Sleeping bag query & my odd thinking.

[Alittleruff]

G'day, I had an odd thought. Just wondering if you could use 2x sleeping bags instead of one.
reason why I ask is that the Hi Country Compact sleeping bags are, well, quite compact. But not warm. They are also on special for $39.95 each. But... if you brought 2 of them and put them together for a very cold night/hike, or just took one for summer hiking would that work.

Yeah, I know, bit of odd thinking. Anyone done this?

Weight wise, it would mean that they are 700g each, so 1400g for both.

Pack wise, I'm thinking that you could squeeze two of these into a pack on either side.

I'm such a novice, and really have no idea.

The other option I would be considering is buying a Extreme Lite Hiker (-5degrees) that would weigh around 1.7kg.

Thank you for reading my odd ideas. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Scottyk]

you could try!
The cold air spaces between the 2 bags might been that 1 + 1 might not equal 2 so to speak. But if you after a real budget option to use in all season it might be worth a go.

[north-north-west]

Doubling up on bags is not that odd. It's an effective way of making the most of your gear. BUT . . .

. . . there are threads in here on sleeping bag warmth ratings. I would suggest you do a search and read them. There is a very wide variation in both the rating standards and personal comfort. EAN ratings are generally standardised but even then you have to make sure you are comparing comfort ratings and not extreme survival ratings.

[GPSGuided]

For $80, how about considering for a better 2nd hand bag?

[beean]

You sure could. The poorer mountaineers amongst us do exactly that.

However, that's for much colder temps then you'd expect in Aus.

I think it's a better bet to buy a quality sleeping bag and take extra clothes to boost the warmth when needed.

Sleeping bags are expensive, and the cost can be daunting. But it's not uncommon for a high quality bag to last 10 years, so if you break it down on a cost per use basis they're really quite cheap. Or you could go the DIY route and make your own bag

[Moondog55]

Whats been said above
Search "Sleeping Systems" but for the temperatures encountered outside of snow the better solution is a warm enough bag.
Apart from the lifespan of a good bag [ I have 20YO bags that are still in excellent condition] compare SB prices to the cost of your bed at home and sleeping bags don't look so expensive.
There is a saying often used when buying gear "Buy once Cry once"
The problem with using 2 SBs of the same size and cut is that thi is often colder than using just one bag, its the thickness of the insulation that keeps the warmth in and using two bags together tends to compress and crush the loft when squeezed together
Those High Country sleeping bags are for summer use only IMO

[wayno]

exped have different sleeping bag models with different sizings that are designed to fit one inside the other if you want to double up bags...

[stry]

All good advice !

I add a vote for looking at what may be available second hand in the way of a better bag than what you are currently looking at new. Not wanting to start the Kathmandu argument/discussion again, but I have seen some quite passable bags of that brand at quite reasonable sale prices. A little heavy and bulky compared what we all crave nowadays, but very workable.

I also add an endorsement to MDs comments about longevity. My hardest working bag (now sold to someone starting out like yourself for $100) had been used for perhaps 30 nights per year, under a fly, for over 25 years. Also plenty of casual use indoors at various places. After getting it professionally cleaned for the first time, the loft appeared as good as new, the zip was perfect, the shell had no holes, and the stitching was perfect. Perhaps a little discoloured around the entry That bag will keep working for many more years with sensible care.

Our modern U/L fabrics may not offer that longevity, but modern U/L isn't in your price range.

[Moondog55]

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/sandring ... 1073684291

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/south-mo ... 1073283549

The Blue point 5 sleeping bag is designed as an overbag for their LW down bag but second hand is the way to go

[GPSGuided]

What about one of these from Main Peak sale? Marmot Tresles sleeping bag at 50% discount. Synthetic and is good enough down to sub-zero. Or the Trestle 0 that's even warmer for snow camp. They are all above $99 and would qualify for free delivery. For the extra $20-40, these would be far far better than what's proposed. A quality brand too and new.

$99.98 http://www.mainpeak.com.au/marmot-trest ... eping-bag/
$114.98 http://www.mainpeak.com.au/marmot-trest ... eping-bag/

[philm]

But they weigh a lot at 2kgs whilst the bags are good quality I would prefer to pay more for a lighter bag

[GPSGuided]

But they weigh a lot at 2kgs whilst the bags are good quality I would prefer to pay more for a lighter bag

Yes, but note that the OP has an original budget of $80 for the two whimpy bags that adds up to around 1400g. I doubt the two combined would match the comfort of one of the 15 bag (around -10 deg C rated) at 1700g. I note further that the 30 bag (around 0 deg C rated) is also on sale at WildEarth for around $95 and that would be lighter again.

http://www.wildearth.com.au/buy/marmot- ... eeping-bag

[Drew]

viewtopic.php?f=13&t=19659

[andrewa]

Or use an insulated jkt and or other clothing inside a lighter bag. These days I tend to use a lighter quilt for everything, including snow camping, and just " beef" it up in the older seasons by wearing down pants/jkt/booties/beanie mid winter. I've even slept in ski boot inners and my goretex stuff over the insulated clothing if it's been colder than I expected . This also means I don't have to get dressed if I need a pee during the night! I use the same home made quilt all year.

A

[Gadgetgeek]

I've had pretty decent luck with using light bags by using the second bag more like a blanket. you get an additional air layer in there which I think helps, and its more convenient that trying to stuff yourself into two bags, and easier to adjust temperature. Another easy way to get a couple extra degrees out of a bag is a fleece liner, or blanket. these can be bought or made pretty simply.

That being said, when it comes to any time you think you might get cold at night, you want to be as insulated as you can. Cold nights are not fun.

[andrewa]

The other important thing that I forgot to add, and which has also made a huge difference to the cold weather performance of my sleeping bags/ quilts etc is to ensure decent insulation underneath. My exped down mat ensures a cozy layer underneath. I appreciate that the OP is unlikely to be investing hundreds of $ in a down mat, however, even the traditional and humble "portable concrete "/closed cell foam mat is very warm, albeit less comfortable. It would be a shame for the OP to have a comfortable air core mat, and lose precious heat below.

A

[Hiking Noob]

Roman -5 rated bag for $30 plus post- http://www.harveynorman.com.au/roman-ex ... 99804.html

[Alittleruff]

Thank you so much for all the great suggestions. It's been really informative. To think, that I thought using two bags was an odd thought and then to learn that hikers do this! I've never really been hiking before. Took DH tent camping.... he prefers glamping (AKA camper trailer) or a swag on 'boy's trips'.

We have quite a few sleeping bags in our camping collection. Problem is that they are quite bulky. I'd like to have a bit less to carry. I will check out my husbands old sleeping bag that has been stored in the depths of our camper trailer. I figure, if I have to carry around 1.5-2kg anyway I'll see if we can do that without spending any cash. If it is way too heavy/ bulky I'll be checking out some of the alternatives above.

Andrewa- Thank you for asking about mats. I thought I'd researched these until could stand it no longer and brought a self inflating full length mat from Kathmandu. http://www.kathmandu.com.au/sleeping-ge ... phite.html. I have also brought a emergency blanket that I was planning to use underneath the mat to keep my body heat more.. well... towards my body. I'm now wondering if this was a bad buy.... oh... and I brought two, because you know.. they would be handy for the camper trailer under the foam mattress, or if we want to do some car camping down the track, or kids on school camps. I like to think of multiple ways I can use something before I part with cash.


I've also bought a furno stove this week- and I'm LOVING IT. This thing will get a great workout at our place. We looked at camping spots yesterday. Found a spot we rather like. Bush, bush, no amenities, isolation, no cost, 1/2 hour from home, on a creek, love it. Hopefully it is still free in a couple of days. I got to try out the furno stove to make Milo for my hubby & me and our three kids. Fantastic. I also tried out some mugs from Aussie disposals, double insulated steel for $6.95 each. DH told me to go back to Aussie disposals and buy another 5 or 6! Why? Because the kids could hold them unlike the ceramic mugs without their hands getting hot. I was going to look at the jetboil. But I'm glad I saved a few dollars. I can see the furno stove being used for fishing trips, day trips and picnics. We are out almost every weekend (actually, I can't think of a weekend where we were just at home!).

It's loads of fun trying out new equipment!

[Alittleruff]

DH dragged out his old sleeping bag. I weighed it, 1.65kg. Very bulky.... but it is a solution I suppose. It's an oldie. A "Jackeroo" brand called "High country sleeping bag with hood". 220cm x 70cm and it has 1.3kg printed on the side!!! I wonder if that means this little beauty has absorbed .35kg of sweat, skin, dirt and grot over the years!

[Moondog55]

Accumulated dirt and sweat is a distinct possibility
The solution is to gently wash it, in a bath tho not in the washing machine. A mixture of bi-carb and ammonia works, about a tablespoon of each in a bath full of warm water, agitate gently while soaking and rinse a few times
That isn't a very warm bag tho, more for summer car camping but if it gets you out there for the first trip and the distance is reasonably short then use it>
Roger Caffin and his partner use a pair of LW sleeping bags and when it gets colder they layer a big quilt over the top of both bags. There's no reason you can't do the same with cheaper bags to start with
Sleeping bags are one of the biggest and most important investments you will make so don't rush in,

[Alittleruff]

I've been umm'ing and ahh'ing over this decision. The marmot bag loks really goodbut states that it is suitable for ladies up to 5"7. I'm 174cm tall, so I'm unsure that it would be suitable. I'm just wondering what people think of this bag - http://www.clearancemountaindesigns.com ... t-225-sbag

There seems to be quite a bit under $100 once you start looking. I'm hoping anyway. Thank you in advance

[stry]

A bag which is too short is uncomfortable and leads to cold feet (and maybe cold shoulders) because the insulation at the foot end becomes heavily compressed..

Choose carefully

[Orion]

I've used two sleeping bags on several occasions. It's a poor man's solution. You trade money savings for extra weight. That is, a single appropriate sleeping bag weighs less than two bags, for the same warmth level. In each of the cases where I used two bags I simply didn't want to buy another bag just for that trip.

I think it helps if the bags are not identical, with one narrower than the other, in order to minimize compressing the insulation. It also helps if they have zippers on the same side. I had one arrangement where my bivy sack had a right zipper, the outer sleeping bag had a left zipper and the inner bag had no zipper. The two bags were also a little bit short for me. When it was raining it required several Houdini type maneuvers to wriggle into the combination and zip it all up.

[Moondog55]

Buy the very best bag you can afford and as far as size goes it is better to have the correct size but better to have a bag that is too big than a bag that is too small
As above if you have a bag that is a little too big it means you can boost the warmth with extra cloths [ or another smaller bag]
Unless you plan on snow-camping a comfort temperature of -5C should see you though winter
Cloths can add 10 / 15 degrees to comfort so realistically a bag comfort rated to 5C and large enough to wear a warm jacket and pants inside [ also sleeping socks/hat] will be enough. Assuming that is that you sleep "Standard"; we are all different and personally I need a bag 5/10 degrees warmer than the standard "Comfort" rating