Sleeping systems - bags, pads, matts, liners

How do you get on with it?

I used an OR Helium one with a net on IndyPac and almost suffocated myself with it! Had to leave the zip open to get air.

I just changed my Hunkka for a RAB one for this reason - it has option to seal completely or use a bug screen. It's a bit fiddly to use, but seems the right answer

RAB

Sounds expensive (probably well worth it though if you use it often)

Something like this would be perfect I think

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As long as you don't like breathing very much!

Pretty well. I used it in most races I've done since 2016. If it was colder I'd take the RAB Alpine. No bug net, just a full lid, but if it was that cold there weren't many bugs.

Oxygen is overrated.

Ended up finding exactly what I was looking for second hand, it's square and really long and has the options to either close it all the way or close a small piece of mesh in front of your face to keep the bugs out. Only downside is that it's bright and shiny yellow.
Can't wait to try it out.

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I'm riding for a few days in Sardinia shortly and looking for a mat and bag.

I sleep cold but am 195cm so need a long bag. I tried a Rab Ascent pro 700 but found it cold sleeping with it in my van a few weeks ago, I think as it is so roomy. Equally though I need some leg room rather than a super tight mummy bag. I sleep cold.

Struggling to determine what temp rating to go for, lows are around 12deg and I'd expect to do more Summer/Autumn trips with it too.

Any opinions on something like this? I like the idea of it. Max budget £300.

Interesting concept, but as a full system, the temperature ratings look a bit overkill for what you've described, it's quite big and heavy, and the fill power of the down (650) is relatively low. That said, if you were cold in the Rab (with 700g of 650 fill)...?
What mat were you using?

It was actually just in the back of my van on a seat all night, in my clothes. I was surprised at not being warm, but it's pretty massive in girth so just assume it had too much air to warm up. I like that Rab fills their bags in the UK so can trust the source of the down – would love a recycled down bag but can't find any.

Good to know that's overkill – it's difficult to know which temperature ratings to rely on, but I thought with the Big Agnes system at least if I was hot I'd use one less bag.

I'm sure this is covered in the thread, but are the Alpkit bags any good?

Probably mentioned already somewhere in the thread but because my down sleeping bag is too light (rated at 13° comfort) I got a sea to summit fleece liner and some thermal long underwear from decathlon. At 4° I was still comfortable, and I also sleep cold.

So might be worth a try before spending a lot on a new bag.

I think a good mat will probably be warmer than your car seat. My thoughts on mats here: https://www.lfgss.com/comments/16503447/
I'm currently using Expeds, a Synmat for summer and a Downmat for winter.

I've got 2 of the Alpkit Pipedream bags too, a 400 for winter and a 200 for summer. The 400 has done me down to -4°C, and I reckon it's about as much as most folk will need in the UK apart from proper winter mountaineering. I'm 178cm tall, 83kg, and tend to sleep a little bit cold.

Try putting your coat outside the bag, over your legs. This adds insulation, while letting the bag trap warmth from your body. Also, buffs, woolly hat, gloves can help and are easily put on or removed.

Was it one of their reactor liners? Been eyeing one of those to extend the season of my summer bag

Yes, it's this one: https://seatosummit.eu/products/thermolite-reactor-fleece-liner
Their 18° claim is of course BS but it does add warmth. Only downside is that it's quite bulky.

Any ideas where I can get a non-NXT (ie cheaper) Thermarest Neoair xlite in large? My cheap decathlon one has given up so I'm just gonna bite the bullet and buy what I should have bought originally rather than 3x cheap alternatives that amount to the same cost

Is there anyone in Europe making good down quilts?

I like the look of timmermade fetal ones. Was something for 3C ISH and around 300g

I am somewhat tempted to just get some down boots and trousers. I've been sleeping in my down coat and primalot trousers a a bit recently which is OK.

Edit: Think I've persuaded my wife to make me one, so just need to find good down.

Cumulus gets my seal of approval.
https://cumulus.equipment/eu_en/quilts-and-comforters-quilt-350.html

Thanks! Heavy though! I'd need to go for 150 to get th weight near my ideal, and then it's 850 not 950 or 1000 so I'm loosing some warmth. The design looks as wished though.

The issue is a I have a mountain hardware phantom 0 that's 580g. So I don't want to he near that or it's pointless! And my PHD weighs 500g and is good to -9 C

Do you know where I can buy 950 down?

Also as a side sleeper (figure-4) I am going to get rid of my neo air and get something else, a bit wider and rectangle, to try actually sleep. I'm happy to carry 150g more or so if I sleep well!!

I am thinking the new big agnes zoom ul unless anyone else has a suggestion?

https://www.bigagnes.com/products/zoom-ul-insulated 490g.

This sea2summit seems another option in either long or regular wide - as I need 60cm width. But a lot hevier!

https://seatosummit.com/products/ether-light-xt-insulated-sleeping-pad 620g

Poland. Although you might struggle to find 950 as a non-commercial entity. Ripstop.pl has 800 I think.

Also my partner is on a s2s ether extreme, she's a sidesleeping log now.

Good to know. Is she using a pillow if so which?

Yeah 800 not enough. Maybe I can buy a 2nd hand bag and empty it

Anecdotal evidence but a friend is on his third S2S pad in a year. Amazing global warranty (replacements fedex’d to Guatemala and Colombia) but leaks formed around the circular baffles/seams and were impossible to repair. On the 2nd pad this happened within a month.

I also have a theory that made in Ireland Thermarest Neo Airs aren’t made as well as the MUSA versions but maybe we’ve just had bad luck…

My experience with BA customer service (regarding our tent) hasn’t been great, they need to inspect the item at their warranty centre before repairing or replacing.

I’d go for a Nemo, Thermarest or S2S, very prompt international warranty replacements sent out with minimal hassle.

Ooft that's not good product quality. Or service from BA.

I'm put off by the extra weight of the BA. Thermarest don't work for me. I'll look at Nemo. I think the dimpled surface will be good as a side sleeper.

Wow both Nemo and s2s are circa 220eur, yikes.