Does anyone know the web address for Fairydown/arthur ellis sleeping bags?

Has anyone had any experience with One Planet bags?

What makes of down filled bags would you recommend or are all the expensive ones much the same?

Cheers.

GG

I like down bags that are internaly tuck stitched, ie; no externally exposed stiches where the sections of bag are joined.
MontBags has that method employed in its construction.
OnePlanet has a nice new light weight bag with a high loft down(800+??loft power) not tuck stiched as I usually like, but I would make an exception here cause of its light weight&thermal efficiency.
MoutainDesigns make the Elite series of expedition bags,Dryloft outer, high loft down,tuck stitched. Their loft rating used to be high 850+, but for some reason it has been reduced now to a lower level, probably to cut costs.

OUTER SHELL: Pertex outer shells are lighter but allow more air flow.Gore Dryloft is more wind resistant but still breathable, so for the same weight of fill&loft it would generally be warmer than the pertex.
Mountain Hardwear actually make a seam sealed (almost waterproof)bag using a breathable shell, but have heard that it sometimes is a little "wet" on the inside cause the shell does not always allow quick enough evaporation/transfer of the bodies perspiration to the atmosphere,causing the down fibres to become undesirably damp.
STORAGE: I will not buy a down bag that comes from a shop that stores their bags compressed in the sack.They are really supposed to be stored free hanging to minimise damage to extend life of the down. Some smaller custom bag makers keep the shells empty and only fill them when a bag is ordered.

I use to do a lot of Mountain climbing and Alpine hunting and would recomend 'One Planet' but my favorite is 'MONT'
OZHUNTER

Thanks guys

Will check these brands out. Found out today that Fairydown no longer exist. Apparently the lady who owned Kathmandu sold out and then bought the Fairydown company - no body seems to know what she is doing with it but they haven't released any products for 12 months or so.

GG

For what its worth, a few years ago I bought Kathmandu's four season bag called the Rumdoodle because the price was too good to refuse - less than $300. I think they've since released a different model. Mine's got the pertex water repellant exterior with 900 grams of down.

I've used the bag to hunt tahr and chamois, plus one trip to Fiodland after wapiti in NZ, plus snow camping in Charlotte's Pass in the Snowy Mountains without any problems.

If however, I had my time again, I'd probably go for a Macpac Neve that only has down over the top of the bag, and a sleeve on the bottom where you slide in a therma-rest (or similar) sleeping mat. From the feed back I've got from a few professional guides in NZ, this bag keeps you warm for all NZ conditions and reduces the weight of your sleeping bag by half. For me, thats a big consideration, particularly if your heading in Fiordland or similar terrain.

Nuff said - thats my $0.02 cents worth!!

Spartan

Thanks for that info mate.........I'll check out the macpac as I do use an air mattress.

Cheers.

GG

I have a Kathmandu's Rumdoodle bag too,i was cold in it a couple of nights in Canada,but very happy with it.

quote:

Originally posted by Spartan:
f however, I had my time again, I'd probably go for a Macpac Neve that only has down over the top of the bag, and a sleeve on the bottom where you slide in a therma-rest (or similar) sleeping mat. From the feed back I've got from a few professional guides in NZ, this bag keeps you warm for all NZ conditions and reduces the weight of your sleeping bag by half. For me, thats a big consideration, particularly if your heading in Fiordland or similar terrain.

I haven't tried one of those, but to me that sounds like a recipe to be cold. You need insulation on the bottom as well as from the top. Especially if the ground is frozen.

Did try something similar, but not properly made like one of those, ie down sleeping bad on top, unzipped and spread out like a quilt, therma-rest type mattress and nothing else underneath, shared with my girlfriend camping - in France many years ago, and still regret it. Ever joint ached the next morning. A few days later found a shop with decent down sleeping bags, bought a second one and heaven!

I think better things to be deleted to save weight than half a sleeping bag. JMO!

PS I think the first was a Fairydown, but it is now 25 years old!

Shame to see Fairydown leave the market place. However I can vouch for the effectiveness and weightsaving of the Macpac Neve. Have used it in Snowcaves and very cold conditions, and it works. Only downside is you can't "Rollover" in your sleeping bag i.e. A little harder to move about or sleep in foetal position.
When Fairydown shut up shop about 6 months ago, they were selling off all their stock at less than half price, I bought a nice new Gortex Windstopper clad bag called an Arete. Awesome and real light. Supposed to be waterproof, but haven't put it to the test yet.

Nitrox - yep, shared your doubts at first, but am now a believer of the Neve type bag. Quality down on top with a quality inflatable/closed cell sleeping mat on the bottom does keep you warm. I agree with TrackersNZ, the down side is you can't roll over in this type of bag.

As for the question of weight,I'm basing my opinion one only one trip into Fiordland and a hunting season in Alaska were we did a fair amount of backpacking. After the Fiodland trip, it took almost 3 weeks for the swelling in my knees to disappear.Next time I go after wapiti, I'll go through ALL my kit to ensure I carry the absolute minimum weight into such a beautiful, but God forsaken, environment.

Cheers, Jim

i have had a fairydown bag for 20 years now, and its still as good as the first day i bought it, secret being the way you store it, its being with me to alaska, mongolia, canada numerous trips to new zealand , and just recentley to russia and has always kept me warm
sorry to see they have folded down as there entire product line was first class!
GG have a look at NORTH FACE in the states they are a class act as far as sleeping bags go
daniel

Don't need a sleeping bag up here BUT I will be using my gortex bivy soon. One of our Officers thought it would be good for us to go bush and hootchie up for an EX......in the middle of the bloody wet!!!! jeeze the dogs will be happy

If You are looking for the best bag from my opinion to buy, take a Western Mountaineering with Super DryLoft shelter.
Second choice will be a Yeti Exner Bag from Germany, especially when it goes to a lightweight summer bag: The VIB 250
( www.gecko-climbing.de )