Hi- What type of sleeping bag would people recommend (or not recommend) for a trip to the Americas (Starting in B Aires in Oct, down to TDF then north).

I'll be using a Thermarest Prolite 4 mat (4 season, regular size) and North Face Tadpole 23 tent.

I have a pretty warm bag but is easily 20 years old and is bulky and a bit 'coffin' shaped (ie tapers in at the feet) so doesn't allow much movement. Not sure of the filling either as theres no labels on it. I've also got a thinner, lighter bag but it was bloody cold camping in Glencoe last August though didn't have the Thermarest then.

Do you really need somthing that will go to -10degC, 3 or 4 season?
Best to go for manmade fibres?
General shape? etc

Any recomendations appreciated!

Cheers

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Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

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Hi Mike
With regards to bringing a sleeping bag out here to the americas, i´ve been here for 15 months and have camped most of the time, i too use a thermal mat but a good sleeping bag is a must. I´ve just come from Peru, i camped in cusco where it was -5 most evenings in other parts it stayed around zero, last year in Bolivia near the lagons it went down to -20. But it can also get real warm as well, i have a cotten liner, i sleep in this on top of my sleeping bag when it is two warm, it also helps keep the bag clean. Its best to check out the waight of a bag as well some are very heavy and bulky. I hope this helps Skip

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You have a choice, synthetic or down (plus the temperature range that's right for your trip). Both, of course, have their ups and downs, pun intended (I'm talking about quality bags in both camps, not the cheap stuff):
Down bags last longer, I'm speaking about the actual insulation. Down bags pack smaller. High quality down bags cost more than high quality synthetic bags in the same temperature ranges. Once down gets wet, it has a very poor insulative property. Once down is wet it is slow to dry.

Synthetic bags tend to lose their insulating qualities sooner than down bags. Synthetic bags rated for the same temps as down bags will not pack as small. Synthetic bags rated for the same temps will typically cost less.
Synthetic bags retain some insulative value even when they're wet, much more so than down bags. Wanna experience warm and wet?- try a hot tub.

Touring the America's, I'd suggest a good synthetic bag. There are 3 kinds of sleeping bags: rectangular (roomy), mummy (as you described your bag), and semi-rectangular.
Bags are cut in different ways for reasons, mainly efficiency. Your body needs to stay warm, therefore it needs to keep an area warm. The mummy bag allows you very little room to move about- and it requires less space for your body to keep warm, it is also smaller/lighter/more efficient. You won't find someone high in the Himalaya with a roomy rectangular bag.
Modern synthetic bags have come a long way from yesteryear. After the rain is gone you can chuck your light-weight synthetic bag over a clothes line and it will dry out nicely while you pack your gear- maybe not completely!
What it comes down to is this: if you plan to ride in areas where you and your gear are likely to experience wet/humid conditions, go synthetic. In dry areas? Go down!

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thanks for the useful info guys. A 4-season synthetic bag with some leg room and a liner should do the trick.

cheers

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Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...

Been camping in America for 50 years cause I live in America. I disagree with most of the advice so far. I would recommend a zero degree F. bag with down insulation.
They pack small and last very long. If you get the bag wet go to town and dry it but why get it wet?
With this bag you will not be cold. Ever. In hot weather sleep on top. I don't think you need the liner, just extra bulk. Bring along a pair of synthetic long underware, top and bottoms cause you will need them in the mountains if the weather turns cold, which it will. Good to sleep in to. Pajamas.
Just say no to synthetic bags.
Bill.

I would agree with Bill. We are planning to go to SA early next year and we will take down bags. They pack small, theyr'e light, and if you want to keep dry just keep it in an Ortlieb bag or something like that!
We are thinking to take one light and one warmer. We hope to be able to find bags than can be zipped together so that if it is cold we use the warm one on top and vice-versa. We had this idea from Susan & Grant marathon talk! Nice tip Grant!

I also think that a silk liner is very useful when in dodgey hotels or when very hot or cold.... they are tiny so not an issue I think. OK until I try to cram all I plan to take with me in the panniers, I know I know....

How's planning going Mike? When are you guys leaving?

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Maria

www.franglais-riders.com