[gondwana]

Hi everyone,
Just wondering if anyone has a small (packed) sleeping bag they had good service out of and would recommend?

Looking for something like the Roman Palm Passport, its very small and supposed to be 3 season rated, however read a few online reviews which kinda canned it for not being warm nor as small as the pictures indicated.

Coupla things here, I'm not really planning on shopping online for it, or at least I plan on eye balling it in person before I do. The other thing is with online reviews, you wonder if the opposition decides its well worth poisoning the oppositions wells :

Looking for small, light weight bag that is 3 season at least. Not hiking but for motor biking...trying to keep weight and size down as much as possible.

Thanks greatly in advance, cheers

gondwana

 

[Anarch]

Personally, I'd look into getting a Snugpak Elite. I've used one out field, they bundle up into the size of a football, thin and very warm. Keep good care of it (meaning don't climb into it with boots on, lol) and it'll work wonders. I've used it at Puckapunyal (coldest army base in the country) and it works well.

 

[kevinthenurse]

How much you looking to spend, what shape you prefer, what temp range?

 

[Smokeyr67]

I've heard good reports about the Halo Recon range, they come in at least 4 weights (hot weather, 5 -10 and -20 degree) and are reasonably light (2kg for the -20 model)

 

[silentsapper47]

Wiggys makes wonderful bags if price isnt an issue for you.

 

[gondwana]

Hi Guys, thanks for the replies so far, yeah cold as cold gets without frost or snow I guess...if its too cold I won't be swagging it anyway so I spose 0-5 degrees as bad as it gets, if it gets warm, then I can open it up I guess...if colder I'll get a silk liner I spose, easier to keep it clean. Ahh or kinder better if I had to get in with boots on.

I'm under 6' but big frame I guess...

How much am I willing to spend, cheap n nasty is more nasty and not cheap I find...good value is a different story and not worried about how much I pay if its good reason.

OK if its 500 to a 1000 bucks for a sleeping bag fulla down made from the fine hair of an unborn mongolian yak...well ok thats a little expensive :thumb::::

However 300 for a really good, very compact bag, yep I'd be happy. Looked at some of the recon ones, might be quite ok. Not the jungle but the next colder one on I guess...recon 2 or 3 I can't remember.

Don't need a hood, if its that cold I won't be out there.

Wondering if anyone has any experiences with the Roman Palms, good bad or indifferent. They are probably the easiest for me to get hold of.

Thanks again
cheers
Gond.

 

[kevinthenurse]

If money is not a major issue I would recommend checking out something from "Feathered Friends". They make great stuff but aren't cheap. May also want to consider semi-rectangular for your stature. Made in the USA!

http://featheredfriends.com/Picasso/Bags/Product/0Degree.html

 

[Kipper]

Roman is not the best brand of sleeping bag, we have had a few, and they really arnt much chop. (one was actaully pretty decent while new, but has now worn out after not much use)

I now have a Vango something-or-another, it doesnt roll up particularly small but it is very warm, and so far durable, and didnt break the bank ($120ish)

Heard good things about the snugpacs, but never owned one.

heard mixed things from all extremes about the Halo recons. They seem to be a love or hate bag.

Also, dont forget the temperature rating is for "survival" not comfort, you dont want to be in a -20 bag in -20 weather. (although you can of course supplement your bags insulation by wearing more cloths within it)

1 last thing, you need to decide if you want down or synthetic fill.

Down will be warmer for the same weight and packed size, provided you keep it dry, however it will generally be more expensive.

Synthetic will insulate while wet unlike down.

I chose synthetic for my bag because i wanted the extra insurance that it would still work should I get it wet.

You can buy down bags that are in what they say is a waterproof covering, however, waterproof doesn't always = waterproof (not by the time you stitch it full of holes etc)


*edit*

After much deliberation it was the "Vango Summit ASC 5000" I ended up buying, though i suspect the packed size may be too large for what your looking for, it is quite big.

*edit 2*

If i was going to complain about the Vango, its that the "snag free zip" is not really snag free, but its a minor complaint, and it will affect most bags anyway.

 

[paramilusmc]

Personally, I'd look into getting a Snugpak Elite. I've used one out field, they bundle up into the size of a football, thin and very warm. Keep good care of it (meaning don't climb into it with boots on, lol) and it'll work wonders. I've used it at Puckapunyal (coldest army base in the country) and it works well.

+1 for Snugpak

 

[ldmaster]

Your enemies while trying to sleep are wind and conductive loss of heat through the ground. Finding a combination of items might work best. NO sleeping bag will keep you warm if you have a bad shelter/tent, no sleeping bag will insulate you against the cold on the ground (or the wet). For ME I find the following combo to work for most situations:

1. Marmot down bag (have three weights, they pack into SMALL stuffsacks because they are down, but also because they are down, they are not meant to be stored that way, you should always store a down bag in a long plastic bag you can get from the dry cleaners - extends the life of the down tremendously. I used to use synthetic, but was constantly getting disappointed with the extra weight or lack of warmth, no more synthetic for me.

2. Silk or polypropilene liner - SAVES your bag from wear and if it's warm enough, open the bag and use it as a blanket, and sleep in just the liner. A liner is a must have, it adds warmth to the bag as well. a LOT of warmth.

3. Bivy sack. This is basically just a small one-man tent, mine is a Marmot (hey, I'm loyal) and is pretty small in the sack. These do not typically use tent poles (although you should run some cordage to a branch above to keep the bivy lofty. A good bivy will be almost entirely windproof, a cheap one will be almost entirely useless.

4. Some sort of ground pad. Preference rules here, but the whole idea of a pad is to provide insulation against the cold ground. I have a folding one. Avoid air-filled pads, they ALWAYS spring a leak and go flat.

I live in Colorado, 3-season here means the ability to handle a LOT of wind and a LOT of rain and since we get snow as early as Sept and as late as May, it also has to handle these conditions. It's not about the outside temp, it's all about eliminating wind and losing heath to conduction.

in terms of the most efficient way to transfer heat, they rank as follows:

1. conduction, in contact with something warmer/colder than you.
2. Convection, any sort of wind.
3. Radiation - windless night, just standing around.

The goal, I imagine, is to be prepared for a REAL 3 season need for sleeping arrangements, you will NOT be sleeping if you get cold, you simply will sit up til about four in the morning shivering and whining, then will be forced awake after you fall unconscious, around 8am. If I were to have your budget, I'd look on craigslist for equipment and inspect it before you buy. There are a whole lot of people out there who buy stuff, use it a couple of times, then sell it.

Oh, why Marmot brand?

Warrantee AND just about half the people in Alaska who carried sleeping bags and tents around on trips used that brand - I figured they'd know something rugged. hasn't disappointed.

 

[kevinthenurse]

+1 on Marmot brand.

 

[PapaWhiskyBravo]

Mountain designs do an excellent light weight bag that i've been using. I roll it up in an integral designs bug shelter with a small mat. Ultra light swag. Chuck a tarp over if it looks like rain or sleep bug free under the stars.

 

[Litsgt]

my snugpack softie elite 2 is the best bag ive ever had. good down to 32 when im unclothed and 27 when im clothed, packs into a 7x7 compression sack and can be packed in a military sustenance pouch with plenty of room to spare.

 

[gondwana]

Mountain designs do an excellent light weight bag that i've been using. I roll it up in an integral designs bug shelter with a small mat. Ultra light swag. Chuck a tarp over if it looks like rain or sleep bug free under the stars.

Mountain Designs had a shop in Albany, I heard it closed its doors...were they expensive?

 

[theMISSIONARY]

I use one of these

http://www.mountaindesigns.com/online-store/products/Ultra-500.aspx?prodID=12986

they pack up nice and small so they are easy to put on the bike etc

Mountain designs is a very common store on the east coast....but then thats where all the good bush walkings at

 

[PapaWhiskyBravo]

Thats where i bought mine! It was pretty pricey around $300 if i remember right. It was their 'ultralite' bag which seems to always make things more pricey. It is down filled so i gotta keep it dry, but wrapped up in the bug shelter its well protected. A lot of mountain designs stuff was over priced fashion gear, but i'm very happy with the bag and an ultralite pack (after a few modifications) i use of theirs. I just need to dye it another colour than its current 'shoot me' red.