Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

I'm thinking that I'm getting ready to buy an Arctic Bedding for my next trip to the winter mountains. I've looked at both Fjellpulken Sleeper 200 SF and Piteraq Arctic Bedding HD XL. They have almost the same dimensions (195 x 65 x 20 cm vs 200 x 67 x 16 cm), but the Fjellpulken weighs 2400 g compared to Piteraq's 740 g. That's why I think I'd choose the Piteraq, but surely the lower weight comes at a price in terms of less waterproofness, strength, quality and number of pockets? What are your experiences? I'm 194 cm tall.

I would go with the lighter one, the fabric is not likely to get stressed, I doubt either one is very waterproof. At your height neither one is very convenient as they are shorter than your sleeping bag.

I have never seen the point of these bags. If you don't want to stuff your sleeping bag just put it in a bivy sack fold it in half and pack it towards the top of your pulk, secure under the pulk cover. Sleeping pads take two seconds to roll out/ roll up. Packing up? You have to pull the bag out of the "arctic bed" anyway to dry it out before you set off in the morning.

My system is to use a huge RAB duffel that holds my sleeping bag, food, stove, pots, fuel, clothes, etc. My sleeping pad or pads sits on top of this (making a great seat out of the pulk). The only thing not in this duffle is my outdoor clothing- shells, mittens, down jacket for stops, etc.- they go in a 20 liter square stuff-bag that rides in front of the duffel but still under the cover.

After I pitch the tent I throw the whole bag in and take out what I need and set it up.

Also Works great if using the cabin system- you don't have to keep running out to the pulk for things. It also can check as luggage on an airline.

I think the arctic beds have limited utility, but a lot of people seem to like that system.