I am looking for a sleeping bag that will enable me to extend the number of months I am able to utilise my tent. I have been looking for a 3 or 4 season bag. Those available in specialist shops are expensive when compared with what is available from a local Army Surplus store which stocks the Softie Elite 3, 4 and 5 at £80, 85 & 90 respectively. I am aware the fill is man made fibre and they are bulkier than those from outher outlets but...does anyone have any experience as to whether these bags do what is required i.e. keep you toasty warm on cold nights? Your views would be appreciated.

Are the bags used?

But to help out any bag a pad or two under the bag will help as will getting the smallest bag to fit you. A silk or any insert will help as well. To help your self do not go to sleep in any thing you had on in the day it will have sweet in it and that will rob you of heat all night. One trick is eat something with a lot of fat in it just before you go down for the night your body will heat up as it digest it.

As with most kit you get what you pay for.

I don't know about about the models you have specified, but I'm going to something I would usually avoid: Not answer the poster's question but offer a completely different product: so apologies before hand for my hypocrisy!!

Basically for that budget you could buy a whole stack of bags from reputable brands. For example I bought a Nanok Comfort -10 that has some nice features, is rated to, you guessed it -10Celsius, but unlike many brands, reviews suggest this claimis not widely optimistic, but in fact quite accurate.

Presently the end of line 2009 models are reduced to £64!!! If you want to get a good bag, but cost is a concern, this might be of help. If not please ignore!
Suppliers of Klättermusen, 66 North, Aclima, Fjall Raven, Tentipi and other Quality Scandanavian Outdoor Equipment - Nordic Outdoor

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I've not got much experience of current army surplus bags but the stuff I've bought in the past (many years ago) has been useless for anything other than summer camping.

That said, I must "sleep cold" as the ratings on sleeping bags seem to correspond with the temperature at which I'd not quite freeze to death. Others may be more comfortable in them but I only fall asleep when I'm (k)nackered from all the shivering.

My current bag RAB - for the most extreme conditions in the world. a Rab 800, is rated down to -20C but I get a comfortable night in it at temps in the 0 - 10C range. I've been chilly in it in the Sahara. (and no there isn't anything medically wrong with me!) Treat all of the sales info like temp ratings with huge suspicion and make an assessment based on whether the thickness of insulation would keep you warm if it was on your bed at home. Either that or get someone to share it with you - a much more effective option than a load of feathers.

The MOD arctic bags, while huge, are still the standard by which other bags are judged and for the 100-quid mark are a very good option. The requirement to be able to sleep on ice was a very basic one, but it got the real clowns out of the market (they all sell to Argos instead!).

The brands you mention are, I believe, commercial sleeping bags sold for use by the cadet force and military people who want a little more control over the weight they carry and the amount of comfort, they aren't issue? I'd need a personal reccomendation to touch any of them. A minus 10 commercial rating means you won't die at minus 9, you can't sue the manufacturer if you can't get any sleep. There is a lot of real **** out there with a 4 seasons rating. If I wanted comfort and couldn't live with the bulk of the arctic bag I'd throw money at it and buy something from someone with a brand name to protect.

Don't forget the bag is only part of the system. While you can take your arctic bag, dig a hole in the snow, climb in with your boots on and not die, this is only a good idea if people with guns and bombs are a real threat. Personally I'll take as much straw as I can under the tent, a layer of laminate floor underlay under the thermarest, a wool pile liner and a clean pair of socks and pyjamas come bed time. And don't forget the power of cocoa at bedtime and a pack of biscuits slowed within easy reach in case you wake up cold in the night for reasons other than filling the empty (plastic not Sigg) bottle you'll also want in there with you.

Andy

I personally use a Gortex bivvi bag as an outer to a 3 seasons bag. That way if it's not too cold I can use either the sleeping or bivvi bag on it's own.