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Hi,
I'll be doing tour du mont blanc next week - starting 13th June. I'll be camping, i've got everything i need apart from a sleeping bag.
Trying to go fairly light - 2 man tent only weighs 1.4kg, but i'm not really sure what sleeping bag to go for, whether to go synthetic or down. Don't really want to spend more than £150. Another option is to rent one.
Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Gabe
Down works quite well in the Alps in summer, once the sun is up everything dries very quickly, so if it does get wet, it's not a big deal.
Have you looked at Alpkit's bags - good value.....
If you are under 6ft 1, this will meet your budget
http://bac-e.com/sleeping/down-filled/criterion-ultralight/criterion-ultralight-200.html
Thanks for the help, that criterion does look good and i have been recommended those before, although i've just ordered something much cheaper that I think should do the job ok - a mountain hardwear lamina 35.
Most bags are sold out on Alpkit. So based on what's available, Maybe Alpkit 200 525gms bag with a 2nd hand down jacket off ebay ie rab Microlight alpine. A super light bag and down jacket are my preferred system and much more practical rather than just a big bag, you only need to keep your core warm. extremities can be covered with hats, gloves, socks etc
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Ok will have another look tomorrow, maybe a down sleeping bag would be a good investment. I did have a look at alpkit but they seem to be sold out of everything at the moment unfortunately.
Rab Ascent 500 can be picked up for £150-180 and may be ideal, depending on the elevation of the camps. Down so packs small.
Montane featherlite gets good reviews
Have a look at second hand e.g. Ebay or there are some FB groups for outdoor gear. I sold all my down sleeping bags recently and they went for about 1/2 new price in good condition.
I think unless i see any really good second hand deals i'm gonna stick with what i've bought. I'm struggling to justify spending £150+ on a bag, with the same comfort rating as the one i've got to save 200g. The one i bought cost me £55, has an EN comfort rating of 5 degrees and weighs 1kg.
Consider getting a quilt or some form of outer bag to boost your existing bag's rating. I've a Cumulus 150 quilt which is good for summer use here in the UK (down to about 5C) but I use it as an outer to a PHD bag rated to the same temps and the combination is good to -5/6C so fine for year round UK use.
A good down jacket is probably a better bet, you can wear that in a 2-3 season down bag along with some powerstretch leggings and manage lower temps that way....
Or a down vest / gilet?. But yes that's what I'd do. Make do with the bag you have (1000gms isn't too bad) and take a light down jacket/gilet to wear around camp and sleep in if necessary. supplement with next days clean underwear and even wear a beanie and gloves in bed if necessary. It all helps to keep your bag clean as well. I don't use liners as I find them uncomfortable and claustrophobic
Anyone know anything about these OEX HELIOS Bags, seem to be light and give about the right temperature ratings. I did have a look at one, it did look very thin but then I don't know much about down bags.
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/oex-helios-ev-hydrodown-300-sleeping-bag-p397795
On the HT550 I used the Cumulus 150 quilt, nighttime temps were in the 8-9C range. I'd get to where I was going to bivy and once the bivy kit was set up I'd dry myself (micro-fibre towel and talc powder) and change into a long sleeved thermal top and a pair of merino shorts.
Being dry before you get into your bag/quilt makes a big difference to how warm you will sleep. It's your body heat that will make things warm not the bag, that just serves to keep the heat local to you. Similarly don't take wet clothes into your bag to dry them overnight, it's you drying them out.