Best “value” in a sleeping bag

BAKPAKR

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May 10, 2018
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Appalachia
I have had good luck with The North Face synthetic bags and those can be picked up pretty cheap at times. I am pretty sure that Santa Claus is bringing my daughter a TNF Cat’s Meow (20 degree bag).

I also have a Western Mountaineering Apache MF (rated at 15 degrees). I really like it and I have used it from really warm too down in the teens. It is a little above your price range but you can sometimes find promos (rewards, not % off) that will end up getting it where you want to be, assuming you have something you can use the rewards on. The WM Apache is light and packs small.
 

LandYacht

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Jan 25, 2014
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Frisco
Without a doubt the Western Mountaineering Versalite is the best value. At 2 pounds and a very conservative 10 degree rating, full length zipper and WM quality you can’t do better. It’s $590 at full retail, but look around and you’ll find a deal if you’re smart about it. Sales never happen on them, but deals do.

Don’t mess with the other bags. You’ll just end up spending money on them and getting a Versalite in the end. I use mine year round, vent it in the summer with the full length zipper and be plenty comfortable right up to zero in the winter.




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Joined
Apr 5, 2015
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5,944
If you aren’t backpacking it the army ECWCS system can be had for under $100 and will get you to zero degrees with a lot of versatility (double bag and bivy).

Nemo has been putting out some interesting bags. Very happy with my forte for the price.
 

huntcoop

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Sep 25, 2015
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Victoria BC, Blaine WA & Kamuela HI
Without a doubt the Western Mountaineering Versalite is the best value. At 2 pounds and a very conservative 10 degree rating, full length zipper and WM quality you can’t do better. It’s $590 at full retail, but look around and you’ll find a deal if you’re smart about it. Sales never happen on them, but deals do....

PM me with where to "look" for deals...
 

badshot

Lil-Rokslider
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Nov 30, 2017
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149
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Oregon
If you are open to quilts hammock gears econ burrows line when it's on sale is hands down the best value to weight/warmth. 20 degrees wide width for 24oz on my scale for $160.
 

CBreeze

FNG
Joined
Oct 5, 2019
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84
I have a cedar ridge outdoors 0 quilt thats amazing, light and cheap, i only have one season on it so far so i cant speak to durability.

Love my cedar Ridge quilt and I will say that Cedar Ridge Outdoors Qualilty is absolutely impeccable. There construction and materials are top notch. And if/when you tear it up Warren and company will repair it. They use their stuff.
 
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Pigdog

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Sep 20, 2019
Messages
238
Location
Oregon
Ive been very happy with my Outdoor Vitals sleeping bags. Ive got a synthetic and a down and have no complaints about either. My setup is the mummy pod for hammock camping, but I imagine that their regular sleeping bags are just as good of a value. Great quality, reasonable price, awesome customer service/warranty.
 

tdot

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Aug 18, 2014
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BC
Best Value is used. So much high end equipment barely gets used, it's amazing the gear you can find for a substantial savings.
 

dtrkyman

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Oct 2, 2014
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3,188
Outdoor vitals are nice for the money.

I’ve froze my rear off in a north face cats meow! It’s around a 40 degree bag as far as comfort goes for me!


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Joined
Dec 17, 2019
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307
Honestly I think anything less than an 800-fill down sleeping bag from a reputable manufacturer is a bad investment, even for a beginner. I'd recommend learning about sleeping bag ratings and comparing how different companies rate their bags.

I like Marmot sleeping bags. They aren't quite top-tier, but I think they are very close. As far as value goes, I'd look for one on sale or lightly used.
 

tdhanses

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Sep 26, 2018
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I would seriously consider a Stone Glacier bag, I also would contact one shot gear and see if they ever have any Rokslide discount codes 😉
 

Hunt41

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 3, 2019
Messages
178
Location
PA
Outdoor Vitals. Light weight, well made, and very reasonably priced.
 

schmalzy

WKR
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Oct 1, 2014
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1,581
You can find WM bags on here in the $450 range. Took me a while to justify but every time I use it now I’m glad I did.


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NoWiser

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Joined
Aug 15, 2013
Messages
708
My Marmot Helium has taken me down to its 15 degree rating comfortably. I’ve thrown a Woobie in it and have been cozy down to below zero. Don’t underestimate the importance of a good sleeping pad.
 

Tahoe1305

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Joined
Jun 9, 2019
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2,219
Location
CO
Big Agnes Flume UL 30. Rates closer to 20 degree and under 1.5lb 850 down and great reviews. Could find sub $400 and maybe get it even lower with discounts.
 

S.Clancy

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Joined
Jan 28, 2015
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2,506
Location
Montana
I would say best value would be a synthetic marmot or similar and over rate it by 10-20 degrees . It will weigh more and be bulkier but it won’t set you back like the better stuff .

A lot of bags will work but not many bags are good and perform as expected . The price of the WM bags and similar is reflective of the quality of down and finish. Zippers that don’t snag won’t be that big of a deal a few night but spend 30 nights and they will be worth it . It’s the little things


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This. Marmot 15 degree synthetic a little under 3lbs and maybe $125
 
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