Thread: Down Sleeping bag for lower north island

Been looking for a down sleeping bag, my light weight down one with a liner didn't cut in the Aorangi's in late April.

Wondering what temp range I should aim for, mainly lower north island Tararuas ect. I do not usually use huts so will be tent or fly camping.


after much searching I have found 2 bags form outdoor vitals that gets good review's and reasonably priced.

20f sleeping and and 0f not much Difference in the price but i'm thinking 0f (-17c ) is overkill.

https://outdoorvitals.com/collection...ducts/summit-0
https://outdoorvitals.com/collection...n-sleeping-bag

any recommendations on bags that are warm enough for Tararua's and arn't going to cost $500 +?

Thanks

Bought a couple of synthetic down bags in Aus a few years ago.
Too bloody hot for there, ended up with a synthetic lightweight Doona - much more comfy for 12-15C nights camping in SW WA, off the bike (BMW LT1200 luxo barge).
Used one in the Holdsworth Park (Totara Flats hut), on Kaikoura's weekend of earthquakes.
Rated -5C, so still too warm, quite cheap in Aus.
Sweated my bollocks off in it, but should be reasonably warm, even if it's snowing - but best in a hut I'd think.
In its sleeve pack - about 300-350mm long, 150-200mm diameter packed - squeezes into a 35L pack easily, for a 2-3 day trip.

@dansus I have a Black Wolf 750 which i have just spent a week in the Thar ballot area around Zora.
Bag performed well wasnt cold at any point. Cost me around $300 from Wilsons Hunting in Wanganui.

What's your current one?

Go for a quilt

CUrrent one is a 1 day special Beyond summit 300 rated to -5 (I guessing that's the extreme rating) and got a Thermotec liner. It's sleepable if you warm when you get in and have some layers on, but if I been hunting I'm usually wet and cold when I get in ( falling in a river at the start of a one night trip dosnt help). And don't like to carrying lots of clothes.

I wouldn't take it out if I know it's going to get below 5 not worth a bad nights sleep.

Thansk will take a look at black wolf as well

Good Mat?

Nope... once i started getting cold i thought that was the most likely the culprit, was using khatmandu hike 2.5 not even sure if it has an r rating.
Ill try blue foam one next as they cost next to nothing and kept me warm in snow before. But will need a decent one eventually

Spring for a good one like exped or thermorest
You will be surprised by the difference

Originally Posted by dansus

Nope... once i started getting cold i thought that was the most likely the culprit, was using khatmandu hike 2.5 not even sure if it has an r rating.
Ill try blue foam one next as they cost next to nothing and kept me warm in snow before. But will need a decent one eventually

They are surprisingly good insulation...just not that comfortable or compact.