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Compact 3-season sleeping bag? Compact 3-season sleeping bag?
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
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Jokulsarlon, Iceland




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  #1  
Old 17 Feb 2012
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Compact 3-season sleeping bag?
I'm looking to replace my synthetic sleeping bag, and I'm only after a 3-season bag; any colder and I'm in doors!

I'm trying to limit the packed size to enable me to keep the ortlieb camping bag to 49l. So far, the most compact bags I've seen have been around 30cm long and 25cm wide. Am I likely to find anything more compact (whilst still being 3-season), or am I hoping for too much?

Are there bags that you'd recommend? It MUST be synthetic. I'd rather not spend more than £150 but, ultimately, I want a great bag.
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Old 17 Feb 2012
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For about 20 years I had a Snugpak Harrier 10 3-season bag. It was great. But nothing lasts forever.
It had a lot of use, including over 3 months non-stop camping on one trip in N America and 13 months in Africa (not every night), and the material inside became thinner and thinner and started to rip, especially when washing it.

So today I bought the replacement, a Snugpak Chrysalis Autumn 3-season.
It packs down to 21cm diam X 28cm length.
£70 at Amazon.
(They claim 21 X 21cm. How, I don't know, unless you have to use a smaller stuff-sack than the one provided).

The Harrier 10 is still made but has been militarised more than before - you can sleep in it with wet boots on. It has a plastic lining in the bottom of the bag, which they told me can't be removed. Otherwise I would have bought another one.
I don't remember its packed size but it's bigger than 21 X 28cm.

I'll be using the Chrysalis next week so can report back if you're interested. I'm hoping it'll be as good as the Harrier 10. It certainly seems to be well made and looks promising overall.
Cheers.
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Old 18 Feb 2012
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No clue what your hangup is about using a down sleeping bag, but that is the only way you will get decent warmth at a smaller size than you have found already. I have a down bag I've used to -10C that packs to about 30cm x 18cm. If you plan on using this sleeping bag a lot, paying extra money is worth the price. Look into the Nunatak brand bags. I use the Arc Alpanist.

49L should be easy, even with a synthetic bag, if you choose the right tent and pad. My tent, pad, and bag fit in about 25L of space, perhaps less.
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Old 18 Feb 2012
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Thank you McCrankpin, I'd love to hear about the bag - sounds interesting.

Othalan - No Down bags - I'm Vegan!

As an aside to this, has anyone used the Haglöfs SLUMBER medium bag - this seems to pack small.
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Old 19 Feb 2012
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I have the 600 version from these guys:

SkyeHigh Down Sleeping Bag - Alpkit

And found it perfect for Europe, warm down to zero, and easily lower with some base layers on inside.

Great quality, and compresses down to the size of a small football.
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Old 19 Feb 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Endurodude View Post
Are there bags that you'd recommend? It MUST be synthetic. I'd rather not spend more than £150 but, ultimately, I want a great bag.
All four of us use norwegian "Ajungilak Kompakt 3-Season" sleeping bags since about 10 years and we´ve been sleeping excellent from about 0 degrees to 25 degrees celsius. They are lightweight, durable, come in compression bags and can be made really small, for paddling, motorcycling and hiking. What length do you need? I have a rarely used 165cm version which I am about to put on ebay.
Cheers
Chris
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Old 19 Feb 2012
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At least 183cm, sorry! I'll have a look at the suggestions, though, thanks.
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Old 20 Feb 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Endurodude View Post
Thank you McCrankpin, I'd love to hear about the bag - sounds interesting.
Will report back after first use.....
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Old 22 Feb 2012
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I think I've decided on the Snugpak Tactical 3 that Bertrand pointed me towards (although that post seems to have gone?!?).

One question though - although it's clearly very versatile, does it get too hot when in much warmer countries? I've been looking at the Tactical 2 and 3, and the 2 is rated down to 0 deg, but I prefer to cover more bases with the 3. Can't decide?! As you've used it, what do you think . . . . .
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Old 22 Feb 2012
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Tac 2, with a decent liner and bivvy. More versatile for a bigger temperature range, and you have to wash your bag less, so it lasts longer.

Or that's what I prefer anyway.

I'm actually using a Snugpak jungle bag nowdays, but that's a bit chilly sub zero, even with decent thermals and liner - it does pack nice and small though.

Birdy
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Old 22 Feb 2012
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snugpak, or brett harris is based in Silsden, West Yorkshire.
I have been there on a few occasions, and raided the rails of "seconds". They are basically fine, but maybe a few errant stitches, or colour issues.

I got my 3 bags at 1/2 price, together with several jackets. All have been fantastic, including my -45c "antartic"spec bag at £80.

Well worth seeing if they have a sales day (usually a sat morning) or ringing them and asking if you can visit to stockpile some kit. It's all hollowfill synthetic.

(for the record, i don't have any affiliation with them).
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Old 22 Feb 2012
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Sounds good - I'll look into it, thanks.
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Old 26 Feb 2012
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Dont know if you get adventure bike rider magazine but there is a review of the best 4 season sleeping bags in this issue (9).

Could see which ones you like there and get a thinner one?
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Old 26 Feb 2012
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I've bought every edition! Excellent magazine.

I thought the same, thanks. The snugpak range is looking like the winner . . .
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Old 29 Feb 2012
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RAB
RAB quantum sleeping bags are the way to go.

Very light, very warm, packs very small, quality is superb.

In my experience they are just the best. But they are pricey of course.
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