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Sleeping bag, not freezer bag. Sleeping bag, not freezer bag.
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Camping Equipment and all Clothing Tents, sleeping bags, stoves etc. Riding clothing, boots, helmets, what to wear when not riding, etc.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia




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  #1  
Old 20 Mar 2009
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I guess you won't find synthetic bag with these requirements. If there are any these will be big and heavy when packed.
I have The North Face Mammoth, that is rated -7 but I have no wish to go out camping in winter in it. Around here it is good in summer, though. I have used it in near 0C and that is as low as I want to push it (it was cold).
Manufacturers comfort ratings are wishful thinking, IMO.
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  #2  
Old 20 Mar 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rebaseonu View Post
I guess you won't find synthetic bag with these requirements. If there are any these will be big and heavy when packed.
I have The North Face Mammoth, that is rated -7 but I have no wish to go out camping in winter in it. Around here it is good in summer, though. I have used it in near 0C and that is as low as I want to push it (it was cold).
Manufacturers comfort ratings are wishful thinking, IMO.

I tried mine out this Monday just gone, in the Nature Reserve, just North of Aegvidu, off the No 13 road: cold!!
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  #3  
Old 20 Mar 2009
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You ARE using a pad underneath, right?

I've been using a down bag for the past 3 years - haven't had problems with wet weather yet (a good tent with proper ground cloth is key - a cheap tent, well, they let water in). You can always bail on the camping and find a room if you do get wet - that's easy to do when you've got wheels.

A 2nd, lighter bag that zips open - or even a good down quilt - to throw over the top to use when you are doing it in really cold weather may be a better way to go then getting a limited-use 4-season bag - usually only a functional bag when it is really cold. Great if you are a mountaineer or winter camper - but sort of an oxymoron with motorcycles.

That's my suggestion.
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  #4  
Old 20 Mar 2009
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My answer for having a warm winter bag is simply to double up the bag with another. Both are cheapie sacs and I find that to around -5° to -8° its fine. I also wear long u/wear in the sl/bag. And I use a quill type air mattress which is also a cheapie, but actually the smallest , lightest and most effective IMO.
I have a down sac but I now prefer synthetic stuff. When backpacking in winter I used to use my rucsac over my feet and legs ( i.e.over the sl/bag) to boost insulation. You could do this with your bike stuffsac. You can gain a useful few degrees like this.

As an extra, I use a hot water bottle to get me warm when I enter the sac. The bottle is just any old bottle, plastic or glass, which I find lying around, or in a roadside bin. Looks bad if anyone sees you of course. So no need to carry anything extra.

Warmth aside, the long winter nights are the most annoying thing about winter camping; 12-13 hrs in the tent in a Scottish winter were really too much.

I agree about M/facturers ratings - nothing short of lies!
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Old 20 Mar 2009
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I have a Therma rest mat, and I also laid some of my bike kit under it too. In the case of Monday night putting my Argentine poncho in the bag over me, rather than over the bg as previously was what made the difference between a tolerable night and a very unpleasant one!

Second bag is an option too, I have a lighter summer bag I could use, but then you are loosing space, possibly more than by just carrying a 4 season.
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  #6  
Old 20 Mar 2009
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I use a Helsport Raudfjorden (check out Portal - English | Helsport | Portal - English | Helsport) which I've slept in down to -20 centigrades. It's rated to -35. Didn't freeze at all. It has a 90 cm zip which makes it useable even in warm weather. You simply can't get a warm enough sleeping bag, especially when you want to camp in the colder parts of the year.
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Old 21 Mar 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by indu View Post
I use a Helsport Raudfjorden (check out Portal - English | Helsport | Portal - English | Helsport) which I've slept in down to -20 centigrades. It's rated to -35. Didn't freeze at all. It has a 90 cm zip which makes it useable even in warm weather. You simply can't get a warm enough sleeping bag, especially when you want to camp in the colder parts of the year.

Thanks!!

in terms of rating and zipping together these seem to tick a lot of the boxes I had in mind. Packed size and weight seem reasonalbe for the specs. Only the price is unknown!!
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  #8  
Old 21 Mar 2009
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Down is the only way to go if your criteria involve both warmth and compactness.

As for waterproofness on the bike it should not be a problem. I've carried a down bag on numerous very wet canoe and kayak trips with no issues. Seal it up in a plastic bag and put that inside a serious waterproof canoe/kayak bag with a roll top closure. Not so much as a drop of water ever reached the sleeping bag even during a capsize in a fast moving river.

As for possible tent leakage, my down sleeping bag has a gore-tex shell which makes it very water resistant.

Science solves all problems sooner or later.

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