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Quote: Originally posted by Merry on 23/5/2009

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Oh thanks, that's great. Now that you've done all the humiliating background research of climbing in and out of the bags I might toddle up to Attwoolls at some point over the next day or so and have a look at the Elles myself.

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Hiya. Well, I went up to Attwoolls and had quite a prolonged dither at their baffling array of sleeping bags. My current bag is a Vango Astral 450, which is very warm but stupidly cumbersome/big/long for me and also rather ugly . Yes I know that shouldn't matter but in a way it does. I quite like the strong purple outer cover of my 450, but when that is contrasted with the very browny Burberry check of the lining (the colours in the link are different to my bag), well, its not good. OK, shoot me for wanting good looking form as well as function!

So, I want a warm comfy bag which is a better fit for me and ideally looks ok too.

I thought the Vango Nitestar W (for women specific) looked very warm, well designed and well made  if  you are happy with a traditional slimline mummy design. I tried it on and was reminded why I am not!

There was  a Gelert women's mummy bag too but for some reason that one didn't speak to me and looked rather slim too.

I bought a Coleman Elle so obviously there is plenty to like about them. In practical terms  the shorter length is great and am very impressed with the shape, which seems to offer the comfort-room of a square bag but with enough tailoring to reduce the amount of dead cold air you need to use your own body heat to keep warm . There is additional insulation in the foot and chest area to keep those body parts warmer. The Elles look good and look like women's bags but not in a seven year old girl way. I bought the warmest of the three Elles and am really looking forward to using it ...in June, July and August.

 I think Coleman have the start of a great range with the Elles but they need to add another, warmer model. A fourth Elle with more insulation for family/campsite type use at either end of the season, with a bigger hood and either a drawstring or additional cuff around the shoulders would be brilliant. Might email Coleman to suggest that!

Anybody else got any reviews of women's bags to add? I'm hoping fahlin and piglet will report back on theirs after they've been used. I've been clicking about looking for other options but so far can only find skinny shaped bags for lean,wirey backpacking or mountaineering types.