phd minim 300 vs alpkit pd400

Hi Tyke, 

Can't directly compare, but, PHD Minim 300, that I have, is very comfy at, or around, freezing. Mines long with no zip and weighs in at around 750 grms. Top class gear!

If I was choosing, I'd go for PHD, especially as they are in the sale.

Nodrog.

I don't have any experience of PHD, but I have a Pipedream 400 (bought last year)  and it is very good. The quality of the down is surprisingly good. Great bag.

The other thing about PHD is their lifetime gaurantee.

The zip on my 3+ year old Minimus down vest bust.

PHD will replace it - no cost.

Nodrog.

Many thanks for the replies, i saw the other thread after kate ta. I went for the alpkit in the end up. I don't think there's a massive amount in the two bags, hopefully i've made the right decision. the full zip and baffles swung it really.

What makes you say that Colm ? Both bags (or companies at least) seem to have an almost evangelical zeal about them. This is a good thing ,as both companies are obviously doing something right. I have no doubt whatsoever about the build quality and materials of both, but will have to judge that when i see the bag.

I know the phd is in the sale but let's say you paid full price for this bag via the dyo option with a full zip. This would make it £89 more expensive than the alpkit with no shoulder baffle. How is it £89 better ? r&d,materials,construction and british manufacturing wages i would say ? It seems to me,I could be wrong, but some think that Alpkit is a budget brand because they are so much cheaper.The testimonials from here and everywhere you look on the interweb would suggest otherwise. Sure, it's a no frills bag, but so is the minim which is even moreso. Does the PHD badge have a little more kudos when pulled out of the sack ,as opposed to 'budget' alpkit, i think there is a little of that among some, that's human nature.

It's all good really, like i say i'll give it a good coat of looking at and decide, i like the way both companies are run really not knocking phd in the slightest, so don't come round and bash me phd lovers

" Does the PHD badge have a little more kudos when pulled out of the sack ,as opposed to 'budget' alpkit, i think there is a little of that among some, that's human nature "... yep! I love my AD400, thought of getting a PHD bag lots of times as they are nice but I'm more than happy with the AD400 for how often and when I use it. On really cold camps I use my Rab Survival Zone bag to up the rating, and despite the tirade of people who will say that desn't work, well it does, tried and tested.

You'll be very happy with your AD400!

I think CaI was referring to the width Tyke?

Pretty sure the PD is narrower than the Minim.

tyke wrote (see)

I know the phd is in the sale but let's say you paid full price for this bag via the dyo option with a full zip.

buy it in the sale and have a full zip put in for £24

I don't mind if you call me Kate or Metric. Do you go by the Kish or the Logan?

Yes, they put in a double baffle. It's got stiffer material on the outer (zip) sides so that it stays in place over the zip. The inner sides are the usual soft squishy interior material.

tyke wrote (see)

What makes you say that Colm ? ... so don't come round and bash me phd lovers

Not going to bash anyone and what makes me, "say that", in relation to slimness of cut as Se@n has rightly deduced and in answer to your assumption/question, is experience in that I have a Minim and a Pipedream.                                                                     

BTW, I'm an Alpkit lover. I have a down smock, a down jacket, an Airic, a Mytimug, assorted tent pegs, a Gamma headlamp, several Gourdans, assorted stuffsacks, mesh bags, a Pipedream 600 sleeping bag, 3 sleeping bag storage bags, all from Alpkit.

I also own a Tiger Paw tent, lots of craghoppers stuff and some even cheaper gear.

It's not a good idea to assume someone is a brand snob simply because they oppose one of your own impressions especially when that impression is uninformed. Why ask a question, "... i'm thinking the minim would be a slimmer cut ?",  and then lambast a body for his answer?

I'm in the same boat, I was waiting for the Ph.D, sale, to be told by Alpkit I will be sent a link to buy a Pipedream on Monday.

Can anyone actually tell me the actual width of the Minim? It doesn't seem to appear on the PhD site and I can guess what their customer support will be like on Monday

My existing ME and Vango sleeping bags are both 75cm wide and having slept in one last night to check I don't think I'd want one any narrower. The Alpkit is 70cm wide, which would be like getting into a jacket with a 4inch smaller chest size!

Edit: I've just read the other thread Kate linked to and read that Se@n thinks the Minims are 76cm wide. If this is the case they seem to be a fairly standard fit,  but if anyone can confirm this, I'd appreciate it.