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Topic: Going lighter but not going lighter....

Ewen c

via mobile 31/3/2024 at 9:04am
Location: County Kildare Irel
Outfit: Tents

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Due to circumstances with my back I have a lot of time on my hands so am planning a few trips. I also realise I need to reduce some weight, not myself but my gear (ok myself as well)
Trouble is that I have actually gone heavier in the rucksack in order to gain in comfort. To offset that I thought about getting a quilt for anything except winter. However, I'm a side sleeper that moves around a bit and a quilt will let in the cold when I move. I think I have found the solution in a hoodless sleeping bag like the thermarest ohm. Still 500 gms lighter than my winter bag and hoods are a faff in the warmer months.
I'm already lightweight with the speedster cook system but I have shaved off about 100 gm's by changing the petzl tikkinna and noctilight to a petzl bindi. I'm also ditching the rechargeable tiny pump for the mat and going back to a pump sack.
Once I have the full use of my hands, a ruthless clean out will be taking place. Any peripheral luxuries will be out. Electronics will be bare minimum if there is a lighter alternative it will be obtained. The aim is to get as light as possible yet remain comfortable.
Then it is back to fitness. Next year will be hopefully back to the WHW and a few overnighters in Wicklow. The WHW is ideal if I have any medical mishaps as almost all has açcess to bus or train.
And I also got the Cape Wrath trail guidebook....for a few years down the line.

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richardh1905

31/3/2024 at 9:51am
Location: South Cumbria
Outfit: Lightwave T10 Trek

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All the best with your recovery.

I don't really 'get' quilts', I too move around a lot and just don't think that they are for me. The weight savings appear minimal in any case.

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Ewen c

via mobile 31/3/2024 at 10:46am
Location: County Kildare Irel
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Cheers!
My -12 sleeping bag is 1.2 kg so an equivalent quilt saves about 400 to 500 grammes which is quite a lot. However they don't work for side sleepers and those who move around a lot. I'd end up regretting the purchase. They also rely on a decent mat. Personally I don't want straps on my exped. Down mats are discontinued so I cosset mine.
I've also read that the comfort ratings for quilts are a bit pie on the sky anyway.
A bag like the ohm can be opened up if it gets hot like a quilt but won't expose me to draughts when I roll around. Sleeping bags have proper EN ratings too. Just need to do more research as to which one.

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spiritburner

31/3/2024 at 6:01pm
Location: None Entered
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I use a -2c rated bag year around. It's wide & full zip. I use it as a quilt when it's warm & in colder months will use baselayers or if very cold down socks, trews, smock & hat. That last combo is about the same weight as my old -18c bag, as warm & more versatile.

I don't like having multiples of items if I can get away with it

Ewen c

via mobile 31/3/2024 at 10:37pm
Location: County Kildare Irel
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I still go out in the winter so do like a proper winter bag but the weight is too much to justify for summer. I've also found I sleep colder the older I get.

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dk168

01/4/2024 at 5:43pm
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
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Wishing you a speedy recovery!

DK

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Caligula

06/4/2024 at 7:32pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Ewen c on 31/3/2024
I've also found I sleep colder the older I get.

So it's not just me, lol!

Ewen c

via mobile 07/9/2024 at 9:06am
Location: County Kildare Irel
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Well, I got a new sleeping bag.
A Sierra designs Cloud 800 20 in Large.
No zip, a pad sleeve and no insulation under the torso. Weight 850gms.
The principle behind it is the sleeping mat provides the insulation and there is an oversized flap like a quilt at the top so side sleepers can get their usual sleep.
It works for me. I can get in and out very easily. I sleep on my left side so perfect for me but wouldn't really work for people who sleep on their right. There is room for a pillow between the mat and the sleeve so that stays in place.

So that is 350gms lighter than my Vulcan bag but only goes to a comfort level of -3. However , following the title and going lighter but not really going lighter, I had to get a new mat.
My trusty Exped downmat lite is too thin and too narrow for the sleeve on the large bag. I had a look at other, lighter mats but the outer material was all 30 denier. The downmat is 75 and tough as nails. So I went up 200 GMS heavier and got an Exped dura 6r. It is 2cm thicker and wider, also down filled with a 75 denier top and 170 denier base. Unfortunately it is 200 GMS heavier so almost cancelling out the weight gain of the bag. The whole system is about 150 GMS lighter though so not bad.
However... I used a decathlon inflatable pillow. It was great...before the accident. Now it isnt thick enough. I ended up getting an Exped REM pillow. The decathlon weighs 135 GMS. The Exped is 185 so now the new sleep system is only 100 GMS lighter but that is with a bigger pillow, bigger mat and more comfortable bag.

Now to get the chance to use it. Right hand still isn't right and I'm slowly building up fitness. Still waiting for go ahead for travel etc from the stroke team and my wife won't let me go anywhere until I get an inreach to cover emergencies Looks like next year...

-------------
Durston Xmid-2 solid
Durston Xmid-1 solid
Hypercamp Alaska - Dutch Pyramid
Vango F10 Helium UL1
Coleman cobra 2
Eureka solitaire
Naturehike Star River 2

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