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Topic: Which 2/3 seasons sleeping bag?

Spirito

02/3/2016 at 12:20pm
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Hi,
After some advice on the selection of a new bag.

I have been looking at the Vango Ultralite 600 and the Mountain Hardware Lamina 20, and can't decide on which one.

The Vango seems to pack small, cost less (approx. £60), and be relatively light. However, I am wondering about the MH Lamina, it seems a similar weight, slightly larger pack size, similar temp rating, but is twice the price.

I would imagine the MH bag would perhaps be more robust and last longer?

I am not averse to spending the extra if the MH bag was deemed superior to the Vango, but I feel the Vango seems to be a well-regarded piece of kit. The MH reviews often complain about a snagging zip.

Anyone had experience of either of these bags, and would recommend them?

Hope you can advise please!
Cheers,

Dave.

Francais

02/3/2016 at 9:06pm
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Best sleeping bag I have ever owned has been the SnugPak Merlin Softee in Olive Green.

Got that back in 2004, a nice feature is that it will take an expanda panel, to give more shoulder room, a great addition for when kit weight is not the main concern.

I also got the specific silk liner at the same time, although have only ever needed to use the liner on one occasion.

VangoMan02

02/3/2016 at 10:10pm
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I bought the MH Lamina 20 in the Blacks sale in November last year reduced by a genuine £50. I think I paid about £85..
Have only tried it in the caravan overnight in the drive at home with no heating on in the van before or during my stay.

I really feel the cold and it was minus 3 overnight on the night I tried it out.
I was warm but decided to use my lightweight fleece liner as well and it got really toastie.

I would probably have been ok without the liner but didn't want to risk getting cold due to health issues.

I will be using it in May/June time when tent camping.

I am also a big fan of Vango and highly rate their range of lightweight type sleeping bags, I suppose it all depends on what season and if you feel the cold more, like me.

I would get one rated higher than you need, its easier to open the zip to cool down a bit or add a liner in colder months. I would check out reviews on the bags you are thinking about to get a good cross section of opinions..

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daveyboy44

02/3/2016 at 11:00pm
Location: Northants
Outfit: Vango Tempest 300

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Whilst MH are a premium brand, there's nothing wrong with Vango - especially if you manage to pick up a bargain through their Ebay shop

Vango Ebay Shop

Spirito

03/3/2016 at 9:10am
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Thanks for your thoughts folks.

I am normally a bit of a gear snob (current but old (25 years!) bag is a Buffalo 4 season outer - superb, but can't justify the purchase of a new one!), but can't see the advantage of paying double the cost for the Lamina 20, when the Vango gets good reviews and is generally well regarded. Figured I might be missing something obvious, and hoped the good people here would either point it out or allay my fears over going for the Vango.

Might pop down to the outdoor warehouse near here at the weekend to check it out again.

Thanks tonnes!

Dave.

VangoMan02

03/3/2016 at 9:34am
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Just to add I also own a Vango Nitestar 450 mummy bag. It is one of the warmest bags I have ever owned and I paid just over £40 a couple of years ago for it.
Problem is the size, great for car camping but to big even when compressed for backpacking.

I also own about 5 Vango tents and various other bits of Vango equipment and my user name confirms I like Vango products and quality/price.

I have tried a couple of the Vango Ultralite bags along with Snugpak bags over the years and they didn't work for me due to feeling the cold more than the average person.
That doesn't make them poor products, just didn't work for me.

I still think you would need to check reviews to get the bag that meets your needs and budget.

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RachlN76

03/3/2016 at 8:06pm
Location: Manchester
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I have a Vango Dormir grande, and it's really, really warm.
As yet I've never slept with it zipped up because it's too hot.
I'd give it a vote.

the-laughtons

17/3/2016 at 9:42pm
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I have just got back from 2 days backpacking and wild camping in the Brecon Beacons. I have a Vango Ultralite 600. It is very small and light. I took a 65 litre backpack and it fitted in just fine along with a SIM and all my other gear. I used a fleece liner inside as it was frosty at night but I was very warm and cosy. The 600 is a 3 season bag. The fleece liner enabled me to use it in colder than intended conditions.
I think its a great sleeping bag. Small and light but a true 3 season bag.
I am taking it to Iceland later this year for 2 weeks of backpacking and camping. I will not need the fleece liner. It will be perfectly warm enough.

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Sarah

Spirito

18/3/2016 at 6:56am
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Excellent, thanks all for your comments. I think a trip to buy the Vango Ultralite 600 is in order this weekend!
Happy camping everyone.
Cheers,

Dave.

VangoMan02

18/3/2016 at 1:28pm
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Quote: Originally posted by the-laughtons on 17/3/2016
I have just got back from 2 days backpacking and wild camping in the Brecon Beacons. I have a Vango Ultralite 600. It is very small and light. I took a 65 litre backpack and it fitted in just fine along with a SIM and all my other gear. I used a fleece liner inside as it was frosty at night but I was very warm and cosy. The 600 is a 3 season bag. The fleece liner enabled me to use it in colder than intended conditions.
I think its a great sleeping bag. Small and light but a true 3 season bag.
I am taking it to Iceland later this year for 2 weeks of backpacking and camping. I will not need the fleece liner. It will be perfectly warm enough.

Interested to know what the temperatures are like when you are going to Iceland later in the year?
I take it you are one of the lucky people who tends to run warm. I tried the 600 in a camp bed in my living room last september to try it out and had to give up during the night due feeling cold.

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spiritburner

18/3/2016 at 1:38pm
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I went on a trek with a company in May 2005(useful as a recce but never again) who used huts. I hate huts. Apart from the one on the icecap that blew up where I slept inside due to a blizzard I kipped outside in a 3 season bag & bivvy bag. I didn't measure temp but seemed on par with UK for time of year.

VangoMan02

18/3/2016 at 2:18pm
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Yeah..bivvy bag makes a big difference.

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the-laughtons

18/3/2016 at 5:28pm
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When I put "Later this year" I mean later on I.e July not late in the year. So I am hoping that the nighttime temperature in Iceland will be around 6-9 degrees. The Vango 600 is good for down to 5 degrees, 0 degrees is the extreme so with a bit of luck and plenty of thermal PJs I should be warm enough.
To be honest when I bought the sleeping bag my only thoughts were it has to be light enough and small enough for me to carry. I've never backpacked before and was worried I was struggle with a pack that was too heavy. The 900 would probably have been a better bag for the Brecons as it was below freezing but the 600 and a liner and all my clothes (quite literally ALL of them) and I was warm enough!!
Oh, and I used a Cure a Heat pad around my shoulders and neck. 10 hours of blissful warmth. The best thing ever!!
So for camping in more normal temperatures the 600 should be fine if size and weight are a priority.
I will report back on Iceland.

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Sarah

VangoMan02

19/3/2016 at 9:56am
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Its has always been an issue for me with sleeping bags. Getting one that is warm and can compress enough for backpacking in the colder months and doesn't cost the earth.

Feeling cold apparently runs in our family, something to do with poor circulation but never stopped any of us enjoying the outdoors.

Summer months I could get away with a lighter, lower rated bag but even on some summer nights in Scottish glens can be cold, so I always took a fleece liner or like yourself sleep with my thermals on or fully clothed.

July Iceland averages 11-13c degrees or 52-55f, with 8 hrs of sunshine a day and a 52% chance of rain with 21 days of rain monthly on average in July.
Sounds like a typical July summer up hear in Scotland.

Be good to hear how your trips goes on your return.

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