Cold weather options

[fort fireman]

Ok, I'm planning on elk hunting in Montana in '17. I've been talking to my wife's cousin that lives there and kills elk mod every year. I'm planning on a rifle hunt to get one or 2 under my belt before I try with a bow. He said to expect some pretty cold weather with below 0 not uncommon. I have a 20 degree bag and think I need something warmer. Now for my question. Should I just get a zero degree bag or warmer or would adding a Kigali woobie add enough warmth to my 20 degree bag? The reason I am thinking of that is for the versatility of having both for my usual hunting in Nc. I'm just not sure I would ever us a zero degree bag in nc hunting. My 20 degree had me comfy down to 18-19 degrees last year with my base layer and a fleece.

 

[twall13]

It really depends on your wants and budget. I personally find it tough to spend the extra money on a zero degree bag when I can double up what I already own and get the same rating for a few extra ounces. Of course I use quilts but my 20° quilt and my 45° quilt combined have taken me down to 10° and I was hot. Both are down quilts and the 45° packs down smaller than a 32 oz. Nalgene. For the small weight and space savings a zero degree quilt gets me I can think of alot of other places I'd rather spend several hundred dollars but that's just my take.

 

[AdamW]

Backpack/bivy hunting?

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Down pants/jacket can help keep you warmer in a bag as well. But with zero degree temps have you confirmed you will be backcountry? He might be warning you to get ready for the cold, which is true, but if you're hunting from a base camp then less concern over sleeping bag ratings and more so a warning to get your clothing squared away.

 

[fort fireman]

We will be back country. He hunts out of a wall tent. Usually 5 to 7 days. I asked if 20 degree bag would due and he suggested something rated for colder. Like I said I just don't know if I would ever use a zero degree anywhere other than out in Montana. I however think I would use a woobie or 20 degree or a combo of both more often. However I guess my big question is how warm is a woobie and would it bring my bag down a bit closer to what I need?

 

[fort fireman]

As for clothes I think I have that dialed in pretty well.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Do you have the woobie already? I'd be inclined (like noted above) to use a down jacket and if needed also pants to boost the warmth on the hunt if needed, then you also have those layers for sitting/glassing.

 

[inupiat1]

You might think of an insulated sleeping pad as well if you don't already have one. Other option is to look at military surplus bag, a little heavy, but cheap and warm.

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

 

[fort fireman]

I have a big Agnes double z insulated pad that I'm taking. I also have a kryptek Kratos jacket and pants I could use to sleep in I guess that would help. As someone asked I do not have the Kifaru woobie. It was just an option I was thinking about.

 

[cuerro viejo]

I have a big Agnes double z insulated pad that I'm taking. I also have a kryptek Kratos jacket and pants I could use to sleep in I guess that would help. As someone asked I do not have the Kifaru woobie. It was just an option I was thinking about.

Why not just get a heavier base layer?

 

[robtattoo]

If you're based out of a wall tent, I'd assume you'll be driving to camp & hunting out from there?
If that's the case, I'd personally grab a twin-bed quilt & a couple of wool blankets for about $30 total. I'd also be packing a cot & decent pad.

It's much easier to hunt all day if you know you'll be comfy all night!

Don't forget, 0° out west (with low humidity) will feel a lot nicer than 35° in NC, especially during the day.

 

[elkduds]

Does he heat the wall tent @ night?

 

[Where's Bruce?]

We will be back country. He hunts out of a wall tent. Usually 5 to 7 days. I asked if 20 degree bag would due and he suggested something rated for colder. Like I said I just don't know if I would ever use a zero degree anywhere other than out in Montana. I however think I would use a woobie or 20 degree or a combo of both more often. However I guess my big question is how warm is a woobie and would it bring my bag down a bit closer to what I need?

I bet he has a stove too right? That's a game changer.

 

[JO.]

I've used my North Face Elkhorn 0f bag down to about -5. I also use a fleece liner of some sort and to me it makes a huge difference. Liners are cheap but any type of blanket you can use will help to add more insulation. Like clothing, layers are king. The down quilts mentioned before are great too, as are cheap plain jane wool blankets.

If you have a good quality 20 degree bag I would look into a good down quilt or a solid liner and go from there. To me bag ratings are very subjective and vary greatly from brand to brand. I also have a heavy 12lb bag rated for -30 that is comfortable but not nearly as warm as my other 0 bag.

 

[mtnkid85]

Really the only question is, are you needing to carry your camp in? You said backcountry wall tent, is that a vehicle or pack animal based camp?

If you don't need to worry about being light weight, then do like these other guys are suggesting a just double up with what ever cheapish/heavyish blanket/bag you can find. I use one of those GIANT cabelas canvas bags in this situation.

If your needing to actually carry it in on your back, then yes. Make the commitment to a single high quality 0* bag.

If you decide to double up you bags, make sure the outermost bag is big enough to not compress the insulation of the inner bag.

 

[welpro222]

Its always risky taking gear thats untested. I like to test my sleeping pad/bag combo in the coldest weather we have at home that is equivalent to what I might experience up in the mountains. And I glad I did this, because I was going to go ultra light with a 30 degree down bag. I froze even with my base layers at 40 degrees.

 

[welpro222]

I would look into a Kifaru Lost park parka instead of the woobie, its great to wear and could be used as a sleeping layer.

 

[striker3]

I use the lost park parka as a sleeping layer and have slept down to the low 20's with just a Doobie and sleeping pad. I wish they made a set of pants as well.

 

[halg]

Light weight primaloft pants and jacket just for camp. They add a lot of warmth for very little space or weight. Cabelas usually has primaloft jackets on sale for under $50 in online bargain cave. For pants I like Mountain Hardwear Compressor or LL Bean primaloft long Johns. Wear these in your sleeping bag. The added space/weight is comparable to a heavier bag, and when you get up you're still wearing part of your sleep system - easier to get moving.

 

[Hunt'nFish]

My goto bag for late season truck camps is a 0F Coleman Big Game 40x84. $70 on sale. Just a nice cheap roomy comfy flannel solution.

Teton has a -20F that is popular with cold sleepers.

A 3" foam pad is a must for cot use.... even with a wood stove in the wall tent.
Hunt'nFish