Following on from how much I enjoyed the SLMM and my intention to do several MM's next year I've splashed out on a bit of kit just lately. A Terra Nova sleeping bag (one of the prototypes they've been selling off) weighs in at just 330g, comfort rating is 8-10degC so should be a perfect summer mountain marathon bag with the ability to push it into Spring/Autumn by wearing either a down or synthetic vest/jacket. I've also got a Terra Nova Laser 20L pack. This is really light compared to my OMM 25L pack, it only arrived today, it feels a bit flimsy to be honest so it will be interesting to see how it actually fairs, the main thing I hope is that it will fit a bit more snug to the body than my OMM pack and slosh about less when I'm running. Both of these bits of kit will get their first test out on a little jolly up Snowdon that is coming up. A tent is next on my list, but I'm undecided, Laser, Laser Comp, or Laser Photon, it's a weight:comfort trade off and I can't decide which way to swing?
Friday, 31 July 2009
Kit confessions
Following on from how much I enjoyed the SLMM and my intention to do several MM's next year I've splashed out on a bit of kit just lately. A Terra Nova sleeping bag (one of the prototypes they've been selling off) weighs in at just 330g, comfort rating is 8-10degC so should be a perfect summer mountain marathon bag with the ability to push it into Spring/Autumn by wearing either a down or synthetic vest/jacket. I've also got a Terra Nova Laser 20L pack. This is really light compared to my OMM 25L pack, it only arrived today, it feels a bit flimsy to be honest so it will be interesting to see how it actually fairs, the main thing I hope is that it will fit a bit more snug to the body than my OMM pack and slosh about less when I'm running. Both of these bits of kit will get their first test out on a little jolly up Snowdon that is coming up. A tent is next on my list, but I'm undecided, Laser, Laser Comp, or Laser Photon, it's a weight:comfort trade off and I can't decide which way to swing?
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8 comments:
A new sleeping bag is on my wish list! Need to stop spending money on food and bike bits to afford it though!
8 C is insane, mine goes to 0c! i can't imagine how tiny this must pack down. what vest/jacket are you thinking of using?
...i think i might need it!
A posh sleeping bag is one of the things on the list yet to be purchased - I remember being a bit overwhelmed by the range of temp & which was the right one - didn't think about what you could wear whilst in it! Have fun in your testing out.
kate - it fits with space to spare in an XS exped bag, but won't quite go into an XXS. This is definitely a summer bag or race bag when wearing the clothes you've had to carry anyway, for example at Saunders I carried the required fleece which I didn't even wear and the long trousers which I wore at basecamp but were too hot for sleeping in my current bag. At least with the new bag I'd feel like the clothes had been carried for a reason if I slept in them! This new bag would have saved me about 400g
For pushing it even further, I have a montane synthetic jacket, and an alpkit down jacket and vest. They're all a bit heavier and bulkier than ideal. I keep being tempted by PHD vests, but I can't quite justify it!
RB - I did loads of research before taking the plunge with this bag. I'm a hot sleeper, so think I can get away can push the comfort rating of bags a little bit beyond what it says on the label. If I freeze in Snowdonia next week then I guess we'll know I've pushed it too far!
Kate how can your's possibly be 0 C it is only half a bag!!!
That bag hardly looks big enough.
I think I need lessons in packing light and camping in general.
It looks lovely - and (as if you need further justification) you can use it with your other bag in deepest winter.
Red - there is a really good guide to packing light on the Planet Fear website (I'll email you the link). Jane put me onto it for the Saunders and I mostly followed that with a further cull of un-necessary stuff when Jane came to collect me for the race and told me what I wouldn't need. I'd have never been brave enough to get down the really lightweight route without a bit of encouragement.
Jane - oooh wintery double bagging, I hadn't even thought of that!
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