15* Sleeping bag and pad

[TheKid]

Anyone have any suggestions for a 15* sleeping bag or a sleeping pad? My budget for the bag is about $400.

Thanks,
Milan

 

[Mountain_Life]

Try the search feature on here. Most basic questions have been answered by knowledgeable people.

 

[TheKid]

Try the search feature on here. Most basic questions have been answered by knowledgeable people.

Thanks, I will check it out

 

[Paladin]

The Marmot Helium 15deg is a good choice. I think even the Membrane version is under $400. It's what I've got and if I could justify it at all I'd try a quilt but it's just to good of a bag.

 

[snowcamoman]

If you can, I'd save a little more and get the SG Chilkoot 15. I love that bag. I have lots of other high end bags and the SG is my favorite.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I got my western mountaineering badger bag for 570.00 from bean outdoors who is a member on the forums here, I know it’s more than your budget but I don’t think there’s a better 15 degree bag available.

 

[Desertrek]

Lark 10 YF if you can find one used.

 

[njcoleman]

I have a 32* Mountain hardware and I’ve used it in 12* to 45*weather and it worked amazing

 

[zacattack]

Anyone have any suggestions for a 15* sleeping bag or a sleeping pad? My budget for the bag is about $400.

Thanks,
Milan

You can find pretty good deals on used ones. You should definitely read the thread on the Kuiu vs Western Mountaineering

 

[GreenNDark Timber]

I'll second the Marmot Helium. I've had mine for close to 15 yrs now and still can't find a reason to change. I think it would be hard to do better for the money. A few places have them for sale right now for $310 -$320 (Pretty sure I paid more 15 yrs ago). You could almost throw a pad in and still be at your budget. If you're interested, actual weight of mine is 34.85 oz with stuff sack.

 

[Elkslayer67]

If you are still looking? I just pulled the trigger on a Outdoor Vitals summit series-15 degree bag for $309.97 shipped. This is the long version( sold out of the regular). It weighs just over 3 pounds. This has over 1000 grams of 800+ fill down. I compared the top tier bags and it meets or exceeds bags at double the cost. I was able to find some bags On sale for slightly cheaper that are heavier and use 650 down. The only down side is I am not sure of the center zip location. Reviews are favorable. I also got the 0 degree quilt ( have been thinking about trying a quilt and am a little worried that the-15 degree bag will be too warm). They have a 30 day return policy. Both came in under the price of just the bag from the other brands I was looking at. Will comment on them when they arrive.

 

[annapolis76eb]

If you are still looking? I just pulled the trigger on a Outdoor Vitals summit series-15 degree bag for $309.97 shipped. This is the long version( sold out of the regular). It weighs just over 3 pounds. This has over 1000 grams of 800+ fill down. I compared the top tier bags and it meets or exceeds bags at double the cost. I was able to find some bags On sale for slightly cheaper that are heavier and use 650 down. The only down side is I am not sure of the center zip location. Reviews are favorable. I also got the 0 degree quilt ( have been thinking about trying a quilt and am a little worried that the-15 degree bag will be too warm). They have a 30 day return policy. Both came in under the price of just the bag from the other brands I was looking at. Will comment on them when they arrive.

Have you done any real world cold weather tests on this bag yet? I am very curious as I am in the market for a 0 - 15 degree bag right now.

 

[Gapmaster]

Big Agnes Summit Park Series 15*. Great bag

 

[Elkslayer67]

Have you done any real world cold weather tests on this bag yet? I am very curious as I am in the market for a 0 - 15 degree bag right now.

Not yet. UPS will deliver them tomorrow. Will try to test it this weekend, but with this virus Washington has shut down all campsites. I am not sure if you can still get into the backcountry? Will see.

 

[annapolis76eb]

Thanks. We are pretty shit down in Colorado as well. Hopefully this clears before mountaineering season in June/July/Aug

 

[Superdoo]

Not yet. UPS will deliver them tomorrow. Will try to test it this weekend, but with this virus Washington has shut down all campsites. I am not sure if you can still get into the backcountry? Will see.

How's the review coming?

 

[CO-AJ]

I went with the Western Mountaineering Versalite. I was steered on this forum to Hermit's Hut who overstuffs them with an additional 3oz of down. It is an absolute beautiful bag, light, and easily compresses. As for the pad, I went with an EXPED SYNMAT UL W. R value of 5 and rilled up is about the size of a Nalgene bottle. Cant wait to try them out this year.

 

[verysimple]

xtherm max pad and Viam Outdoors/EE quilt

 

[Elkslayer67]

How's the review coming?

I haven’t been able to test the limits yet, Washington still doesn’t allow camping. Spent a few nights out in the back yard and at 36 degrees the bag is overkill. I had to have it unzipped and open.

I am impressed with the top zipper design. As a side sleeper in regular bag I would find myself sleeping on the zipper making it harder use. With the top zipper it is always in front of you no matter how you toss and turn.

I got the long version and at 5’9” 185lbs it has plenty of room. I am able to lay on my back with hands on my chest fingers intertwined and my elbows do not press against the sides.

The construction is top notch. The fabric is buttery soft and light. This is an ultralight bag so some care is needed, mainly when packing. You have to compress the bag slower than a heavier weight bag or you run the risk of stretching the seams. This will cause down to leak. This is common in all ultralight bags.

The temperature rating may be a bit on the liberal side. On a different thread I got into a discussion on the difference between Outdoor Vitals and Western Mountaineering bags. In that discussion I broke down the math to show the potential loft of each bag. It showed that the -15 degree Summit from OV had more loft than the 0 degree Kodiak from WM but had slightly less loft than the -10 Bristlecone MF from WM.

All in all I am very pleased with the bag. I believe it rates up there with all of the other more recognized brands that are double the price. I believe that if Outdoor Vitals continues to put out this quality of a product they will be a major player in the outdoor products world.

The 0 degree quilt worked wonderfully. Though I may need a lighter one for summertime.

 

[buffsmoker]

I recently picked up a Katabatic Gear Flex 15 quilt. I've now had four nights in it and can say I'm very satisfied with my purchase so far. I have quilts from EE and Hammock Gear, and can say the Katabatic is definitely on another level as far as quality and features. Light weight, packable, and super warm once you get the hang of the pad attachment system and use the draft collar properly. I've been pairing it with a Nemo Tensor insulated pad....comfy setup so far.