Spec me a Light weight Bivy, a Sleeping Bag, A sleeping mat and a Hiking backpack

Zip

Zip

Zip

Soldato
Joined
26 Jun 2005
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Australia
Im after all this, Hopefully small enough to cram into the back back if possible and take with me on a plane as carry on luggage while some pairs cloths are packed in aswell.
Its for hiking in a national park for around 7 days, at a time. dropping into camping sites every so often to refill with water(If the backpack has a hydropack built in it would be great)


I have 7 kilos to play with really but would like to keep these item under 3kg all up, which would give me 4 kilos for cloths and other items.
Ive come up with this.

Bivy
Outdoor Research Aurora Bivy
http://www.outdoorresearch.com/site/aurora_bivy.html
Weight 665g

Sleeping Mat
Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sleeping Mat
http://cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/mattresses/fast-and-light/z-lite/product
Weight 410g

Sleeping Bag
HALO Recon 3 Light weight Military Sleeping Bag - 5c
http://www.kitbag.com.au/prod439.htm
Weight 1300g

Backpack???

Can anyone with a bit more experience put a list together or give some advice/help? (Ie, anything better out there, How many litres the back pack should be for 7 days, is there any dimension of how big carry on luggage is allowed to be? (Never flown before)

Thanks:)
 
Ah crap, when i went back into GD i was scratching my head wondering where this thread had got too :o
 
RIght, first of all I would go for one of the prolite thermarests, such as this one http://cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/mattresses/fast-and-light/prolite/product

I have the prolite 4 and it's excellent. It may also sound a bit odd but i'd go for one that is one size smaller, so if you are 6" go for the regular instead of long. Saves weight and space (which are at a premium) and you don't need the extra length anyway as you don't need your head or feet on it. :)

With regards to Bivis, have you slept in one before? They can be a bit of a pain, and i've never managed to regulate my temperature well in them as you can't just unzip your sleeping bag and lay it on top. :)

What sort of temps are you expecting? -5 sounds a bit warm for what you will probably need, maybe one with a temp rating of around 0?

As for backpack size i'd go for something in the region of 35l (in fact I have, I have the Osprey Atmos 35). 35l is fine as long as you pack sensibly, and unlike the 50-80l packs that some lunatics carry it shouldn't get much heavier than 12kg. The one above also fits as hand luggage unless you get the large one (although I have managed to sneak it on).

EDIT: As for stuff to take, I made a spreadsheet of the stuff I take (the blank coloured bit was my photo gear, with the weight of some of my gear), maybe a goof starting point? It's a zip file with a .xlsx file inside because my host made the unzipped file odd when downloading. If you can't access it i'll stick the list up here. :)

EDIT2: Just re reading your OP, that gear list should hit almost smack on 7kg, as with about 5kg of photography gear that list comes up at around 12kg. :)

Also you live in the Perth "area" don't you? Ever used the cross country trains? As per this thread I was thinking I may end up going on them. :p
 
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Amp34 said:
RIght, first of all I would go for one of the prolite thermarests, such as this one http://cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/mattresses/fast-and-light/prolite/product

I have the prolite 4 and it's excellent. It may also sound a bit odd but i'd go for one that is one size smaller, so if you are 6" go for the regular instead of long. Saves weight and space (which are at a premium) and you don't need the extra length anyway as you don't need your head or feet on it. :)

With regards to Bivis, have you slept in one before? They can be a bit of a pain, and i've never managed to regulate my temperature well in them as you can't just unzip your sleeping bag and lay it on top. :)

What sort of temps are you expecting? -5 sounds a bit warm for what you will probably need, maybe one with a temp rating of around 0?

As for backpack size i'd go for something in the region of 35l (in fact I have, I have the Osprey Atmos 35). 35l is fine as long as you pack sensibly, and unlike the 50-80l packs that some lunatics carry it shouldn't get much heavier than 12kg. The one above also fits as hand luggage unless you get the large one (although I have managed to sneak it on).

EDIT: As for stuff to take, I made a spreadsheet of the stuff I take (the blank coloured bit was my photo gear, with the weight of some of my gear), maybe a goof starting point? It's a zip file with a .xlsx file inside because my host made the unzipped file odd when downloading. If you can't access it i'll stick the list up here. :)

EDIT2: Just re reading your OP, that gear list should hit almost smack on 7kg, as with about 5kg of photography gear that list comes up at around 12kg. :)

Also you live in the Perth "area" don't you? Ever used the cross country trains? As per this thread I was thinking I may end up going on them. :p
Click to expand...

Thanks for all that:)
Where abouts did you put the zip file?

Im from Adelaide not Perth, but the train does come through Adelaide too.
But with Flights at around $40 these days its sounds like a great way to hope from state to state :D

Ive never slept in a Bivy before, But i was guessing it was a bit like a swag? It would be a good way to stay out of the weather with minimal weight. What do you use?
Im thinking i could be in temps from around 0 to 10 degrees at night, Sometimes a little bit below 0.
There is always the lighter sleeping bag on that site, Unless you have another light weight Sleeping bag you could recommend?

Thanks for the bag suggestion, Ill have to hunt around for it when im in the city next :)

Why do you recommend the Prolite mat over the Z-Lite?


Thanks again.
 
On my site... That I forgot to link to... :o

http://wildaboutlife.net/stuff/campingequipment.zip

Ah, ok. I thought you were from WA. Those flights seem awfully cheap, haven't found anything like that price when I looked. :)

TBH I don't really know what a swag is actually like, however looking at some photos the bivy looks similar, just more constricting, however that could just be the one I have. The swags also look like they will cause less condensation, which can be a problem as you are essentially sleeping in a large plastic bag (hence the issue with being too warm, you'll sweat more and end up damper).

I use a Hunka XL Bivi bag and Skyehigh 600, not sure you will be able to buy them in Oz though as they are a very small company.

I'd recommend the prolite over the z-lite mainly because I think it will be far more comfortable to sleep on, it'll also pack down much smaller. :)
 
Not really much use for walking in the "outback" though, it's more of a walking around a major city bag.
 
Amp34 said:
On my site... That I forgot to link to... :o

http://wildaboutlife.net/stuff/campingequipment.zip

Ah, ok. I thought you were from WA. Those flights seem awfully cheap, haven't found anything like that price when I looked. :)

TBH I don't really know what a swag is actually like, however looking at some photos the bivy looks similar, just more constricting, however that could just be the one I have. The swags also look like they will cause less condensation, which can be a problem as you are essentially sleeping in a large plastic bag (hence the issue with being too warm, you'll sweat more and end up damper).

I use a Hunka XL Bivi bag and Skyehigh 600, not sure you will be able to buy them in Oz though as they are a very small company.

I'd recommend the prolite over the z-lite mainly because I think it will be far more comfortable to sleep on, it'll also pack down much smaller. :)
Click to expand...


Thanks again :)
Im guessing the Prolite will take a bit before it gets damaged or has a valve problem?

Will all 3 things bivy, Sleeping mat and sleeeping bag fit into a single back pack?


Here is the super cheap plane company :D

http://www.tigerairways.com/au/en/index.php
 
I've been playing with the idea of going off into the (UK approximation to) wilderness for a week or so but had a hammock in mind for sleeping, planning on locating conveniently spaced trees each night. Is this actually a completely impractical idea, and I'd be better off following suit and sleeping on the floor?

Apologies for interrupting your thread with this, doesn't seem worth starting a new one for
 
Amp34 said:
Not really much use for walking in the "outback" though, it's more of a walking around a major city bag.
Click to expand...

really, why do you have that, i have one myself that i use for both traveling to work, weekends camping and for carry on plane, its great allrounder.
 
Zip said:
Thanks again :)
Im guessing the Prolite will take a bit before it gets damaged or has a valve problem?

Will all 3 things bivy, Sleeping mat and sleeeping bag fit into a single back pack?


Here is the super cheap plane company :D

http://www.tigerairways.com/au/en/index.php
Click to expand...

It seems to, I have used mine quite a bit in all sorts of areas and it hasn't sprung a leak yet, same with my sisters trail lite, which I think she slept on for 6 weeks at one point. Obviously if you stick it on top of a load of thorns then you're asking for trouble, but normal conditions and it should be fine. I think it also comes with a small set of repair stuff as well (although don't quote me on that). :)

With the bag I linked to in the first post, as well as the prolite and the two alpkit things I linked to earlier I have the prolite at the bottom of the bag, the sleeping bag (in a lightweight drybag) attached to the front bottom (if that makes sense) and the bivi bag inside the stretchy pocket (with maps and tarp) on the front. That, with the other things on the list earlier pretty much fill up my bag, however I also have a DSLR and a couple of big lenses as well as a tripod and monopod filling up the rest of the space. You could probably quite easily fit the bivi in a side pocket and a small sleeping bag inside with the prolite (the added benefit of having the bivi on the front is a bit of rain protection as well).

The one issue I have with that bag is the back support system takes a lot of space in the bag, it sticks out, making biggish solid objects quite difficult to organise, however it does leave your back nice and cool and it has a zip to allow you to store stuff between the mesh and frame if you run out of space (which is mainly designed for a hydration system, it takes a 2l Platypus with loads of room to spare). Best bet would be to try and go to somewhere where you could try and fit it all in and see how it goes. They also do a 50l version of that bag that would definately fit everything in, however it wouldn't go on as hand luggage.

JonJ678 said:
I've been playing with the idea of going off into the (UK approximation to) wilderness for a week or so but had a hammock in mind for sleeping, planning on locating conveniently spaced trees each night. Is this actually a completely impractical idea, and I'd be better off following suit and sleeping on the floor?

Apologies for interrupting your thread with this, doesn't seem worth starting a new one for
Click to expand...

I guess it would depend on where you are going, however I'd suggest it would be a bit of a silly idea as most of the wilderness in the UK doesn't have many trees. Try finding two nicely spaced trees on Dartmoor for example. :p

I made a tarp and had the same idea as your hammock idea, however I've never managed to find anywhere to do it. (Not that i've been all over the place however.)

territt said:
really, why do you have that, i have one myself that i use for both traveling to work, weekends camping and for carry on plane, its great allrounder.
Click to expand...

When you say weekends camping do you mean walking from your car to a campsite or more wilderness wild camping, carrying everything you need for a couple of days (inculding tent/sleeping bag)?

The reason I said that is because it seems to have a huge amount of extrenuous things on it for display, looks very heavy and seems to have a poor back support system. It looks like it could be a nice bag for wondering around the countryside from your car taking photos, or London for the day, with your laptop to view them, but not multi day trips into the true wilderness. It also doesn't seem to have any of the things you really need in walking backpack (such as decent waist straps, straps for attaching things to the outside). :)

the first website I brought up when looking at it thought the same thing. http://www.livefortheoutdoors.com/N...ll-take-the-kitchen-sink-the-question-is-why/

Each to their own, but that really isn't a bag I would consider when wanting to go walking for a week.:)

EDIT: Zip, where you going? I'm almost certainly going to be over there in the next few months, just need to pass my stupid driving test some time in May and then book tickets... If I don't pass then, it'll be another 8+ weeks before I can get another test... :(
 
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Thanks for all the Help Amp!

Ill hopefully be doing the Grampians later in the year down South west of Victoria:D

Ill reply a bit more later on but ive only just arrive home from 5 days in Alice Springs and Ayres Rock(Uluru). You really do have to climb that, it is Awesome!

If you need help while you down let us know :)
 
I read recently the Aborigines don't like you climbing it, however if I get there I probably will too... :o

Pillow wise I use the drybag I use to cover the sleeping bag, or otherwise something similar (sleeping bag cover for example). Just stick your clothes/other soft stuff in it and it makes a nice pillow, with no added extra weight or bulk. :D

Try it first though as there are a few issues depending on how you like your pillows, with drybag material it can be a bit noisy and odd sleeping on it (slippery and no where for sweat to go) and you need to work out if you can sleep on one with the clothes you have in it. The one option with the drybag option is to add air in and seal the end as much as possible, gives it more bulk, although it will probably go down during the night.
 
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When we went to Ayres rock thats exactly what i did,

I ended up sleeping on my arm, Who knew undies and Socks are so uncomfortable! :p
What are those self inflating pillows like?

Although the Aborigines dont like you climbing it and have signs up asking you not too, its still worth it. Its $25 park entry after all!
If you do want to, make sure you arrive at the rock before 7:30am they will decide at 8am if it will be closed for the day or not.

My advise is to do it! :D

Thanks for all the advise Amp :)

Edit: WTF is a platapus! :p
 
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What about other clothing? Unless you were wearing all your clothes in the sleeping bag? Jacket? :p

WRT inflatable pillows, I have no idea sorry. :)

A platapus is a mammal tha... Oh wait, wrong spelling... If you weren't actually meaning the spelling then it's this http://www.cascadedesigns.com/Platypus :p
 
Amp34 said:
What about other clothing? Unless you were wearing all your clothes in the sleeping bag? Jacket? :p

WRT inflatable pillows, I have no idea sorry. :)

A platapus is a mammal tha... Oh wait, wrong spelling... If you weren't actually meaning the spelling then it's this http://www.cascadedesigns.com/Platypus :p
Click to expand...

By the end of the trip i was getting low on cloths id like to put my head on :p
An because i get hot real quick i didnt have a jacket on me:o

Ill have to keep searching for the perfect cloths to use as pillows:D
 
Haha, never had that problem (maybe i'm just used to my own smell...:o)

Have had the lack of clothes problem though, it takes a suprising amount to make a pillow (don't fold, scrunch as well I found). :p
 
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