Bushwalk Australia

Hey guys im looking for a sleeping bag for use in WA i am looking for a bag from 4 to -2 degrees, that is lightweight and has a small packsize. Im not too concerned about the price however i dont want to spend too much. Im considering a few of the Western Mountaineering bags however i also noticed the thermarest alpine quilt, has anyone had any experience with quilts ? Any suggestions/ input appreciated !

Hi, I'm considering the quilts as well. With my new hammock i'm waiting on, it will be the perfect combination. I believe quilts are a lot lighter for there rating compared to a Sleeping Bag, which sounds great to me, as I want to go as light as I can.

I think it may be a good idea aswell as i am considering hammocking aswell, has anyone ever used a WM Summerquilt?

*Summerlite

Extremely happy with the Summerlite - packs down small, lofts up big and has been good for me at zeroish in a single skin tent, thermals and lightweight (insulated) pad. Also resists condensation nicely.

Thanks Dale, im tossing up between the summerlite and the megalite, what sort of tent do you have, im interested in a single skin tent however for WA conditions, im extremely bias towards the idea of single skin tents =D How do you find the pack size of the summerlite and where did you buy it from ? Cheers, Matt

Hi Matt. I use an 8L sea to summit dry bag as a stuff sack not sure of the measurements but there is plenty of room to fold the dry bag. A great bag if you're using a small volume pack. Tent is a tarptent sub lite sil. You can order it from http://www.hermitshut.com If you have wide shoulders then the Megalite is a good choice.

Mattmacman - make sure you try a Summerlite for size before you buy, they are tight! I could not get my arms by my sides so went for the megalite. Have two WM bags (& enough other types to open a shop) Quality gear IMO.

I've a hammockgear.com 3 season burrow (Quilt) that works great on the ground or in a hammock.
Mine is 6" wider than standard to allow a bit more wrap around for ground camping, also I asked for an extra 2oz overfill of 900 fp down. (personal preference to extend the lower limit a little)
I used it a few weeks ago at low of -6.7°C and was toasty warm.
Weight is 687 grams.
Just another option.

The WM bags are very good too.

forest wrote:I've a hammockgear.com 3 season burrow (Quilt) that works great on the ground or in a hammock.
Mine is 6" wider than standard to allow a bit more wrap around for ground camping, also I asked for an extra 2oz overfill of 900 fp down. (personal preference to extend the lower limit a little)
I used it a few weeks ago at low of -6.7°C and was toasty warm.
Weight is 687 grams.
Just another option.

The WM bags are very good too.

The 3-season burrow is my chose, however winter is not to far from ending up here where I live. I will purchase in time for next winter season.

Would a quilt work well when not using a hammock, i love the idea of no zippers !

With no zippers does that mean it's warmer if so by how much ??


Thanks.

I agree about the Summerlite, good bag with excellent weight.

Also check the Marmot Hydrogen, a bit heavier at 800g.

Hi Matmacman,
After years of always being too hot in my sleeping bag I recently downsized to one of the new Sea to Summit bags - Micro McII. It weights 550g and is rated to 1 degree. I've used it in temperatures close to 0 and still been warm, though I am using an Exped Downmat and I am a warm sleeper.

(Unfortunately?) If i needed a bag, would look here first:

http://www.departmentofgoods.com/sales/ ... 26page%3D1

I'd try this code:

6BC-1-68M7F

Nuts wrote:(Unfortunately?) If i needed a bag, would look here first:

http://www.departmentofgoods.com/sales/ ... 26page%3D1

I'd try this code:

6BC-1-68M7F

Some Rab bags at great prices.
I going to try a Rab Quantum Top Bag AR.
http://www.departmentofgoods.com/rab-quantum-top-bag-ar
Has anyone tried this bag?
With one of the new Thermarest Neoair Xlite Mats, could be a mat and bag sleeping system that can go down to -1 ????
http://www.thegearcaster.com/the_gearcaster/2011/07/therm-a-rest-neoair-gets-warmer-and-lighter.html

Mountain Hardwear Phantom range is worth considering too. If you live near a Mountain Designs store you should be able to see some instore, they are pretty cheap due to MHW not being distibuted here anymore!

Considering these options
-WM Summerlite
-RAB Quantum Top Bag
-Thermarest Alpine quilt
-RAB Summit Alpine 300
-The Burrow (summer)
-WM Megalite
Any thoughts? Is using a quilt in a tent a viable option? For reference im using a downmat 9.

marangaroo86 wrote:

Nuts wrote:(Unfortunately?) If i needed a bag, would look here first:

http://www.departmentofgoods.com/sales/ ... 26page%3D1

I'd try this code:

6BC-1-68M7F

Some Rab bags at great prices.
I going to try a Rab Quantum Top Bag AR.
http://www.departmentofgoods.com/rab-quantum-top-bag-ar
Has anyone tried this bag?
With one of the new Thermarest Neoair Xlite Mats, could be a mat and bag sleeping system that can go down to -1 ????
http://www.thegearcaster.com/the_gearcaster/2011/07/therm-a-rest-neoair-gets-warmer-and-lighter.html

Reading their site, they don't seem to ship most of their brands (including Rab) outside of the US. So factor in the extra cost of a freight forwarding company into those prices.

DoG is the former outlet of backcountry (they have several others). Shipping has always been steep (i havent used many of them for some time now but expect its only gone up). One of the forwarders would likely add $10-20 to a purchase, probably the way i'd go..

So what is peoples views on using a quilt in a tent? I love the idea of quilts should i go with a warmer quilt because of it not beign as warm as a sleeping bag, im using a down mat 9 for reference. Cheers.

A quilt will work just the same as a bag so long as it's wide enough to wrap far enough around your sides so as not to have gaps.
Any under insulation will just compress anyway with a bag.

The down mat will be what's keeping your warm underneath and will do one fine job of that for sure.

Quilts are not for all but work great for me.
Depends on how you sleep, do you toss and turn all night. ??
If you did a quilt will require a bit of tweeking each time you rotate around if it's frequent.
Me, I'm a zombie once it's lights out and I tent to not move much.

If your trying to get to freezing temps with a HG Burrow either up the fill a little by 2 oz on the summer or get the standard 3 season.
I've both and the 3 season is my choice most of the time if I'll be in a tent or hut (if temps are predicted lower than about 7°C). Heaps more loft than the summer and just gives that little extra insurance incase temps drop low. The summer will go down nearly to freezing but I do like a little up my sleeve, especially when not wrapped in an UQ in the hammock.

The final contenders (most likely)
-3 season burrow
-WM Summerlite
Im still not sure about the quilt as i hav'nt had any experience with them, i origionalley intended on getting a 0 degree (around 0 degree) sleeping bag for use in WA. Sooo a -7 quilt with the top part draped over me might work? However im still not sure!

As Forest said, it depends how you sleep. If you tend to move alot when you sleep (roll over, change position, etc), then you're generally better avoiding quilts because each time you roll you can end up with gaps in the quilt (cold spots) which wake you up.

In my opinion, the Summerlite is an awesome bag. It's very well made, very versatile (the full length zip allows you to use it as a quilt or a sleeping bag), warm down to 0 degrees and can be extended past there by wearing extra clothes. It's also lightweight and has a small packed size. As a West Australian (currently living "over east"), I think the Summerlite is perfect for WA conditions but can also be used in a range of colder conditions by using in combination with the right clothing (see Tony's thread on My new sleep system). My Summerlite will be getting loads of use when I move back to WA at the end of the year.

As someone suggested above, try it for size before you buy it (if you're in Perth, Paddy Pallin's in Hay st carry them), but from what you've said before about your size, i think it would be fine for you.

Cheers,

JB

Cheers JB I will have a look, to be honest i think i will end up going with the summerlite as i do tend to move around a bit for the first hour or so then im dead to the world =)

I use a nunatak quilt, in a tent, in close to freezing temperatures and I'm a guy that when I move in my sleep, i do so with great vigor. Yet to have a cold night in it! Best thing is, they can customise the quilt to your needs!

Where can you buy the megalite in Australia and how much does it weigh ???

e can you buy the summerlite in Australia only place I could find was charging 600 bucks :0



Thanks.

I got my WM Summerlite from Paddy Pallin at a christmas sale for about $470. I know you can get them for $300 in the US but I was uncomfortable with online shopping for big ticket items (I have since overcome that fear and am considerably poorer for it...) I am a big fan of the WM Summerlite, have used mine down to -3 on a Pacific Outdoor 2/3 Peak Oyl 4 season mat and have sleept in comfort. I would point out that the mat makes a huge difference. A good bag on the cold ground and you will still be cold very cold. I often think there is too much focus on the bag and not enough on the matt.Just my 1.6 yen worth.

Steve

So ive decided on the summerlite, where is the cheapest place to buy it? Cheers matt.

Hi

The easy answer for WM bags is direct from the USA but you might struggle getting them shipped direct as they are on a do not ship direct ban and it seams every time someone on the public forum mentions an online shop that will ship next week that shop will not ship. Appears that the local distributor is watching to protect their huge mark-up of a limited range and lengths. They are around half Aussie pricing plus you have a wide choices of zip placement and lengths if buying direct USA. I have a Mega-lite and love it. Also have the Versa-lite and Badger but rather too warm for what you want.

Cheers