Sleeping bag recommendations

[adzza]

Hey all,

So after my last few hikes I have come to the conclusion that my Roman Trek Advance Ultra Lite is not warm enough. It is rated to 3 deg, however It just does not cut it.

Sooooo I want to buy a new bag. I figure I will keep the Roman for the warmer months. I am chasing something that will be very warm, in very cold climates as i want to get into snow hiking. I will probably need something rated in the vicinity of -15 deg, and probably want a down bag.

So I am after recommendations for a good bag that has been tried and tested in cold conditions, and is not ridiculously priced. I was looking at the Vango Viper which is rated at -24 deg, is down, and costs about $320 but I am not sure what their sleeping bags are like.

Any advice welcome!

Cheers.

[randal]

Hello Adzza,
The answer to your question is not so simple. Much depends on so much else.
a) Are you a hot or cold sleeper?
b)What sort of insulation will you use under your bag?
c) Is your tent 3 or 4 season?
d)What are your budget restraints?
I am from Victoria and generally only go bush in the high country, in the middle of winter. Sleeping pads for me are most important, I was always cold on Thermarest type mats and needed a foam mat under the self inflating mat until I discovered Exped Downmats. These I find so good I have had to downgrade bags as I now get too hot.
Synthetic Sleeping bags are getting better, but for my money I won't go past down. I have never been let down (no pun intended) by One Planet or Mont bags that are appropriately rated for the conditions. I did say I have had to downgrade (warmth factor) due to better mat insulation and now have two bags from Western Mountaineering (summer & winter), I am most impressed with these. All of the better Outdoor shops will have staff that can advise on all of the options. Lots of info throughout this forum and on Caffin's Aust Bushwalking FAQs. Hope this helps a little.
Cheers,
Randal.

[nickL]

hi adzza

check out this site - u.s. made - very light and excellent quality down

http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm

you often find them cheap on american sites

i got my alpinlite (-8) for $400 to my door -free shipping at the time - (hermits hut.com)

nick

[jose]

I was looking at the Vango Viper which is rated at -24 deg, is down, and costs about $320 but I am not sure what their sleeping bags are like.

That price will not give you a comfortable sleep at -24 deg. Looking at the specs:Comfort / Limit / Extreme: 0°C / -6°C / -24°C . I read that to mean comfort at 0, limit of comfort at -6 and extremely difficult but maybe survive at -24 deg.

I have a Fairydown Scorpion sleeping bag with 700g down ( of 800+ loft power). This was rated down to -18deg when I bought it. I have managed OK camped on top of Mt Ossa in the snow at temperatures down to -6deg and I'm not sure I would want to get much below that even though the bag is rated at -18deg.

The warmth ratings are not standardised so generally to compare one sleeping bag against another you need to look at the amount of down fill in grams and the lofting power of the fill. An 850g fill of 600 loft will not be as warm as a 750g fill of 800+ loft. You naturally pay more for the higher lofting down but you benefit with the comparatively lighter bag to carry in your pack.

In my limited experience of shopping for sleeping bags, I think you may need to prepare yourself for closer to $600 for a bag warm enough to see you through the coldest situations. I would be interested to hear what are the coldest temperatures other people have come across in their overnighters.

[Drifting]

I don't have a Vango sleeping bag, but I've seen a LOT (as in MANY) reviews and comments both on here and on other sites that comment that Vango bags are nowhere near as warm as they are rated for. I'd be looking at One Planet, Mont or MacPac if you want local stuff, or otherwise I'd be considering Marmot, Montbell, Northface, Western Mountaineering, etc. Be warned, a lot of American websites and manufacturers (North Face for one) do not use a scientific method in assigning warmth ratings. A lot of folks speak highly of Western Mountaineering, and I know Marmot is a brand that can be trusted. Montbell makes some really exciting looking stuff.

Personally, I'd go for a Montbell UL Down Super Stretch.

Coldest I've been in Australia in the bush was -10c in the Blue Mountains, and also at Glen Innes, though I've been down to -12c in Victoria, but not when I wasn't camping.

That's a pretty hot bag you're after!

[adzza]

I should clear that up. I am not after a -24 deg bag. That's just what the vango one was rated at. I am after something to keep me warm in winter and snow basically. lol. Sorry if that's thrown some people off.

I have a one planet pack, and would like to get a one planet bag, but the prices are just amazing!!!

[sthughes]

Yeah I'd look for something rated to EN13537. Or at least a well known and well reviewed company that states it's loft ratings and down quantity figures (which you can then compare to EN rated bags).
I have a Marmot and am very happy, for me the EN rating of -1 is very close to correct as at 0 I was on the limit (in a breezy tent). My winter bag is a Kathmandu Moonraker, while it is heavy and I wouldn't trust Kathmandu without an EN rating, In my experience I'd say it's rating is accurate - though I am yet to reach the limit.
In a smaller/fully enclosed tent you will be much warmer than in a larger or more mesh walled tent.

[Moondog55]

Another but heavier option would be to purchase a lightweight down liner bag, should be cheaper than buying a whole new bag, although I have personally not been happy with the room in most liners so far, but I have big shoulders and tend to sleep hunched over.
Another way would be to buy a light weight down jumper and sleep in that as well as a down hood and booties

[geoskid]

Personally, I'd go for a Montbell UL Down Super Stretch.

I have one of these and can vouch for it. I was in the walls recently at -6.4 O/night, and was perfectly comfortable.Whilst cooking an socialising I had nearly everything on, when I went to bed I took a couple of layers off and slept in the rest, -beautifull. No doubt , of course, a few brands would perform the same. Just beware inflated claims about ratings. There is a thread here somewhere about ratings and what they mean, and a comparison table between sleeping bags.
Sleeping bags are one of those items that really need research and buying o/seas - unless you have money to burn.

[adzza]

Well I am off to the states on 8 weeks so will buy lots of gear over there such as a sleeping bag, clothing, etc.

[Drifting]

Well I am off to the states on 8 weeks so will buy lots of gear over there such as a sleeping bag, clothing, etc.

That's the way! You taking orders?

[adzza]

Well I would but we are traveling light to save on carry on costs for when we return so it may be an issue to bring back to much stuff.

[Drifting]

I'm just joking... but you're going to have fun.