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 3 Nov 2009
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,654
Ultra small packing 3 season sleeping bag - Does it exist without bankrupting me ?

Hey there amigos !

I'm going insane looking for a very compact sleeping bag.

I've downsized to a smaller dirt bike and none of my gear fits on it now.

I bought a Vango 2 season sleeping bag which is FREEZING even in June and packs much bigger than its advertised size . USELESS !!!!!!!!


So, can anyone help me out here with an awesome recommendation ??

I want something packing about as small as my Thermarest if possible.


Thanks in advance, Ted
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 3 Nov 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 183
If you have the opportunity then check out the snugpak sleeping bags. I have not received mine yet, but they are supposed to the offer a pretty good packing size compared to the warmth.

Might be worth a try, if you find something better then please do post!
__________________
Projekt Balkan
www.buebo.de - Der tägliche Wahnsinn
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 3 Nov 2009
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,898
I don't know what kind, therefore how small, your thermarest packs....but if you're really looking for "ultra" in combination with "won't bankrupt me," you should be shopping used, not new.

You're probably aware that you also need to decide about down vs. synthetic fill; finding a down bag which compresses to tiny dimensions isn't really that difficult, although a good one is expensive if purchased new. Synthetics which pack well (never quite as well as down, unfortunately) tend, in my experience, to lose their loft rather quickly under severe use. A down bag which is left stuffed for a period until you need to use it--even if it was slightly damp when you packed it--can be revitalized with a bit of effort. The cutting-edge synthetics can't (again, in my experience).

I'm currently carrying a 3 season mummy bag which served me very well for a couple of months of hard use. Then the loft collapsed, and the bag lost 20 degrees F/10 degrees C of utility. It was never as compact as a down bag anyway, but it does have the advantage of being indestructible. Plus, I don't care much if it's lost or stolen. If I'd paid US$500 for a nice down bag, I'd have far more to worry about.

Anyway, I think you should be buying used, probably through whatever your local climbers and winter sports enthusiasts use to sell their gear. Buying used means you don't get to choose brands freely--you just wait for something more or less suitable to come along and buy it. IMHO it should cost a maximum of half the cost of new--less if obviously worn.

Hope that helps.

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 3 Nov 2009
MikeS's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,187
A decent down bag (with liner) plus Thermarest will be fine for most situations. And a cheap inflatable pillow on top of a folded up bike jacket worked well for me.

I stupidly bought a synthetic bag for my Americas trip which was huge in comparison to the down bag when compressed.
__________________
Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 3 Nov 2009
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,654
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bertrand View Post
Rab Summit 900 down + compression bag
Toasty no matter what the weather

£300


I've found something I like in the Cumulus Ultralight 200 but its still too expensive for my liking at £115 lol.

Cumulus Ultralight 200

I'll look second hand but I really don't like the idea of sleeping in someone elses sweat, fart and ejaculate !! LOL
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 3 Nov 2009
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,898
Quote:
Originally Posted by tedmagnum View Post
£300


I've found something I like in the Cumulus Ultralight 200 but its still too expensive for my liking at £115 lol.

Cumulus Ultralight 200

I'll look second hand but I really don't like the idea of sleeping in someone elses sweat, fart and ejaculate !! LOL
Ever slept in a hotel? Just wash it.

If 115 quid is beyond your means, and you really want a down bag of any sort of quality, you're definitely looking at used.

FWIW, synthetic bags are great if they might get wet. Mine always seem to get wet, sooner or later, so I've stopped buying down. Mileages vary, often greatly.

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 3 Nov 2009
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,654
Just won a £200 Moutain Equipment bag AND Thermarest for £38 on Ebay..

Holey moley..... Good thinking Markhalf
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 3 Nov 2009
MikeS's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,187
Does it come with any free dubious stains??


Quote:
Originally Posted by tedmagnum View Post
Just won a £200 Moutain Equipment bag AND Thermarest for £38 on Ebay..

Holey moley..... Good thinking Markhalf
__________________
Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 3 Nov 2009
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,654
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeS View Post
Does it come with any free dubious stains??
I hope so or it's going straight back !!!
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 3 Nov 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,102
Quote:
Originally Posted by tedmagnum View Post
So, can anyone help me out here with an awesome recommendation ??

I want something packing about as small as my Thermarest if possible.

Good job you didn't follow Bertrand's suggestion, Ted. I've got one of the Rab bags and if you're lucky you'd pack it down to about the size of four Thermarests. Very warm though!

Hope the M.E. bag works out. Which one is it?
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 3 Nov 2009
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 381
A layering principle works as well asleep as it does during the day!
A 2 season bag, plus fleece liner (extra seasons warmth) plus cotton liner (for washability) plus tracksuit or (ahem) pyjamas gives a good deal of comfort over a variety of temperatures. Even socks, a hat and a t shirt that you'll be carrying anyway make a big difference.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 3 Nov 2009
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,654
Quote:
Originally Posted by backofbeyond View Post
Good job you didn't follow Bertrand's suggestion, Ted. I've got one of the Rab bags and if you're lucky you'd pack it down to about the size of four Thermarests. Very warm though!

Hope the M.E. bag works out. Which one is it?
Not exactly sure to be honest.
http://my.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...:ME:LNLK:MEWNX

For the price, I can't really complain. Its rated to 0 which is what I wanted.

I guess ill find out when it's delivered.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 3 Nov 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 1,032
Temperature rating it a load of bulls. in IMHO.
Don't underestimate the importance of the mat. I'm now using the exped mats and find them sleeping heaps warmer than the thermarest which I'll never use again. Overpriced crap compared to the knockoffs. Dunno what their money gets spent on. The glue on mine separated halfway on my trip.

The exped mats are insulated better, you're off the ground more and you dip into them a bit so you're insulated slightly along the sides as well.

You might even find that you're bag still works with that.

Also, the Sea to Summit Thermolite® Reactor Liner really does add warmth. Makes the difference to feeling the cold and sleeping straight through it without even knowing. Except when you wake up well rested. Buy budget bags on the volume and lofting value of the down filling. The rest (detail on the shell/baffles) is extra and is where more of the money gets spent.

Sea To Summit - Adventure, Outdoor, Camping, Hiking, Gear and Accessories, Perth, Australia
__________________
Tacos Tyring Travels.com
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 3 Nov 2009
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,898
Quote:
Originally Posted by tedmagnum View Post
Just won a £200 Moutain Equipment bag AND Thermarest for £38 on Ebay..

Holey moley..... Good thinking Markhalf
Better save the congratulations until you see what you've really got....but congratulations.

I just sold most of my wall-o-sleeping-bags: kept three, once of which is really just for travel, sold six or seven. I can tell you that the people who bought from me got much better deals than I got when I bought them all new: roughly a quarter to a third of original prices, depending.

Sold a whole bunch of thermarests, going back to the originals with the impossible, freeze-prone metal valves. Plus backpacks, ancient MSR stoves, water filters, a kayak. Made me wonder why I bother buying stuff in the first place.

enjoy,

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 3 Nov 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: sunny England
Posts: 790
+1 for snugpak

they start at a summer bag that packs to the size of a coconut and go up from there, and they can tailor some measurements for you. good value kit.
__________________
dave
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
12v mini microwave - do they exist? karter257 Camping Equipment and all Clothing 17 31 Aug 2010 13:28
Carb rebuild kits.... Do they exist? ulyesse Yamaha Tech 6 27 Apr 2009 10:27
Square 3 season sleeping bag? Chris of Motocross Africa Camping Equipment and all Clothing 7 24 Jun 2007 22:17
Ultra lightweight tent mcdarbyfeast Camping Equipment and all Clothing 9 30 Jan 2004 13:16
94 ultra classic bc_hombre Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 4 18 Jan 2004 03:39

 
 

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 16:30.