Sleeping Bags

Hi All,
I will be doing a trip to Grays pass this June and I don't have a suitable sleeping bag. I don't have a huge budget but from the reading i've done online it seems like I should't skimp when it comes to a sleeping bag. I'm a bit overwhelmed with all the options out there so I would appreciate some advice from someone that has been in the berg during peak winter season.

I have been thinking of getting the K-Way Expedition Series Kilimanjaro 3 www.capeunionmart.co.za/products/k-way-expedition-series-kilimanjaro-3-thermashift-sleeping-bag/127430-0727.html 
Is this overkill? Are there better bags for the price I should rather be looking at?

I have 2 of these bags that I just use for camping now. If I recall they rated at -5 deg comfort

Your link doesn't give details regarding the temp ratings. Strange that they don't advertise this fact, as it is critical for berg temperatures.
The coldest night I've had was a -14 deg up at Giants Castle. So yes, it can get cold. Whatever bag you take, be mindful of these sort of temperatures. It doesn't happen often, but when it does it pays to be prepared.

I have this bag, Have used it on many hikes in the Drakensberg and I am very happy with it. Its about 400g heavier than bags from First Ascent and North Face and another this is, it doesn't compress as much.I have had this bag around the -5'c and slept like a baby. The bag is just over 3 years old and haven't had any quality issues with it.

happy with my CUM sleeping bag
☺

Hi Everyone. 

Long time lurker, first time poster.  Please forgive any small mistakes I make as well as such a long post.
I am trying to pick a good sleeping bag for hiking in the berg, mostly in spring and autumn but occasionally in winter as well. I would value some input into the subject from everyone here.
I don't have a huge amount of cash, but I have been saving up and can afford any of these bags. However I cant really afford to make a mistake. 

For reference, I am of an average build and 177cm tall.  I'm a side sleeper so like a little extra room around the knees and seem to sleep pretty warm. 
My current sleep system consists of the following. 

• Egg crate foldable blue foam pad, silver on one side. 
• First Ascent Ultralight Insulated Mattress ( www.firstascent.co.za/ultralight-insulated-mattress ) 
• A Bushtec Adventure C250 sleeping bag, suggested to be 10°. 
• T-shirt, shorts, and socks. 

I always take both pads, as I am a little concerned about getting a puncture in the inflatable in which case the blue foam is better than nothing.  I am trying to upgrade my system one hike at a time and got the inflatable last time.  Its been comfy, but it doesn't work so well inside the sleeping bag. It seems fine on the outside however. 
The bushtec has kept me warm enough, but almost all of my hiking has been from March to April or September to November in the Injisuthi area. 

Im going on a hike late in July to Gxalingenwa cave and want to make sure I have the right stuff. 
The bags I am looking at are 3 First Ascent bags. Plus local is lekker. 

The First Ascent Explorer bag. 

• www.firstascent.co.za/explorer-down-sleeping-bag
• ± R3200
• Comfort of 5°, transition of 0°
• Weight  1KG
• Dimensions: 210 X 82 / 58 cm

The First Ascent Ice Breaker bag

• www.firstascent.co.za/ice-breaker-down-sleeping-bag
• ± R4700
• Comfort of -3°, transition of -8° 
• Weight 1.62KG 
• Dimensions: 210 X 82 / 58 cm

The First Ascent Ice Nino

• www.firstascent.co.za/ice-nino-down-sleeping-bag
• ± R4200
• Comfort of -2°, transition of -5°
• Weight 1.3KG
• Dimensions: 190 X 80 / 52 cm

I like the Explorer from a cost and weight point of view, but I am not sure if the warmth is enough. 
The Ice Breaker has the warmth, but its on the upper limit of my budget both in money and weight, and if I can save I wouldn't mind. 
I am also concerned about the length of the two bags above, as mentioned I am 177cm tall, so these bags about 40cm unused space for me to try and heat up. 
Which is why I am looking at the Ice Nino as a sort of shorter bag. It also doesn't seem to have too bad a temperature rating on it. 
But I don't know how if the length matters as much, or if I should just bite the bullet and get the Ice Breaker and put up with the weight. 

Any sage advice would be greatly welcomed. 
Thank you. 

For your situation the ICE Nino seems like a good compromise (budget, rating, weight and cost). I have Explorer and ICE Breaker. Both great bags but the Explorer will leave you cold in July. The great thing is that you can beef both the Explorer and Nino up with liners and/or bivy additions later which gives great flexibility at about the Ice breakers weight in the extreme. For now I would go with the Nino. But it depends on your ultimate goals: If you aim to become a weight weenie at some point buy the lightest one you can find and add bivvy/liners. If you don't mind weight and need a bag that can handle anything: Ice Breaker. The additionall cost will disappear into he distance of time very quickly. These bags lasts a long time (my Ice Breaker still going strong after 15 years.)

Hi JGL

My 2c...
The Ice Nino will be too short for you. My partner is 169cm and she says it's on the edge, she'd wish to have a few extra cm to pull it up around the neck and tuck in. Though she sleeps like a lioness, on her back, sprawling.

Of the three the IB will be your most flexible and warmest bet. You an always stuff some clothes at your feet to take up space. The good thing about these bags too is if you want more down in it FA can help with that. As well as repairs. Their after service is almost better than their gear, I find.

www.mountainmailorder.co.za/vaude-marwees-700-down-sleeping-bag/

Review for the 500.
700 will be more...
outdoorguru.com/outdoorgear-en/sleeping-bags/vaude-marwees-500-dwn-sleepingbag-review/#:~:text=The%20Vaude%20Marwees%20500%20DWN%20is%20in%20my%20opinion%20a,use%20and%20sleeps%20extremely%20comfortably.

Edit:
This Marwees is another option. The construction is superb, as per German stds. The baffles have a kind of gauze-wall system that allows heat to distribute evenly. The down may not same quality/amount as FA-IB (better, same..?) you'll have to read the specs, but when I looked at it physically it seemed the construction and design was better. Also, a tapered shape means less cold spots.

Hi All, 

Thanks for all the input, I appreciate it and it has given me some valuable info. 

Given that BergAttie has had his IB bag for 15 years and that Carl Gebhard has had fantastic after service and some advice about the length, I am probably going to get the FA IB. 
I think I would prefer a bag that can handle anything in the long run, as I don't know where my hiking will take me two or three years from now. 

I am however going to go some checks on this vaude marwees later tonight as that does look appealing. 

Thank you all again.

I bought a sleeping bag from hex valley down last year and I like it a lot. They make the sleeping bags to order so you can be sure that it will be big enough for you. If you are interested you can check them out on their website www.hexvalleydown.com/product/sleeping-bags/