Feathered Friends vs Western Mountaineering

[willtim]

I got cold last week in bear camp. I'm now in the market for a top quality sleeping bag. Am I splitting hairs between these two brands?

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Yes. Pick whichever one has the specs you want and can find in stock.

 

[*zap*]

both are made in the USA.

 

[peterk123]

Both top notch. I can specifically speak to FF. I have a 15 degree. Super light and super warm.

 

[BrooksRanger]

I have both. They are fantastic bags and once you get one of these bags you'll never want to buy anything else. Actually do your pocketbook a favor and don't get one, they are like guns and you'll always find a reason to get another one!

 

[TxTaurus74]

I've had a Western Mountaineering for 20 years. They are worth the price. Can't speak for the other.

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I love my western mountaineering bag. I have the badger and it’s awesome, a bit bigger than a regular mummy so it’s super comfortable.

I’d buy a feathered friends without hesitating.

 

[AKDoc]

I love my western mountaineering bag. I have the badger and it’s awesome, a bit bigger than a regular mummy so it’s super comfortable...

I've got the exact same WM bag (MF Badger), and I totally agree...best bag I've ever owned!

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I've got the exact same WM bag (MF Badger), and I totally agree...best bag I've ever owned!

It’s really hard to explain to people who have never had a nice bag but it’s just so much better than other bags I’ve owned.

 

[Voyageur]

It’s really hard to explain to people who have never had a nice bag but it’s just so much better than other bags I’ve owned.

Yup.
I've got a WM Kodiak and highly recommend it.

 

[KChunter71]

I've got the exact same WM bag (MF Badger), and I totally agree...best bag I've ever owned!

It’s really hard to explain to people who have never had a nice bag but it’s just so much better than other bags I’ve owned.

Doc and Thinhorn, no issues with wet Alaska weather? I currently use a 20d slick bag but looking for a O deg bag to add too.

 

[zacattack]

I got cold last week in bear camp. I'm now in the market for a top quality sleeping bag. Am I splitting hairs between these two brands?

Yes, I’ve had a wm badger and now a ff puffin, both are excellent quality and build.

 

[Kevin_t]

Both are great . WM bags seem cut a little larger and FF more alpine . Think of it as like a Patagonia base vs Sitka . If I could only have one bag ever .. it’s the WM badger

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Doc and Thinhorn, no issues with wet Alaska weather? I currently use a 20d slick bag but looking for a O deg bag to add too.

I’ve had water drip on mine all through the night and it get through the microfiber shell. Not saying that it can’t happen but I think these fears are overblown. I usually have mine in a sil stuff sack and also inside a dry bag.

 

[*zap*]

I have had a versalite (wm) forever. It needed some repairs and the down did not loft as well anymore. WM did the repairs, and added down back to spec + overfill and added a top draft collar (mine was made before they used draft collars) and there was no charge to me.

 

[AKDoc]

Doc and Thinhorn, no issues with wet Alaska weather? I currently use a 20d slick bag but looking for a O deg bag to add too.

Switching over to down for the past ten years was an initial leap for me, especially for 14-day remote drop hunts and 10-day remote floats. That said, it truly has not been a problem whatsoever for me. Down compacts so much better than synthetic. Just make sure you use a good r-value pad up here.

I am also very mindful of care when in the field. Much like Thinhorn notes above, my WM bag is transported in a waterproof bag, inside a submersible dry bag. I also don't have significant condensation issues in the tents that I use. If there is ever any dampness to the touch, that micro-fiber shell dries very quickly, and I've never noticed any adverse effect on the down in those infrequent moments.

 

[GT1]

I'm in the same boat been looking at the sea to summit bags, lighter than SG and a little cheaper

 

[ReptoidArmament]

Rab is another brand worth checking out for high quality, hard tested bags.

You can also find some great deals on the Montbell Japan website. It’s different from the US website but they make some great stuff and it’s actually far cheaper ordering from the JPN site.

 

[MoxieOutfitters]

I've always ran KUIU 15; hunting partner pulled the trigger on FF Puffin, the FF, in every aspect, it is a superior bag. Hands down will be my next purchase

 

[Max V.]

Valandre is another manufacturer you might want to consider.