duvets v bags

[howiwonder]

we have always brought full on duvets camping at my insistence, as it makes it feel so much more homey and cosy IMO. Sleeping bags make me think of not being warm enough and a bit claustrophobic - i flail about alot in my sleep!
however, as our first trip with a 2 DCs rather than 1 fast approaches, im not sure we can justify the space in car of the duvets, now we have 2 car seats in the back, although we have just bought a roof box.
can anyone reassure me that sleeping bags have come on somewhat since i was a student?! any recommendations (budget is an issue right now though)? or would i be better with duvets?
TIA

[Lastyearsmodel]

Last year I would have said duvets are fine. But that was before we camped near Scarborough in June - nice and sunny in the day, warm evenings by the campfire and then so cold by nighttime I resorted to wrapping tshirts round my head as a hat. Up all night due to the cold and worrying and checking on the DCs. Seriously, I was scared by how cold I was.

The next day I looked for hot water bottles in town but with it being summer, nowhere had any. So I bought two massive Vango 3-season sleeping bags in a local camping shop. Not cheap, but I never have to worry about being that cold again. Haggled him down to £70 for the two.

Yes, sleeping bags have come a LoNG way from the nylon thing I slept in on guide camp.

[Lastyearsmodel]

I feel I need to point out that one of the sleeping bags was for DP. My arse is big, but not two-sleeping-bags big.

[quoteunquote]

www.gooutdoors.co.uk/camping/sleeping-bags/double-sleeping-bags

www.gooutdoors.co.uk/camping/sleeping-bags

discount day tomorrow, there are some amazing bags out there, ones you can sleep in in 40 below, so something for everyone, for glamping we have a double or the extra wide ones each, very comfortable and a lot warmer than duvets.

[howiwonder]

so they are warmer than duvets?! i thought it would be the other way round.
thanks for advice, may give it a try then - was planning on going to go outdoors tomorrow, we have one of their discount card thingies.
at your t shirt hats lastyears - hope it doesnt come to that for us!
i suppose a double one each wouldnt feel so claustrophobic

[quoteunquote]

-11c

-5

bargain and wide

you don't need to worry about weight and size unless you plan on walking with it, so wide ones are really good as you can move in your sleep, they pack down well into stuff sacks, get stuff sacks, that have reducing straps on the outside, so it easy to stuff into a big sack, which can then be made small, small stuff sacks are so annoying and hard work,

I also have herdwick sheep skins (joined end to end) if you sleep on these, I have mats below, it's not only comfortable, but you lose no heat downwards, they last a life time and look gorgeous.

never store your sleeping bag in a stuff sack store hanging up, and they work better,

and when you are camping, get them out to air any chance you get hang over car,line or branch, the more you air the more they puff up, and the moisture you sweat is evaporated, so the sack will stay warmer at night.

long silk underwear under your PJs will help, layers are always the answer,

we each have a very light fleece blanket, very light weight, cheap, warm, and wash well, so don't care about them being abused,

I have double silk liners for our bags which also add a very warm layer.

those £4 fold up tartan plastic back picnic mats(tesco or pond land), good base layer to any bed, followed by self inflating mat/silver backed carrymat sheepskin, and you won't be cold.

[JugglingChaotically]

Sleeping bags - much warmer.
And price depends on your view. Mine is 30 years old. Goose down so exp at the time (my mother hated cold and made sure I wouldn't be, doubt I appreciated the gesture back then though ). Still going so cost per use by now must be almost nil! Just bought same for DD for DoE.

[Lastyearsmodel]

Yeah, I was comparing a 1975 sleeping bag to a snuggly duvet before The Freezing Tshirt Hat Night. The new bags are waaaaay warmer. They are rectangular rather than mummy-style, XL for extra room and if you're not buying in a hurry, you can get left and right-hand zipped ones to zip together with your DP/H to steal his heat too.

[howiwonder]

thanks for that reply quote - full of really useful advice. the hanging up of sleeping bags never would have occured to me, but makes so much sense.
we have always used airbeds, with some sort of throw underneath them as a ground layer. love the sounds of a sheepskin - we actually have a sheepskin buggy liner so will bring that along for one of the DSs.
DS2 is only 6 months so a bit worried about keeping him warm enough, he will be co sleeping with me and DH will be in a seperate single airbed next to DS1s kiddie airbed.
I would love some of the ones posted but cost is massively an issue on this trip - I'm on the last couple of months of mat leave so we are literally counting every penny. Totally get what you are saying Juggling about it being a long term investment but I fear we might have to make do with a cheapie this time and then invest in a decent one fo rour next trip in July when I will be back on the payroll.
is this one ok do you think?

[MinimalistMommi]

I've popped this link on this forum a couple of times this week, I have one similar to this and it is so warm and cosy and wide so no feelings of claustrophobia www.camperlands.co.uk/vango-sonnogrande-sleepingbag.html

[MinimalistMommi]

I once slept a night in a tent with a duvet and we had to go home early, I have never been so cold in my life.

[headlesslambrini]

Someone on here said that is you have electric then take an electric blanket with you. not sure if i like this idea or not tbh

[RescueCack]

If you can hang on until the week of the 17-23 June, that big basin one linked to up thread (sorry can't check who linked it - on my poxy phone) is reduced to 29.99 from 60 in go outdoors to card holders. It is vastly superior to the 30 pounders.

[quoteunquote]

If you can hang on until the week of the 17-23 June, that big basin one linked to up thread (sorry can't check who linked it - on my poxy phone) is reduced to 29.99 from 60 in go outdoors to card holders. It is vastly superior to the 30 pounders

Thanks for that,

[howiwonder]

well we cant hold on for this trip as we go on weds but thats a great tip, could get that one for our later trips. thanks!