Highlander gear from Scotland ?

[Woody]

I'm trying to kit out Woody Jnr. with a better sleeping bag for autumn and winter ( the ones we have for the kids are the really cheap summer ones which are OK for family camping...)
As we plan to do the Ridgeway sometime in autumn...
(Training starting now with long walks whilst carrying loads... ;) )

Being on a budget, I've been undecided between artic sleeping bag (surplus) ...


or one of these...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350530844909

I like the specs on these ... plus he likes camo gear...

Is Highlander a good manufacturer?
Their website and information seems very good, just wondered if anyone has experience with their products???


I cant afford a really decent one right now, and ive seen many a good deal on mountain warehouse... but I've read somewhere the zips are rubbish and won't last.


Being a carpenter I know all too well that when you buy cheap , you buy twice...
So question is should I buy surplus (sloppy seconds) or just spend a bit more on a highlander?
..and actually is that highlander even good enough?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

[David_JAFO]

hello Woody,
Highlander are based Livingston near Edinburgh not far up the M8 motorway for me. They're a gloried Millets to be honest. I've seen these sleeping bags in store. The 4 season sleeping bag would be suitable for Woody Jnr. steer clear of Mountain warehouse.. seriously. If the British surplus sleeping bag is 4 season & within your budget I'd go for the surplus. If you purchase the Highlander product open it view it & if your not happy return it undamaged ask for a refund. With any sleeping bag I treat it with Nikwax TX-10 & wash-in waterproof fluid. It does what it say's on the tin. Use a camping *kip matt too under the sleeping bag, insulate Woody Jnr. from the terra firma. Have a browse through the Snugpak range of sleeping bags I've got a Snugpak sleeping bag (4 season) I was issued with it http://www.survivalaids.com/ have a browse at their sleeping bags they dispatch within 24 hours & if your unsatisfied return the item as said ask for a refund or alternative purchase.
Regards
David

[rossbird]

I haven't used either of those bags Woody.
My initial concern is the weight of both. Is your lad big enough to carry them, if so I would probably go for the surplus option, purely on cost.
Good luck with whichever you pick.

[Woody]

hello Woody,
Highlander are based Livingston near Edinburgh not far up the M8 motorway for me. They're a gloried Millets to be honest. I've seen these sleeping bags in store. The 4 season sleeping bag would be suitable for Woody Jnr. steer clear of Mountain warehouse.. seriously. If the British surplus sleeping bag is 4 season & within your budget I'd go for the surplus. If you purchase the Highlander product open it view it & if your not happy return it undamaged ask for a refund. With any sleeping bag I treat it with Nikwax TX-10 & wash-in waterproof fluid. It does what it say's on the tin. Use a camping *kip matt too under the sleeping bag, insulate Woody Jnr. from the terra firma. Have a browse through the Snugpak range of sleeping bags I've got a Snugpak sleeping bag (4 season) I was issued with it http://www.survivalaids.com/ have a browse at their sleeping bags they dispatch within 24 hours & if your unsatisfied return the item as said ask for a refund or alternative purchase.
Regards
David
Nice one David, thank you for the advice... I'm going to explore the snugpack range too...
Kip mats... hmmm
Self Inflatable, foil backed £20 here...

http://www.britishmilitarysurplus.co.uk/shop/hardwear/self-inflating-thermal-sleeping-1187483.html
Is that any good? Right price?
[emoji106]

[Woody]

I haven't used either of those bags Woody.
My initial concern is the weight of both. Is your lad big enough to carry them, if so I would probably go for the surplus option, purely on cost.
Good luck with whichever you pick.
He will be 9 in October, strong vegetarian lad, 10 a day type of kid (not just 5a day😉) ... but I know what you mean, the artic bag is apparently heavy and bulky...and 3 kg feel like 30 kg after a days trek...
Time to think and research more...
Looking at the snugpack range too now

[David_JAFO]

hello Woody,
You don't have to splash out on a expensive kip matt as long as it insulates you from the terra firma is all you need. Snugpak have a compression spider which reduces the size of the sleeping bag too, so your not (Woody Jnr.) carrying a huge bulky bag.
Regards
David

Nice one David, thank you for the advice... I'm going to explore the Snugpak range too...
Kip mats... hmmm Self Inflatable, foil backed £20 here...
http://www.britishmilitarysurplus.co...g-1187483.html
Is that any good? Right price?

[Woody]

To be honest, I only use a 12mm foam roll myself between the bivvy and my sleeping bag, but it's narrow and not the most comfortable kip ...

I just thought that maybe the Inflatable would be better insulated and provide better padding...
Thanks for the "survival aids" website link.
Very reasonable.

The Ridgeway is not always wooded and boughs and leaves are not always readily available on the way...

Ideally , as he gets older ,(and we both learn more) we will shed more and more kit and really try and increasingly use the natural materials around us.
Just like our ancestors did.


[emoji188]

[Woody]

http://www.survivalaids.com/

have a browse at their sleeping bags they dispatch within 24 hours & if your unsatisfied return the item as said ask for a refund or alternative purchase.
Regards
David

Thank you David , good range of choice and reasonable prices...
[emoji106]

[Ehecatl]

My two penneth.... The surplus sleeping is bulky and a bit heavy, but it is robust and warm. I've had mine for years and used it in sub zero temperatures. I guess a disadvantage is that you may not want to get up! The zip is chunky and I've never had a problem with it. Even the dog approved (he joined me) when it was -2! It does take up a fair bit of my 100 ltr bergen but that's why I got a 100 ltr bergen. I wouldn't part with mine.

I've found that inflatable mats are a bit of a moisture magnet. It's fine if you're stopped in one place but if you're on the move then it could well end up packed away damp.

Cheers,

M@

[Woody]

OK so now it's down to three finalists...

1 - British army surplus Arctic sleeping bag

http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/arctic-sleeping-bag-genuine-current-427955.html

2- Highlander ( challenger)

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/HIGHLANDER-BRITISH-ARMY-STYLE-CHALLENGER-400-MUMMY-SLEEPING-BAG-X-WARM-26-4-/351332468144?nav=SEARCH

Or

3-
Snugpak 4 season Xpedition

http://www.survivalaids.com/sleeping-shelter/sleeping-bags-accessories/snugpak-sleeper-range/snugpak-xpedition-sleeping-bag




Any votes or alternatives appreciated.

:)

[Woody]

I'm sorry I should have titled this thread a little better...
It should be called "which winter sleeping bag on a budget?"

Not sure how to edit title ...
Sorry

[Ehecatl]

My vote goes to the 1 - British army surplus Arctic sleeping bag. Another reason I like this is that it has more generous space for your feet, whereas the other two options appear to be quite restrictive. Not ideal if you've got a shivering staffy to warm up at 3 a.m.! :happy-clapping:

[David_JAFO]

hello Woody,
I'd opt for the Snugpak. If you read the small print of the Highlander bag *British style (not actual issue) that doesn't say if it is to a specific military or NATO standard with stock number. The British Arctic bag used grade hmmm.. buying such it is better to view first before parting with your money. If it's returnable, I'd go ahead order & view it, if unsatisfied then return it (is it worth it)?? googlefu if your unsure how to care for your sleeping bag, washing, drying & airing whilst using it.. Ehecatl I agree with you I'm taking into consideration that it's Woody Jnr. humpin' the load & the arctic bag could be the straw that broke the camels back.. just sayin'. The Ridgeway (Britain's oldest road) I know where you are I've been down that way sometime ago RAF High Wycombe & Daws Hill to name but a few.. Cold War years.
Regards
David

[Woody]

Thank you guys for all your advice! Much appreciated.

Just for the record...
I'm not dragging junior along the whole trek.
That would be mad !!!
Cool but a little cruel... don't want to put him off forever...

We're only doing a weekend , which will be about a 1/4 of the trail...

Aiming for 8 miles a day for 3 days maybe 4.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ridgeway

Autumn just because of the colours... my favourite season for sure.

Looking forward to it...


Thanks for the input lads

:)