Sleeping Bag for Drakensberg winter hiking

[PesVis]

I'm probably going hiking in the drakensberg in June and this will be my first mid winter hike. I've done a few multi day hikes in Autumn and Spring, so I know what is involved, and that it can get bloody cold.

Can you recommend any good sleeping bags, besides the obvious First Ascent Ice Breaker. I borowed on for a hike last year and it was awesome, but is there anything else thats a bit cheaper. Maybe something that can be imported from the US/UK/Europe?

[Ds J]

Don't know the sleeping bags, but without a good isolating mattress you'll be half frozen in the mornings.

[Wez]

First Ascent are great brands, I would recommend the Ice Breaker or the Fusion 900. You won't be cold

Adding to what DS J said include a Inflatable matteress preferably ultra light or the minimalist (also First Ascent).

Wez

[HadEnuf]

Don't know the sleeping bags, but without a good isolating mattress you'll be half frozen in the mornings.

This is vital. In all my years as a student and for a while thereafter, I used a little closed-cell foam "gaper mat" we called them. I now have what the "old ballies" had in those days, namely a Thermarest "inflatable" mattress. It is self inflating because of the foam inside it. Close a valve and it is as though you had inflated it. However, NEVER blow into it to inflate it as the moisture will cause untold vrotness and mold inside the mattress. Some people have a little pump thingy, but it's not necessary once the foam expands itself.

I also have a First Ascent Icebreaker now, but have not used it in cold conditions yet. I bought it for a European mountain trip and it wasn't required. I'm a little concerned that Stefan says it is not quite warm enough. I also have a "Thermalator" inner for the bag which I plan to take when I do Mt Kenya. Hopefully those two layers plus thermal underwear will be good enough.

Water is your enemy with down as has been repeatedly mentioned. Make sure your backpack has a STURDY plastic liner if you are going to be in rainy conditions. Somehow the flimsy little rain covers don't always work 100%.

[zakiwi]

Don't know the sleeping bags, but without a good isolating mattress you'll be half frozen in the mornings.

I've slept at -15 deg C with a 500 loft bag and a good thermarest mattress. If I did it again, I'd take a 800 loft in those conditions.

[Jacko]

PesVis, I cannot see you being able to import something equally good for significantly cheaper than what you can buy here, unless someone you know brings it back when they go there.

But then I'd be really paranoid about them buying the right spec sleeping bag. Why? Because it could mean the difference between life and death, that's why.

If bulk isn't that much of a concern you could go for a hollow fibre bag, but a down bag will always be warmer, pound for pound, not to mention that it will also be lighter (and more expensive). Just bear in mind that a wet down bag is useless. Hollow fibre, on the other hand, still performs when wet.

I have a hollow-fibre bag from these guys http://www.carinthia.eu/ but I got it for free, courtesy of my job.

Great products - if you could find it.

[PesVis]

I've been using a K-way self inflating matress for the past few hikes and it has worked very well. Makes a hell of a difference when the ground is less than flat

[camouflage762]

Benedorm 3 season.

Hate packing it back into it bag!

[Vaal]

I also have a Benedorm 3 seasons, still use it after about 20 years (mine is still with the white'ish inner material, not very practical). To make it last you never store your sleeping bag compressed, leave it lying on top of other things inside a cupboard. The trick to bag it is not to roll it up but go down on 1 knee, sleeping bag over shoulder and then just stuff it into the stuff'bag. QUOTE=camouflage762;652657]Benedorm 3 season.

Hate packing it back into it bag![/QUOTE]

[Spiggles]

Try the Amplify 1800 from First Ascent, with a Thermalite Travel sheet- should keep you alive and cheaper than the Ice Breaker.
Synthetic materials, so no down issues.
Thermals are a must though, and something to keep the wind off.
The Ice Breaker is a quality bag though, if you can swing the tin.
M2C