PipeDream 600

In my opinion sleeping bag liners are really inefficient for their size. Just buy a decent sleeping bag and wear more clothes if needed. Down makes a big difference if you can afford it. Something like the Alpkit Pipedream 600 would be a good option. Take some chemical handwarmers to bung into the foot end to keep your toes toasty. You can stack R values of pads so you may wish to consider combining foam and inflatable pads. I'd look for a total of at least R 4 for winter conditions. If you are nervous you might like the redundancy of having a foam option in case of a puncture, but having a single pad is easiest. Wide pads are generally worth the marginal extra weight for comfort. Wild Country Helm 2 is a solid winter tent that is budget friendly, just don't think it's invincible. Lanshan 2 is also a v flexible tent and much lighter , but not quite as strong. On Dartmoor I have often found the best pitches are at the top of the Tors where there tends to be flatter ground (often neatly grazed by livestock) and plenty of rocks to shelter behind. However, changes in wind direction can leave you vulnerable. Pack wise, anything from Osprey is a good starting point. I get a sweaty back and find the Exos 58 a good option. Finally, if you are really worried about not being moved on make sure you check the https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/about-us/about-us-maps/camping-map And if you are interested in camping in the range areas... https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dartmoor-firing-programme

I have a pipedream 600 in long which I bought 2nd hand. It’s a good bag with good warmth to weight and packs down small enough in a dry sack with the air squished out. I’ve used it down to below minus 10 Celsius paired with a thermarest xtherm in a 4 season tent and was cold. Full merino base layers, hat, gloves, dry merino socks and down jacket on and still cold. Your mileage may vary but I would consider its temp rating very optimistic and would use a liner and layers extensively anything below minus 5

Hi everyone, I’m looking to start solo wild camping this year. I’m 35 and based in London. To be honest, the idea of getting moved on makes me pretty anxious, so I’m sticking to Dartmoor to keep it legal, with a view to eventually graduate to Scotland. I’m stuck in a massive research loophole.I have a habit of trying to "optimise" my hobbies from day one because I hate buying cheap gear and then having to upgrade it six months later. I initially built a basket on the Go Outdoors website, but after digging deeper, everything I picked looks incredibly heavy and bulky compared to what I see recommended online. I’m now confused about what is "essential" weight vs. "stupid light," especially for Dartmoor weather. I’m aiming for a setup I can use in all seasons (layering up for winter), but I have a few specific questions: **1. The Sleep System & Liner Confusion:** I want a sleep system that works for 3-season use but can be pushed into winter. I’ve read conflicting advice on sleeping bag liners. Some sources say they add essential warmth ; others say they are dead weight and don't help with heat, only with keeping the bag clean. * *The Question:* For Dartmoor (where I hear the ground sucks the heat out of you), is a liner worth it, or should I just invest in a warmer bag/better mat? * *Mat Strategy:* Is it better to carry a foam mat *and* an inflatable mat for winter, or just one high R-value mat? **2. Shelter: Weight vs. Wind** I know Dartmoor gets battered by wind. My research points to geodesic tents being better than tunnel tents for this, but they seem heavier. i originally was looking into a OEX Rakoon II. but after some research 2.76 kg seems like a lot for a backpacking tent. * *The Question:* What is a realistic "ideal weight" for a beginner tent that can actually survive a Dartmoor gale? I don’t want to buy a lightweight trekking pole tent if it’s going to collapse on my first night at Great Mis Tor. **3. "Buy Once, Cry Once" Recommendations** If you had to start again with a sensible budget (not unlimited, but willing to pay for quality), what are the "Big Three" (Tent, Pack, Sleeping Bag) you would buy for UK conditions? I’m looking for specific recommendations I can actually get in the UK. Any help to stop me going round in circles would be massive. Thanks in advance. \*\*\*UPDATE: Quick update for anyone who replied (thanks again, it genuinely helped me get out of the research hole). I ended up buying the main bits of the kit: **Sleep system** * Sleeping bag: **Alpkit Pipedream 600** * Inflatable mat: **Bestway Alpinelite R7.3** * Foam mat: **Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol** * Pillow: **Sea to Summit Aeros Premium** **Shelter** * Tent: **3F UL Gear LanShan 2 4-season (2026 version)** **Carry + walking** * Poles: **Fizan Compact 3** * Pack: **Sierra Designs Flex Trail 40-60** I haven’t properly tested it outdoors yet. I decided I’ll do my first proper hike/camp when it’s a bit warmer, just to reduce the “what if I mess this up” factor. But I did do a backyard test run for the sleep system. Before the proper tent arrived, I used a £15 Tesco tent (peak luxury). Overnight was around **-1 to 2°C**. I slept in the Pipedream 600 wearing **only underwear** and it was fine for most of the night. I got a bit cold close to morning, threw on a **hoodie**, and that got me properly toasty again. So for now, I’m feeling a lot more confident that the bag + mat setup is “actually usable” rather than just internet-approved. Next step is a real trip (and learning to pitch the Lanshan without swearing at it for 30 minutes).

Quick update for anyone who replied (thanks again, it genuinely helped me get out of the research hole). I ended up buying the main bits of the kit: **Sleep system** * Sleeping bag: **Alpkit Pipedream 600** * Inflatable mat: **Bestway Alpinelite R7.3** * Foam mat: **Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol** * Pillow: **Sea to Summit Aeros Premium** **Shelter** * Tent: **3F UL Gear LanShan 2 4-season (2026 version)** **Carry + walking** * Poles: **Fizan Compact 3** * Pack: **Sierra Designs Flex Trail 40-60** I haven’t properly tested it outdoors yet. I decided I’ll do my first proper hike/camp when it’s a bit warmer, just to reduce the “what if I mess this up” factor. But I did do a backyard test run for the sleep system. Before the proper tent arrived, I used a £15 Tesco tent (peak luxury). Overnight was around **-1 to 2°C**. I slept in the Pipedream 600 wearing **only underwear** and it was fine for most of the night. I got a bit cold close to morning, threw on a **hoodie**, and that got me properly toasty again. So for now, I’m feeling a lot more confident that the bag + mat setup is “actually usable” rather than just internet-approved. Next step is a real trip (and learning to pitch the Lanshan without swearing at it for 30 minutes). Upvote3Downvote41Go to commentsShare

I have this bag. Got it in 2021 for around 250. Not sure what it sits at normally in 2025 though. But may give you a rough idea as most things will have went up since then.

Alpkit Pipedream 400 (or 600 for a solid 4 season). And they are on sale right now!

Great bag. Love mine.

Very happy with my Alpkit pipedream 600. Warm, packs down well. Others swear by a quilt rather than a bag. Have you considered this as an option? I’ve never tried one but I hear they’re much less restrictive.

I have the artic sleeping bag and it is fa-hook-ing massive mate. It takes up far too much space in my bag and was the main reason I bought a better more compact bag. I went with the Pipedream 600 and have zero complaints.