First a bit of explanatory preamble; then a couple of questions.
I do a fair bit of lowland camping throughout the year. Until recently - this January in fact - I have been content to use various inexpensive synthetic-fill sleeping bags. During the summer, I tend to use bargain lightweight envelope bags if the forecast is good but a slightly heavier (Eurohike) envelope during cooler weeks. For spring and autumn, I have a Eurohike two-season mummy which I've found adequate down to around 10-15*C. I'm reasonably fit, I 'sleep warm' and I prefer to sleep in just a T-shirt and socks or, if it's chilly, full-limb thermals top and bottom.
When it gets colder in late autumn and early spring, I have used a combination - the two-season mummy inside my best envelope bag (usually wearing the thermals too). That combination has proved adequately warm down to about 0-2*C (a touch of ground frost, ocassional frosting of the condensation inside the fly) when camping in Oct, Nov, March and April.
This January and February, I decided to put my 'combi' sleeping system to the test with a few overnight 'test-camps' in local fields and in my back garden. Unsurprisingly I found that inexpensive synthetic-fill bags in combination are defintely not up to the job. The coldest night I tried was about -8*C (according to the Met Office local weather station). I was just about warm enough to sleep but only because I stayed fully clothed (thermals, lined trousers, shirt, fleece, insulate hat, hiking socks). My hands, feet and limbs were warm, my upper torso just about warm enough but my lower back felt unpleasantly cold.
So I know I must upgrade to a decent bag. And that is where I need a bit of guidance from more experienced OM members.
Most of my camping is out of the boot of my car (some on campsites, some 'rough' camping) but I'm starting to do a bit of backpacking too. So while weight is not absolutely crucial, obviously the lighter the bag the more versatile it will be. I certainly don't need a technical £400-plus top-of-the-range bag that will keep me alive in an arctic blizzard. Regarding budget, I know there's no such thing as a free lunch and I don't want to skimp but I have a limited income.
My first question is do I upgrade to down fill (which seems the obvious route) or go to high-end synthetic-fill bag?
Ideally I want to be able to sleep comfortably in just underwear and socks (or, at most, full-limb thermals) at temperatures down to a few degrees below zero. I'm not claustrophobic but I'd like enough room to turn easily.
If the answer to my first question is to go to down-fill, my second question is which brand and/or model do OM members recommend given my intended usage? From what I've read (here on OM and elsewhere) Alpkit seems to be the front runner.
If the answer is synthetic, I realise the choice is much greater but any guidance to brands or models would be helpful.
I'll be very grateful for any opinions and recommendations - thanks in advance.
What sleeping mat do you use? A cold back whilst warm on the rest of your body sounds like you need a warmer mat. I think you have to consider the whole of your sleeping arrangements together.
Quality down is lighter, handles a wider comfort range (IMHO) and lasts longer than sythetic, of all of your kit I would invest in a good bag and mat. a relatively cheap tent will keep the weather out, but it takes a good bag to keep the cold out!
My wife helpfully pointed out that my exped downmat and cumulus sleeping bag combined cost more than the marriage bed. I stopped short of pointing out that I got more enjoyment out of the mat and bag than the marriage bed!!
For comfort I have migrated from closed cell foam mats via various thermarests to finally getting the exped downmat, I like a good nights sleep.
What sleeping mat do you use? A cold back whilst warm on the rest of your body sounds like you need a warmer mat.
Hi Cathy, my choice of mat depends on the circumstances. In summer I use just a rollmat, sometimes two. In cooler weather, I use an Outwell 4.5cm SIM. When it's really chilly I put a three-quarter-length SIM (unbranded, got it second-hand) under the Outwell.
In the case of my January experiment, I used the two SIMs inside a light envelope bag and that 'pack' was on top of an opened-out corrugated card carton. Incidentally, I sleep on my side rather than my back.
I stopped short of pointing out that I got more enjoyment out of the mat and bag than the marriage bed!!
A very wise move, unless you wish to sing soprano for sometime.
I chose a down bag on weight grounds some time back. The consideration to take into account is how likely you are to get the bag wet.
If you take heed of the conditions and have a good dry bag for the sack that should be vitually nil, so no need to go for the safer option of a synthetic bag.
Ditto comments re good sleep mat, a silk liner is useful also for hygiene and warmth.
Down. Once you've tried it, you'll not want to go back! My warm down bag weighs less than half as much as my warm synthetic bag, packs down to half the size and claims to keep me comfortable in conditions a few degrees colder.
Its a lot nicer to get into as well; lofty down feels good
The synthetic goes on trips where damp is a real risk; yachting, or where I'm sharing a van with some used windsurfing gear, etc. In both situations I don't have to carry it so the weight and bulk is irrelevant. For everything else... down.
I note that once you stop buying bargain basement brands, the temperature ratings on sleeping bags become significantly more believable.
I would gave up synthetic sleeping bags long ago (-except for places where I couldn't look after them properly ie. dirty or wet). I also bought and discarded a couple of cheap down bags along the way (-money unwisely spent??). Down will outlast synthetic and is better in almost every other respect too. Get a down bag and keep your the synthetic bags for "doss" type situations. Get a good down bag. I suggest Alpkit quality or better - possibly Rab or Mountain Equipment. Look for 'last season' bargains on the web -no need to pay RRP. Mats. I don't know the Outwell mats but I would guess 4.5cms of self inflating mat should be adequate for all except cold winter conditions. As a side sleeper you might want to get a Downmat for the increased comfort and warmth, but they are expensive. A Neoair would increase comfort too. I don't have one but many folks on here like them, -with a roll mat in winter and without in summer. If you do a search on here there are several threads with advice about keeping warm at night when camping. Good tips.
I started this thread in March and, as a result, bought an Alpkit Skye High 800 sleeping bag.
Since then, the weather hasn't been cold enough to test the bag to its limit but I’ve used it on some frosty nights. So far I am impressed.
The bag seems well made, is light and packs small, and compared to any of my previous bags it’s very warm. With the temperature around zero(ish) I can sleep in just a base layer and socks.
I store the bag loose at home but when on trips it lofts up straight from its compression sac. I like the generous cut (it's the 'roomiest' mummy bag I've ever slept in) and the hood is large enough for a decent pillow. The shoulder baffles feel equally comfortable slacked off or drawn up.
In summary, I'mreally pleased with my Alpkit bag and I'm really looking forward to seeing how it fares in really cold weather next winter
