Does anybody know of any companies who make sleeping bags in Britain? I wish to support British industry, not China's.
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| Edited: 29/01/12 15:06 |
PHD don't produce the shell materials here. I understand the down has to be imported.
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 Ummm.... Does anyone in England produce either really high quality down or very light/strong shell fabrics? Very much doubt it myself. PHD do however source from Europe wherever possible. (95%+ by bulk as per here.). Which surely has to be close enough?
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It's nowhere near close enough for me as I want a bag 100% made in Britain. Looks like I'm left with only the Blizzard Survival Bag. It's a sorry state this country is in.
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 What country did the materials used in the Blizzard Bag come from though? I agree with you about the state of manufacturing in the UK though.
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From 100% British materials?
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Blizzard bag not reccomendable for regular use too. Fundamentally I'd suspect that you're out of luck. Actually, I doubt if its ever been possible to do this well - I don't think we've ever done down natively and its not like anything else makes much sense. Snugpak/Buffalo might just manage it, but I doubt it. Buffalo probably would have done before Pertex turned into a rather classic example of said sad state of manufacturing  Mega bulky anyway of course.
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From 100% British materials? yep. 
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 Don't know where their stuff comes from may say on the site but they are British: Snugpak
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I've used a Blizzard Bag for 3 months wild camping in Spain. It held up well, was very light and proved warm down to 7c. I'm reticent to use one again though as I was very sweaty in it. Also, it's also a throw away item, so not good value for money long term. I don't know what to do for the best.
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 For what value of "best"? Patriotism is all very well but I always thought the point was loyalty to something worth being loyal too. if British manufacturing isn't giiving you what you want is it particularly worthwhile being loyal to it? In the meantime cycle around on a Moulton or a Brompton or a high end Orange, listen to stuff via naim, Linn, B&W etc. and be proud of British manufacturing for the things it still is good at. Pete.
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 I agree with Martin that it is probably almost impossible to find something that is 100% sourced from the UK (unless you knit yourself a wool sleeping bag). Any outer material of the sleeping bag would be probably be some sort of nylon (like Pertex) so it's a polymer and ultimately from oil; do you want the make sure the oil comes from the north sea too?
The industrial manufacturing of the UK was based on importing cheap raw materials from abroad and turning them into finished items, just as the manufacturing of China today relies on importing raw materials from abroad and then cheaply turning them into finished products. To expect an item to be 100% British in materials and manufacture is unrealistic and for many items this been the case for over 200 years. Of course it is sad that we don't make many things in the UK anymore but you would do well to support a company like PHD who hand make their products to very high standards here.
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Being truthful, it was the price tag that put me off PHD at first. I realise with PHD I'll be getting a top quality bag by all accounts and supporting the British workforce; I also favour the idea of supporting a small cottage industry. The price still stings though.
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 >Being truthful, it was the price tag that put me off PHD ROFL Unfortunately unlike British workers the Chinese WILL work for $60/month 
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Yeah, I know My patriotism will come with a high price. Thanks everyone.
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With a name like that the OP should buy Valandre.
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