Sleeping Bags

Thank you  Riaang  for so comprehensive response and advice !
I'll take  The North Face Guide 20  to test it by summer Drakensberg.

Riaang wrote: Last year January a couple of us did a 4 day hike in the Mnweni and Cathedral Peak area. On the Friday, we hit 39 degrees with high humidity on the approach to Ifidi pass. Two days later, I was shivering in Easter cave from the cold. It was rainy, wet and the wind was pumping. Even though I had my down jacket on and wore my windproof outer layer over the jacket, it was very cold and I was happy to be able to climb into a warm sleeping bag.

That was cold yes. If I recall my bag is rated to -7 and I slept at the back of the cave, in my bivi bag too as I see from the photos. Agreed with Riaan. Things change quickly. And if too hot, I sleep with the zip mostly open. Rather be slightly over gunned.

Hi.

Anyone have experience with this bag (linked below), the Mammut Kompakt 3-season Down?
On paper specs seems grand, EN ratings, RSD, 700fill, etc.
The 3-season looks decidedly European with comfort/limit/extreme at 1 / -7 / -25 C.
All at 1kg and compressed down to 5.8L, (almost half of FA Ice Breaker, to my calculations).
Sweet.

Looking at my first 'serious' bag and other than an import (e.g. via travelling friend) this one available locally seduces.
Thoughts, or actual experience, anyone?

Thanks.
c.

www.mammut.com/int/en/p/2410-01702-2157/kompakt-down-3-season/

This is a really nice bag.. the only thing I would consider is that a lot of companies are using treated down that makes the down / bag water resistant in wet environments. Weight is also good but not best if you spending money you may want to look at Marmot product or other bags which are lighter and water resistant. The US market has a lot of options..

@ASL

Yup. This seems to be the advised approach...get one from overseas, greater choice etc. US market is insane. Had a look at Marmot, some great kit. Of course Mountain Equipment too and all the other usual suspects. I actually went and climbed into this Mammut bag yesterday at City Rock, lasted about 30secs before beading sweat on my brow. Very toasty.

I guess the thing is I just don't want to end up buying several bags over the next 5-10yrs, so being a bit pedantic to 'get it right' now.
Not a great consumer. Unless it's watermelon.

anyway, thanks.
c.

Some great advice here! 

Am I correct in saying a 20°F (-6°C) seems to be the go to rating for Drakensburg? My wife and I don't backpack at the moment but we want to get into it. Perhaps 10°F (-12°C) for her because she sleeps colder. As everyone has said, can always sleep with it unzipped! 

We have sleeping bags at the moment but we have used them maybe twice as they are a bit too small for us. First ascent Ice ninos in red and black. Thinking of selling these and getting quilts from the USA!  

@Dieter,

The Ice Nino is a great bag for most berg conditions. My wife uses one on most hikes, unless we know it is going to be really cold, then she uses a warmer bag. Fairly decent weight for warmth at the price as well. High fill rated down quilts will surely be warmer, but for a 500g weight saving you are going to pay a couple of thousand of rands each.

Yeah we have no problem with them in terms of warmth or weight, they are just too small, especially for me! It feels like a toasty straight jacket and I literally can't even. 

Hi All
I need some advise on sleeping bag brands that are locally available (imported or local) for the colder months of the year.  I recently sold my old FA down bag vintage 1997 (think it was rated to 0) and because I am a warm sleeper, and often sleep with the bag open, thought that the KWay LITE 500, which is 470g , but whose comfort is 9-12 and transition is 3 to 8 degrees, might work all year round with suitable clothing layering and my down filled sleeping mat.  However, I recently moved from a four to three season tent (tarp tent rainbow) to drop the weight, and this is quite a breezy tent.  So last week we did a 5 day trip to iCidi with the temp in the tent was 4 degrees, so i was not feeling that toasty.

So the two suspects are FA Explorer 5, 0 -10 and the Ice Breaker -3, -8, -18.  Any other brands available locally that would be similar to the Ice Breaker?  I would prefer a foot friendly zipper or, a zipper at least down to just above the foot box area and something a bit lighter than the Ice Breaker if that is even possible.  Also only want to look at down bags.

Any ideas.

I have used my ice breaker sleeping on ice and at high altitudes and find it comfortable.  In the Drakensberg if not too cold I lie under the bag and maybe get in for a while if it is too cold.