Sleeping systems - bags, pads, matts, liners

Literally anything will do. Better off spending less and knowing you’ll probably buy another anyway.

Part-timer or otherwise, sod spending through the nose only to find it’s a bit too much this, or kinda too little that.

I’m surprised just how much I’ve gotten away with using the jungle bag.

opinions change over time...

750 is still OK. But personally I would't spend money on anything less than 850 now. And in fact all of my bags are 1000, but I threw cash at it.

My -10°C Rab down bag cost me under £200 but was good enough for bivvying during the Beast from the East and tea houses at 5000m in the Himalayas. Other than that I've used it a handful of times because it's too hot most of the time and it was expensive enough that I'm scared of getting it wet.

What are you wanting to do? If you just want to pootle around and sleep overnight in a tent in English summer, I think most people will have more carefree fun with a cheap bag that is nice and warm, but bulky and heavy. If you spend more you just save some grammes and some pack space, which obviously makes a difference for someone like skinny, but is absolutely not necessary for mere mortals.

My -10°C Rab down bag

Which model & assume it was new?

Cheers

You're using yours at the sharp end of high altitude bikepacking races where warmth to weight and packsize are prime considerations.

The last time I used I use mine I think was in the back of my car during a double audax weekend.

It was a Rab Ascent 900 off eBay. New but not from a shop like.

I doubt it's the world's best sleeping bag but it's been totally fine everywhere I've been with it. Could have saved 500g or whatever if I paid £x00 more but that's poor value for a casual like me.

Yeah but that's why I said 850+

Anyway im out. Theres SO much info out there.

I know. Thread should've ended https://www.lfgss.com/comments/15324778/

Another test in the garden. After all your xyz down fill chat I started looking at down bags. Sod buying the ones direct from China, can’t live with myself knowing those ducks were tortured for my benefit.

Somehow I ended up gifted both the OEX Helios 300 and the Leviathan 900. They have the responsible down mark thing, so I hope it is at least a little more humane. That one in the middle they just released (the 600?) could have been better instead of two, but I wasn’t paying.

Both hydrodown, both relatively light for their fill. The 900 feels luxurious and thick and like it might actually save you from hypothermia. The 300 is 300gsm / 600 fp grey duck down or whatever, feels way thin and flimsy and doesn’t seem like it bulks out much. But it’s 750g, so it weighs and packs the same as my jungle bag.

Anyway, the 300 was surprisingly warm for how little down seems to be in it. Last night was quite cold in the garden, 8’C or so with a a constant wind chill. It certainly felt a lot colder.

I was sleeping in boxers and a tshirt, no long johns, no hat, no socks. Just the bag in the tent, on top of the inflatable mat.

Generally toasty, didn’t feel actual cold anywhere but my exposed face, and on the gap at my shoulder where I hadn’t tightened the cinch cord to choke me. Felt cooler air on my body whenever I rolled over and exposed a gap between me and the bag.

Probably it would feel bang on its temp ratings if I had the correct clothes.

As per the reviews I did notice a few stray feathers when I woke up, but no sign of a leak.

Still, for the money probably a good budget option to consider. £75, plus last day today of an extra 15% off weekend offer means less than £65 for a “3 season” down bag.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Camping-Hiking/16034/m.html?item=153963377583&hash=item23d8eeb3af%3Ag%3AHxAAAOSw1Pxe3O2c&_ssn=nicola5073&_sac=1

Two Rab Neutrino 200s (800 fill power) for sale from this seller. One regular (I assume?) and the other XL for the big ones out there.

For those keeping score I got a cheap 600 fill power Vango which should hopefully be enough to try out.

https://www.aldi.co.uk/right-side-ultra-light-sleeping-bag/p/800518401888102

Check out the weight...

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I'm in the market for a decent full size mat, without breaking the bank (I'd love a Thermarest Neoair Xlite, but seems pricey to my mind). What's the forum most beloved mat at the moment?

Exped synmat, in size/thickness/weight of your choosing.
I've got the UL7, the medium (i.e. not long and wide version) is just about long enough for me at 6', and is roughly as wide as other mats I've used (Alpkit Numo, Airo).

Oh, and whatever you go for, DO NOT skimp on the r-value.
You won't have problems with a mat being too hot, but you will know about it if you end up too cold (looking at you, Alpkit Numo...).

mandatory decathlon suggestion

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/inflatable-mat-trek700l-ylw-id_8493395.html

+1 for Exped Synmat in whatever flavour takes your fancy

How do they compare to Neoair? Cheaper at least. Similar R. Pack size seems ok.

Dunno, haven't tried Neoair. They seem popular too though.

Another vote for Exped Synmat. Good value for money, UL ones are very light and still deliver good R value. I like mine rectangular, not tapered, for that freedom of movement (light sleeper and turn many times at night).

I've got this and very pleased with it

Exped says you shouldn't use breath to inflate the pad but the pumpbag instead, so the fill won't get wet. Thermarest also makes pumps and pumpbags, but says it's perfectly safe to use your breath. The xlite doesn't have fill in it but a reflective coating and layered baffles instead.

Can I ask if you run hot or cold? I'm considering that one but the R level is low and going on Landslide's recommendation ^^^^^^^^ I'm wondering if it'll be too low for me.

i run hot and I'm not really sleeping out in anything below spring/autumn overnight temps so probably not much use. I've never felt like cold was coming up through it and with a good down sleeping bag have always been comfortable...

Ok, ta. I'd only really be using it in the summer but have trouble sleeping if I'm cold.

I run cold , slept on it in an old bag which used to be rated down to 4 but is probably off that by a few degrees. Felt fine overnight at 6 degrees. Didn't feel like cold was coming up from it.