I was wondering what kind of sleeping mats people use with bivvi bags, as I would think that an inflatable one would be at risk of puncturing. So, I was thinking of getting a folding one, as opposed to rolling one up and sticking it on the outside of my new Macpac Amp lite (I'm SO proud!!)

Also, I want to get a down bag, which I intend to use with a silky liner to try and keep it a bit cleaner. But, does using a liner add much to the perceived warmth of the bag - in which case, I can go for a slightly lighter one?

Please help my lightweight ramblings!

I got fed up of puncturing my Therm-a-rest Prolite, resulting in a less than comfortable night, so switched to a Therm-a-rest Z Rest lite. It's at least as comfortable, won't puncture and weighs less.

I've been using a silk liner for several years and although it's been shown that they don't make a bag much warmer in reality the perception is different. I feel warmer, even if tests don't reflect this. Of course it also has the advantage of keeping the inside of my down bag cleaner.

I use a combination of a 150cm x 50cm roll of thin tent underlay (100gm) and a Torsolite from Podcast Bob (275gm). This combination is about the same weight as a Thermarest Prolite 3 but is much warmer for the same level of comfort (the foam is a better insulator). It also helps avoid puncture risks.

I don't use a sleeping bag liner, I take a pair of Montane Featherlite trousers and a smock to wear as PJ's and around camp. I find this more versatile than a liner.

Hope that helps

It does, what I'm hoping is that I can buy a cheaper down bag, and spend the other bit of my budget on summat else!

I have a couple of bags in mind, the Cumulus ultralight or something (but it only comes in red, and I have a bit of an anti-red thing!), for about £115, or a Lafuma one I saw for an incredibly cheap £55 - although it only has a comfort temperature of +8 or so. Then again, it only weighs 600g. Hence my silk liner question.

I've used both the Snugpak Softie Chrysalis and PHD Minim 300 with the combination of silk sleeping bag liner and Z Lite successfully. The Chrysalis has performed well down to +2, with the Minim coping admirably to at least -5. OK the Minim isn't cheap, and doesn't have a zip, but it's stunningly light for the temperatures it copes with - the downside for you is that it's red.

Ridgerest or Z-rest for me, they give no trouble at all.
One of the chaps I used to travel with always stuck to a R-rest and he advised me to do the same - constantly. After one to many nights without any kind of comfort, due to another unexplainable puncture in the T-rest, I changed. Since then I have not lost a nights sleep, least of all by fretting that I may be carrying something that is 'well out of date'!
Surely a good nights rest never goes out of fashion?

By chance I have a Cumulus Ultralight 350 and it is a very good bag (but it is a bit slim and wouldn't fit anyone taller than 6ft). Unless you're only going to camp in the south I wouldn't go for a bag with less than 350gm of down. The Alpkit Pipedream 400 looks good but it is sold out. I would be wary of cheap bags unless you're sure of the quality of the down. The Cumulus Ultralite 350 has trapeziodal baffles which are excellent for keeping the down in place. My only criticism is that I would like to have had a neck baffle.

P.S. I prefer bags with a full zip, better temperature control.

"Unless you're only going to camp in the south I wouldn't go for a bag with less than 350gm of down"
Sorry to disagree Robin but i've been using my Rab Q250 for a while and have been very cosy.

depends how cold you sleep! of course you could wear clothes inside your bag. personally I wouldn't go to Scotland with a lighter bag than the Ultralight 350.

I can see your point Robin if you have to travel up from down south and the conditions are unpredictable ie. spring/autumn. You may want to err on the side of caution. Why not wear clothes in your bag?
In summer up here i use a cheapo Wynnster synthetic bag that i got a few years ago and only weighs 600g. It has a full length zip and i tend to use it as a quilt.
As you said, depends how hot/cold you sleep.
As an experiment, the next time you're car camping, try sleeping with only a blanket. Keep your reg bag as backup of course.
You may surprise yourself how little you need in summer!!!

I quite like carrying 150gms as extra security! As you say the weather is more unpredictable in Scotland so you can get some cold weather almost anytime of the year. I'm a bit of a safety first guy. I hate being cold at night! I've found that the tent underlay has been a great idea.

Cumulus ultralight 350 - that's about £135, isn't it? I could stretch to that, but doesn't it go down to -3...a bit warm when coupled with a liner, or have I got it wrong?

Right fellas, here goes....

I've got me Macpac Amp 45 lite, I'm going to get a micro tarp and a bivvy bag (but I've also got an MSR Zoid 1) and I'm also going to get a Lafuma warm 'n' lite 800 sleeping bag (down, 800g). For a mat I'm going to get a Therm-a-rest Ridgerest and chop it down.

I've got a Pocket Rocket (oo-er matron!), and I'm going to team it up with a titanium pot/mug for cooking and drinking...

How am I doing so far? I might get an insulating jacket for chilly wildcamp evenings, which will then double as either a pillow or an extra layer if it's cold in my cheapy bag, has anyone any more tips?

Keep 'em coming!

I don't think there is definitive answer to the 'what sleeping bag' question.
Only trial and error will find out what's right for you.

Aye, I'm a warm sleeper, so I'm hoping the Lafuma will be ok - and it isn't red!

If you get the MSR Titan pot/mug, a gas cylinder fits perfectly inside. Using the smaller cylinder you might get your Pocket Rocket in as well.(less volume is always a good thing) I can with my Crux.

...and no more Wayfarer meals for me! Just a couple of pasta Mugshot jobbies, possibly with summat else chucked in to spice them up.

I've seen the light!

Now all I need is the time and brass to get it all together, and go out for a nice long two or three day walk.

I thought I'd try something simple to begin with, a crack at the Dales Way in three days or something.

I still think you'll sweat your b******s off with 800g of down at this time of year !!!!!!

If you get the MSR Titan pot/mug, a gas cylinder fits perfectly inside. Using the smaller cylinder you might get your Pocket Rocket in as well.

I'm new to this backpacking lark, in fact my first night out was Friday night, I'll post my experiences in thye near future.

I bought the Pocket Rocket mug/stove set and can confirm that you can get in the stove, small gas, fire steel and folding spork. I made a cosy from 8mm sleepmat and duck tape. Keeps things hot for ages.

Edit:
Echo the pasta comments. 100g pasta with some herbs, cooked for just under 10 mins. add 1 sachet tomato cup a soup and a tin/pouch tuna. Cosy for a couple of mins and just right to eat.

Hi PR26, glad to hear another from pasta fan! Where did you get to on your backpacking trip? Hope you enjoyed it. Don't you find that by the end of the day, virtually any old sh**e tastes pretty good?!

Mike, I'm hedging my bets with the bag, as I can only really afford to splash out on one. Lafuma also do a 600 bag of the same kind, which apparently is ok to 8 degrees. That's why I wondered about the added warmth provided by the silk liner - whaddya think?