http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Advice needed - synthetic vs down sleeping bags for Scottish cycle touring en Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:50:37 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417&page=2#post-301114 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 22:40:47 +0000 sallyhinch 301114@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I am enjoying this thread with the vicarious pleasure of one who knows she will never ever choose to sleep outdoors at -6C. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417&page=2#post-301104 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 20:21:44 +0000 I were right about that saddle 301104@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Claire</p> <p>Thanks for letting us know. -6C is a good test of kit. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417&page=2#post-301091 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 15:12:19 +0000 Claire 301091@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hey guys, so my winter camping experience went pretty well! The temp was around -6, so very cold. Down bag held up pretty well, but I needed to put on my primaloft jacket and shove some stuff down the end of the bag to keep me cosy. </p> <p>In the end I did manage to get a sleep. Bag got a tiny bit damp around the top with condensation from my breath but as soon as I gave it an airing the dampness completely disappeared. </p> <p>So, all in all a success I would wager! Thanks for all the tips and guidance from seasoned campers. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417&page=2#post-300485 Thu, 31 Jan 2019 23:32:36 +0000 gkgk 300485@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Talking of head strategy for sleeping, I quite fancy one of those down hats, for sleeping in. Good warmth value per gram, I think, maybe. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417&page=2#post-300474 Thu, 31 Jan 2019 19:31:04 +0000 Arellcat 300474@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>One of the lovely things about a good sleeping bag is cinching it around you just above your shoulders, and then cinching the hood around your head with just your face peeping out.</p> <p>Bax is right; you want to cover exposed skin but in a way that doesn't put your breath into the sleeping bag. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417&page=2#post-300467 Thu, 31 Jan 2019 18:25:47 +0000 minus six 300467@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Something i learned the hard way in North Norway might be useful</p> <p>Obviously its unwise to bury your head inside the sleeping bag while asleep as your breath builds up moisture inside the bag</p> <p>To begin with i thought a silk balaclava would suffice to keep face warm outside the bag</p> <p>However, below a certain temp, the worst thing by far is the dread sensation of freezing eyeballs</p> <p>My tip is to pack a clean unused buff inside your sleeping bag, which you can insulate your eyes with, if need be</p> <p>The only problem you have left after that is the freezing condensation on the inner tent ceiling, so always pack your bag away before that drip melts onto it in the morning </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417&page=2#post-300388 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 20:08:05 +0000 Claire 300388@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Guys I am loving these camping tips, especially the rechargable hand warmers (I have several of them) and the sit ups before bed to get you warmed up.</p> <p>I've also read somewhere that eating just before you go to sleep helps to raise your temperature too. Can give that a whirl - any excuse for grub to be honest. </p> <p> The bag has arrived and I can't believe how light it is - especially in comparison to my massive 2.5kg synthetic bag I've been using for forever. I also bought a drybag - an Alpkit Airlok with the ability to hang the bag on the bars, so will see if that works well for summer camping. This time of year the bag will be living in the Ortliebs for sure.</p> <p>Hope the investment in kit will be a positive one. With snow on the ground today my winter camping baptism will be a one of ice and sub-zero temps, argh!! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417&page=2#post-300371 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 14:52:09 +0000 Ed1 300371@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I would also agree synthetic is best for touring, unless have time and a climate to air/dry a downbag will get bit damp even from sweat on the inside. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417&page=2#post-300302 Tue, 29 Jan 2019 19:48:49 +0000 biketrain 300302@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I took a down sleeping bag on a three month cycle/camping tour of Scandinvia ( it rained a lot).<br /> I kept the bag dry throughout as it was kept in a goretex bivibag and stored in a carridice pannier. Occasionally I would air it whilst cycling by hanging in off my rear panniers.</p> <p>With a previuous down sleeping bag I tried using a waterproofing treatment but this resulted in the down clumping up.</p> <p>Down is great but keep it dry. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417&page=2#post-300297 Tue, 29 Jan 2019 19:11:27 +0000 unhurt 300297@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://images.rapgenius.com/9dafac6f12aca4677669d68782ac6415.644x351x1.png">All I can think of now is sleeping bag 'yoga'. </a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417&page=2#post-300294 Tue, 29 Jan 2019 18:17:25 +0000 wingpig 300294@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote><em>"So 20 sit ups before zipping the bag up?"</em></blockquote></p> <p>You can do sit-ups inside a sleeping bag. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417&page=2#post-300289 Tue, 29 Jan 2019 16:57:02 +0000 minus six 300289@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Claire</p> <p>ah i see you have one, good stuff! enjoy </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417&page=2#post-300288 Tue, 29 Jan 2019 16:53:44 +0000 minus six 300288@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Decent camping mat makes a huge difference</em></p> <p>big fan of the Thermarest NeoAir XTherm for subzero outings </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417&page=2#post-300287 Tue, 29 Jan 2019 16:44:04 +0000 cb 300287@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Go to bed warm, not cold as it easier to retain heat than heat up from a cold starting point. So 20 sit ups before zipping the bag up?</p> <p>Decent camping mat makes a huge difference.<br /> Silk liner can be left in the bag and makes a noticeable difference too.</p> <p>My Tesco down bag is nearly 10 years old, just under 900g if I recall correctly and still just about ok into the low minus figures. Unlikely to be sustainably resourced somehow. Anyway, they don't sell them any more. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417&page=2#post-300281 Tue, 29 Jan 2019 16:29:05 +0000 steveo 300281@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Also so you don't have to get up two or three times to pee. Far worse in a bivvy than a tent! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417&page=2#post-300279 Tue, 29 Jan 2019 16:07:49 +0000 minus six 300279@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Being sober also helps retain heat</em></p> <p>aye, always aspire toward retiring to your bivvy with an empty bladder</p> <p>so the body doesn't have to work to heat up that liquid </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417&page=2#post-300278 Tue, 29 Jan 2019 16:05:47 +0000 I were right about that saddle 300278@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Boab08</p> <p>Very true on the food front. Eat like a ploughman when you're out of doors.</p> <p>Being sober also helps retain heat but that's a step too far for me. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417&page=2#post-300266 Tue, 29 Jan 2019 14:31:11 +0000 Boab08 300266@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A lot people forget when camping that it's important to eat well to stay warm too. If you're hungry you'll feel the cold. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417&page=2#post-300264 Tue, 29 Jan 2019 14:27:05 +0000 Boab08 300264@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Definitely down. http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417&page=2#post-300219 Mon, 28 Jan 2019 23:15:11 +0000 Snowy 300219@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>We always use one of these <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07DRG4XP1/">reflective mats</a> (not this precise one but similar) for 'family' camping. Good cheap insulation but bulky so I wouldn't backpack or bike with it.</p> <p>Ultimate tip and it's been said before...as many merino baselayers as your wallet will bear.... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417&page=2#post-300216 Mon, 28 Jan 2019 21:19:29 +0000 I were right about that saddle 300216@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>I am going camping on Saturday (snow forecast and -4C)</em></p> <p>Oooh.</p> <p><em>If anyone has any other tips on keeping warm, dry etc</em></p> <p>Ahhh.</p> <p>I've always found my state of mind was key. If you're having fun and looking forward to the next day then a damp bag isn't a biggie. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417#post-300213 Mon, 28 Jan 2019 20:29:50 +0000 gembo 300213@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The tension was taught, the thread was on a knife edge but now it will be warm cosy down</p> <p>Alpkit had a dirtbag which translated as a portable mattress in a bundle with a dry bag and the sleeping bag Claire went for. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417#post-300211 Mon, 28 Jan 2019 20:17:58 +0000 steveo 300211@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>If you have a fire reheat a rechargeable hand warmer just before bed, dry it and chuck it in your bag. It'll preheat your bag nicely and if you get cold during the night then set it off and get a few extra watts of heat. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417#post-300208 Mon, 28 Jan 2019 20:03:23 +0000 Snowy 300208@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'd go for down too. I've had a duck-down Rab Atlas since the 1990s which was 'mid-range' being rated to -15 or -20, but more importantly dries out pretty quickly. It's been on a couple of multi-week treks, and kept me warm above 4000m. 95% of the time, it's way too warm for the UK, but then I do have plenty of natural insulation. 30 minutes airing (ie while you have breakfast) has always got rid of any dampness from condensation. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417#post-300207 Mon, 28 Jan 2019 19:59:02 +0000 unhurt 300207@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Staying dry: consider camping somewhere that isn't Scotland? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417#post-300206 Mon, 28 Jan 2019 19:58:16 +0000 unhurt 300206@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Metal water bottle, fill 3/4 full with hot (not too hot) water at bed time, put in a sock = hot water bottle substitute. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417#post-300205 Mon, 28 Jan 2019 19:52:22 +0000 Claire 300205@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So I've gone for the Alpkit SkyeHigh 700 - it's a 3-4 season down bag. I am going camping on Saturday (snow forecast and -4C), so I will soon find out if the new kit is up to standard. </p> <p>With a Thermarest, silk liner and decent down bag, coupled with lots of merino layers and a synthetic down jacket I'm hoping the combo should keep me warm-ish... </p> <p>Thanks for all thoughts on this thread. If anyone has any other tips on keeping warm, dry etc I'd also appreciate them! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417#post-300203 Mon, 28 Jan 2019 19:33:55 +0000 unhurt 300203@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'd go for the down. I'm always cold at night (until I'm boiling, at which point a full length zip is a must so I can temperature regulate by poking all or part of a liner-covered leg out until I'm freezing again; rinse, repeat) and down is just cosier. Tundra good but pricey. Biggest issue with my summerish down bag is it's far too long, but that does mean plenty of space to stuff clothes down the foot so they aren't cold and clammy in the AM. </p> <p>Not sure how anyone sleeps on an inflatable pillow. I have tried several and I haaaaate them. Have gone back to either packing the ridiculous foam stuffed camping pillow or stuffing every single item I can find into a biggish and still dry drybag. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417#post-300170 Mon, 28 Jan 2019 00:24:15 +0000 Osmond Walls 300170@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'd go for the down, I've got an alpkit 600 &amp; it's great. Only tend to do 2/3 nights &amp; give it a good airing once home. It's too warm for me in the summer, but I sleep warm (prob too much info). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19417#post-300168 Sun, 27 Jan 2019 22:23:21 +0000 steveo 300168@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I suspect a four season bag will be overkill for most people most of the time. A lighter bag and more layers are more versatile, it's very inconvenient to wear your sleeping bag while you are cycling! </p>