Have been using a sleeping bag but took a double duvet with me this time because the sleeping bag is only 2 season. I wrapped the duvet around the sleeping bag and I was toastier than toast just out of the toaster but everything ended up wet by the morning because of the heat. I think I will go with the duvet in future and use a the sleeping bag for backup.
The original question was: does anyone actually like being in a sleeping bag?
Well I love it! At the end of the evening there's nothing to beat zipping the tent door and wriggling into a soft welcoming bag on a chilly night ... bliss.
I must admit I'm not keen on mummy bags which I find a bit constricting - I prefer a straight-sided envelope bag because it's easier to roll over.
I use a duvet at home but I've not taken one camping, partly because of the bulk.
I love my sleeping bag, I feel all warm, snuggly and secure in it. It's important to find the right bag for you, we managed to find OH an oversized bag last year and he now loves being in his new sleeping bag whereas he found his old one restrictive as it was too small.
We use duvets as an add on if it's cold or if garden camping.
I do find though that the duvets absorb moisture and end up smelling a bit of wet dog if the weather is cold (ie when there is more condensation around). I know this topic was posted in mid summer but wonder how others find duvets in colder weather?
Quote: Originally posted by PigletandTigger on 24/9/2010
I do find though that the duvets absorb moisture and end up smelling a bit of wet dog if the weather is cold (ie when there is more condensation around). I know this topic was posted in mid summer but wonder how others find duvets in colder weather?
We've always used a duvet and agree that now and again the cover can feel faintly damp to the touch, but only to the extent of a very minimal condensation. This usually evaporates during the day, and at night the slight smell of wet dog is fine, we're used to it as we have a dog
I'm so glad to see this topic as my DH says I'm the only freak that uses a duvet!!! I hate sleeping bags and I'm always cold in one and uncomfortable. I soon made it clear that I would only carry on camping if my dear duvet comes too.... however the car is always too full according to DH as the duvet takes up all the space (nothing to do with the twenty three tons of other stuff we take honest)
I do prefer duvets but in an attempt to downsize equipment I recently bought a Gelert sleeping pod for me (OH kept his duvet). I was almost sold on the sleeping bag because it takes up less space and seemed a nice shape but, it also reminded me what I dislike about them - only have an opening on one side and you can't stick both legs out when lying on your back. I will persevere with the pod (recommendation - buy the XL for an adult) but my heart's with the duvet.
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
Quote: Originally posted by bridgeywidge on 02/10/2010
I do prefer duvets but in an attempt to downsize equipment I recently bought a Gelert sleeping pod for me (OH kept his duvet). I was almost sold on the sleeping bag because it takes up less space and seemed a nice shape but, it also reminded me what I dislike about them - only have an opening on one side and you can't stick both legs out when lying on your back. I will persevere with the pod (recommendation - buy the XL for an adult) but my heart's with the duvet.
bridgeywidgey, try using rope to tie up the duvet. It should pack down like a sleeping bag. We find it packs up fairly small doing that :)
------------- Camped since 2008 and still loving it!
Love it in the sleeping bag. And I don't find it twists at all..get in, lie on back, zip up, and then the bag just moves around with me as I move about in sleep - proper mummy bag type though so it all does up nice and snug.
Despite the sensation of being a bit restricted, I prefer being in a sleeping bag whilst tenting.
My wife flatly still refused to use one last year, and until a few weeks ago.
However, knowing that we were going to be tenting in Lincolnshire ("it's always cold there"), she decided to try the combination I use.
XL Rectangular one (300 g/square metre of Polyfibre) with fleece liner.
It (just the sleeping bag) states a "Comfort Rating of minus 2.3 to plus 3.1 degrees C". And an "Extreme Rating of minus 18.6 degrees C".
Well! I use Max/Min thermometers in my tent (does anyone else use them?)
I have found that at Plus 12 degrees C my wife needed extra cover, and at Plus 8 degrees C I needed extra cover.
I'm fully aware about age/state of health/under bag insulation etc being a factor, and have taken these into account.
Do any manufacturers actually try these out for real?
Had we not taken a double sized duvet, we (well she) would've been in trouble.
I wore pants, socks, and long sleeved T-Shirt, my wife wore a nightie and cardigan.
I was pleased she slept well despite her misgivings about being "strangled in the bag".
So a thumbs up for them from us.
As for the "Mummy" style ones? That would be asking for trouble at this stage.
Whilst wandering in a well known outdoor shop yesterday, I did consider a Eurohike Adventurer 300 that states a "Minimum Comfort Rating is an impressive minus 2 degrees C", but could not yet justify the 50 GBP cost.
Just my Fourpenn'orth.
Regards James
------------- In the beginning there was darkness.
Then I bought a tent.
I'm not destitute, I'm just poor.
Quote: Originally posted by John Preece on 03/10/2010
bridgeywidgey, try using rope to tie up the duvet. It should pack down like a sleeping bag. We find it packs up fairly small doing that :)
Thanks - I'll try trussing one up just like an oven-ready chicken!
I did put it on the bottom of the packing last holiday, beneath the tent etc so that did squash it but it wasn't ideal. Can you buy compression straps on their own?
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
We prefer sleeping bags - mummy bags zipped into a double arrangement - saves finding the OH has nicked all the duvet and I'm freezing and the separate feet sections of the mummies tends to mean that we do not to end up sleeping only in one bag. Our nice new Millet's Adventurer 300s with their hoods, shoulder baffles etc also mean that you can really snuggle in and keep nice and warm even when the bags are zipped together... They compact much smaller for transit too... Our pillowcases stuffed with 2 Vango moon pillows also stay nicely within the hoods of the sleeping bags rather than ending up off the end of the bed.
They sell extra sections for the bags to make them wider if you need a bit more space.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Sleeping Bags Or Duvets
