Lab Notes

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?

a £15 100g silk liner please :o)

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

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…?

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.

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?