The Best Modular Sleep System Under £250 - Budget Camping

Do you want to spend a fortune on expensive sleeping bags and sleeping pads or do you want a budget sleep system that's guaranteed to work? In this video I will show you the budget modular sleep system I use....and best of all it costs under £250. Watch to the end if you want to see me put it to the test in an overnight camp at -9°C.

Interesting video. The sol bivvi is a useful emergency addition to your kit but I wouldn't use it for anything but its intended designe purpose, imho it doesn't breath well, it's creates lots of moisture build up and though you might get away on an overnighter with it as in your demo, over two or more nights your sleeping bag will just be carrying too much condensation build up because of the sol bivi, and it's insulation value would be significantly compromised, especially if it's a down bag. A more suitable alternative to the sol bivi in a budget modular system would be a wool blanket. Heavier and more bulky but certainly warmer, way better moisture management, it holds heat when damp and ticks the budget box. I might have been tempted to use a synthetic sleeping bag also. Winter in the UK is cold and often wet or very damp air. Down is fantastic but not ideal for our predominantly damp climate. I think if budget is key, more forgiving materials make sense. They are slightly heavier and more bulky but winter kit is, even with high end offerings. Obviously it goes without saying there are many other equally important factors to sleeping warm in winter as in never sleep in your day wear, it will be damp, eat close to bed time, jog on the spot until your warm but not sweating so you dont get in your sleeping bag cold, stay hydrated, have a piss bottle to hand so you don't have to leave your shelter, hat, socks and gloves will help hold body heat and a buff will keep your mouth and nose protected and reduce condensation from your breath building up on your bag and shelter, use a nalgene bottle as a hot water bottle ect. If you wake up in the night cold, use your jacket and other spare clothing like quilts over your sleep system and don't forget insulation from the cold ground is as important as your sleeping bag which will be totally useless without it.

I enjoyed your video, thank you for such good tips! I have subscribed 😊

This is a great vid! one of those subjects I've been pondering for weeks and months to create a perfect sleep system. I've subscribed!

Very interesting, I love seeing everyones kit and sleep systems. Thank you for sharing 👍 Rob

Great video! I just got the British Army Modular Sleep System. It's fantastic and cost less than £70 all in with compression packs and liner!!

Really like your video, great down to earth style will watch more!

Thank you! I'm a larger guy and have found it impossible to find an affordable sleeping bag that's really compressible for hiking. That one looks ace 👌

Great video, I think everyone new to camping in winter should try this at least once. I did, with exactly the same kit. I'd never do it again, unless in an emergency. I'm not a gear snob, but I do like to be safe and to sleep well. Still a very well presented video.

Agree with your conclusions. Have the same type of gear (and exactly the same thermolite extreme liner and SOL escape biv), also similar conditions sometimes in NZ. The only thing I'd say is the Escape biv is best used (if needed) as a liner under the bag instead of over it. This improves condensation management and make it feel way less claustrophobic too

Hi Ewan , great vid , well explained at informative , thanks .

I’ve used an emergency bivy (Silver plastic bag) on the outside of my sleeping bag and it caught so much moisture it was dripping wet. I even tried it as a sleeping bag liner which was one of the strangest experiences I’ve had. It was like a sweat suit !

Great work on video mate 👍👍👍

Great video i've been thinking about layering for sleeping bag for a while, definitely worth it.

That's an excellent setup. Good job!

Hi Ewan, thank you for sharing your knowledge. I'm glad to have found you. Hello from the Swiss mountains :thanksdoc:

Best video I’ve seen on the subject in quite a while , very helpful as it reflects what most of our financial situation will be ,if not in the future, what you speak to is the light weight nature of the kit as well of its adaptability through the seasons , brilliant ! Like one of the comments mentioned , was the clothing you already wear is a major point especially a wooly hat ,a great deal of heat is lost through the head as you probably know . The mat was a real steal , didn’t know that ! There is a point of science here though that’s worth a mention , foil only reflects radiant heat not convectional heat . The fabric of the bivi protects against heat loss through cold drafts (convection , forced Convection if there’s a stiff breeze), the foil does very little if at all , what this particular model (solar extreme ? ) is it’s breathable ,it’s worth it for that and light , a blanket would be better but there’s a weight penalty , Always felt there should be a warning against total reliability on the use of these , don’t use on their own if under 8°c . But that’s not your fault ! Great video , easy listening , I’ve subscribed 👍🏻

Your presentation is on point, Ewan! Packed with info, well-done. I have the same liner and it works a treat! I’m sure a lot of campers will draw some inspiration from this. Cheers, Mari

Thanks Ewan for the Video, its exactly the info i was looking for. I was using two bags, and now im gonna try this sol bivy and a cheap fleece liner combo, to extend the temp range of my sleeping bag.

Great content as usual, Ewan. Keep it up. Regarding your cold nose... a buff made of microfiber or cotton will do the trick, but I use the hood of my microfiber inner liner to cover that small part once I'm fully enclosed in my bag. Microfiber is very breathable, so you can breathe with ease and keep your nose nice and toasty. A cold nose is a kick in the baws when camping.