Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Camping Equipment and all Clothing
Camping Equipment and all Clothing Tents, sleeping bags, stoves etc. Riding clothing, boots, helmets, what to wear when not riding, etc.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia




Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 26 Feb 2010
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 839
double sleeping bag

for my RTW I plan to use a double sleeping bag for 2 , I saw the one from REI REI Siesta +30/40 Sleeping Bag - Double at REI.com
I am not very interested by single sleeping bag and do not plan to sleep in freezing condition if I can avoid.Any of you use it ,looking for the smallest one possible.
What you guys using for your trip???
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 26 Feb 2010
Pumbaa's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: On our bicycles, probably pushing up a hill!
Posts: 435
For 1 or 2 people?

You didn't say if it's for 1 or 2 people. I assume it will for be 2??:confused1:

I haven't used that particular one, but can definitely recommend the following Mountain Equipment sleeping bag

Mountain Equipment - dreamcatcher

It's a single bag, but you can zip 2 together, and they have extra long ones for taller people too. You can zip a standard bag with a extra long bag.

It's rated from 0 - 25 degrees. I would think it will be ok down to about 5, depending on what you're wearing while you sleep.

The bag is very nice and cosy and it's got stretchy area around your knees to avoid tight situations...
__________________
Jacques & Mandy with Pumbaa II
www.seeyouwhenwegetthere.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 26 Feb 2010
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 839
double sleeping

I plan to use it for a trip for the two of us .
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 26 Feb 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Nottingham UK
Posts: 227
If you haven't tried sleeping in a double sleeping bag before you might want to try it first.

I did the two bags zipped together thing for a few weeks last year, in our case it was because one bag was a lightweight summer bag and wasn't warm enough for the climate we were in. I really struggled with the restricted movement and rarely slept properly. The worst part is when your partners fast asleep then you can hardly even move trying to get more comfortable without waking them up.

If you normally sleep with matched body positions then it wouldn't be a problem, otherwise I suspect it would take some time to get used to it (I didn't, we got donated a second warm sleeping bag by some other travellers and went back to seperate bags).


Another concern with a double bag is when you get ill. Having to get up quickly during the night to deal with explosive shits or needing to vomit is even less pleasant if you're sharing a sleeping bag. (unfortunately I'm speaking from experience here - my advice is to blame it on her cooking! )
__________________
UK to Mongolia 2009, on a DR350
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 26 Feb 2010
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 839
Wink double sleeping bag

Hi Nath,
I appreciate your concern but in my case sleeping in small space is not a problem,now as far as getting sick this is not into my programm so no problem there either, anyway the option to separate the bags in single one still exist.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 26 Feb 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,102
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nath View Post
If you haven't tried sleeping in a double sleeping bag before you might want to try it first.

That really is the best advice you'll get. Believe me, unless you sleep like you're dead you'll be attacking the bag with a pair of scissors the following morning.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 26 Feb 2010
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 839
double sleeping bag

OK guys I guess I will test it starting in April and then you will have a first hand report .
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 27 Feb 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: sunny England
Posts: 790
double sleeping bags are barely big enough for one comfortably. i would get two singles that zip together if you must have a double
__________________
dave
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 27 Feb 2010
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,898
Permit me to add my voice to the clamor. You really, really don´t want to commit to a double sleeping bag without extensive testing first. That means trying it out for more than one night, in worse than ideal circumstances. Far better to get two bags which zip together so that if you are like 99% of us you can sleep separately when this is called for.

That would be the voice of experience.

Mark

(from El Chalten, about to head back out on Ruta 40)
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 27 Feb 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: sunny England
Posts: 790
i hate sleeping bags, they always make me claustrophobic, even my XL vango. and i only ever have them zipped up when it gets cold.
__________________
dave
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 6 Mar 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 4
I have that bag and it's very comfortable and well designed for two. Packs somewhat large but that's normal for synthetic. I really like the two temperature feature.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 6 Mar 2010
AliBaba's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,379
Quote:
Originally Posted by DAVSATO View Post
i would get two singles that zip together if you must have a double

I do this when I travel with my gf, works nice.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 6 Mar 2010
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 839
doule spleeping bag

Ok after trying one from a friend I decided to buy two down rectangle one on for winter and one for warmer climate , the double were OK but a bit too big to my taste , the down one a much smaller and in my case I prefer to save as much room on my bike as I can.

Thanks to all for your help.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 12 Apr 2010
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Denmark, Western Australia (previously Derbyshire, UK)
Posts: 94
Red face Birdland Ranger, Ray-Way & Thermarest Ventra

I too have been looking for a lightweight 2 person sleeping solution.

I have been using cheap, heavy, rectangular synthetic sleeping bags for car-camping for years. These are 2x 80cm width cotton bags with synthetic filling - when zipped together the zips are around the perimeter and the width is 160cm - same as a king size bed. It's like being at bed at home- lots of comfort, lots of space. Space to stretch tired limbs and a perfect nights sleep. Unfortunately the packed size and weight of these bags are too high for bike use.

I use mummy bags too and have a pair of both summer and winter bags that can be zipped together. Nice & compact/light, but zipping 2 mummies together just doesn't cut it- as mentioned previously it's too small and leads to being disturbed each time your partner moves. Having a cold/bumpy zip in the middle is crap. (Coincidentally my 1st wife decided to leave me between Atar & Chinguetti when we were using mummies!).

The Trailblazer 'Adventure Cycle-Touring Handbook' (Stephen Lord, edited by Chris Scott et al.) has a feature on 'Tips for a happy married life in the tent' by Robin & Heleen Wielders-Boerman. They suggest using 2 semi-rectangular down bags from Zwerfkei Outdoor & Travel Centre, at less than 1kg each and -7C rating. They also mention LL Bean bags.

I had a look at the zwerfkei website and, although the temp rating/weight is slightly out, think the Birdland Ranger bag could be what they're recommending:


Birdland, lichtgewicht trekkingtenten en slaapzakken

Technical details:

http://www.birdland.nl/bltechdons.pdf

Some retailers:

Birdland Ranger Featherlite - MoCamp shop voor motor- en outdoorliefhebbers
Birdland Ranger Featherlight
Birdland Ranger featherlight | slaapzakken | slaapzakken deken | Zwerfkei Outdoor & Travel Centre

I did decide to buy a couple of these despite the price (circa €500 for a pair), but then ran into payment complications- the Dutch interweb shops don't accept credit/debit card payments, wanting a direct bank transfer instead. A pain to organise in the UK, costly & no buyer protection.

So I abandoned the purchase for the moment & continue to look for a decent solution, maybe something with a slightly colder rating.....

We have written to PHD, but no reply yet. They have a 'thank-you' for a custom double bag they made on their comments page. NB they advertise a custom sleeping bag service and also sell products with down fill power up to 900, the highest warmth per weight/volume I have seen, which means the possibility for extreme temperature or tiny weight/pack size if you can afford the premium for such down. (:: PHD Mountain Software :: Down Sleeping bags, down jackets, mountaineering clothing & accessories :: Customer comments)

We are also thinking about making a quilt, using a 2-person kit from here:
Ray-Way Quilt Kits by Ray and Jenny Jardine

And, finally we have been thinking about the Thermarest Ventra quilt. Maybe not warm enough for our needs, but 2 can be snapped together, as seen here:
Therm-A-Rest Ventra Down Comforter Test Report by Kathryn Doiron - Backpackgeartest.org

My preference is still for a pair of quality down rectangular sleeping bags to zip together (so they can also be used individually when appropriate) like the Birdlands. Can anyone recommend any other suppliers? Maybe we will avoid sleeping until we get to Holland on the next trip and see/buy a pair there.

Ian

Last edited by Ian Bradshaw; 13 Apr 2010 at 17:27.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 20 Apr 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Earth
Posts: 17
the Uk company RAB used to make custom sleeping bags rectangular down bags that zip together. I ordered some for a trip a few years ago. they were brillint. £400 or there abouts , butit was a while ago. the bags are very light, pack up small, and are good to -7.
Matt
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Looking for XT 350 centre / double stand drdm12345 Yamaha Tech 6 2 Feb 2010 03:16
LR Defender Td5 110 Double Cab for sale UK Ian Dennis Overland Vehicles and Equipment for Sale / Wanted 1 26 Aug 2009 12:56
Double/cross Posting Sagarmatha1000 Website Feedback 5 17 Jul 2007 00:31
Double rear shocks on a 110? Huey Equipping the Overland Vehicle 4 2 Feb 2004 10:08
Double whopper tanks with cheese Chris Scott Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 5 15 Jul 2002 18:18

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:30.