Small pack-size Sleeping Bags

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 James Malloch 07 Apr 2020

I discovered my Deuter Trek Lite 200 has been stored somewhere that got damp & has been for the last 6 months... Needless to say it’s now foul smelling and washing doesn’t seem to be downing anything other than making the down clump together...

Given it’s age and it’s been deteriorating for ages now I think it might be time for something new...

I don’t use it for anything extreme and don’t like being too warm so something rated to about 0 degrees would be in the right kind of range. 

What I loved about my current one was that it packed down to the size of a Nalgene bottle (600g weight) so would ideally like something similar. 

It would be great to hear any recommendations which could fit the bill!

Thanks
James

 Pedro50 07 Apr 2020
In reply to James Malloch:

Washing is bound to clump the down. Drying correctly, tumble dryer, tennis balls etc will unclump. Worth a try. 

OP James Malloch 07 Apr 2020
In reply to Pedro50:

> Washing is bound to clump the down. Drying correctly, tumble dryer, tennis balls etc will unclump. Worth a try. 

I've done that with jackets but this doesn't look like it's going to work. It still smells like a box of maggots too...

 kevin stephens 07 Apr 2020
In reply to James Malloch:

Packing any bag (down or man made fibre) down to a very small size regularly is likely to degrade the insulation, I understand you can get away with it occasionally so long as you take care to give it a good shaking and store uncompressed afterwards

I recently replace my down bag, which had lost its loft with a new synthetic insulation bag, very impressed with quality, loft and compressibility.  I chose synthetic due to occasional use for sea kayaking - the modern bags from reputable manufacturers (mine was Mountain Hardware) seem to be massively improved compared in terms of warmth, weight, compressibility and durability compared to those of years ago

 galpinos 07 Apr 2020
In reply to James Malloch:

Budget?

I have a PHD Minim 300 (300g of down) bought in the sale and a ME Mountain Marathon bag (175g of down)*.

The ME bag is as warm as the PHD and feels better made. I bought the PHD as I love a cottage industry manufacturer and I bought into the hype. I'm not sure if it was justified. There's nothing wrong wiht the bag but it hasn't blown me away either.

On the ME I know it's a specialist bag but it feels really "full" of down, the stitching is great and the EXL system does make it feel v. warm. If I was buying another bag I've be getting an ME, probably the Firefly! 

Had a google, it was called the Mountain Equipment Xero MM Sleeping Bag

 Andypeak 07 Apr 2020
In reply to James Malloch:

I'd be very tempted to send the bag away for professional cleaning. They really can work magic and bags often come back as good as new. 

 Dell 07 Apr 2020
In reply to James Malloch:

Cumulus lite line 200. They're currently doing free shipping. 

Alpkit cloud cover quilt? 

 tjdodd 07 Apr 2020
In reply to galpinos:

Another vote for mountain equipment.  When I went traveling for 2 months last year including some multi-day hikes I did a lot of research and ended up with a ME bag. 

Take a look at

https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/equipment-c3/sleeping-bags-c21/slee...

for lots of other options and some well thought out reviews of the bags.

 Dave Todd 07 Apr 2020
In reply to James Malloch:

I've just bought a ME Helium 250 (initially for use in the Saunders - whenever that might happen...!) then general spring / summer / maybe-autumn use.  I've had a ME Dragon 500 for around 20 years and it's been ace - so I'm a fan of ME stuff generally.

Trekitt have had them in stock intermittently at £154 and offered a '10% off' voucher code, so I got it for about £138, it arrived yesterday.  They only seem to have women's in stock at the moment though.  Quality and design seem really good.  It'd probably be a bit on the short side if you're heading towards 6 foot.

Review here;

https://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/camping/sleeping_bags/mountain_equipment_he...

HTH

SwissChris1 14 Apr 2020
In reply to James Malloch:

If you run warm then like Dell mentions I would look at a quilt.  If I were to get a new bag, this is something I would definitely look at.  Something that gives room to wriggle and move.

 olddirtydoggy 14 Apr 2020
In reply to James Malloch:

You should be able to get that bag back to life again. I have phd bags and love them but even in the sales they are not cheap.

 AlanLittle 15 Apr 2020
In reply to James Malloch:

Cumulus do reasonably priced, good quality down bags - although the lightweight ones might be a bit snug if you're on the larger side. I have their Lite Line 300 as a summer bag, and it's just about big enough for me at six foot / 80kgs

http://sleepingbags-cumulus.eu/

j99 23 Apr 2020
In reply to James Malloch:

Hi, interesting replies. The Cumulous X-lite 300 looks very tempting although obviously not cheap. I was also looking at the "Sea to Summit" bags. Anyone used them? On the photos the hoods look sort of small? I'm wanting something not more than about 600g that will pack down small16x20 say. Thought comfortable temp 4 degree C should be adequate.

In reply to j99:

I'm currently reviewing a Sea to Summit bag, the Ascent Ac I. This is heavier and not quite as warm as you're after - I'd say it's more for 2-3 season car camping. But it is a very nice well-made sleeping bag, so on that basis it may be safe to assume Sea to Summit bags are as good as any of similar spec and price

 Root1 24 Apr 2020
In reply to galpinos:

> Budget?

> I have a PHD Minim 300 (300g of down) bought in the sale and a ME Mountain Marathon bag (175g of down)*.

> The ME bag is as warm as the PHD and feels better made. I bought the PHD as I love a cottage industry manufacturer and I bought into the hype. I'm not sure if it was justified. There's nothing wrong wiht the bag but it hasn't blown me away either.

> On the ME I know it's a specialist bag but it feels really "full" of down, the stitching is great and the EXL system does make it feel v. warm. If I was buying another bag I've be getting an ME, probably the Firefly! 

> Had a google, it was called the Mountain Equipment Xero MM Sleeping Bag

I agree. My PHD beg was rated at -15c and was feeling cool at-5c ..not good. Give them their due though after I sent it back they added an extra 150g of down. Its much better now but of course the bag is not the advertised weight now.

Cumulus, Tundra, Western Mountaineering, Feathered Friends and Mountain Equipment all do good bags.

Post edited at 10:44
 beanieman 09 May 2020
In reply to James Malloch:

I once saw this incredibly light Rab sleeping bag called the mythic 400 in the Cotswold in Snowdonia. It packed down to a small apple but looked like it would rip insanely easily, i have never used it but it seems pretty ultralight.

 NathanP 10 May 2020
In reply to Dave Todd:

I bought a men's standard length Mountain Equipment Helium 250 and had to send it back - I'm 6 foot and it was much too short. Seemed a very nice bag though - a good quality feel and lots of loft. I've just ordered a Helium Solo Long from the Climber's Shop at £152 - hopefully a better fit.


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