Sleeping bag options for the budget conscious?

[chumbox]

Hey All

On the hunt for a new sleeping bag with bike packing and general camping in mind.  Basically I'm after the lightest, smallest, warmest bag I can get for someone who:

a) has little cash flow
b) will probably only bike pack once a year
c) Fully understands he is asking a lot and that he will not be getting anything uber amazing in his price range...

I haven't listed price ranges as I am in Australia and price varies a lot but let me know some options and I can look at shipping them over or hunting down similar.

Lets hear the options.

[DaveH]

Check out backpackinglight.com, it's a great resource for this sort of inquiry.  A bit hard to navigate and a lot of content requires an annual subscription...but I think this should work:  http://tinyurl.com/luc86u.

Tons of options under $200.  

They've also got a DIY section for instruction on how to make about anything you need.

edit:  oops, try this link:  http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/xdpy/ssn/GearDB/pc/Sleeping%20Bags/Top%20Bags,%20Quilts,%20and%20Wearable%20Sleep%20Systems/index.html?gs=custom2

[flatfishy]

try alpkit.com in the uk and have a look at their pipedream range.
i'd just bought a rab bag before i found out about this bunch and put my mate onto them, he bought a pd 400 and a pd 600 for his wife both look pukka kit.
if i was in the market for a new bag i'd be buying alpkit.

[sean salach]

if you'll be at temps above 25* farenheit, you can get by with a wool army surplus blanket. i went across the states using one and a sleeping pad. if it was at the lower end of that temp spectrum, i would put my warm clothes on, and just tuck the blanket in all around me. below freezing i would put it over my head untill it got too hot, and then i would just vent a little. it's a heavy option, but dirt cheap, versatile and packs pretty small. i would simply roll up my sleeping pad, fold the blanket in 3 and then roll the sleeping pad into it. kept the pad rolled up and together barely took up more room than just the rolled up pad.

[Slowerthensnot]

If you Sew check this out...  very warm if your using a pad

http://www.ray-way.com/Quilt-Kit/index.htm

[grannygear]

Budget priced option for warmer temps.

http://www.thecyclistsite.com/product-reviews/2009/8/28/deuter-usa-dreamlite-500-ultralight-bag.html

[bdstorer]

On the hunt for a new sleeping bag with bike packing and general camping in mind.  Basically I'm after the lightest, smallest, warmest bag I can get

Hey Chumbox, also in Australia (Yulara, NT) and also going thru the same predicament. My current bag is a HUGE synthetic number that I've had for years.. and it's at the end of it's lifespan. So I'm looking for a new down bag to compliment my bikepacking kit. I'm needing a bag that'll handle zero celcius.. it gets really cold at night in the desert (winter time).

Thus far I've looked at Mountain Designs sleeping bags but the shuttle ($150 aus) is only rated to 5c.. and the Ultra 300 is rated to -5c but cost $400aus which is outside of the budget.. but the advice I've been given is to hunt for a half lenght zip mummy bag as it'll be lighter than a full lenght bag and pack down smaller.

[jonesy792]

I've been eyeing the lafuma warm n light bag http://www.summithut.com/products/warm-n-light-40-deg-down-sleeping-bag/.  It is cheap (relatively) and will pack down to a ridiculously small size.  I just think that the 40 degree rating is probably a little generous, but it should be good if you add an additional layer (insulated vest/jacket, bivvy sack etc.)