Which sleeping bag? Anyone seen Exped bags?

[andy23]

Hi
I'm researching sleeping bags presently and am amazed at the range of choice. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
It doesn't have to be the lightest out there, just warm enough as I do feel the cold (not intending to camp in snow, but as cold as the west coast of Tas may get to in the winter). Kayaking trips and some bushwalking is my intended use. Probably the hardest choice at the moment is whether or not to go for a waterproof fabric. Not sure about mummy shape vs semi rectangular, though I would like a full length zip. A women's specific model seems like a good idea too. A good insulating sleeping mat I imagine would increase the warmth?

At present the most appealing ones I've found are the Exped sleeping bags on sale on a NZ site (great prices), but can't find much about them in terms of reviews etc (are they new?) I've found reviews on their down mats (which look great and have glowing reviews). Another bag I've seen locally which looks great is the Mont Aurora (XT fabric or not). I've had a browse through some of the other sleeping bag topics in the forum, which has been helpful, but I'm wondering if anyone has heard of or tried the Exped bags.
Thanks very much
Andrea

[pazzar]

I use a Mont Zodiac, while its not the cheapest of bags, it will keep you warm for where you want to take it. It is handy to buy a silk liner as well, though it may be thin, it will add a little extra warmth to the bag, as well as keep it clean. I've always bought Mont bags and I haven't had a bad one yet. As for waterproof fabric, I personally haven't considered them due to price.

It might pay to ask someone at the local camping shops to see if they know anything about the Exped range, and whether they can get them in for you.

[randal]

Andy23, you can find a wealth of information specific to this subject on Roger Caffin's site - "the Australian bushwalking FAQ". Sleeping bags are a very personalised item, what works for me will not work for my wife and so on. Detailed info can be found on this and other sites, ie, waterproof shell vs breathabilty, weight etc., the rest will be a compromise (maybe) between quality and cost.
Hope this helps.
Randal.

[brissifirey]

I have the Exped Down Mat 7 with the exped Exped Ibis WB sleeping bag and a Sea to Summit Thermolite Reactor Liner combo, used in NZ in winter down to around -10c with no problems what so ever.
I must say the down mat did allow for a lot lighter sleeping bag imo as the bag is normally rated at - 5c, all purchased from Bivouac in the NZ on sale.

As far as the outer fabric goes it is very good for the old condensation dripping on you in the morning.

[andy23]

Thanks for all your help.
I've ordered a downmat from Bivouac NZ, and have almost decided on a sleeping bag, the Exped woodpecker WB. For warmer weather I'll still use my older Kathmandu bag.
Cheers
Andrea

[Nuts]

Dont mean to make your choice any more difficult...

In practice, if you are a cold sleeper the downmat will help but you should probably only expect a 20* F bag to keep you warm not too far into the minuses.
The Woodpecker looks like a nice bag but that 750 fill is nothing too special. At $280us you will find that other companies (eg Marmot (no affiliation but we do use them)) offer a 15* bag, ultralight with 800+ fill for similar (or less from some sources)...
Also, If as you mention, it is a dedicated cold weather bag then perhaps a full length zip isnt so necessary? IMO Waterproof (none of them are anyhow (stitchlines arent sealed)) is not worth the extra expense. Most are water resistant and you can make them almost 'proof' with Nikwax products....
Just a few thoughts to perhaps help.

PS If you intend to use the downmat a lot check that you have a good warranty.... An exped mat cover will help!

[Bivouac Gary]

Hi

Just to answer a couple of those questions. I have avoided comment before now as I do have an affiliation bivouac and so my views on the quailty of Exped bags are somewhat biased.

Think you will find a lot of information on the forums here and elsewhere regarding the measurement and accuracy of loft (different lab standards and prep., average Vs minimum measurements etc) so would not get too hung up on the number too much and would only say Exped have very nice down. I sell and have used Marmot bags and would say they have some of the best down out there but short of ripping both to pieces I would not put too much money on an individual bag of either having noticeably better loft on the day. There is a lot of natural variability even with the world's best sorting and mixing. Normally tell customer to eyeball bags for loft and height means warmth rather than depend on specs too much specs but that is the disadvantage of the internet. One thing with the marmot U/L bags is they have a very nice fine shell that allows loft to be maximised and weight reduced (but downside is a little more air transfer than the heavier Water resistant fabric so less heat retention BUT therefore better breathability and so it goes on).

The Exped WB series are actually sealed along the baffle lines with an big zip cover so are as effectively water proof as a bag gets without a bivy bag but would not myself call them completely waterproof - just more damp proof than anything I have used for drippy snow caves/tents, fly camping or morning dew outside. If used in those drippy conditions a WB bag will be far more effective than a DWR treated bag and will add a few degrees in warmth do to more restriction of air passing through the fabric (this does not show up so much in EU rating as the test dummy does not move a lot to stimulate air flow through the bag).

Fulll length zip is a personal thing and comes down to versatility and temp range extension versus weight - which is most impotant and how many bags in the gear closet to choose from for specifc trips.

Warranty on downmats is something that will be honoured and with most past issues of hydolysis of the inner laminate solved (well seems good so far with a new base laminate) hopefully will not be needed.

Hope that helps rather than confuses - have about 8 of each zip WB bags left and when they have gone the new range will be at full price.

[Nuts]

Some good points there Garry!

Sealed stitchlines are probably a good idea (probably closer to being water resistant anyhow).
Swapped over the other Exped matts but have now found what could be another issue to discuss with Exped....

As much as it may not help (Garry) I feel it is appropriate (Marmot/Exped being international brands and Bivouac being a NZ business) to mention that all this gear is available from Many places online.
On sale perhaps even cheaper. That said, Bivouac do at least seem competitive and its good to see input into the forum here