Bushwalk Australia

Does anyone have any experience with werable down bags or using down pants & top instead of a bag for warmth?
I find a mummy bag a bit too restrictive sometimes and was wondering how this might go with a lightweight quilt instead.
I'm guessing they'd be colder and heavier than a bag?

https://www.selkbagusa.com/collections/original6g
https://www.marmotshop.co.uk/shop/men/jackets-vests/insulated-down/8000m-suit/

More surface area means more heat loss, so depends on what you’re doing.

I’d be happy to do the down jacket and pants to about 12c, based on my recent NZ trip temps, but I do like snuggling under a quilt. I upgrade my quilt by wearing down jacket and pants under it for snow camping.

A

Selk are definitely not for bushwalking if my heft in the shop is any indication. Stiff and heavy
One of those 8k- suits is massively overkill even in the snow, they are comfortable at -30 to -40C when active
Although long being a fan of sleeping in my warm clothing adding a light quilt or blanket makes sleeping a lot more comfortable. If down pants are worn you also need down or synthetic booties and warm to very warm mittens. Basically what Andrew says above.
Does mean a lighter quilt

Gimmick.

Cheers
Roger

Funny how each of the different colour offerings of the Selk version had 52 reviews!

I balance primary use/weight AND secondary use. If an item can’t be used for something else, it doesn’t get packed.

Those two items are both around 1.7 kg.
My guess is that at least the Marmot type will be too warm at camp at above -5c * or so and that the other one at least will be rather bulky in the backpack.
Large volume can result in a bigger/heavier backpack.
I would suggest you look at a light down pants/jacket combo (like the Western Mountaineering Flash or Mont Bell equivalent ) at 500-700g for both and a quilt rated at around 0c.
That (with a merino or synthetic underlayer) will keep you warm to at least -7c for a total weight of less than 1.5 kg.
To add...
I know it was meant as an example but that particular Marmot bag is designed for temps of -20c and below., it also happens to be about $2000 AUD at the moment.
Pretty much all those down suits are in the same ballpark.

Yeah the Selke was just an example.
If not that then what about quilts? How do they fare compared to bags? Anything to lookout for?

Cheers, Steve

Pants with an inch of insulation [ 25mm] used to be quoted as the maximum thickness for wearing comfort although modern high fill power down has probably increased that a good deal. An insulation thickness on the legs in two tubes doesn't trap quite as big a bubble of warm air as a sleeping bag due to the surface area factor mentioned above by AndrewA but cover that 25mm of insulation with a bivvy bag and it's reasonable warm to around 5C in my experience when younger.
Add another 25mm with a quilt and you are obviously going to be warmer but with the added comfort of that snuggle factor; Franco is on the money. 25mm of insulation is around the 90 GSM/100GSM weight depending on the brand of synthetic with down being lighter naturally

Happy Pirate wrote:Yeah the Selke was just an example.
If not that then what about quilts? How do they fare compared to bags? Anything to lookout for?

Cheers, Steve

Quite a lot of difference in quilts, depending on whether you want to maximise warmth or versatility. A sewn footbox is warmer in cool to cold weather but less versatile when the temperatures increase.
Personally I can't get warm in a quilt when it is below about 10C but I don't have a problem using an overquilt in very cold weather, better IMO to have a bigger quilt rather than a smaller one, there isn't much of a weight penalty going larger and real comfort penalty going smaller.

Quilts are wonderful! Down pants and jacket, and a MYO quilt @700g, with probs 500g 700 loft fill, on an Exped 7cm down mat, and I’m happy and comfy snow camping through winter in Vicco.

A

look at the Aldi special buys , this Sat
https://www.aldi.com.au/en/special-buys ... -onezee-6/
I had to delete the photo I posted from the catalogue because of some details.

Perhaps the best compromise might be a wearable quilt.
Something like the Jacks are Better Sniveller but maybe with a hood?
I have been thinking about something along these lines for a month or so now

Moondog55 wrote:Personally I can't get warm in a quilt when it is below about 10C but I don't have a problem using an overquilt in very cold weather, better IMO to have a bigger quilt rather than a smaller one, there isn't much of a weight penalty going larger and real comfort penalty going smaller.

Me neither. I bought a beautifully Australian made quilt rated to -12C, but couldn't keep comfortable warm with it anywhere below 5C. I may just be a cold sleeper. It also could have been the mat I was using at the time and I am a side sleeper, but at any rate, although more restrictive, I decided bags are comfier/warmer.

Ask Undercling Mike to cut a slot in one of his Apex quilts to put your head through.
Creates a bit of a poncho. Has been done. Not sure if Mike has? Throw it at him?
He is very amenable in my experience.

Here's one Ms Mudd

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... p_activity

Moondog55 wrote:Here's one Ms Mudd

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... p_activity

wahh I don't have facebook so can't see it.
Fear of missing out is real

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Brand-New-K ... 3238483806
Going rate S/H seems to be about $65- which tells you something about the quality

Ms_Mudd wrote:

Moondog55 wrote:Personally I can't get warm in a quilt when it is below about 10C but I don't have a problem using an overquilt in very cold weather, better IMO to have a bigger quilt rather than a smaller one, there isn't much of a weight penalty going larger and real comfort penalty going smaller.

Me neither. I bought a beautifully Australian made quilt rated to -12C, but couldn't keep comfortable warm with it anywhere below 5C. I may just be a cold sleeper. It also could have been the mat I was using at the time and I am a side sleeper, but at any rate, although more restrictive, I decided bags are comfier/warmer.

Quilts aren’t for everyone. They certainly aren’t for me and I’ve really tried to like them. A good bag made by a UL focused company like Feathered friends, Nunatak or WM will come close in weight to an equivalent quilt. It’s all personal preference.

Bags aren’t as versatile but you can’t compromise on warmth when you need it.

I'm a quilt fan for 99% of my walking but when snow camping I use a sleeping bag and my quilt as a booster. There is no substitute for the circumferential snuggliness of a bag IMO.