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

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 ?

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Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

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

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Plough on

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

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OFFICIAL CRASH TEST DUMMY

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.

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Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.