Lab Note Published: 03/10/07

Sleeping bag plans

At the moment we have the AlpineDream 500, 700, 900 and the PipeDream 400 and 600. The AlpineDream is neither a budget down bag or a top, top end mountain bag and as such gets a little bit of a hard time when people talk about it. It's a good bag, and one of the best value down bags on the market. But as some of the top brands start to push their budget bags to compete with us on price then there are some unfair comparisons. So we are introducing the SkyeHigh range. This uses 650 fillpower down and more sophisticated 4 panel construction to get the best out of the down.

SkyeHigh
The range will comprise of 400g, 600g, 800g, 1000g bags which should equate to 0c, -5c, -10c and -15c. As normal we will be testing the shipment at Leeds University when production arrives and not using the super fluffy samples. These should get to us some time in November in a range of colors and some really great prices. They are getting shipped not compressed and will come with a quality cotton storage bag and compression bag. The idea is that it will be a quality bag for serious use for those on a budget (we all know what that's like) and for those of us who have better things to spend our money on.
 
PipeDream
The PipeDream will soon be back in stock and is now being made from a lwt Toray fabric. For those of you that don't know, Toray is one of the leading fabric manufactures in the world. We would of loved to continue using Pertex however the branded fabric market can be a very complicated so they have decided not to supply us. The emphasis remains and we still have a lwt high performance sleeping bag, trim fit (but now not to trim), low weight and highly packable. If we had to chose one bag for a range of activities such as traveling, alpinism and backpacking, then this would be it. This comes in 400g and 600g weights with a new lighter version coming in next year. 
 
AlpineDream
A lot of our customers are taking our kit to some very cold climates and we want to offer them something better. The AlpineDreams will be back next year as a top end serious mountain bag.  
 
Synthetic bag
We have few samples kicking around and so far despite our love of down, they are starting to win us over. We would like to get these out some time in spring, but so far so good.... packable, lwt and soft. You should expect a XL version that you will be able to pair up with down bag.
 
The weird and the wacky
When we read all our old mountain articles and look back through old catalogues sometimes we think there is nothing new. Soft shell, new... pah... two words: Rohan superstriders. The 'Pied d'Elephant' is another such thing. Basically the elephants foot is a half bag and if it's half a bag then it's half the weight. The rationale being if it is half the weight we can all climb, bike and hike that little bit better. It's not going to be everyone cup of tea but as a company we are committed to bring out some odd ball stuff that may or may not work.
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Nick

Comments

I am seeking a really warm, synthetic, extra long bag for my lanky partner with an allergy to feathers and down - can you help, or can anyone make any recommendations?

Posted on 11 November, 2008 by Jo

a £15 100g silk liner please :o)

Posted on 02 November, 2007 by Simon

Hi Kenny, I’m thinking more sleeping in a single-skin tent or a sheltered bivvy rather than an open bivvy in foul conditions, when a bivvy bag is essential. Just enough water resistance to keep spills and drips at bay would be handy.

Posted on 29 October, 2007 by Chris

Chris - there will be certain situations in which a bivvy bag would be pretty difficult to replace. From our point of view a more modular system involving seperate layers has its advantages, however I think it is safe to assume that we will be looking at other outer fabrics as a matter of course. Have you got any specific use in mind?

Posted on 26 October, 2007 by Kenny

Over on the Trail forums Moggy picked up on the value offered by the new SkyeHigh bags, comparing them to the higher spec PipeDream range. While it is true they will cover a similar temperature range you are going to be carrying much more bulk, for example it is likely that the SH800 would weigh in at 1550grams to give an estimated -8 comfort, compared to the PD600 which weighs just 960grams.

Posted on 26 October, 2007 by Kenny

I like the sound of the synthetic overbag. These are readily available in the states and Canada, but not in the UK. Would it have a water resistant outer to eliminate the need for a bivy bag?

Posted on 25 October, 2007 by Chris

Sorry Al, no prices available at the moment, we are working on getting the bags as good as we can get them and the price will fall out from this. I don’t think the bags will be available until atleast March at the earliest. We are planning a launch at the Outdoors Show but a lot can wrong between no and then.

Posted on 24 October, 2007 by alpjim

hi! Have to go to the arctic in Feb; will the new AlpineDreams be available by then? what kind of price/temperature range are we looking at? And if they won’t be available, who’d be the best person to sleep with to get hold of one…?

Posted on 22 October, 2007 by al

Unfortunately we can’t give a definite date yet I’m afraid. It’s just a matter of waiting to hear back on how the production is going. We shall let you know.

Posted on 11 October, 2007 by Col

I’m after a good value bag for wild camping, however what I really need is a nice cheap warm bag for camping in mid Wales in November (18th I think) for the real ale wobble, will the Skyehigh be available by then?

Posted on 10 October, 2007 by Nick Gilling
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