Having sold my previous winter bag i am considering a phd bag,my choices are the minim 400 or 600,i am leaning towards the 400 and using fleece/down top to supliment bag where nessesary,does anybody have any experience with either of these two bags with regards temp rating etc(bag will be used for winter backpacking)

I bought a Minim 400 this summer, intending exactly the same as you i.e supplement it if necessary. Unfortunately the season hasn't come around to test it yet...

But my decision was based on several years' use of a PHD Minimus. I know I sleep quite warm anyway. The Minimus is rated to +5C but I've used it comfortably to 0C without clothes and about -4C with clothes. So on that basis I reckon the Minim 400 (rated -5C) should see me down to between -10 and -15, which should cover my winter camping needs. I'd rather carry any extra weight in clothes - I find it much more versatile.

Obviously you may sleep hotter or colder than me, but that might help you to judge...

thanks matt,i got a similar reply from peter hutchinson(i think it was him)when i phoned for advice,he pointed me at the 400,i have used an m/e lightline 450 for a while and never been cold in that,he reckons the minim 400 will perform just as well but at 450grams lighter,i always carry a power fleece top and a klattermusen liv,so i think it will work out(he did suggest trying it this winter and if it doesnt come up to scratch he will put another 100 grammes of down in)

Ah the klattermusen liv, another excellent bit of kit, and just about the only down item I own that isn't PHD....

If he'll add down retrospectively then you can't go far wrong.

Bearing in mind that everyone's experience will vary depending on 'Warm' or 'Cold' sleeping, I use a Minim 400 as my winter bag. I'm happy with it to at least -10deg without clothing - it's just not been any been any colder since I bought it.
For colder conditions, make sure that you can get a down jacket inside it - PHD bags are quite tightly cut.

I'm always the sole voice of dissent when it comes to PHD minim. I've got a 400 and find it chilly around zero. Indeed, on a trip to the cairngorms last week, I found I had to use my hood to stay toasty and yet it was no less than 5c outside my tent.

My bag lofts fine and I'm not a particularly cold sleeper. If I could buy again, I'd get the 600. I just don't think 400g of anything is enough for proper insulation when traditionally, winter bags have had approx 1000g of down.

ive got a 400, and while i havnt used it in freezing temperatures yet id be concerned about using it much below zero,

if your expecting -10 and are buying a bag purely for winter use id go for more down and get a better, warmer nights kip. also getting the right mat combination in these cold conditions is very important