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Hi James,
thank you for your quick and kind reply.I am based in the UK at the moment but the plan is to have a sabbatical next year and travel to places I have never been and in seasons that might be taught. I was looking for something in the region -10 to 10.
I am travelling to the USA next week for a conference (New Orleans), perhaps I can avoid taxes/duties if I make my head clear...
Albb-
Perhaps @platypus will pipe up, their knowledge is great.
The bags you listed are pretty heavy. A zpacks as the same rating is half the weight - I am not sure how there is such a differnece. They used 17g/m2 V 36g/m2 and 900 down v 800 down.
The USA have lots os nice small house brands making stuff - at pretty good prices; Katabatic, Zpacks, Timmermade for three off my head. I'd look at the middle of your planned temperature range. You can always push it a bit; I actually use my 0deg C bag the most as it's light and small where as my -10 C is more bulky (read andy kirkpatricks blog for tips). For side sleeping I do think a quilt is nice, I will sometimes sleep in a balaclava. Or just covering your face with a thin merino buff is nice too, plus if the quilt is the right length you can pull it up over your head - you can't do this with a normal sleeping bag. So check a quilt is long enough to do this. A quilt also means if it's warm you can open it up and use it as a blanket. You can do that with a sleeping bag but it's not so comfy.
skinny
The issue is bags are designed with the hood for being on your back. And generally have more insulation on the top than bottom.
You want to look for down over 850 fill really. If you want to save money look second hand, I got my mate a great old North Face bag for nothing.
Edit: That zen bivy looks a nice design for a side sleeper.
You listed two bags at different temperature ratings, what temperature do you generally plan to sleep at? are you in the USA?