[WTB VIC]/Melb, 3 season down bag, 70l pack

[Socket]

Hi all, first post on the forum! Glad this place exists...

I am in a bit of a spot. Short version: walking the Larapinta trail in two weeks, not end-to-end due to time (and fitness!) constraints but about 8 days in total, and haven't had much time to organise gear (it's been a rushed decision, and I only found out today I could get the time off work).

Anyway, about 6 months ago I walked the OLT with some synthetic bag from my teen years which I found to be grossly inadequate, and had some truly woeful, bone-shuddering sleeps, if you could call them that. Having had a look at the temps over the winter months in Alice, I figure I'd want something rated to at least -5 comfort, which should cover me for pretty much any walk I do in Aus in the future. I DO NOT like the cold!

My One Planet pack is 14 years old and has seen much better days. Did okay on the OLT but the hip harness gives me trouble. Huge rip in the top... time to retire it.

So, TL;DR

SLEEPING BAG: Before I say anything else, I am large, 6'3 (190cms) and broad shouldered, but thin (83kgs) and so anything long would be a dream. Like I said, looking for a decent, preferably mummy style down bag with a minimum -5 comfort rating. Price wise, I'd go for anything honest. $150 to $200 would be okay? I confess, my gear knowledge and experience is fairly low, so as far as the price range goes, I'm largely at the seller's mercy. I am looking to do a lot more walking/camping in the future (including, possibly, a lot of next year) so I wouldn't mind some advice on whether it's better to buy something new that might last a bit longer.

PACK: Again, size is a factor. I like pockets and access to things, one thing my current pack doesn't have. 70l minimum I think. Anything with detachable day-pack/top-lid also good. Fingers crossed!

While I'm here, I'm also in the market for a decent rain shell with a bit of warmth.

Anyway, cheers. You folks seem like a friendly bunch!

[Mickl]

Hi Mate, you've come to the right place for advice from what I've experienced so far.

Rain Jacket, have a look down the page for sale items viewtopic.php?f=13&t=17182 or this link. I have personally bought gear from Joomy so can highly recommend him to buy from.

As far as sleeping bags go if you can't get a second hand one, perhaps check out the Sea to summit trek bags. Something like this would work http://www.wildearth.com.au/buy/sea-to- ... 3-L750L-UD I've got a regular length one of these and they are a really nice bag and seem well priced especially with the current sale at the listed site....

[dinna89]

Kelty make a similarly spec'ed bag for about half the price, If you order now you should get it in time for your hike. http://www.amazon.com/Kelty-Cosmic-20-D ... +Cosmic+20
If you can wait the price should drop, camelcamelcamel shows that it's at it's highest ever price
http://camelcamelcamel.com/Kelty-Cosmic ... B009PRNUM4

I've got this bag (the kelty) and I find it uncomfortably hot for non winter use in Vic. Whichever bag you use you should try your best to test it in similar conditions so you can determine if it's suitable for you. Nothing worse than 8 consecutive nights of crappy sleep.

If you find yourself buying a lot of gear, try http://www.campsaver.com/, they have relatively quick free shipping for over $400, however they won't ship a lot of products to aus.

[Socket]

Thanks so much for the advice dinna and Mickl. I like to be as toasty as possible in my bag. I have hardly any fat on me and am generally a cold sleeper (and also like to wear as little as possible).

There are so many options! It gives me a headache... Carry weight, fill weight, price... The cosmic down looks so tempting for the price. Everything else is twice as expensive, and for a good reason I expect, but I suppose *anything* is going to be better than my razor thin synthetic hell-sack that would take up %30 of the space in my 70l bag!

Just checked amazon... by the time I order the kelty and get it shipped priority it's 247 bucks!

[Moondog55]

Have you considered hiring?

[Mickl]

Thanks so much for the advice dinna and Mickl. I like to be as toasty as possible in my bag. I have hardly any fat on me and am generally a cold sleeper (and also like to wear as little as possible).

There are so many options! It gives me a headache... Carry weight, fill weight, price... The cosmic down looks so tempting for the price. Everything else is twice as expensive, and for a good reason I expect, but I suppose *anything* is going to be better than my razor thin synthetic hell-sack that would take up %30 of the space in my 70l bag!

Just checked amazon... by the time I order the kelty and get it shipped priority it's 247 bucks!

That's why I thought the Sea to Summit would be worth looking at. Its $300 so $50 more but delivered local so you would probably get it in 2 days or so. Also if you divide $300 by how many nights you will get out of a decent down bag then the cost isn't actually that bad....

As Moondog said you could always hire gear. I'd probably prefer not to hire a sleeping bag myself but if you did you could just add a silk liner to it.... Hiring a rain coat or bag would be fine though.

Worth spending a few hours checking salvos etc as well as you never know what you will find....

[Niftynomad]

Hallo,

I have a virtually unused Kathmandu Alopex v2. GoreTex Pro Shell jkt for sale, your size, blue, L,
I'll PM you tomorrow or post it at lunchtime. New except for I cut out the silly snow skirt.
How about $250 posted?

Quinn.

[Strider]

Didn't I post in this thread? Or are there two identical ones?

[Socket]

Thanks so much for the advice dinna and Mickl. I like to be as toasty as possible in my bag. I have hardly any fat on me and am generally a cold sleeper (and also like to wear as little as possible).

There are so many options! It gives me a headache... Carry weight, fill weight, price... The cosmic down looks so tempting for the price. Everything else is twice as expensive, and for a good reason I expect, but I suppose *anything* is going to be better than my razor thin synthetic hell-sack that would take up %30 of the space in my 70l bag!

Just checked amazon... by the time I order the kelty and get it shipped priority it's 247 bucks!

That's why I thought the Sea to Summit would be worth looking at. Its $300 so $50 more but delivered local so you would probably get it in 2 days or so. Also if you divide $300 by how many nights you will get out of a decent down bag then the cost isn't actually that bad....

As Moondog said you could always hire gear. I'd probably prefer not to hire a sleeping bag myself but if you did you could just add a silk liner to it.... Hiring a rain coat or bag would be fine though.

Worth spending a few hours checking salvos etc as well as you never know what you will find....

I did end up going with the Sea to Summit bag. It seemed to be the best fit spec/price wise and I'm sure to get a lot of use out of it. It actually arrived in the mail today! Looks deliciously warm...

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to make me an offer or simply offer advice. Much appreciated.

I am still looking for a pack! But will surely survive with my old one anyway.

[jimmyharris]

I have a Kathmandu Vardo pack that has only been used once or twice that I'd be happy to give to you if you're interested.

I'm sure it's over 70L, is in excellent condition though it's a few years old (been sitting in my cupboard for a while now) and it doesn't have a lot of pockets or a detachable top. It's solidly constructed and weighs around 2.5kg.

PM me if you'd like to take a look. I'm in outer NE Melbourne.

If Socket isn't interested, then I'm happy to give it to anyone else who might be...

[Socket]

Thanks for the offer jimmy. I'll pass on it this time. Looking for something a little different.

Thanks for all the help.

[Cauchs]

Hey jimmy, I would be interested in that pack if it's still on offer. I would welcome anything with zips and seems that aren't ready to break!

[jimmyharris]

No worries Cauchs, I just replied to your PM. It's yours for the taking if you'd like it...

[ajmmacleod]

I have a Kathmandu Vardo pack that has only been used once or twice that I'd be happy to give to you if you're interested.

I'm sure it's over 70L, is in excellent condition though it's a few years old (been sitting in my cupboard for a while now) and it doesn't have a lot of pockets or a detachable top. It's solidly constructed and weighs around 2.5kg.

PM me if you'd like to take a look. I'm in outer NE Melbourne.

If Socket isn't interested, then I'm happy to give it to anyone else who might be...

Hi Jimmy, I'm new around here but would really appreciate that pack if it is still available. I'm looking forward to contributing to the forum and getting into some adventures. Oh and I would have PM'd you but can't due to my status as a new member Cheers

[jimmyharris]

Sorry ajmmacleod but Cauchs picked the pack up last week so it's no longer available.