Recommend me a sleeping system.
 

Is it worth buying a bivi bag and silk/fleece liner for my BRRRRR summer sleeping bag or just getting a good 3-4 season bag??

Any recommendations? (A good nights beer doen't count)

They're only a tenner in Millets

http://www.millets.co.uk/camping/sle...ct/096210.html

The same boat ?
 

I've been looking all over the place for a solution to this too.

I've a 3 season bag, comfort down to 4c, but it's just not enough to keep toasty at the begining and end of the season. I can improve on that by adding in the silk liner, which takes a couple of C's off

I was, and still am torn between a bivibag to put the bag into, or one of those bivibag come tent things, for reallllly rough camping.

Any offers of advice ?

Done a bit of camping in my time and the only way i can normally stay warmer is by having someone over the out side of my bag ie like a rug or my jacket.

If i sleep in a sleeping bag thats big and clumpy i sweat on the underside and get chilly on the top side because of the sweat.

Another best way to stay warm is a simple large set of dry socks, set of long johns (or similar) and a thin long sleeve t shirt

Good old army sleeping bag ,i have tried a few but nothing compares to it ,the only downside is the size it packs down too, but i will rather that than a cold night sleep anyday

After years of uncomfortable sleeping I tried all sorts..... Ultralite Cot, Beds, slim matts, think self infalting and the list goes on.... These days after spending out I bought a Nanok -10 comfort sleeping bag which packs quite small and a Exped 9DLX Duckdown sleeping matt which solved it all.

Alot of money I think but well worth it for a good nights sleep. Call Les at TravelDri plus hes a top guy and knows his stuff.

http://www.traveldri-plus.co.uk/

Sleeping Bag:
The real 3 (UK4) season bag for the hardy motorcycle camper who want a high performance bag for 3 season use in the hills with the additional comfort.
Features
* Extra wide
* Zip on both sides
* Small pack size
* Adjustable neck baffle
To further increase the usable volume of this bag an extender is available. Please 'phone Les or Jane for details. 01647 24523


Matt/Bed
Heat loss is dramatically reduced with down insulation inside the mat, as demonstrated by EMPA, the Swiss Federal Labaratories for Materials Testing and Research, and field tests by expeditions.
The thick cushion of air also provides comfort and smooths out uneven ground.
As down compresses extremely well, Downmats packs smaller than other insulated mats.
* Both low profile valves (pat. pend) one for inflation and the other for deflation ensure ease of use. As the valves are flat and not on the mat�s edge they do not protrude and are therefore protected and durable.
* Light foam blocks at the mat�s ends prevent down from escaping or migrating between chambers.
* Laminated polyester fabric is both durable, airtight and humidity resistant. The shell�s top surface is of brushed polyester fabric that provides excellent slip resistance and comfort next to the skin. Dark colors dry quickly. The seams are high frequency welded for durability.
* Two loops at the head end can be used to secure the packsack to the mat when used as a pillow.
DownMat 9 Pump
Size: 183x52x9 cm / 72x20x3.5�
Weight: 980 g / 34.6 oz
Packsack 170 g / 6 oz
Packed: 24x16 cm / 9x6�
Fill Weight**: 250 g / 9 oz
Temperature: -38�C / -36�F


Alot of outlay but you get a superb warranty and wish you bought them earlier!

Mike, how often have you used the Exped9? The reason I ask is that I heard in the local camping shop that there have been a really high number of returns of the Exped stuff. Just wondered how you feel it stands up to regular use.

Ive used my alot and not had any problems with it. The early ones had leaks through the material but this has been addressed. Ive seen a few come back but some have been because the owner didnt do the valves up correctly.

The thing is Traveldri dont argue the point and just exchange it for a new one if theres any problems so you get great service.The new ones have the pump in it so even more compact. Like every air bed you need to be careful what your laying it on or you will get puctures of course. Its defiantely the best I have tried.

Looking at my camping gear last night, and reckon most of it is fine for the summer but just won't cut it for any thing else.

I�ve got two tents one decent big pack size Coleman and a cheapo form Millets which packs down to a bag of crisps and was going to win the Lakeland smallest tent prize till Bear showed up.

Decided I'm going to use two sets of gear one light and small pack size for summer touring, and a bigger pack size (though I hate putting stuff on a motorcycle) for spring autumn weekends like Dent StMarys etc.

On the shopping list:

A 3-4 season sleeping bag, what to get? Do I go for the cheapest one that does the lowest temperature? My budget would be under �100.

A better mat. Looked at those exped ones a while ago and was put off by too many people getting leaky ones plus they are expensive. A few of the lads use the big cheapo ones so going to have a look at what size they pack down to. I think part of the problem is, even on a 2m mat my feet end up hanging off the end and get cold even with socks on, so a simple pillow could solve this.

A cooker for the days first / last coffee and cuppa sooop smash.

Some wind proof dressy troozers for standing about going to the pub, not bike stuff, just find jeans seem to attract the cold and damp.

I paid dear for a Vango backpackers tent year before last, it's very very goo and packs to bag about 350mm long and 150mm diameter. It's a Vango Tornado 200 -> http://www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/ac...ain_Tent_.html

expensive, but very very good in all conditions, no weight to it either.



I, and many others use an air bed! I have a small inflator that connects to the Optimate socket on the bike. Inflates in a minute or two. this way you are a good 3" or 4" above the ground and you can use it on prety rough surfaces too. It takes less space than any of the roll mats you buy. �15 from Argos!

NickW had a small multifuel cooker with him in the lakes, it was a low cost unit very similar to my MSR.

Nick ???

Have a look at the Crag-Hopper stuff, if you go for the SoalrDry range it packs to nothing, takes 10 minutes to 'self iron' and dry's in double quick time. I have a pair of zip-offs from the 'Bear Gryls' range and they come impregnated with anti-mozzy stuff. In fact any onf the good mountain wear pants will do the job.

Sorted for a Tent, bit big when packed but should fit across me Oxford Tail bags. Really want to squeeze everything in the Tail Bags I've got so gonna have a play about loading the bike up at the weekend and see what will fit.

Seen this for a sleeping bag �42 http://www.outdoorscotland.co.uk/sho...eeping_bag.htm

I like the idea of a hammock for a spot of 'rough' camping - Instant camp and bed if there are suitable trees (and they do reckon that hammocks are as comfy as anything when you set them up right) but can also be used as a tent/bivvy in the absence of trees. http://hennessyhammock.com/use-as-a-tent.html

I know this is a bit late but i have used bivy bags for a good few years and a good goretex one will add another few degrees easily to your sleeping bag, army surplus ones should be fine if in good nick, i also use a thermarest as i went off blow up airbeds in sub zero temps and find these are better insulation, hope this (belatedly) helps, regards, Jim

I've done a fair bit of cold weather camping (and warm weather!) - I've camped at the Elefantentreffen for 4 out of the last 6 years and in 2011 went motorcycling and camping in Norway. in February. in -15 to -20 deg C.

I really enjoy camping in the snow.
http://www.sweller.co.uk/norwaybound2011/#DSCF6289.JPG (I was on the old Armstrong).

Elefant 2010:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=f33670ed67

My top tips are:

Decent tent with Alloy poles (fibreglass break at very cold temps)
Coleman Dual Fuel stove is the best and most reliable I've had (I've tried a few and seen others use theirs, the Coleman just works but it's a bit heavy) - gas is utterly useless under freezing.

For sleeping:
Thermarest - this is a must.
I use an Army surplus cold weather sleeping bag. The absolute ********.
Like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/British-Ar...-/171206597930

I find sleeping in socks and thermals allows for that extra few degrees chill

Another top tip: make sure you keep your boots in the tent as if you drunkenly leave them outside they freeze solid overnight and you can't get them back on....

I've been dreaming of a Hilleberg tent (maybe one day :eusa_wall:), but have been curious about hammocks for a while now. The other day, a workmate (ex-Canadian) brought his hammock (War Bonnet - Blackbird) to work and set it up in some trees. He showed me its features and let me have a test lay. Seemed really comfy, and has some great features. No worries about terrain (unless there're no trees, although can use as a bivvy bag in a pinch), works well for hot/cold weather, bloody light, small pack size (no poles), and also makes great chair/lounge. Damn sight cheaper than a Hilleberg too.
It's got me thinking.

The eternal dilemma. I camp year round and in various locations from high mountain huts and snow holes to summer beaches and commercial valley campsites. I have tried 'layering' with silk liners, fleece liners, bivvi bags etc and also tried different sleeping bags sizes/weights/temp ratings. My conclusions are . . . there are no ideal solutions. As with all things it is personal preference but if it helps anyone, here is what I have found works for me in some different situations.

Take the temperature ratings on the bag as a guide only. A bag that says 'good to -5 is never actually good to that temp. You will survive but certainly not sleep comfortably.

Bivvi bag over sleeping bag. Good. I use this a lot, especially in snow holes (for obvious reasons of water) but also in the summer to help facilitate wild camping, be it beach or woodland. There is nothing better than sleeping in the open without being surrounded by a tent when the weather is fine. If the weather is forecast fine and/or warm then I often use a tarp as well as the bivvi bag. The tarp just gives peace of mind just in case it rains but obviously no thermal qualities. Tarps are also good for shade when exploring in hot weather for a lunch siesta. Bivvi bags DO add warmth but not a huge amount. The hooped bivvi bags are a great idea and some swear by them. I tried then when I was in the army and found them a little claustrophobic. Sort of the same hassle as a tent but without any of the benefits. Tarp and simple bivvi bag I find better. You can sit up and also cook under a tarp.

Silk liners and fleece liners are useful but I tend to find them hassle as well. I get tangle up in them when I get up for the inevitable wee in the night having drunk to much beer the evening before! Fleece can be fun as you can get static shocks and flashes of light as you move around in the night. Sort of your own internal lightning storm. Not conducive for good sleep though. Both silk and fleece retain thermal properties when damp.

For me the system of owning loads of sleeping bags works. My son informed me the other day that I have 11. That is slightly wrong though as some are for their use as well. For bike camping I use a chunky winter bag rated -10. This is big in a dry bag on the bike but it weighs next to nothing so not really an issue. I don't use a liner and the bag is a synthetic bag rather than down. Down is lighter and warmer for its volume but looses its thermal qualities when wet/damp. Also synthetic bags can be home laundered easily. I don't use a bivvi bag as I will be in a tent.

For summer camping I use a summer bag and carry/use a bivvi bag as well. What summer bag, 5 degree rating or 10 degree, depends on where. Northern Spain in August, 10 degree, Massif Central 5 degree. Depending on the plan I will either have a tarp or a tent. Occasionally both. A small billy no mates tent is light and easy to pack but useless for cooking in. So the addition of a tarp to act as a porch strung between the bike and tent works well. I can pack a tarp, sleeping bags and sleeping mat (more on that next) and tent into a fifteen litre dry bag strapped on the back of the bike easily.

Sleeping mats. I use a inflatable Multimat. 70mm deep so keeps me off the ground. and comfy. Don't inflate air beds to hard. However air beds are comfortable but can be chilly in the winter. So in the winter I either use a Thermarest or a foil blanket under my airbed. I have never had a good nights sleep sleeping directly on the ground, even the beach, as the ground always gets cold in the night, let alone hard. In fact sand is always cold to sleep on as soon as the sun leaves it, even in the summer.

Tents. Small with tarp for summer or larger with a porch for winter/wet weather. The luxury of dry space for togging up is a must in cold wet weather for me. Most camping with a bike is on flatter ground so a valley type cheap tent is perfect.

However I now refer to my first statement. There are no perfect solutions and its down to the individual and the type of trip and duration. Anyone can survive a night, most can cope with two, but its only the prepared who enjoy camping and can travel for longer periods. All bodies are different as well. My son is the width of a bean pole but sleeps hotter than me. Thus requiring a smaller bag.

Couple of last things. Zips. You will see bags with zips on both sides, big zips, little zips and many other configurations. For me I have discovered that my favorites sleeping bags have either one or no zips. Zips create drafts and are horrible to lie on. Little zips break easily so chunky is good. Zips normally have a baffle inside the bag to help reduce these issues but if the baffle is to small it just jams in the zip. Try any bags zip out whilst lying in it in the shop. You WILL look like an arse but better discover a difficult zip then rather than in the dark on Salisbury Plain. Mummy bags are less comfy than square bags as well. I use a mummy bag for weight saving but on a bike this is less of an issue so use a square one. Finally, if your chilly at night, hat and socks on. You will be sorted then.

Hope that helps a bit. Happy camping.