Keep me warm when the temperature dips below zero. I reckon a bag with about 400g of 800+ fill and rated at around -5 should do the trick. I've got a warmer/heavier bag for middle-of-winter use.
Light-ish (900g or less),
Long (I'm 6'2")
Roomy (I'm not keen on narrow bags, which probably rules out Rab Quantum, PHD Minim, ME Sub Zero, etc)
left hand zip
damp/condensation resistant
Around £250
Current contenders include:
Mont Bell U.L. Super Stretch Down Hugger. Chris Townsend was rather enthusiastic about one in a recent tgo. I reckon I'm not as hardy as him so it may well have to be the garish yellow #2, which is rated to -4. I'm especially interested to know whether the DWR is any cop - I don't intend to spill tea on the bag, but it will have to cope with a bit of Scottish dampness/ condensation.
PHD design your own bag thingy. A wider cut mountain bag with 400g fill, non-mummy hood and no chest baffle dips below 900g. It is even lighter and cheaper in M1 (rather than Drishell - which I like). However, previous threads have suggested that M1 can cope with a bit of moisture - can anyone confirm?
Cumulus Prime 400. Long, roomy, water resistant, apparently very warm, and the cheapest of the lot.
Any feedback and comments welcome (especially about the Mont Bell).
David, don't rule out the Quantum before you try it. My wfe settled on a Q600 having had a test-lie in one and found she could scratch all necessary awkward corners without resulting to contortionism, and found it rather better in that respect than my ME Lightline. It's available in a choice of lengths and different zip sides, and an optional (slightly heavier) more water resistant outer (which the missus has on hers).
I'd vote for the PHD Minim 400. I've had various bags over the years, including ones by ME and Rab, and the PHD one I've got is by far the best, in terms of comfort and warmth to weight. They did me one called a Combi bag, which is a rather longer and wider version of the Minim 400. Might be just what you're looking for, and worth asking them about. I had mine made with a Drishell outer and full zip, and both features add greatly to its versatility, imo. Can't comment on the M1 shell tho.
Peter - I might revisit the Quantum but the 400 with Endurance is heading towards the kilo and it will be even heavier in a long.
Guy - I hadn't thought about the Combi-bag. it might do the trick.
Jim - The Helium always lookes narrow in photos but obviously isn't. How is the normal version at shedding condensation?
ObC - Alpkit offer amazing value for money , but at the expense of a bit of warmth per weight, and it is the latter - with a bit of water resistance - that I'm after.
I'm 6'3, pretty solidly build at about 15.5st and have a Quantum 600. Not the widest I grant you, but perfectly comfy for me. I'm not too keen on narrow bags unless it's actually cold, and then I'm glad there's not too much extra room. When it's a little warm, I have it a bit open and then have no probs at all with room. As someone above said, don't rule it out....
Can't comment on the normal version as I own the EQ. Bought it, not so much for the extra waterproofing, as I trust dwr on quantum type fabrics as long as I'm in a tent, but I wanted a full length zip to vent as it's a pretty warm bag (I'd actually call it 4 season as it has 530g down and is rated to -7)
If I bought a new one I'd get the regular fabric to save a few grammes and they all come with full length zips now.
As for width, I tried PHD, RAB quantum. Alpkit Pipedream and the super light Cumulus jobby but sent them all back as too narrow and claustraphobic. The only other bag I've tried with as much width is the western moutaineering megalite - but that's more two season as only around 300g down. Think they may also do other wide warm bags too though and think snow and rock stock them. Pretty pricey tho but if you tried one and liked it you could import from the states and save a few bob.
You've already had some fine suggestions above but I thought I'd throw in a few more thoughts for your perusal.
MontBell developed their hugger bags in conjunction with ME. They have an excellent reputation but I haven't seen one in the flesh. I'd certainly be taking a look if I could find one. But...
How urgently do you need this bag? Having played with a sample of the new Crux sleeping bags last year, I would be very tempted to wait until after May when they are due to hit the market. With a bonded eVent outer, you won't find better water resistance... and Crux know how to make good kit without a doubt.
Otherwise, another pet favourite of mine is the Valandré range. They use an excellent grade of down and have very clever construction - the Mirage might well be warm enough for you and the cut is unusual (somewhat narrow at the feet but wide around the body to allow for layering) and well reviewed. However, I am told by my French sources that the water repellancy of the Asahi-Kasei Impact 66 Ripstop isn't that fantastic so it's the sort of bag that would probably need to be paired with a minimal bivvy for damp conditions. Another reason that the Crux might be worth the wait.
Then there's the awesome kit from Nunatak. They are best known for their down quilts (which might solve your width fitting problems?) but also do a fantastic-looking sleeping bag that is in your search area :
If you choose the Epic (silicon encapsulated) fabric then you'll get excellent water repellency for a few extra grams : the medium in Epic is about 740g or 600g in Pertex Quantum (325g fill). Buying from the US should give you a lot of 'bag for your buck' as they say.
Another wildcard might be the exceedingly French Triplezero Ansabere 400. Their locally sourced down quality is something of a legend where I live (Southern France) and for 235 Euros RRP (even with the crap exchange rate) it's well within your budget. My impression is that the construction is a little less technical than the Valandré but the down quality is second to none. Plus they'll do a 'made to measure' service if you want specific dimensions. Obviously their site is in that obscure dialect known as French, so if you need any help in translation just let me know.
I've got a MontBell UL SS Down Hugger #5 on test just now. It's a lovely bag, superb build quality and frighteningly light. A few more trips and I'll have more to say on it!
The ME equivalent, the Xeros are superb as well. I use them a lot last year.
At 6'2", the BigAgnes size large will be luxury, great bags and matching mats and the range has been revamped for this year and is a bit lighter.
I've said it before, the quality and diverse range of down bags available at the moment is fantatstic.
I've got a MontBell UL SS Down Hugger #5 on test just now. It's a lovely bag, superb build quality and frighteningly light. A few more trips and I'll have more to say on it!
The ME equivalent, the Xeros are superb as well. I use them a lot last year.
At 6'2", the BigAgnes size large will be luxury, great bags and matching mats and the range has been revamped for this year and is a bit lighter.
I've said it before, the quality and diverse range of down bags available at the moment is fantatstic.
Too true about the number of high grade bags around these days, ptc*. It just makes choosing from amongst them especially difficult. Now, if they send you more than you can test then I'll be glad to help out!
I realise that I forgot the Western Mountaineering Megalite which is cut for larger width (and fantastic quality too). And FF are highly considered in the US too...
There are a lot of good bags around, but I'd still think about PHD first because it is a British company. There aren't that many home-grown independent firms left, and they ought to be encouraged. It would be different if their products weren't up to the mark, of course.
I agree to some extent, but David ruled out PHD (except for their customised bags) due to fit. I can't compare the other brands I have mentioned in that regard as I haven't climbed inside a PHD bag... but as I live in France I am much more aware of the French manufacturers than I was before - the French market is fairly closed anyway - so I'd be just as happy to buy French these days.
Thanks for all the comments. I'm completely boggled now!
Guy and John - I've got a PHD Diamir 500, which I like a lot, and which is warm enough for full-on winter use. The fit is also prefect, but it is not the lightest bag in town for its fill weight(1350g+ for a long), and I am looking for a lighter bag for Spring-Autumn and even mild winter use.
A Diamir shell with a half zip, no collar, basic hood, and 400g fill weighs in at 845-876 (depending on the shell), would be ideal, but I'm also keen to see what else is out there, and like the look of the Montbell - e.g. the #2 weighs the same but comes with a full zip and a neck baffle.
PTC - What like is the DWR treatement on the MontBell? Can it cope with a bit of damp? I don't intend to spill any tea of the bag but I would expect it to have to cope with a smear or two of condensation. Also Chris Townesend reckons that the Montbell temperature ratings are conservative. I reckon that he's a hardy old b***er who probably sleeps warmer than me, but I was wondering what you think? (i.e I might be able to get away with the lighter and less yellow #3 for all but the coldest winter weather)
Lucky Jim - I also get claustrophobic in tght sleeping bags, so I might think about the Helium
In case anyone is interested, I eventually went for a PHD design your own bag, taking advantage of PHD's new 900 fill superdown.
PHD are still experimenting with the new down, but they reckon my bag has about 375g of 900 fill down, which provides a "typical operating temperature" rating of about minus 5 degrees. I've got a long bag, so I reckon its the equivalent of about 350g fill in a standard bag.
I also opted for a stripped down Diamir shell (half zip and no collar or panels), drishell outer and MX inner
A squint at the kitchen scales suggests that the bag weighs about 760g (790g in its stuff sack), which I think is pretty good for a long, roomy, -5 rated sleeping bag.
The 900 down is now standard on PHD's Hispar range, providing bonkers warmth to weight. I mean, 890g for a bag rated down to minus fifteen !!!!!!PHD Hispar sleeping bags
nice and cosy.
