I'm considering getting the Vango Aurora (single) sleeping bag. I prefer the feel of cotton to synthetic bags. I know a lot of people recommend them but I'm not sure how many of those are campers or caravanners. How suitable are they for camping? In particular, do they get damp with condensation as I've read that cotton does tend to do that more. And are they draughty around the top due to lack of drawstring/hood?
Also, I know the bag it comes with is huge but how small can it be packed down if you want to compress it a bit more?
I got 2 single ones last year to use in our cotton frame tent. I prefer the cotton feel same as you. I find the pack size to be ok. You can pull the straps to make them smaller which makes them go from an oblong shape to a squire shape. The bag itself is plenty warm, and i dont really like draw strings around my shoulders. I do feel the cold but found i was nice and toasty even in September. Infact if anything i had to unzip the side during the night because i was a little too warm. Hope this helps.
How does it compare to a polyester bag when it comes to moisture retention? I've read that cotton/flannel tends to absorb moisture more than polyester so can retain moisture that the body gives off during the night leading to the bag getting damp, particularly if it's quite cold in the tent - although we don't plan on camping outside of May-September really.
To be honest ive not had any issues with damp or moisture. Cotton is breathable and ive not had any damp issues. I use a camp bed with sim on top. When I've used airbeds i had a pollyester sleeping bag and that did need to be turned back to "air" the airbed and sleeping bag. Even now i still out of habit leave the sleeping bag un zipped a little from getting up, and leave it pulled over just to air it....weather it needs it or not. Personal preference i guess. I like to tie back the main tent door and use the kitchen mesh window to give the tent a good airing and fresh air..again personal preference and not because it needs it.
I've got the grande and it is immense. Have used it in 4 seasons and is a dream. Camped in very damp conditions in Feb and didn't notice anything detrimental but was only one night.
On the warmth side I have been very toasty in it in just my underwear down to around 5c. When dipped below I wore thermals and socks.
Honestly one of my favourite bits of kit and everyone who has seen has bought one or at least one of the similar outwell or gerlert ones.
walesy, you mentioned that you can pull the straps on the bags to make them smaller - what sort of size (in inches/cm) do you reckon they squash down to (or could if you crammed them in between other things)? We have a lot of gear and not much space in the car/roofbox to fit everything in including the 4 of us so every square inch counts!
We've had our Aurora for 3 seasons now and LOVE it! No problems with moisture when camping in the tent or campervan. They are quite bulky, but the compression straps do help to make a little smaller.
We've just bought the teenage son & daughter the Vango Sono bags, which have the silky lining and feels lovely! Dear daughter used hers last weekend and was the only one on Scout camp to be warm and cosy in the frost. Well her and the girl who ended up sharing her bag as she was freezing cold.
Bought from Go Outdoors last year for about £30ish. They no longer sell the single and they're quite expensive now. Wish I'd bought a couple more as I'm looking for something similar.