Help - Sleeping Bags

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/OZTRAIL-COTTON-CANVAS-SWAG-12-C-JUMBO-SLEEPING-BAG-/261135650487?pt=AU_Sleeping_Gear&hash=item3ccce5ceb7#ht_1831wt_1161

I just bought one of these. I have not received it yet but they look the business for a winter high country trip I'm going to do. No idea how small it packs down to, but that wasn't a consideration for me.

There are two or three of these threads each year
Suggest you do a search on " sleeping bag " and you will find a large number of responses to questions such as yours.
To meet that requirement of "packing down to nothing" and being able to comfortably cope with -3 to -5 (with multiple layers of clothing) I'd suggest you are looking at spending a minimum of $250 and that's if they are "on special".

When you buy your sleeping bag, ask the seller if the degree rating is a temperature or a comfort rating. I know of a few people who bought -5 bags and have been cold only to find out that it was a comfort rating.

I had that problem and took a different approach.

Now take hotwater bottle which takes little space and is used if very cold - like last weekend in high country.

Also carry a 12v electric blanket which packs up very small - thats a bit decadent though , mostly used as a rug around kids at campfires.

invest in a THERMOLITE insert for your bag we went for the Reactor PLUS

Luggage space must be at an absolute premium if one bag of soft stuff is going to make a difference.

Ok, I've bought the goretex bivvy bags (new), thermal undergear, and a few items of warm clothing from these folk . . . and they have this army surplus sleeping system . . .
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MODULAR-SLEEP-SYSTEM-US-Military-Surplus-Gore-Tex-Bivy-4-piece-system-/320908072747?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ab79c972b

Sometimes they have new gear as well, but the used is very good cond, and always clean etc . . . I bought a polartec 300 jacket for something like $15 used, and it was brilliant.

The bivvy I bought was used in Nepal, Mt Kanchenjunga base camp last year, with my Macpac Neve down bag only, toasty warm at -17c :)

The above system would be well worth a look, you can tailor to use 2 pieces in moderate conditions, or the lot when it really gets cold . . . kind of like layering up clothing o suit weather . . . the bivvy itself packs down to the size of a half football, and weights all of 800gms or so.

I am a BIG fan of the Roman sleeping bags. Have you considered the Roman Super Trek Advance? -10 and is 5cm wider than the Passport at the top of the bag. It is a sensational bag - I wish I had the need for it, it has a enlarged foot space for comfort, drawstrings to pull it closer on a colder night, ripstop material and made from their premium materials.

That is the widest hiking sleeping bag that I know of, then you have to go to one like that Oztrail Cotton Canvas bag - or the Roman (superior version) the Swag Sleeping Bag - I actually own this one. Flannelette lining, cotton outer so no rustling noise, I haven't been in extreme conditions but I am yet to be cold. It has no hood which technically means you will be colder but it also means you can open it up to form a great doona more easily (plus better if you ever want to zip 2 together.

The final one I would recommend would be The Beast also by Roman, what I love about it is the removal inner flannel lining meaning super easy to wash and makes the bad good for colder or warmer nights.

You can get compression bags to make these bags smaller as the swag bag comes in a stuff sack but like someone else said you can usually afford the extra few centimetres.

I got an email from Kangaroo Tent City (here in NSW) that they have a Roman sleeping bag sale on and the Trek Advance was like 50% off so I recommend checking them out. I am pretty sure they stock the swag bag, the beast and the trek advance ones.

Hope this helps!

Ended up buying a -7 hiking bag from Mt Design on special - $400 down to $140, very tappered but 165cm at the shoulders so very happy

Also bought the wife a down bag from Kathmandu, some crazy sales at the moment. I did check out Kangaroo Tent City and they have some great specials, but nothing that was a real step up from what I had

Thanks for all the help - we have a happy ending