Advice on my first down sleeping bag

I've used hollow fibre sleeping bags for years, but I'm getting more into touring (cycle to be specific) and want a lighter/warmer bag.

I've been reading up on bags but looking for a bit of advice based on experience. Typically I'll be touring Spring/Summer/Autumn around Scotland and Northern England hopefully up to 3 times a year, and unlikely to be camping when the nighttime temperatures hit freezing. I have a silk liner, a self-inflating thermarest-type mat and an Alpkit bivvy bag. My current summer bag weighs in at ~700g and would want it around the same weight. I usually wear base/mid layers to sleep in depending on the weather, but I'm neither a warm nor cold sleeper. My tent has an inner and a fly.

Are the budget bags worth it, or should I save up for something more expensive?
What manufacturers are worth paying for, and what are worth avoiding?
Would you buy a pre-loved bag or buy brand new?

Thanks, Lee

Depends what you mean by "budget". If you include the Alpkit Pipedream bags in that category then yes, well worth the cash. Not sure about the Vango Venom ones -- not been wildly impressed when I've seen them, but others on here rate them.
Personally I'd save up and buy a really good bag if I was going to use it regularly. PHD would be my choice, but I've also had Mountain Equipment and Mountain Hardwaer bags that were very impressive. Rab also have a good reputation, but I've never found the fit very good for me, for some reason.

I would say save your money for a good one. Also get to know your terms;

Fill weight, fill power,construction method, etc et.

Check out Cumulus sleeping bags, great products and good prices considering they use top notch materials and fillings. they have an ultralight range that probably fits your requirements.

Also heard good things about Rab, Mountain hardware, PHD and Alppkit.

Hope this helps,

Stu

Thanks guys.

I guess by 'budget' I mean the cheapest ones currently available, rather than 'my budget'. Or perhaps I should say 'entry-level' to avoid confusion.

I'm a believer in getting what you pay for, and not averse to shelling out for good quality kit, but I suppose I was wondering if you can buy cheap and quality!

"if you can buy cheap and quality!"

For new down bags not really. I'll go budget or mid range on some gear and not really notice the difference, but not with sleeping bags.

I'm in a very similar situation - also bike packing and looking to replace a very light (but cold) budget sleeping bag.

Ideally I'd only like to spend about £50 though so realise my options will be limited.

For new down bags not really. I'll go budget or mid range on some gear and not really notice the difference, but not with sleeping bags.

Hmm that's what I thought.

I'm in a very similar situation - also bike packing and looking to replace a very light (but cold) budget sleeping bag.

Ideally I'd only like to spend about £50 though so realise my options will be limited.

That's kind of my budget just now too... I'm watching a few on eBay to see how much they go for.

If budget is a big issue, I've no hersitation whatsoever in recommending Alpkit down bags. I bought a brand new SkyeHigh 800 from Alpkit. I've slept warmly in it (with no liner) wearing just a baselayer and socks in temperatures well below 0C.

A freind bought a second-hand Skyehigh 600 from a seller on OM Classified. She uses a liner if it gets much below 5C but she is a cold sleeper.

Both the Alpkit bags have given good service. Also, Alpkit are nice people to deal with (usual disclaimer).

I also have a Rolling Clouds 500 which I use for summer camping.

PHD has a couple ofa good articles
http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/techdown.php?

http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/thetruthaboutsleepingbags.php

which are interesting whether you buy their stuff or not.
(I do)

Certainly you cannot buy new at that price. The alpkit bags are the best cheap bags available (although sometimes other companies match it when the are 30%+ off) with pipedream lighter than the skyehigh. As stated, PHD are phenomenal (and reasonable value in their sale) but they're still expensive and only good value because of how well made they are with top quality components. Rab and lots of other quality mass market brands sell both very good and bad bags but generally overpriced for what you get in my opinion.

More importantly, only getting a zero rated bag probably isn't a great option, I've regularly been in sub zero temps at low level at those times of year. I'd definitely go -5 (or be prepared to wear lots of clothes in a zero bag, but in my opinion as you already have a summer bag, let your next one cover a bit more range and go to -5 or even -10).

i will be selling a Alpkit Pipedream for £100 in the classified later on today if you want first dibs email me @ jodiddy@ntlworld.com.

one year old used around 4 times by the wife.

StuMsg wrote (see)

Check out Cumulus sleeping bags, great products and good prices considering they use top notch materials and fillings. they have an ultralight range that probably fits your requirements.

Also heard good things about Rab, Mountain hardware, PHD and Alppkit.

Hope this helps,

Stu

You tend to get what you pay for with down bags. I've never used an Alpkit bag but they are well thought of by pretty much everyone who has one.

I would certainly recommend Cumulus bags.  The Quantum range is even lighter and more compact than the Ultralight but they are not cheap by any means.  I've also got a PHD winter bag and it is beautifully made - again not cheap but the PHD sales make things more affordable.

I'm not sure where the bivvy bag fits into your set-up.  You mention that you will be using a tent.  Do you slip the bivvy bag over your sleeping bag for protection against dripping condensation or do you sometimes use the bivvy bag on its own (i.e. without a tent)?   

Jake, just as extra protection. For a bivvy it's pretty thin - think of a 2-layer waterproof shell material. I've never used it on its own but always take it camping, just in case. Probably overkill.

I would agree with what others have said about buying a decent bag. I still use an ME Redline that I bought in 1978. My current bag for "all seasons" is a Rab Alpine 400. Weight including stuff sack is 938g. It's probably too warm if we ever get hot weather. However, almost all of my camping tends to be higher up, so I find it OK. In winter I just wear my Rab generator, or if it's really cold take the Redline bag.

Lee,
As far as down is concerned I would look at PHD first. Pete really knows what he is talking about and is more than happy to talk to customers about their specific requirements and make firm recommendations. If you give him a ring and have a chat I think he will be able to tell you what you would really need, he is one of the foremost experts in the world and is still passionate about his work.

I think that the cash price is PHD on the higher end of the scale but they represent PHENOMINAL value for money. Many, including myself would argue that PHD make the best down gear available anywhere, at any price. Because Pete deals in smaller volumes he can consistently secure the very best down available. (Their quality control is phenomenal.)

I have a theory that you should always save and get the thing that you really want in the first place as ultimately you end up getting it somewhere down the line, ( after buying one or more substitutes for the article you really wanted in the first place, wasting money.)
I buy a lot of second hand stuff but I am always mindful when I buy. If I were looking at a down bag I would want to know how it has been laundered and stored. There seems to be this vogue for stuff sacs that are too small. A bag that is brand new and unused will not perform as such if it has spent a year or two in an overly small sac under someone’s bed or repeated spun in a washing machine at high speeds.

A good bag will last for years and years and will not become obsolete like many things. I was a very keen cyclist in my teens and did all that I could to build the very best road bike possible, three simultaneous paper rounds etc... I still have a wonderful 753 frame that fits me perfectly and is a joy to ride but getting a any parts compatible with the frame's geometry is boarding on the impossible.

Depending on where you live, you could visit the Rab shop near Derby from what I understand they sell seconds etc and can get bargains.

Not wanting to promote stores - but Go Outdoors were doing some deals a few weeks ago on Mountain Hardwear sleeping bags - around £100, and Cotswold recently had Marmot Never winter for £80. I know as I bought the never winter for the Mrs- but I have used it and is OK - but only OK

I was in my local branch of Cotswolds today, and saw a Robens 500 down bag. Rated to -1 (comfort) & -17 (extreme), but with a weight discrepancy (instore was 900g, web says 1300g - can anyone verify?) for £130.

Looks like just the ticket. I'm not familiar with the name, are Robens any good?

Hey Lee

Thanks for you PM

Check out gooutdoors, they have a sale on Rab's down sleeping bag range.

Best

 

 

awesome..this is a great use for us especially we love to always go outdoor/outings.

with matching korean backpacks we're good to go..

Chewie

Where, near Derby is the Rab shop, slipped my attention has that one