Bushwalk Australia

Hi
I am in the process of buying a new sleeping bag and despite lots of Googling and forum searches, I still cannot decide whether I should get a -7C or -11C rated bag.

It will mostly be used for multi-night walks in Tassie and the Victorian high country in autumn and spring. I do sleep in a tent not a hammock. I am leaning towards the -7C because of the weight advantage and I do sleep warm.

I am looking at the One Planet Bushlite series and Mountain Equipment Alpinlite (not that keen on a tight mummy).

Thoughts on suitable temperature rating?
thanks

Go the warmer of the two but as a quilt

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Make your decision on the Comfort rating NOT the Limit of Comfort.

I am not a warm sleeper and a comfort rating of -7 would work well for me in the conditions you describe.

-5C is enough to cope with 3 season Australia. -10C is only required if you are doing winter alpine, or intending to also use it outside Australia.

I agree though that it is worth understanding the EN13537 ratings and what they mean, and whether you need to use the top or middle of the scale http://sectionhiker.com/deciphering-en13537-sleeping-bag-temperature-ratings/

I went overboard after a below -10 degree night near Kosci early one March, and walked for many years after that with a heavy -15 deg bag. I was very happy in other -5 to -10 nights in Vic and NSW high country (non-winter) over the years. But most of the time I was too hot. My approach now is to layer for sleeping, just as I layer clothes. I wouldn't dream of taking one big super-warm jumper.

So, I now use a -12 deg quilt for the high country (mainly Tassie) - which is about a third of the weight, or less. I wear down jacket and pants to bed to make it warm enough in snow in winter. I also have a lighter summer quilt for the flatlands. I sleep COLD.

SO, I vote for the -7 for you, and add 'evening wear' as needed.

Quilt versus bag is another issue, but I'm glad I made the shift.

Another vote for a genuine -7 bag.

As others mentioned, just have a plan to boost the warmth a little (extra clothing, vapour barrier) for the occasional night you do need it.

Thanks to all…I have a S2S TrekII with 500gm of 650 down, the bag is rated (lower limit) at -7 and I have slept in sub-zero temperatures with it and a female friend used it at 0C and was warm, so the relative EN rating seems OK and I am happy enough to sleep in extra clothing if required. The OP Bush Lite -7C has a similar weight of 800 fill down and a water resistant shell. I am not brave enough to do extended time in the alps, let alone the AAWT with a quilt…but might try one as a summer bag.
I think I am going to order a OP Bush Lite -7C…with the poor aussie dollar (over $700 to import), PP wanting >$900 for the Western Mountaineering Alpinlite, dollar and Pinnacle offering 15% off One Planet bags and only a minor weight penalty, it seems a straight forward choice.

Martin

I have bought and tested out an exped comfort 800 extra long SB. It is very warm and is a winter down bag rated to neg.9. Up at Fed. hut last weekend ( Mid Aug. Vic Alps at 1700 M. in snow ) I was a bit too warm ! Mind you I was wearing thermals and a fleece jacket to bed with a balaclava on my loaf.

paidal_chalne_vala wrote:I have bought and tested out an exped comfort 800 extra long SB. It is very warm and is a winter down bag rated to neg.9. Up at Fed. hut last weekend ( Mid Aug. Vic Alps at 1700 M. in snow ) I was a bit too warm ! Mind you I was wearing thermals and a fleece jacket to bed with a balaclava on my loaf.

Nice bag that. Got one myself. Mostly use it open flat like a quilt or with the foot zip open unless I'm using it overseas in more brutal conditions

It's a pity the exchange rate is such crap at the moment, otherwise I'd suggest the Marmot Plasma 15.
This is a magnificent bag, the -9 rating is spot on and I reckon it would cover all eventualities in Aust/NZ.

I've been very cold and uncomfortable in a -2deg kathmandu bag... so when pinnacle outdoors had a sale on One Planet I lashed out on a lovely -10 bungle. Just need to go on a winter trip now that doesn't involve lodges!