I have a Terra Rosa Gear 3-season synthetic quilt (sized to fit someone 190cm) and is definitely warm enough at 5*C for me and that comes in at 655g.

Yeah that would probably be a good idea. Don't need to worry about baffles or losing down. I just went on the Terra Rosa site but I couldn't find any quilts. Was it custom for you?

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Evan has advertised them on his facebook page, but he said they will remain custom for now. They are a simple design - sewn footbox and no straps, but he sizes them quite generously to tuck underneath you. If you contact him he will be able to quote you a price, but I think he is currently away on a trip. If you can make your own though that would save some money and bring you under budget.

[Moondog55]

I think a MYOG/DIY synthetic quilt is the best way to get what you need with-in your budget if you can't find anything S/H
Consider paying the weight penalty and making the synthetic big enough to layer over a LW down bag too, that way you get coverage for the hard water season if you decide to go snow camping

[paul_gee]

We've really been digging some of the stuff rolling in from Sea to Summit at the moment. Check out their Trek TkI (Tk1). It's rated to 5°c comfort, 0°c lower limit, and -15°c extreme. The regular weighs 830g. And the tapered rectangle design - rather than your traditional mummy - means it's pretty roomy, especially nice if you toss 'n' turn in your sleep.

Snowys has it for $254.90, free postage to most of Australia.

Personally, I am looking at the Sea to Summit Micro McII (Mc2) to replace my One Planet Sac 1 (it's over 1kg and takes up a footy size space in my pack), as my 'NZ / Tassy / Winter" bag. Only 600g!

[stry]

Personally, I am looking at the Sea to Summit Micro McII (Mc2) to replace my One Planet Sac 1 (it's over 1kg and takes up a footy size space in my pack), as my 'NZ / Tassy / Winter" bag. Only 600g!

250g of down fill for Tassie and NZ in winter ?? .

Surely you jest

[whitefang]

The Sea to Summit TK1 is a decent bag which I own but I wouldn't even put it in the same category as my quilt. The quilt is lighter, cost me the same and is much more roomy and comfortable.

[GPSGuided]

End of year sale is coming and there'll bound to be bags on offer at good prices. Looking at all our sub 1kg bags, I don't think I paid any for much more than $250, if not $200. These included 800-850 and synthetic fill bags with ratings down to -5C. Seek sales and secondhand options.

[paul_gee]

Personally, I am looking at the Sea to Summit Micro McII (Mc2) to replace my One Planet Sac 1 (it's over 1kg and takes up a footy size space in my pack), as my 'NZ / Tassy / Winter" bag. Only 600g!

250g of down fill for Tassie and NZ in winter ?? .

Surely you jest

Might not have articulated well what I meant by NZ / Tassy / Winter. 3 season tramping in NZ and Tassy, and winter camping elsewhere in Australia.

[Happy Pirate]

Depends on your budget and weight requirements.
I bought a Vango Viper (750) off ebay a few years ago for $150 and it's about 1.5 kg and will get you down to about -3. It's too hot to sleep in zipped up naked above about 3 degrees.
You could try a Viper 500 for cheaper, cooler and lighter.
I've been impressed with the Vango bags for warmth/quality vs price..
I also have A Vango Venom supposedly rated at 0 degrees (extreme) which I wouldn't use below about 7 degrees. But it weighs about 750 grams...
Steve

[n5750547]

Depends on your budget and weight requirements.
I bought a Vango Viper (750) off ebay a few years ago for $150 and it's about 1.5 kg and will get you down to about -3. It's too hot to sleep in zipped up naked above about 3 degrees.
You could try a Viper 500 for cheaper, cooler and lighter.
I've been impressed with the Vango bags for warmth/quality vs price..
I also have A Vango Venom supposedly rated at 0 degrees (extreme) which I wouldn't use below about 7 degrees. But it weighs about 750 grams...
Steve

Do you have the Venom 200 or 300? I notice the 200 is about 700g and is rated for 5 degrees comfort.

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[undercling-mike]

The Venom 200 is rated to +9 for comfort and +5 for limit and I don't think it'd satisfy the original requirement of decent comfort at +5C, you'd want to go up to the 300 at least. Only having a half zip is also a problem in terms of versatility in warmer conditions.

If you're on a real budget and have the means to go MYOG I think making a synthetic quilt is a good option. The bags you have considered will all serve a purpose and work ok but if you eventually want to optimise all your gear you will probably desire to upgrade in future. A synthetic quilt, sized appropriately, could also be used to layer on top of another bag or quilt in winter and retain usefulness that way. There's also the pleasure of using something you made and the skills learnt in the process.

[n5750547]

The Venom 200 is rated to +9 for comfort and +5 for limit and I don't think it'd satisfy the original requirement of decent comfort at +5C, you'd want to go up to the 300 at least. Only having a half zip is also a problem in terms of versatility in warmer conditions.

If you're on a real budget and have the means to go MYOG I think making a synthetic quilt is a good option. The bags you have considered will all serve a purpose and work ok but if you eventually want to optimise all your gear you will probably desire to upgrade in future. A synthetic quilt, sized appropriately, could also be used to layer on top of another bag or quilt in winter and retain usefulness that way. There's also the pleasure of using something you made and the skills learnt in the process.

Luckily I live in QLD so I have plenty of time before the temperature goes back in to the single digits. Hopefully by that stage you will have a larger quilt for us taller folk or I will have learnt how to sew like a boss.

I'm really liking the STS Trek 1 or 2 which might be my go to should I fail with the MYOG or your order book is filled.

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[undercling-mike]

Getting larger and smaller sizes is a priority but still likely a few months away.

[Happy Pirate]

Depends on your budget and weight requirements.
I bought a Vango Viper (750) off ebay a few years ago for $150 and it's about 1.5 kg and will get you down to about -3. It's too hot to sleep in zipped up naked above about 3 degrees.
You could try a Viper 500 for cheaper, cooler and lighter.
I've been impressed with the Vango bags for warmth/quality vs price..
I also have A Vango Venom supposedly rated at 0 degrees (extreme) which I wouldn't use below about 7 degrees. But it weighs about 750 grams...
Steve

Do you have the Venom 200 or 300? I notice the 200 is about 700g and is rated for 5 degrees comfort.

Appaarently its a 225. Its 785g inc stuffsack and rated at -10 (extreme) but is nowhere near that for comfort.