Hi all, I've been looking at upgrading some of my camping equipment that mostly hails back from when I was in the scouts in the early 90s. Found that I'm going camping more recently and I also like getting out with my camera gear. My bag at the moment is probably over 20 years old and a cheapish synthetic one which has no signs of brand model etc as the print on the label has worn off, so I've no idea what its rated for.
I nearly got a down bag from cumulus just before the brexit vote (would have been cheaper!) but I was a bit skint at the time. I've got an xtherm sleeping pad which I've used once in September and I was amazed how comfortable it was compared to a cheap roll mat. Whilst I was doing research I stumbled upon quilts though I'd dismissed them at the time. A few months on though and given how much I move about the freedom does seem desirable and waking up with the hood of my bag being on top of my face is annoying.
Experience tells me that I do sleep fairly hot though and I was wondering how comfortable a sleeping pad will be against bare skin? I plan on trying it next time I go but was curious if others already have experience and how they found it.
My other concern would be about in colder weather if I ended up using an attachment system? They seem to involve having some cords or straps running under you, this again strikes me as something that may be an irritation to lie on.
Lastly what are peoples thoughts on the quilts vs the comforter? Is the sewn footbox much better than cinching up the end of the comforters? I'm often putting my feet out the bottom zip on my sleeping bag to cool down. I'm leaning towards the comforter as I like the flexibility though they seem to be far less popular.
I'm also on the fence as to which one to get, I'm pretty short at 5'6" so don't think the L ones are necessary. Price between the M350 or M400 is negligible. I'd like to put my money towards something that's going to offer use for most of it not all year. Would the M400 (or the even theM350) be workable in winter given my xtherm and the use of layered up clothing? I've not got any experience of winter camping usually Easter through to end of October, but if the option is there in the future I don't want to rule it out. Saving over a litre of pack space and 50g of weight between the two leaves me undecided...
If it matters I live on the south coast and more often than not end up camping around Dorset, tends to be a bit warmer down here than further up north! Thanks!
I nearly got a down bag from cumulus just before the brexit vote (would have been cheaper!) but I was a bit skint at the time. I've got an xtherm sleeping pad which I've used once in September and I was amazed how comfortable it was compared to a cheap roll mat. Whilst I was doing research I stumbled upon quilts though I'd dismissed them at the time. A few months on though and given how much I move about the freedom does seem desirable and waking up with the hood of my bag being on top of my face is annoying.
Experience tells me that I do sleep fairly hot though and I was wondering how comfortable a sleeping pad will be against bare skin? I plan on trying it next time I go but was curious if others already have experience and how they found it.
My other concern would be about in colder weather if I ended up using an attachment system? They seem to involve having some cords or straps running under you, this again strikes me as something that may be an irritation to lie on.
Lastly what are peoples thoughts on the quilts vs the comforter? Is the sewn footbox much better than cinching up the end of the comforters? I'm often putting my feet out the bottom zip on my sleeping bag to cool down. I'm leaning towards the comforter as I like the flexibility though they seem to be far less popular.
I'm also on the fence as to which one to get, I'm pretty short at 5'6" so don't think the L ones are necessary. Price between the M350 or M400 is negligible. I'd like to put my money towards something that's going to offer use for most of it not all year. Would the M400 (or the even theM350) be workable in winter given my xtherm and the use of layered up clothing? I've not got any experience of winter camping usually Easter through to end of October, but if the option is there in the future I don't want to rule it out. Saving over a litre of pack space and 50g of weight between the two leaves me undecided...
If it matters I live on the south coast and more often than not end up camping around Dorset, tends to be a bit warmer down here than further up north! Thanks!