Sleeping Bag Advice please

[gumboot Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close gumboot]

I am looking to buy some new sleeping bags for the boys and after some advice on brands.
(I did search and found just one thread)

The purpose of the bag is camping in QLD / NSW . Not for top of mountains, Snow or Tasmania. So I guess the temps somewhere down to about Zero worst case and mostly 6-8 degrees in Qld on average
I found BlackWolf at Anaconda and Rays. They suggested a 3 season bag around 5-6 degree range like this
http://www.anaconda.com.au/Product/C...ag#90001342001

and team it with a mat like this one as it give great insulation and much more comfort.
http://www.anaconda.com.au/Product/C...ats/Deluxe-Mat
I tried this and really liked it. I also looked at a Themrorest Pro Plus which was similar to the above mat, but a lot thinner. My reasoning is get a good mat as they is a thing i will use everywhere, irrespective of temp.

The camping store guy suggested not to get a -8degree bag for Qld as you just get too hot and it is too big and bulky. Any thoughts or advice on other brands and if this temp range is right as per above.

Cheers
Robert

[William Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close William]

I use a -10 rated Blackwolf sleeping bag with a Dune (from anaconda) 4wd sleeping mat. I use it all year round from 0 degree nights to 30 degree nights. Then again I'm down here in Melb, might not suit you up in QLD.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Sleeping bags are such an individual thing I am not sure how much use any advice will be. For example we bought some lightweight bags to fit the kayak spaces for last weekend and they were all 2C rated down bags. In single swag style tents I used my bag unzipped and draped over me like a duvet. Wife was snuggled up in hers in 17 layers and #2 son something between. All I can suggest is that you can use a bag that is warmer than you need because you can always open it up and cool down but the opposite is not true. Down bags have been better performing in our experience despite the higher entry price.

Edit: it was down to 8C. -2 is the lowest rating bag we have and that wasn't warm enough camping out near Toowoomba mid winter.

[William Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close William]

Absolutely agree with you there, always go for a higher (lower temp) rated sleeping bag than you need.

In summer I will open it up or sometimes not use it at all... and in winter I'll be zipped up in it like a cocoon.

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Agree on a personal thing. I sleep hot so I never zip mine up, I sleep in a silk liner and use the bag as a doona. Also depends what you're sleeping in, a swag will keep you hotter than a tent etc. I prefer down bags but you have to be careful not to get them wet.

Re the mat buy the thickest one you can fit in your pack/4wd etc. I have the Thermarest 4x4 mat, bulky but fits in the Prado fine, I wouldn't take it bushwalking.

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

I reckon that is all good advice from your store. Also try the hiking stores, as they tend to offer lighter more compact bags. The bags will last a lifetime, so spending a little more can be justified.

After you have made your purchase, to continue getting the best out of your bag year after year after year... be sure to store it loosely and definitely not in the bag. When travelling, "stuff" your sleeping bag into its bag, as opposed to rolling it. I highly recommend a silk sleeping bag liner to protect the inner and also provide about 5 degrees C of additional warmth.

Similarly for storing your air mattress, lay it flat and leave it "unplugged". I use a spare shelf where I lay my Thermarest with the plug open and then lay my sleeping bag on top of it. SWMBO doesn't know about the 'spare' shelf

LFaR.

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Agree with LFaR on leaving bags and mats out, must get mine out today

[JoshF Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close JoshF]

I also leave my 4WD mat open and stored under the kids beds.

I have both a +5 and -5 sleeping bag for use. A minus 5 bag as a doona in summer is too warm for me. I do carry a doona cover sometimes as it gives me a cotton sleeping bag plus spread out sleeping bag for the 3am temp drop.

[Max Member Find all posts View Profile Close Max]

Down will pack much smaller and will cost you more for the convenience (warmth v beer space factor). I've had my -10C down bag for over 20 years and it's still going strong. I was told to store it in a pillow case so the down doesn't stay crushed, I haven't and it hasn't suffered too badly. I'd treat it better if I had my time again though.

Depending on the manufacturer, the bag will keep you comfortable about 5 - 10 degrees above it's rating but that's nothing a few extra layers can't fix. I couldn't use it as a sleeping bag in summer but it's smaller than a blanket and fine unzipped for me and my wife in warmer weather.

Kathmandu aren't the brand they used to be but they've got some good info to help you pick the right bag.

http://www.kathmandu.com.au/images/a...o_SBagtech.pdf

If you think your boys will look after it, I'd say get them a decent down bag and liner. Smaller, lighter and will outlast the Prado.

I used to use a Thermarest when I was single and think they're great. It's as old as the sleeping bag and doesn't leak. Wife wasn't happy with one so we have 2 single 4WD mats (easier to pack than a double)

[Corigator Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Corigator]

After many years experience hiking (tramping) in NZ. Don't write off the dacron holofil or similar bags.

A consumer institute study over there found that weight for weight the dacron bag is warmer than a down bag.
The big advantage of down is that it compresses much better than the dacron bags. Taking less room in your pack.
The disadvantage of down is that it loses its warmth if it gets wet, whereas the dacron hollowfil maintains its warmth. (Water isn't attracted to the Dacron)

Food for thought
Greg

[gumboot Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close gumboot]

Thanks for the advice guys. All done.
I ended up with the BlackWolf 5 degree bags for the kids. They are new to camping so want to see them use it first and couldn't go past the BW with the warranty and the price as an intro bag for them. If we do more cold weather camping I can always throw a blanket, or addtitional layer over them and we may look at down bags later.

Also got these mats on special http://www.anaconda.com.au/Product/C...per-Deluxe-Mat

In my travels though I did come come across a couple of standout down bags
K2 MONT ZODIAC 700
http://www.k2.com.au/Active/sleeping.html

MacPac Escapade
http://www.macpac.com.au/shop/en_au/...de-700-xl.html

Anyway now to get some use out of them.
Cheers
Robert

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

5 degree bags should be fine in QLD. Make sure you use a silk/cotton liner with them, much easier to wash the liner than the bag.

I have a Fairydown (now MacPac) down bag, had it for 20 years and it has never let me down.

[reida1991 Member Find all posts View Profile Close reida1991]

My sleeping bag is as old as me (21!). My parents bought it for me as my first camping present when we went on a big trip up through the centre. Its a big ol Jackaroo with Dupont Dacron filling which was from Kmart I believe. Its as warm as toast. They certainly are a personal thing, this one has some stories to tell.

Reidy

[chappy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close chappy]

I own an 30yr old mountain designs down sleeping bag,can't remeber the bags name or it's exact rating,it's great during the winter nights,but a bit warm during the warmer months,I also just unzip it,these days I prefer a camp stretcher over the old camp mat (very uncomfortable).
The reason for stuffing yje sleeping bag into it's stuff bag is to prevent the stitching from pulling through the fabric-hence the term stuff bag.

cheers,
chappy

[Snaga Wishing I was lost Find all posts View Profile Close Snaga]

Thought I'd revive an old thread rather than start a new one...

Anyone used a Blackwolf Eskimo 300 kids bag?
Need a sleeping bag for Lorelai next weekend (Warwick might get down to zero) and this one looks reasonable for the $70'ish price tag.

Thoughts??