UKH

Hi, 

im heading up to Everest base camp in mid October and I cant for the life of me find a straight answer as to what the best sleeping bag setup is.

we are staying in tea houses every night but I know it still gets really cold of a night but im also aware That in Kathmandu and Lukla etc it will be a different story.

just hoping to tap into some good advice or personal experience if anyone can help.

thanks in Advance Dan 

In reply to ParaDan: For around 100 dollars you can buy a really good medium weight down sleeping bag in kathmandu. I’ve used mine everywhere from the ebc treck up to high altitude mountains

In reply to ParaDan:

There’s no such thing as a straight answer here.... apart from down as opposed to synthetic.

It all depends on whether you run warm or cold, what you will wear inside the sleeping bag, expected minimum temperature, how fit you are, budget, how much you are prepared to carry etc etc.

If really struggling, a 4 season-ish down bag should be ok.

Have a look at the Mountain Equipment bags, there is a decent description of what activity each is suitable for.

In reply to climbit123:

And where does the down come from?

In reply to tehmarks:

The poor OP has enough on his plate as it is!!!

In reply to tehmarks:

At least it will be produced locally, not in China, and you can get a very nice brand patch of your choice on it as well 

In reply to ParaDan:

My starting point is to look at the equipment lists from reputable trekking companies, e.g.

https://www.keadventure.com/holidays/nepal-trekking-everest-basecamp-namche...

and also the excellent recommended gear lists from PHD

http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/gearadviser/destination.php?destinations_id=17

Note the weather and gear notes down the left hand side.  Of course you do not need to go for PHD but it at least gives an indication of what temperature ratings you should go for. 

A sleeping system might also be what you need to cover all bases (combining sleeping bag with warm clothing to layer up when colder)

https://www.phdesigns.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=501

In reply to ParaDan:

Two lightweight bags down as a double will give you more insulation than one big bag and give options when it is warmer. I've slept outside on snow in 2 summer bags in -20C. The only cold was through mat which was too thin.

have a try REI Co-op Trail Pod 30 ($90)

In reply to ParaDan:

When I walked to Annapurna base camp - a bit lower at 4120 m - I hired a down bag from one of the shops in Thamel, Kathmandu. I expect this option is stall available if you have a day there.

My understanding is that you need a bag that will be ok down to about -10 deg C at base camp. It will be warmer on the way in lower down, so IanL's suggestion of doubling up two bags, preferably of different weights so you have three comfortable temperature ranges, is a good one.

What sleeping bag(s) do you already own ? Will you have porters ?

IPP

In reply to ParaDan:

I used a ME Glacier 750 and was toasty (do admit to wearing base layer on a couple of colder nights), that was mid November. Be aware of the gear in KTM, although a great price most is obviously Chinese knockoffs. This might be ok with some things but not sure i'd trust it with a sleeping bag. Then again, you might get lucky? 

Thanks for all the info guys. 

So I was thinking about the following setup...

for the warmer days...

Oex Fathom EV200

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15904989/oex-fathom-ev-400-sleeping-bag-159049...

which is a cheapish synthetic comfort rated 7°c

for the cooler days....

Oex fathom EV400

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15904992/oex-fathom-ev-400-sleeping-bag-159049...

Cheapish synthetic comfort rated to -1°c 

And then obviously combined when need be.