There are a couple bags for “clearance” in Geoff’s link above that are around your price, Ezy. But yeah, warmth + light = $$$
@Pete: I’ve got a pair of Black Diamond z-pole Ultras you can borrow for NZ if you like. They might be a bit tall for you/the tent at 130cm but your welcome to look. They’re light and quite stiff.
Hahahaha. Manatra is a clickyclacker.
TC: I’ve been pretty keen on having a go tramping with clickyclackers, but my tramping buddies have ridiculed me.
It’s a very kind offer, thank you. Let me think about it. It just seems a bit strange to take trekking poles on a bike trip, and I’m kinda keen to see how well these little poles hold up, but then again I won’t be if they break on a cold wet and windy night.
Ah right, thought you were hiking. Not sure how much better they’d be as tent-poles than the dedicated poles but you’re welcome to try.
TC: I really like hiking with poles, especially if carrying a heavy pack. Always thought they were for old men with shot knees but it feels really good balancing the workload between your legs and arms. And takes a heap of strain off your back. They do ruin the ambiance a bit though…
This goes for anyone really:
Righto. Old gear vs new gear.
On the left is an MSR Hubba Hubba, the clockwise there’s a Thermarest pillow, a Thermarest Prolite Plus regular, and a Mountain Hardware sleeping bag. Then on the right is a Stratospire 2, a Sea to Summit pillow, an Exped Synmat UL7 M, and an Enlightened Equipment Revelation quilt. The gear on the right is much smaller and lighter. It’s easy to lose the rear panniers and rack, saving more weight, although we’re carrying saddlebags now. I just hope we’ll be warm and sheltered enough. I think we will.
Thats awesome Pete! So with your weight + space savings - is there any comfort sacrifice there?
Hey dudes. Still on the sleeping bag train and my research is just going around in circles. My main concern is getting a bag that won’t be warm enough in the Canberra winters. I had been looking at the 0 degree bags but get the feeling that these might not be warm enough. Could adding in a liner help with getting that bag warmer? Or is it best to get a bag that suits that level of cold we get: -6 would be the coldest I would think. Another thing, I guess the bag will need to open up so I can then use it as a all season bag… so my question, am I trying to do too much with a single bag? I just don’t want to find that I need to get another bag down the road.
Apologies for another post on this.
PS - I bought a sea to summit pillow. Good.
Buy a good sleeping bag that will have you go through the cold nights in Canberra well, and a cheapo for summer. I don’t think a single sleeping bag will allow you to do everything.
Liner’s add a bit of extra insulation, so will keep you slightly warmer (I’ve heard people say it adds an extra degree to the bag’s comfort rating but who knows really).
In any case, you should always sleep with a liner to minimise the need to clean the bag (hard/costly).
I think the temperature ratings on bags are for the average 30 year old male, so they should be pretty relevant to you. But if you sleep warm or cold you can adjust a bit. I find on long hikes my body loses some of its ability to keep warm at night and I really appreciate having a warm bag. I might just be a sook though…
In summer I take the same bag and just put it over my legs or whatever.
2 more cents:
I reckon sleeping bags are pretty similar across outdoor gear brands; it’s just down feathers stuffed into baffles.
Pick the temperature rating you want and get the highest loft down your budget will allow.
Basically, look out for a sale and jump on something that suits your needs.
Liners do help but to what degree is debatable. Sea to Summit make a thermal liner that is specifically designed to add warmth. Never tried it myself though.
For me I just wear more of my layers to bed. So if you’re already going to pack in some kind of insulated layer like a down jacket try wearing that in the sleeping bag.
I have the SPARK II…
MSR Hubba Hubba for sale?
Jetboil…anyone using one?
i use a jetboil zip every time i’m out bush; jetboils are much faster than just using a regular gas burner on a canteen cup etc from my experience. the smaller size doesn’t really bother me (something like 200ml smaller than a regular one). only catch with the zip is you need a ignition source to light it, unlike the flash or other models.
good if you’re in a hurry, and you can use the attached cup on the bottom for shaving/cleaning/whatever whilst still having a brew.
re: sleeping bags, i was fine with a synthetic mont bag rated to about -5, used with a bivvy and silk liner for the last winter in canberra. didn’t use a tarp, only slept on a roll mat. spent some lovely nights in july/august out majura-way where the water in my bottles turned to frozen slush by morning, only discomfort i had in terms of sleep was my feet got cold without socks on.
I’ve seen the zip for $100, which i think is cheap enough to give a go.
Anyone out there thinking about getting an Enlightened Equipment sleeping bag? It looks like they have free shipping for orders over $500.00. I will be getting a bag… just need someone else to jump in with the order to get the free shipping.
Quite possibly. When do you want to order?
I will find out if that deal is only for a short time - regardless, if you are looking at getting one and that deal ceases, we should split postage.