Alpkit Alpine Dream

Airman

11/10/2006 at 13:05

Does anyone have any first-hand experience of these?

I've read the user reviews on the site here and they sound pretty good. Just looking for any more opinions.

Is there anything els as an alternative around the £100 mark with the same sort of warmth but possibly a little lighter?

It's a shame their Pipedreams never materialised, otherwise it would have been a no-brainer almost.

Thanks

tdave@walkeryri.org.uk

11/10/2006 at 13:21

My mate's just got one, and he's well impressed with it. It looks well built and he said it was a good night's sleep. If it's as good as the pipedream, which it appears to be except being a bit heavier, then it's worth getting.

Moggy

11/10/2006 at 13:31

I saw some mountain equipment ones on offer.. i think it was the climbers shop website, they were £115

Airman

11/10/2006 at 13:44

Hmmmmm...thanks Moggy - will take a look.

Nice to know TDave. Like I said, it's a shame the Pipedreams have disappeared. I wonder if they'll ever make a reappearance?

Moggy

11/10/2006 at 13:48

Im considering getting the alpkit bag for the gf as i really need something that will keep her warm,

i have a slim airic and have been very impressed with it so far so would definately consider the bag.

Edited: 11/10/2006 at 13:48

Weird Darren

11/10/2006 at 13:49

I have the 900 I use for car camping and it's fantastic.

Airman

11/10/2006 at 13:52

The 900 is probably a little too heavy. Was hoping to get away with the 500, 700 at a push. Mind you, anything would be an improvement on my current bag at nigh on 3kgs!!

Goat

11/10/2006 at 14:30

I have the 700 and I love it. -12C is way enough for me and the bag fits me well. I don't find it heavy and it packs down quite small. For the price, it is amazing

Goat

Ian Pennington

11/10/2006 at 14:35

I destroyed my 700 washing it. For the price its a great bag. I'm now looking to buy something lighter and my focus is on the Cumulus brand or a Rab Quantum.

morph

11/10/2006 at 15:49

if you want a light quality bag it must be either ME, Rab quantum or PHD.

the pipedream would be a great bag if it ever becomes available.

I spent an extraordinary amount of time trying to decide which bag to get. i even came up with a mathematical formula to help me decide! (morphs mad bag formula)

finnaly went for a custom PHD (at a discounted price) - then bought another PHD bag in the sale.

Snowdon Ranger

11/10/2006 at 17:20

I would also include Marmot in that list.They make some top quality Down Bags.

Neil Lawson

11/10/2006 at 23:00

..... but Marmot bags in the UK are specials made for Cotswolds and are very much on the short side.

Snowdon Ranger

12/10/2006 at 06:49

There are lots of other places that sell Marmot bags in the UK including The Outdoor Shop in Milton Keynes & The Planet Fear Website.I purchased a Marmot bag from Planet Fear & it is standard size and fits me just fine.Some of the bags are available in a long size including the Helium which is listed on Cotswolds web site.They are expensive but extremely well made.

Airman

12/10/2006 at 08:41

Ok, I think I'm going to hold out for a lighter bag and spend the extra cash. I know I'll only end up doing it eventually anyway!

Bob C - backpackinglight.co.uk @bpl_uk

12/10/2006 at 08:53

We've got a 500 and a couple of 600's and can't recommend them enough for value for money!

Yes they are slightly heavier than Marmot and ME, but have been reliable, comfortable and durable for our uses. Which is general backpacking, bivvying and the TGO Challenge in nippy old May.

They do have an annoying large velcro tab which secures the neck area, and which can get in the hair of girlies (I don't seem to have that problem <sulk>), but with a good neck baffle, they have proved to be worth it over my Marmot Hydrogen, which although lighter, lets out warm air everytime I turn over.

Although we obviously sell Rab and their quality is second to none, if your budget doesn't go that far, the Alpkit bags in my view represent probably the best value for money on the market. Plus the guys there are very customer service orientated, so any issues or questions I'm sure they will do their upmost to answer.

Shed Dweller

12/10/2006 at 10:18

I emailed AlpKit a few weeks ago and they said they are hoping to have the pipedreams back early next year but they couldn't give a date, no good for peeps wanting a winter bag now, but they are coming back.

I've just got a North Face Superlight 600 from Ebay for £40, it looks brand new, it weighs 1.6kg, so not exactly superlight but for £40 it'll see me through the winter. There has been someone selling forces issue Rab down bags at about 0.9kg, they look pretty good and have been going for £60-£100.

Ian Pennington

12/10/2006 at 13:30

Alpkit have just emailed me asking if they can help after me destroying my bag.

They are damned decent chaps. Worth doing business with them for that fact alone.

Ninja Marmot

12/10/2006 at 13:38

Marmot bags in the UK are specials made for Cotswolds

I don't think that's right. Do Cotswold sell them to the Outdoor Shop et al?? That sounds incredible (the literal sense of that word).

and are very much on the short side
Not at all, I donated mine to Bob and got the female one when it came out as it was way too long; much longer than the standard ME one that it replaced.

Maybe Cots only stock short ones?

Edited: 12/10/2006 at 13:40

Glyn

12/10/2006 at 13:59

"... but Marmot bags in the UK are specials made for Cotswolds"

Who on earth told you that? someone who works for Cotswolds maybe?

Glyn

12/10/2006 at 14:03

"Alpkit have just emailed me asking if they can help after me destroying my bag".

How did you manage that?

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