Sleeping bags

[GoAskAlice]

Guys, I need advice on sleeping bags. I'm thinking a three season synthetic, for waterproofing, supplemented with a fleece liner and divvy bag and compression bag, but I have no idea where to start. I'm looking for something that is not outrageously heavy, but can be used outside in winter in the Midlands, used long term and is fairly durable.

Any input gratefully received (and on tents too).

[metatron]

I do winter hammock camping and the temp ratings on bags are largly bullshit, well their stop frostbite. It's more about trapping layers of air, so I normally sleep clothed even in a three season bag.

Snugpak Chrysalis 4 is a nice winter bag, with a Sea to Submit liner (mostly to help keep it clear) and a good Therm-a-Rest sleeping mat, even when the wind gets under the hammock its not a problem. It's not toasty and warm but its comfortable. I also use a Snugpak Travel sleeping bag in summer, just with a cotton liner.

[GoAskAlice]

Thanks Metatron. I'm looking at the different liners- the thermolite looks like it would keep someone toasty warm!

[MissAnpassad]

When choosing a sleeping bag you really need to take a few things in to consideration. The first one is your own body temperature during sleep. I for one froze during the nights when I was working in Africa, so I need a well padded sleeping bag. If you sweat a lot then you need a sleeping bag with a lot of ventilation. The second thing is what climate you are going to sleep in. I'm not just talking about the temperature, rather the humidity. Synthetic bags will not keep you warm if it is humid, even if they are rated to -25 degrees C and you are sleeping in plus degrees. In "arctic" temperatures the air becomes very dry, all the humidity has become ice, so then the sleeping bag works as it should.

If I were to go camping in the Uk, I would bring a sleeping bag stuffed with wool or with down.

Are you planning to go camping with someone else or a dog, then it,s smart to buy a bigger bag (so the dog fits) or a bag that can be joined with your companions bag, shared body heat is nice when it's really cold.

[Deeps]

When choosing a sleeping bag you really need to take a few things in to consideration. The first one is your own body temperature during sleep. I for one froze during the nights when I was working in Africa, so I need a well padded sleeping bag. If you sweat a lot then you need a sleeping bag with a lot of ventilation. The second thing is what climate you are going to sleep in. I'm not just talking about the temperature, rather the humidity. Synthetic bags will not keep you warm if it is humid, even if they are rated to -25 degrees C and you are sleeping in plus degrees. In "arctic" temperatures the air becomes very dry, all the humidity has become ice, so then the sleeping bag works as it should.

If I were to go camping in the Uk, I would bring a sleeping bag stuffed with wool or with down.

Are you planning to go camping with someone else or a dog, then it,s smart to buy a bigger bag (so the dog fits) or a bag that can be joined with your companions bag, shared body heat is nice when it's really cold.

I've found the problem with dogs is they tend to want to move about a bit through the night and this can wake you up, you might have better behaved dogs than me though.

[MissAnpassad]

I've found the problem with dogs is they tend to want to move about a bit through the night and this can wake you up, you might have better behaved dogs than me though.

More well behaved? I have huskies, they don't know the meaning of that word at all. I think it has more to do with that i'm already used to them sleeping on top of me under the covers every night even during the summer months. When I asked them if they knew that their relatives in Siberia sleeps outside in the snow in temperatures below -40 degrees, they looked something like this ->

[Deeps]

I've found the problem with dogs is they tend to want to move about a bit through the night and this can wake you up, you might have better behaved dogs than me though.

More well behaved? I have huskies, they don't know the meaning of that word at all. I think it has more to do with that i'm already used to them sleeping on top of me under the covers every night even during the summer months. When I asked them if they knew that their relatives in Siberia sleeps outside in the snow in temperatures below -40 degrees, they looked something like this ->

Ours are very much pets, when we've had them camping before they don't settle, every noise has them curious, I suppose they would calm down if we did it more regularly but I can't see Her Maj going for that.

They don't go upstairs in the house (unless its for their bath) but when I fall asleep in front of the TV, they do pad around a lot through the night, they move between sofa's and their bed on the floor, every few hours one will get up and move and the other one will come and lie at the end of my sofa. If I was out bivvying I don't think I'd be getting much kip with this pair of dafties, they're still fairly young, not yet two but no, they're not exactly highly trained elite ninja dogs thats for sure.

[Decaff]

You can get silk liners for sleeping bags, they are light to pack, very warm and quick to dry. My SIL and her hubby have them when they go off globe trotting, they swear by them or comfort and warmth.

[Yorkshire Andy]

You can get silk liners for sleeping bags, they are light to pack, very warm and quick to dry. My SIL and her hubby have them when they go off globe trotting, they swear by them or comfort and warmth.

i agree ive got one in summer its enough on its own ... in winter its nice and warm inside a sleeping bag

[raz]

Snugpaks are reliable and pretty hard wearing i use the 3 season all year round without problems & only £25 new from the surplus store near me.. if ur using a bivvy bag i find sticking a wool blanket down to lie on helps with comfort and keeps the cold from the ground out so ur toasty warm