0 or 15 degree bag

[WhiteOak]

I am looking to pick up a new, more quality bag than what I have now. I currently have a cheapo 30 degree that was good for summer camping. I used it this past weekend in temps that got below freezing and knew it wouldn't be enough. I threw my woobie over the bag and was good but woke up a couple times when it slipped off. The second night I pulled my big old school rectangle bag out of the camp box to put my 30 degree mummy inside of and i was pretty toasty.

I want to pick up one bag for backpacking that I can use year round. Even if I sleep on top and use my woobie in the summer or sleep with the bag unzipped and whatnot.

I also want to be able to use the bag into the late season when temps do get down to 10-30 degrees comfortably possibly with base layer or conjunction with woobie as that thing does not leave my pack.

I have had my eye on big agnes as I really like the pad sleeve, do any others offer this?

I know there will be weight and space tradeoffs in picking just one, that said If you could pick one temp rating to be your only bag which would you pick?

 

[Rifleman86]

I recently went through the same decision (15 deg vs 0 deg) and went 0 degree. I don’t regret it. You can always open up a bag and cool off... Its really hard to make a bag warmer.

I recently purchased a Western Mountaineering Kodiak GWS as my bomb proof, oh shit it’s cold, stay alive on the mountain bag. I slept outside in it the other night when it got down to -8. With a insulated static V pad I was almost toasty. The bag is legit. Plan on using it this coming year for MT general Elk season.

It might be borderline overkill and I probably could’ve saved a few oz and been fine with one of WM’s 15 degree options, but it’s nice peace of mind knowing I could handle just about anything Mother Nature would throw at me. I’ll probably pick up a lighter 15 deg bag in the future but for now I’m very pleased with my decision.

 

[ridgefire]

I went with a 15* marmot helium and have been happy with it. Its main use is hunting in Sept in Central Idaho at around 7000' where temps are typically in the upper 20s to mid 30s at night.

 

[generalist]

I'd go with the 15, it's more versatile in my opinion. It's lighter and more compact when you don't need the extra warmth and when it does cool off, you can bring along a liner for an extra 5-10*. I'm a fan of liners, they give you extra warmth when you need to add degrees to your bag and it also keeps your bag clean. Just throw the liner in the machine.

 

[Sam vizzone]

I have a WM 20 deg alpinlite, I had this bag into single digits with just merino on and was good to go, I am a warm sleeper, can go wrong with WM a bit pricy.

 

[Lambchop]

I'd go with the 15, it's more versatile in my opinion. It's lighter and more compact when you don't need the extra warmth and when it does cool off, you can bring along a liner for an extra 5-10*. I'm a fan of liners, they give you extra warmth when you need to add degrees to your bag and it also keeps your bag clean. Just throw the liner in the machine.

What liners are you using and have found the most efficient?

 

[generalist]

I've used two. The Sea to Summit extreme which is my go-to, advertises 25*, but it's more like 10-15*. Which is fine, because it's still small enough to pack into the back country. I started with the Coleman fleece liner, it's WARM, but bulky. Car camping during the winter months is when that comes out now. Both go in the washing machine, no prob.

 

[BrentLaBere]

I also want to be able to use the bag into the late season when temps do get down to 10-30 degrees comfortably possibly with base layer or conjunction with woobie as that thing does not leave my pack

I would go with the 0 if you have a woobie. I run something similar. I have a doobie and a big agnes 5 degree. Ive had nights where I wish I had a warmer bag. Really comes down to how comfortable and how warm of a sleeper you are.

 

[WhiteOak]

Appreciate the feedback, I am a fairly warm sleeper. If I could get another 10* out of a liner a solid 15 would probably be the way to go. Between the bag liner and woobie I'd probably be covered and if I need more than that I'd likely be truck camping. Now to find that bag..

 

[Lambchop]

I've used two. The Sea to Summit extreme which is my go-to, advertises 25*, but it's more like 10-15*. Which is fine, because it's still small enough to pack into the back country. I started with the Coleman fleece liner, it's WARM, but bulky. Car camping during the winter months is when that comes out now. Both go in the washing machine, no prob.

Thanks much. I have a bag I can get to 25 degrees comfortably but want to add some versatility and a little comfort to my setup for those high country nights when it dips a little lower than expected. I am looking at a Cocoon Merino that Feathered Friends said should add about 10 degrees but I will check out the Sea to Summit as well. Liners are one of those things that get mixed reviews so I’m glad to get feedback from someone with first hand use and knowledge.

 

[generalist]

Thanks much. I have a bag I can get to 25 degrees comfortably but want to add some versatility and a little comfort to my setup for those high country nights when it dips a little lower than expected. I am looking at a Cocoon Merino that Feathered Friends said should add about 10 degrees but I will check out the Sea to Summit as well. Liners are one of those things that get mixed reviews so I’m glad to get feedback from someone with first hand use and knowledge.

I didn't know about the Cocoon until now. It looks a little heavier (6 oz or so), but it's made of God's gift to outdoors men so if you ever get caught in a dire situation where you're cold and wet, this would be an excellent piece of gear to have.

 

[wind gypsy]

A true 15 degree bag (WM, FF, Etc) or 5 degree bag with 15ish EN comfort rating would be more versatile IMO especially if you're already carrying a wooby.

 

[Lambchop]

I didn't know about the Cocoon until now. It looks a little heavier (6 oz or so), but it's made of God's gift to outdoors men so if you ever get caught in a dire situation where you're cold and wet, this would be an excellent piece of gear to have.

I’m going to do some more research for sure. I was intrigued when I saw it. Wool is great as a next to skin, under insulation and I don’t see why in a bag it wouldn’t preform well. The temp range it could work at might be incredible.

And to the OP. I would say something with a true 15 would be the most versatile and take you into the late season with a good liner or layering. If it was a 15 with a EN comfort around 25 it may work for Aug - Early Oct depending on elevation and what not.

I am running a bag I can take to 25 fairly comfortably and sometimes depending on where I am headed it’s cutting it close. That’s why I am looking into liners. For for me living in the east it’s all about versatility. We usually don’t see that cold of temps here and that’s why I went the way I did.

 

[Mike 338]

When the temperature drops down low, you can always unzip a bit if your warm but if your cold, your just cold.

 

[Wrathchild]

Don’t skimp on the pad either. 0 degree bag is worthless if your pad doesn’t have sufficient r value.

 

[Gumbo]

If I only had one it would be a 0* synthetic bag, mine is a Kifaru and I HATE the centerzip but love that it is lightweight and relatively warm, although it is nowhere near a 0* bag for me. WM are great and I wish I still had my Kodiak, but I tended to baby it and really like that I can beat up the Kifaru and get it wettish without worry. I also use a 25* Marmot synthetic (which is more like a 40* for me) and a Cabelas -40* which is great for late season truck camping hunts.

I second the pad comment, get a good one, I mostly use a Thermarest Xtherm, but also use a Thermarest Prolite 3/4 with my Marmot and a bivy when weather is forecast to be warm and dry.

As for a liner, in my experience they are absolutely awful. I had a Sea To Summit Reactor and it did nothing to keep me warmer, but it did continually twist and bunch up on me. I will concede that I am a tossing and turning belly sleeper, which makes these things inherently obnoxious for me (which is also the reason I HATE the centerzip Kifaru zipper. I would, and almost always do, sleep in my clothes anyway, which helps with warmth and is WAY more comfortable and convenient for me.

 

[Rican0624]

Make sure you look at fill weights too. Some 15s like from western mountaineering will be comfortable down to their rating. Others will use the lower limit. I’d start with a 0, then later if you want get a light weight 15-20 bag or quilt.