My son came home from cadets last night saying he is doing a D of E practice next weekend.
Well we have most of his equipment but as he as had a rapid growth spurt since we actually last camped (have a folding caravan) his childs sleeping bag is no good for him.
As any one got any suggestions such as suitable make etc and also who have quick delivery.
Got a local Tesco? They have a lightweight and very compact down filled sleeping Ultralite bags with 1/3rd off atm, bringing them to about £26 irrc. These are very highly thoight of by our local scout troupe for backpacking. Tesco also have a microlight sleeping bag with a synthetic filling..same sort of size, but 50% off brings it to £11 atm. This last isn't quite as warm as the down version but it's still pretty good. Oh, and there's 20% off if you order online.
Having said all that, my DS took a Vango Nitestar 250 which we owned already. He had a choice between the 350 and 250 but as he sleeps warm he thought the 250 quite good enough for May in Scotland. It was the mummy version btw but it still takes up one heck of a lot of space in a rucksac, as we found.
It's light, packs down to nothing, and you can add a liner and outer for cold weather. I think we paid about £50 for it, but he's used it up a mountain in the snow in a bivvy at -10 and been warm.
My OH runs the DoE at air cadets.. he's gone to bed at the moment but I'll ask him and report back tomorrow if that's helps.
I do know that they have stuff they loan out, but I'm not sure if that includes sleeping bags. He uses a Snugpak for himself, as do I. Weight is as important as warmth, last trip he ended up having to carry a cadet's rucksack as well as his own as it was just too heavy for the lad. DoE get good discounts at various places too.
------------- Christine
2014
April -
BunRoy Fort William 3 sleeps
April / May
Invercaimbe Arisaig 4 sleeps
Bleatarn Brampton tbc July
Thanks christine that would be a real help its the air cadets he is in, and loving every meeting. He has grown in both confidence and common sense since he joined late last year.
By the way he will be on the North Yorkshire Moors so I think keeping warm will be at the top of the list.
Quote: Originally posted by Valk_scot on 03/8/2011
Got a local Tesco? They have a lightweight and very compact down filled sleeping Ultralite bags with 1/3rd off atm, bringing them to about £26 irrc. These are very highly thoight of by our local scout troupe for backpacking.
They are indeed a good deal. 900g and packs small with a comfort temperature of 3*C that I can vouch for, despite their apparent thinness.
They do, however, leak down - enough to get annoying eventually. Like any down bag, they need to be kept bone dry.
Quote: Originally posted by hlk01 on 03/8/2011
My OH runs the DoE at air cadets.. he's gone to bed at the moment but I'll ask him and report back tomorrow if that's helps.
I do know that they have stuff they loan out, but I'm not sure if that includes sleeping bags. He uses a Snugpak for himself, as do I. Weight is as important as warmth, last trip he ended up having to carry a cadet's rucksack as well as his own as it was just too heavy for the lad. DoE get good discounts at various places too.
They get a discount at Cotswold Outdoor. 15% I think.
As others have said, weight and bulk are important when you're carrying the usual DofE load on your back. But I'm not sure that I'd invest in a down bag for any of my little darlings, as the majority of youngsters seem to treat all the gear as disposable items, to be left out in the rain whenever possible.
If it's your lad's first time, I'd keep the costs down until I'm sure that he wants to carry on to more adventurous stuff, and buy a fairly basic and cheap, but small pack size synthetic bag. Add on a really cheap roll mat (remember - disposable item) for insulation. He can always wear more clothes if he's cold.
On the other hand if you're sure that he's serious, I do like the Snugpak bags - I use a 3 or a 6 in the summer. They're reasonably priced, pack down small, and are quite tough. You can keep your boots on if you're so inclined.
As noted above, your boy can get 15% off at Cotswold. Also 10% at Blacks, and 10% at GO if he shows his DofE card or his ATC blue book.
Thanks christine that would be a real help its the air cadets he is in, and loving every meeting. He has grown in both confidence and common sense since he joined late last year.
By the way he will be on the North Yorkshire Moors so I think keeping warm will be at the top of the list.
See Mulligrubs reply above by my significant other, lol he'll love that. Glad to hear your boy is enjoying the ATC, they get to do some great stuff along with more mundane. Our youngest has been up in a Sea King twice, lucky so and so.
------------- Christine
2014
April -
BunRoy Fort William 3 sleeps
April / May
Invercaimbe Arisaig 4 sleeps
Bleatarn Brampton tbc July
Interesting to read that the bags in Tesco are highly thought of - I spotted them today. I might nip back and get one, as at least one of the bags that we go when we frist started camping 7 years ago has died. They were seconds - and came in the deal we got from the local camping shop. Had I had a little more time I would have repaired the zip when it first started to go.
I eventually went for a Vango Nitestar 250 I managed to get a new one off E-bay for £24 including 48 hour delivery actually it arrived in less than 24 so I'm well chuffed. Looks lovely and warm.
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 bag Dof E
