Sleeping bag recommendation for a big person?

[Godlykepower]

I'm after a sleeping bag for a bigger person.

I've got a big belly, which I'm steadily doing something about, but I've always been very broad shouldered and big around the chest and it seems as I get older, everything seems to be expanding even more to the sides. The last time I used an army sleeping bag I have, I found it snug which was a shock.

Anyway, I'm off on a bit of a jaunt with the bike in a couple of weeks and need a new bag that is roomy but still suitable to pack on a bike.

[Godlykepower]

Erm, actually....forget it.

It seems that I'm not as portly as I thought! I've just dug out my old mountaineering bag and it feels just fine.

However, this bag is rated to -26° and is not really suitable for a 3 day bike tour in Norfolk in May. I'll do some research into something better, but if someone wants to hit me with a couple of bike suitable suggestions, that'd be delightful.

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
If your over 6' and 12 stone a standard mummy sleeping bag thats rated seasons, has just the material thats needed.
So you cant bend or put both arms at your side.
Mountain bags tend to be roomier and longer.

Theres various bags at different weights here last I looked.
Generous cut and length.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331141148604? ... 375wt_1184

Also Gelert do the Pod Xl in different weights.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gelert-Sleepi ... 593wt_1182

[pete75]

Don't know if you're anywhere near a Decathlon shop. They follow the sensible practice of producing their own brand sleeping bags in a range of sizes from S to XL.

[garibeet]

You could try a quilt. Roomy, easy to regulate temps in summer as you just stick your leg/arm whatever out if it's too hot, and there is no wasted down being compressed underneath you providing little insulation.
Obviously you can just leave a bag open and use it as a quilt, which is what I do in winter if I am in a bothy rather than a tent for instance. Just 'cos they have zips doesn't mean you have to always ase 'em

[irc]

If money no object PHD designs do nice down bags in various warmths and in short, med, long, XL, and standard, wide, extra wide. They quote standard width as up to a 42" chest, wide up to 49" and XW - even wider.

Somewhere around £300 quid for a 700g -5C XL, XW down bag which I can't afford at the moment.

[Godlykepower]

I know of the PHD bags and they look lovely, but I can't afford that type of money.

As I said, my old bag seems to fit better than I remember, my steps to reduce my tummy must be paying off, so I just want something suitable for bike touring now, the XL part is not necessary.

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
Most sports bags (not mountain) come out at 80 cm across the shoulders and 50 cm at lower leg
I am 6 ' and 77 kgs and its a snug fit, bigger bags are of course heavier for similar warmth.
You probab;y only need a 2 - 3 season bag so 1500 grams woud be about right for synthetic.
Pleanty of cheap bags to chose from, even going for more room still be way under 1800 grams.

Edited - your are not saving much on economy to go for a expensive bag, Bags have plumeted in price over the years.
Even cheaper bags are excellent quality.

I have an early twin bag (one inside the other) rated at - 20 C and still using it, tho my toes are pokeing holes in the inner cover

It cost a good weeks wages, but how many times do I use a - 20 C bag...............

[LondonBikeCommuter]

Bags have plumeted in price over the years.

I need to get a decent sleeping bag and was talking to a very outdoorsy friend and he said it was a pity I hadn't bought 1 a few years a go as genuinely decent bags ie down have shot up in price. Of the 3 bags he's got they've all at least doubled in price in the last 3/4 years. The same can be said for most outdoors gear.

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,

Bags have plumeted in price over the years.

I need to get a decent sleeping bag and was talking to a very outdoorsy friend and he said it was a pity I hadn't bought 1 a few years a go as genuinely decent bags ie down have shot up in price. Of the 3 bags he's got they've all at least doubled in price in the last 3/4 years. The same can be said for most outdoors gear.

I am assuming that was a typo in red

Down bags totaly different kettle of fish, they are normally specialist and can be any price, a 550 gram down bay can be £ 300.

[LondonBikeCommuter]

Definitely not... its very hard to now go back and see the prices being charged 3/4 years ago but looking at the Gore-Tex jacket I bought in 2009 which was pretty much top of the range at the time cost £300. Now its easy to spend £500 on a similar jacket. I saw the receipt from my mates sleeping bag and looking online its doubled in price since 2011. Not an expert but as I said I do know people that are very outdoorsy and they universally say prices have gone up hugely for decent gear.

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
I think its easy to be led by prices, thinking that your are getting a superior product.

In my experience a -20 C sleeping bag is now cheaper than it was in the eighties, but wages have increased many times.

I dont see you need to buy top notch brand name stuff unless someone else is paying or your off to the northpole

I have Bergaus sacks from the eighties and still useable today cost over £ 60.
Unless you are mountaineering you dont need the quality.
I have several cheap rucksacks costing a fraction of the price and they are in some ways superior to the older Bergaus.

Times move on and gear is definately cheaper, there are shops which today rebrand stuff and charge the earth, its called marketing.

A branded two - three season bag should cost no more than £60 on ebay.
Even very cheaper range bags are technicaly very good indeed.
A Gelert / Vango Non down bag (mummy shaped and differential cut) will suit you fine, unless you are off to the icebergs.
Really you cant beat them.
Down is specialist and hjas limited performance due to being damp sensitive.