I use a Marmot down never summer bag for winter minus 16C, used to use a 2 season inside a 3+ season it worked ok till you needed a pee, takes longer to get out if you have rolled about. Down gives a better pack size with less weight than synthetic but synthetic is still warm if it gets wet unlike down. At the end of the day you get what you pay for, don't do millets blacks argos, they have no serious stuff have a look at cotswolds outdoor, there are some very warm and big fishing bags around but are bulky.
i use a cotton liner in a 3 season bag and find it brilliant, it packs down to not much bigger than a coke tin size and in summer i have sometimes used it instead of the sleeping bag
I always take 2 sleeping bags, one inside the other for when it gets cold. They both pack up really small so no probs there. Cheap and cheerful solution.
Usually I get them both ready for me to just get inside when I get back to the tent, but on Saturday I forgot to. Hence they got a bit twisted up together and I couldn't get in properly. That's probably when you heard me shouting "get off you b*stard" or words to that effect during the night on Saturday Craig, and that's the truth...your honour
OK I will tell you my secrect - the vango bad AND I take a hot water bottle - it works everytime unless your a bit squiffy and fill the damn bottle but FORGET to put it in you sleeping bag - not that I have ever done that ooooooh and dont forget a furry bunnet lol x
Only wear a wicking type T shirt in bag, if you sweat it will chill you and if you "must" use a LILO type airbed put a space blanket on top then a normal blanket because they convect cold from the ground and suck the warmth out of you. Bag liners look for a Meraclon one.
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Not sure what type of bed yet harry as i'm looking at all options for winter camping,,,,might get a deeper thermarest as mine are only 3cm,,,have trouble with airbeds recently.....have been told to put space blanket on ground to prevent cold/damp,,,never thought about on top of bed !!
I know it's easier for Ian and I as we can divide the stuff between us but the way I suffer from the cold even my birthday camp in April and the camp in Cornwall were cold for me.
One thing I discovered last year was faux fur ... I now have a blanket that rolls up small and goes inside the sleeping bag with the 'fur' bit next to your skin (awaiting XK's comments (rolls eyes)) it really does keep you toasty warm and fleecy Jim Jams too :-)
Just spent last hour browsing shell,,,going to do a bit leg work over next few weeks and visit a few outlets,,,at least then i can try them out and then google them for best prices,,,thats if i find any thats suitable that is...going to get a liner this week and if its frosty i might camp out in garden to test it !!!!along with my ex nor/ bivi bag...
neighbours already think i'm stupid so it wont make any difference
Ive got two harry,,,but they are both 3cm....I think the 5cm will do for me so might invest in another,,,,,will probably need a new shed as well to keep all my camping gear in,,,,a while ago the neo or similar was mentioned on here,,,a lightweight thermarest i think,,but retails around £100-£130...was wanting something a bit cheaper so i can invest more in a sleeping bag......off now to google therarests
Aint you in bed yet? I would be but prat next door got his tumble drier going and it hums through the walls. A mate of mine has a large oblong bag [not mummy] I'll find out what it is, wont be able to post till sunday got rally on from tomorrow.
Don't know wot Shell is on about - she has a Mr P to keep her warm!
And as for fleecy jim jams... who said romance was dead?
It'll be single beds on honeymoon next!
dont go to bed till stupid o clock after a late shift harry,,,,finish work at 10pm,,,get in about 20past,,,,,and catch up on computer till i get tired,,,off now to make a hot drink,,,,already had a few cold ones....
Was wondering how long it would take you XK
I've been reading some good reviews about self-inflating air beds and how they are much more effective at insulating you from the cold than conventional airbeds...dithered about buying one all season so I think I'm going to go for it now and ditch the airbed
There are cheaper brands out there,,,but the "Thermarest Range" range seem to be most popular,,,and like sleeping bags you can also get the beds for all seasons,,,,,I'd go for 5cm depth for comfort,,,more if i had more space on bike !!!but still neeed to investigate myself these neoair beds that supposed to be smaller pack size ???
Alpkit.com do good stuff too. I have a pair of Fat Airics, but they're obsolete now and replaced by the Dozer mats. 7cm of luxury, and you can get them on a bike