Sleeping bag for winter camping? - please move if better sub forum for this.

413x

413x

413x

Caporegime
Joined
13 Jan 2010
Posts
32,973
Location
Llaneirwg
I'm fed up of not getting out in what is seeming to be more and more bad weather in the UK.
So I've bought myself a

2 person tent - done
Alcohol stove - done
Titanium mug/pot for water - done

I still need a back pack (probably osprey exos 48)

But in struggling with a sleeping bag

I sleep quite easily on bad surfaces but I don't like being cold. But I'm also sensitive to weight due to some dodgy legs I have!
I was thinking of a :
-max 1kg - my legs aren't best so I'd like to straddle the light/ultralight threshold.
-0C to - 5C comfort (not limit) one.

I'm happy to spend more on bag than other gear but I really can't find a price point/weight/comfort temp balance.
250 ish is probably my choice max price.

I've seen a mammut protect with a comfort temp of - 3 and 1kg for 185 pounds.
This is probably great. But it has some weird central zip. I have no idea if that's good or bad. I've only ever had side zips.

Others I've looked at are rab/Mountain equipment. But there are so many brands it's like a lottery!

I've looked at blankets too. But again, not tried one so no idea if I'd like it!

Any first hand advice would be fab!
 
Last edited:
robj20 said:
Titanium mug, sounds expensive.

I have the Exos rucksack it's fine for short hikes but uncomfortable for long ones, the straps are very minimalist.
Your going to want a down sleeping bag really. I prefer a slightly cooler bag and take a liner. Can also get in it with the next days clothes on for added warmth.
Click to expand...
It isn't. It's one off amazon (also on Ali express) gets good reviews.

Yes this would be a down bag
 
Rannoch said:
Do you have winter sleeping mat? I do loads of winter camping and my favourite goto bag is a Rab Summit.

As recommended a down bag but don’t get it wet and keep it stored out of its pack.
Click to expand...

Not yet. It's on the list after the bag. As I have something I can make do with for now.

Which rab summit? I assume they have gradings? How cold have you been out in it in?

Looks like summit might be discontinued
 
Last edited:
Yeah I kind of want to try a blanket. I actually think it might be better (ie you get too hot you can poke a leg out.. It's lighter).

OK.. But if the mat is more important.. I'll take recs on that first.

Don't want a rustling one!
 
Last edited:
Begbie said:
Exped ultra 5R
Big Agnes rapide sl

Are the two I narrowed it down to.

You can Google the thermarest rustling, maybe the new ones are quiet.

I nearly imported a quilt but went for a flame creed one, I cant recommend it though as the straps are awful. Friend got an enlightened equipment and it seems really good.

The zenbivvy setup is also quite interesting.
Click to expand...

Great think I might get that exped one. I'm sure I've seen that recommended elsewhere too

Cheaper than I expected. And 5 Yr warranty
 
Last edited:
So I have ordered the exped 5r wide.

Still on lookout for a sleep bag/quilt.
Can't seem to shake that I should get a quilt for the weight saving.
But they are so expensive
 
Last edited:
Begbie said:
This is what I have. Honestly it's great. Below -5 I use a very lightweight summer bag and this. Which still weighs less than my rab and is much warmer.

But if I done it again, id spend more on something better. The straps are useless which let's in side drafts.

zenbivy.co.uk

Zenbivy Backpacking Gear | Light Quilt

The Light Quilt is our performance-focused backpacking quilt, built for backpackers of all levels. The patented Fast Footbox™ uses a single clip that allows it to expand for more space or narrow for more warmth.
zenbivy.co.uk zenbivy.co.uk

valleyandpeak.co.uk

Enlightened Equipment Enigma 850 Quilt

The Enigma is Enlightened Equipment's lightest and most minimalist quilt. Pairing the beloved quilt template of their Revelation Quilt with a completely sewn-closed footbox, it's the perfect ultralight quilt for those who always get cold feet. Exceptionally warm as well as extraordinarily light...
valleyandpeak.co.uk valleyandpeak.co.uk

rockrun.com

Thermarest Corus 20F/-6C Quilt

The Thermarest Corus 20F/-6C is a versatile, high performing camping quilt that saves weight and boosts comfort on backcountry adventures.
rockrun.com rockrun.com

hammockgear.com

Burrow 0

Make the switch to the Burrow lightweight Top Quilt from Hammock Gear! This quilt is a favorite of both hammock & ground campers around the world.
hammockgear.com hammockgear.com



These are some I've considered for the next one, you can nearly always ignore the temperature readings and compare fill weights (not overall weight). If one shows 0c and another shows 0c but is half the fill weight, id take those numbers with a pinch of salt.

Id be careful with the quilt though, it isn't for everyone but I absolutely love them.

Also if your 6ft, go with a long and wide pad (the extra weight is worth it)
Click to expand...

Thanks. I've actually decided to try a sleeping bag for winter as prices are much cheaper and I probably won't need ultralight so much as I doubt it'll be more than 1-2 days.
But I think for rest of year I'll get a cheaper (ie less filled) quilt.
I think I've seen most of the above on reviews.


Thanks (everyone) who recommended the sleep mat as the most important piece. I've gone for the 183cm wide. The standard width looks ridiculous and I'm quite broad shouldered.

So now I just need a better backpack and a few bits.

May try and get out this weekend with what I have. Sleeping bag won't have arrived yet, but I can make do with a heavy old one. And I'll have to use my not appropriate osprey fairview that's designed for travel on planes. But Ill just stick to somewhere local.
 
Last edited:
sim0n said:
Make sure you post a few photos...
Click to expand...
Will do!

I bought my titanium cup from Aliexpress (apparently the brand is quite good) and it was for some reason "90 percent off".

Wonder what I'm going to get in the post!

UijX2hi.jpeg
 
GreatAuk said:
Does look great, motivating me to get out soon, not been for a while. Can take the dog too for added warmth this winter, tested him out earlier in the year and he seems happy enough squished into the tent :p
RxgrXfg.jpeg
Click to expand...
Was tempted to take the dog. Not sure if he'd be a pain or not.
 
ianh said:
Nice!

When I was still in the military in the mid '2010s, I bought an Exped Downmat 7 XL as the sleeping mat (1.1kg & 27cm x 14cm) with a Snugpak Softie Elite 3 sleeping bag (1.5kg & 26cm x 22cm) which, even with both combined, were still smaller and lighter than the military supplied "why does it smell of peanut butter????" rubber bottomed 1960's made winter sleeping bag that I was issued.

Now whilst all thats "old" by now and probably pointless for yourself TBH, what I did notice and is my highest recommendation for anyone else looking at hiking camping (rather than van camping etc), is that the better your sleeping mat can isolate you from the cold floor then the thinner and lighter your sleeping bag can be. So I'd 100% recommend a Exped Downmat 5/7/9 (for the older versions) or Exped Ultra 7R or Exped Dura 6R/8R (the newer versions) or similar as long as its down filled (synthetic filling just isn't as good), with a thin 2 season sleeping bag rather than just using a heavy 4-5 season sleeping bag placed directly on the tent floor, you will be warmer in my experience!

Obviously experiences may vary so thats just my thoughts on it.
Click to expand...

Tonight is a test.
My exped didn't come in time.
I'm in a 2 season sleeping bag, on a foam mat, and it's gonna be 3c!
 
Last edited:
Begbie said:
I've managed minus temps a non insulated mat and a summer sleeping bag before. (Top of snowdon) Absolutely worst thing ever and quickly seen sense and upgraded both :p

Fun experience though.
Click to expand...
Let's just say I did get some sleep, not as much as I'd like.. And I'm looking forward to my winter stuff coming! Glad it was only one night. Hit 2c!
 
mrgubby said:
Rab Ascent 900, I've woken up with ice on the chest area where my breath was condensing during the night.
Click to expand...

Yeah I was looking at this range but chickened out due to the weight.

I know fill weight is more important than comfort scores. But I'm hoping the one I've chosen is OK, I it's 1.1kg. That rab 900 is 1.6kg which is quite a lot more.
 
ianh said:
They were 3kg, which was 10% heavier than the issued Sterling Sub Machine Gun (stormtroopers gun) was and about the same as a modern US M4A1 Rifle weighs!

The one I got issued was washed numerous times by both myself, the military and even dry cleaners and it still, to the day I handed it back, stunk of peanut butter when you opened it - a truly hateful bit of kit! I don't have the picture of this any more but when I moved to a Harrier Sqn in the mid 90's I was issued a "short-back" 90L bergen and just the 58 sleeping bag took up the entire bottom third!
Click to expand...
3kg.
My knees just shook thinking about it!
 
My sleeping bag and rucksack arrived

I went for the 58l osprey as it was only a few grams (like 50) heavier than the 48l.
And watching the camping guy on YouTube he said he wished he had the 58 for winter.
It feels so light. 1.2kg

My sleeping bag is the mammut performance - 10c (-3 comfort. - 10 comfort limit).
I got in it at home and felt hot within 30 seconds! Only weighs 1.1kg
With 50pc off it was 185 pounds.

Just waiting for mat to arrive.
Exped 5r ultra MW
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom