camping advice :)

hey all

my other half and i will be going camping next month in the uk and on the bike, obviously space is a massive issue.

have nice small compact tent, the problem is the sleeping bags, we need 2, they need to be small enough to fit into one large rucksack, warm enough to sleep in, and ideally under £50.

i went to go outdoors today and the vango ultralite 300 seems perfect but at £55 is out of my partners price range and will probably only get used twice or so when the novelty wears off...

any campers here with any suggestions?

thanks

zach

[MisterTommyH]

I've found the quenchua bags from go outdoors aren't too bad. Not too expensive and can squash down quite small (about the size of a handball, if you know how big they are).

i dont but will have a look thanks mate,

have also thought i could maybe do the smaller thinner bag but use a fleece liner? it will only really be used in summer anyway...

[rictus01]

Hmm much depends on how warm you need it to be, as obviously the warmth directly goes to the bulk, the highland 250 compact are about £16* and fine for summer camping but a bit thin for spring Autumn camps, but then a cheap quilt bought locally from a tesco's or something for a £5 would make it good enough for those times to,they also do a range in the £25-£35 range, but I don't know how small they pack down.


*sold by Amazon

Cheers Mark.

[yorkie_chris]

If you buy cheap sh*t you will be cursing yourself at 3AM when you're freezing your knackers off and can't get pickled cos you've got to ride the bike in the morning.

[SoulKiss]

Sleeping bag has to be a snugpak http://www.snugpak.com/index.php?MenuID=114-119

Pack away small, still nice and warm.

I have 2, a tiny-tiny one (cant remember the model migth be this one - http://www.snugpak.com/index.php?Men...119&ItemID=153 ) and a huge one - a Tactical 4 - http://www.snugpak.com/index.php?Men...-106&ItemID=76

Its comfort rating is good down to -12C

[rictus01]

but aren't they like £100-£150 or something like that?

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by SoulKiss

Sleeping bag has to be a snugpak http://www.snugpak.com/index.php?MenuID=114-119

Pack away small, still nice and warm.

I have 2, a tiny-tiny one (cant remember the model migth be this one - http://www.snugpak.com/index.php?Men...119&ItemID=153 ) and a huge one - a Tactical 4 - http://www.snugpak.com/index.php?Men...-106&ItemID=76

Its comfort rating is good down to -12C

Originally Posted by rictus01

but aren't they like £100-£150 or something like that?

Travelpak Lite (recommened low temp 7C but good for down to 2C) can be had for about £25

The Tactical 4 was over £100 - but worth every penny

I've never been cold camping in a £10 sleeping bag from Argos, and I've camped in Scotland in April when it was 4 degrees at night. In cold weather just wear a pair of walking socks, some tracky bottoms, a t shirt and fleece, and throw your walking jacket over your chest and head. Next month a sleeping bag might be too warm, especially if the sun comes up early, you'll end up lying on top of it. Summer camping usually sees me sleeping with the tent door open, and coming out in the morning gasping for a bit of fresh air and to get out of the oven that a tent turns into on a summers morning.

Unless you are doing some serious camping in the winter months in sub-zero temperatures, just buy whatever sleeping bag comes in the smallest stuff sack.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

I've never been cold camping in a £10 sleeping bag from Argos, and I've camped in Scotland in April when it was 4 degrees at night. In cold weather just wear a pair of walking socks, some tracky bottoms, a t shirt and fleece, and throw your walking jacket over your chest and head. Next month a sleeping bag might be too warm, especially if the sun comes up early, you'll end up lying on top of it. Summer camping usually sees me sleeping with the tent door open, and coming out in the morning gasping for a bit of fresh air and to get out of the oven that a tent turns into on a summers morning.

Unless you are doing some serious camping in the winter months in sub-zero temperatures, just buy whatever sleeping bag comes in the smallest stuff sack.

Pretty much the reassurance I wanted, thanks mate