Best zero degree down bags

Joined
May 31, 2023
Messages
10
I'm leaning towards a feathered friends or western mountaineering and between the two I hope to never have to buy another one anytime soon.
 

mxgsfmdpx

WKR
Joined
Oct 22, 2019
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Outside
I’ve used western mountaneering since the late 90s. They continue to be the pinnacle for down, face fabrics, longevity, bag shapes, continuous baffle design, and warmth.
 

thinhorn_AK

"DADDY"
Joined
Jul 2, 2016
Messages
11,279
Location
Alaska
My vote is for western mountaineering. It was painful for me to spend that much on a sleeping bag a handful of years ago but haven't had a cold night since so no regrets.
But once cry once, my WM badger is probably my overall favorite piece of gear, I get excited about going to bed and crawling into that thing when I’m out hunting.

If something happened to that bag, I’d have no reservations about ordering a new one immediately.

The sequoia is also a kick ass bag but too warm for what I do, I wish they made an equivalent in the 15-20 degree range.
 
Joined
Sep 1, 2024
Messages
9
Taigaworks.com might be worth it to check out. I don't have one but their baselayers are quality and the bags at a glance look decent

I personally have EE 3/4 quilt rated to 0 and have brought it well below comfortably.
 

Scorpion

WKR
Joined
Mar 18, 2013
Messages
333
For a down bag, I use Western Mountaineering. Feathered Friends and Enlightened Equipment are other good choices.

Hard to understand buying a non-US or Canada made bag as long as those companies exist.

If you want synthetic, go with a Kifaru Slick bag.
 

Decker9

WKR
Joined
Apr 10, 2015
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1,030
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BC goat mountains
I run a WM antelope for later season and a Taiga works early season. If I had to buy another late season bag I’d 100% go Taiga. At half the price I find them on par with each other on quality. Might be worth a look if you’re looking to save a few bucks.
 

j3h8

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 31, 2018
Messages
160
Location
Bakersfield, CA
I use center zip sleeping bags. This allows you to use a warmer bag in the hotter temps by leaving it unzipped and draping it over you like a quilt. Ice don't the same with the side zips and it does work just fine but the damn hood location drives me nuts.
 

Tahoe1305

WKR
Joined
Jun 9, 2019
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CO
Being only 5’6” I’d 100% swallow all pride and snag a female bag. Check the temps ratings (they use comfort vs limit for mens) and most are cut for 5’6 ish” folks. Im 5’10” and snagged a women’s long for my last bag. It was lighter and spec’d warmer than comparable men’s bags (mainly because they were longer). Some are a tad wider cut too which adds some comfort.

Most aren’t pink which is a plus.
 
Joined
Jan 9, 2023
Messages
374
Location
NV
Being only 5’6” I’d 100% swallow all pride and snag a female bag. Check the temps ratings (they use comfort vs limit for mens) and most are cut for 5’6 ish” folks. Im 5’10” and snagged a women’s long for my last bag. It was lighter and spec’d warmer than comparable men’s bags (mainly because they were longer). Some are a tad wider cut too which adds some comfort.

Most aren’t pink which is a plus.
Be careful grabbing a female bag as it may be smaller in the shoulders which could be very uncomfortable.

I’m 5’7” and love using short bags when it’s an option.

You want your bag as tight fitting as is comfortable.
 

GreyBeck

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jun 15, 2023
Messages
181
Not all 0 degree rated bags are equal. The rating system is an absolute joke and subjective - read the details. Do you want a true 0 degree comfort rating? WM or FF are two top choices whose rating is the comfort rating and conservative. Most 0 degree bags have a comfort rating much higher (typically about 15 degrees higher). I have a FF Ibis and sweat my azz off in the 30s that I use it 100% open and like a blanket or unzipped a lot. Downside is in it I sweat, a leg out soon gets cold. Lots of great choices but decide if you want a comfort rating at 0 or that it’s tolerable. I know I over did it for my uses but I’d rather be too warm than cold.
 
Joined
Aug 6, 2024
Messages
89
Marmot lithium has been a great 0 deg bag. Found it on sale a few years ago and it's been perfect. Used to suffer through using a 15 deg bag with base layers, but got cold, cold several times.
 
Joined
Jul 30, 2015
Messages
6,342
Location
Lenexa, KS
WM or FF are two top choices whose rating is the comfort rating and conservative.

Are you sure on WM? From their website:

"Our claimed ratings that appear on this website and on our specifications chart do not represent the EN test results for a given product. In most cases the ratings we claim generally fall in between the Comfort Ratings and the Lower Limit Rating for the bags which have been tested using the EN 13537 standard."


I also don't see that WM offers a "true 0 degree" bag.
 

GreyBeck

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jun 15, 2023
Messages
181
I’m
Are you sure on WM? From their website:

"Our claimed ratings that appear on this website and on our specifications chart do not represent the EN test results for a given product. In most cases the ratings we claim generally fall in between the Comfort Ratings and the Lower Limit Rating for the bags which have been tested using the EN 13537 standard."


I also don't see that WM offers a "true 0 degree" bag.
I’m sure they don’t use that BS EN test rating that can greatly over state how warm other brands are as your message states. Compare fill weights. Temp ratings are subjective. U may be cold, me not. And women’s bags at the same rating can often be rated as less warm than a man’s bag of the same fill weight. Plenty of other brands that are good. There’s just a lot of crap too - usually made China.
 
Joined
Jul 30, 2015
Messages
6,342
Location
Lenexa, KS
I’m

I’m sure they don’t use that BS EN test rating that can greatly over state how warm other brands are as your message states. Compare fill weights. Temp ratings are subjective. U may be cold, me not. And women’s bags at the same rating can often be rated as less warm than a man’s bag of the same fill weight. Plenty of other brands that are good. There’s just a lot of crap too - usually made China.

Sorry, I thought you were saying WM uses the EN comfort rating. I misinterpreted your post.

I don't think temp ratings are subjective as they can be tested in a lab environment with variables under control. Now I don't think temp ratings correlate perfectly to individual comfort. You're right, you may be warm and I may freeze. But put two bags in a lab and the lab equipment can determine which is more thermally insulative and by how much.
 
Joined
Oct 13, 2024
Messages
11
All my bags are WM’s. I don’t use a 0 degree, just wear puffy’s, but their quality is top notch and they are made in the USA… Can’t ask for more than that!
 
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