Off the shelf gear is never perfect, unless you're that mythical "average" size. Even then, there may be features you don't want and ones missing that you would like. Ideally, all gear would be custom made to exact requirements. Of course, you can make it yourself, and many people do this. For most of us, though, this isn't an option, especially with complex items like down sleeping bags. Many companies offer options in length and sometimes width, with a variety of features available. But finding a bag the right size with just the features you want, no more or less, can still be difficult. Enter British company PHD and its Design Your Own Sleeping Bag online program. This offers a huge array of options (at least seventeen, depending on the basic style) and is well-designed and easy to use. The bags use the latest, lightest materials and top quality down.
Using this feature, I designed a bag which PHD then made for me. Below, I describe how the process went, what the resulting bag is like, and how it performs. PHD uses metric measurements throughout, and I have followed this. You will need to be familiar with metric weights and measures to use the facility or else have a calculator handy.
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PHD Design Your Own Sleeping Bag
a
why not go to the PHD website and try it yourself then?
It's a pity that amongst all the options there isn't a hoodless bag, for use together with a hooded insulated jacket.
>It's a pity that amongst all the options there isn't a hoodless bag, for use together with a hooded insulated jacket.
True, it's not a completely customisable bag design, but I wonder how much extra weight does a hood add? Most of the time I don't even use my hood, but it doesn't get in the way of anything I do in my sleep…Of course, if you REALLY didn't want a hood you could always just cut it off and sew off the seam!
They also don't seem to offer a "topbag" design where the bottom of the bag is just a single layer of fabric with no down insulation. Those are my favourite bags.
I have a PhD Minimus pullover, and can attest to the great craftmanship of these products.
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I reckon if you asked, PHD would do you a custom without a hood. They were willing to modify sizes of bags quite out of what they normally do for me (I asked them directly…I was thinking of getting one of their standard bags in a different size, and they promised to do it for the same price. Then I had to pay my student fees, haha). Making it hoodless would be a piece of cake for them.
Not sure about a top bag though…maybe we need to put the pressure on?
How would something like this compare to a comperable Western Mountaineering bag? Seems like the expense, wait (and weight) just don't justify the bag. Any thoughts on this?
>How would something like this compare to a comperable Western Mountaineering bag?
If you lived in the UK/Europe, the shipping and duties may be a consideration.
Own three WM bags and will never own anything else. 'Nuff said.
This is a great concept, and I enjoyed reading about it, but the exchange rate would have to be a LOT better before this would be worthwhile for me. And can't you already get a semi-custom bag from WM or FF?
>It's a pity that amongst all the options there isn't a hoodless bag, for use together with a hooded insulated jacket.<
It sounds like you're describing a bag that I have already!
I've been very happy with my brief testing of my new Golite Ultra 20. It weighs 19 oz, rated for 20 degrees F. It's a variable girth quilt without a bottom. It has a sewn footbox and a snap for around the neck, but it has no hood like a mummy bag has. The website shows a sleeping pad being inserted inside the bag over the straps to form the bottom, but I've always used it directly over a pad with the pad outside the straps. My testing has only been down to 41 degrees so far and I was toasty in minimal clothing, but I'll get some time to test it in freezing and sub-freezing still this fall. Here's a link: http://www.golite.com/Product/proddetail.aspx?p=SS7500&s=1 The bag was pretty affordable at $225 U.S. as well.
I should be able to couple that with my Western Mountaineering Phantom 32 for some pretty low temps with a combined weight of about 2 lbs 9 oz in a couple of small packages. I'm thinking this way mainly because I already have both of them, I'm sure there's a more efficient system out there.
I have been using my PHD designed bag for several years and also have the minimus bag.
I designed the bag as a 0F bag and use the Minimus bag as an insert to extend the range to -20F.
The combination allows me to adjust my kit more precisely to the conditions.
The process was a great learning experience for me because it helped me to understand how to put really light kits together to fit the conditions.
The bag I designed is bright yellow which is really nice for early morning winter starts as the tent lights up with my headlamp and the light color allows me to use the bag as a platform to organize my gear. The stuff sack is short with a wide opening so that it fits easily into my backpack. It takes me about 50 seconds to stuff the bag and put it in the backpack.
Other bags I know are also of high quality but in this case I get to choose those design options that are most appropriate for me.
The quality is excellent. Lastly, the fleece products like the Taiga and the balaclava are also well designed and made.
PHD produce great products. I use the standard range rather than the custom stuff. I guess there reason there is no hoodless version is that P{HD is in Britain. Mostly we need a hood!
I prefer a hoodless quilt myself Andy. I've been using a Nunatak Arc Specialist most of this year. I've e-mailed PHD to see if they will make me one to my specs.
Mike do you use it inside a bivy bag? Lots folks do and that adds warmth and stops drafts etc. I wonder how warm quilts are in cold weather with out a hood and not used in a bivy bag. On PHD kit. I have a down jacket made by them and can not fault it. I have seen comments on poor finishing and customer service from others in the past. They are pushing the bounds a lot with 900 fill power and designs. PTC on his blog tonight said he has a lot to say about PHD kit from his snowy trip in the hills this weekend. Lets see if he comments here.
From the answers I received from Peter Hutchinson to all the questions I had about modifications it sounded to me as if PHD would modify to just about whatever is wanted.
Hi Martin,
Sometimes i use a bivvy-bag, sometimes i don't. Depends on the conditions, and wether i'm in a tent or a tarp.
Depending on temps, i'll wear a hat or my Nunatak Skaha Plus down pullover. As someone said above, with a seperate hood/hat, you don't end up with a face full of sleeping bag hood when you turn over.
I love the quilt and have been toasty down to about -3C this year in a tent. I think it will do me for a lot lower temps.
I would need more insulation under a tarp, i think. That's why i e-mailed PHD. I would like a warmer quilt, made to my specs. The exchange rate has made it prohibitive to go back to Nunatak at this moment in time! :)
Sounds a good set up Mike. I wonder if PHD will make them as a stock item? PS check your email and Andy's blog and I think it will clear up that misunderstanding.
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