Help a newb out a bit!

[guitarpreston]

That's a tight budget if you're also trying to be light weight. Lots of sales on mid grade gear this weekend, good luck.

Classifieds are kind of bare right now for sleep system stuff

Oh I know it’s tight. Hence my interest in this. I can probably cash in some cap 1 shopping points for Sierra or eBay.

 

[BLJ]

Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad

FREE SHIPPING & LIFETIME GUARANTEE. The new Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad brings Air Sprung Cell comfort to the realm of thicker air sleeping mats. Quiet and lightweight, this sleeping mat uses two types of insulation to provide three-season warmth. The XT Air-Sprung Cells are...

seatosummit.com

I just ordered 2 of these. No experience with them yet but seem to be a good option, especially at that price, based on what I’ve read.
Maybe something to consider.

 

[rayporter]

lots of well earned advice here. over time you will gain experience. know thy self!!!
my old pard could sleep in 30 degrees with a 30 degree bag and hang his legs out all night while i zipped up a zero bag.

some thoughts

pads are far more important than many realize- test and experiment. when car camping take 2 pads and put an air pad on the bottom and a closed cell on top to see what works for you.
a quality bag is worth it. there is more to quality than temp rating.
r ratings are generally a joke=go big
like it or not , you will end up with more than one bag.
edit
now is the time to test for next season, not summer.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad

FREE SHIPPING & LIFETIME GUARANTEE. The new Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad brings Air Sprung Cell comfort to the realm of thicker air sleeping mats. Quiet and lightweight, this sleeping mat uses two types of insulation to provide three-season warmth. The XT Air-Sprung Cells are...

seatosummit.com

I just ordered 2 of these. No experience with them yet but seem to be a good option, especially at that price, based on what I’ve read.
Maybe something to consider.

I have one of those. It's an archery season pad because of the low R, but very comfy. That price is bonkers.

 

[BLJ]

Agree. And I thought if I am out when it’s going to be cold, I’ll toss a foam pad under it.

 

[The_Jim]

I’ve found some nemo bags that are down and under $200 new. Can’t justify a higher end bag right now

I used a mid-range north face bag and cheap pad for a few seasons. I still ended up buying a SG bag and xtherm pad, but my cheap stuff has no resale value.

But once cry once.

 

[TAGPUNCHER]

I use a western mountaineering kodiak 0° degree . Buy once cry once. I have found its way easier to cool off than get warm. That will cover you from Mississippi to antartica.if you sleep in back of a truck like I do,the best thing I've bought lately was a disco bed. You can cut to size. It fits tight up against sidewall and leaves more room for moving around.

 

[Idaboy]

This is for truck camping?? If you are truly truck camping then weight is not an issue. If it's just you, 1 man, get a durable 3 man tent with high ceiling and use a cot, you'll sleep like a dream, lots of room for gear Plenty of cheap, descent tents that are weather proof. Most the cost in tents is ultralight and things you pack. Cot gets you off the cold earth so any simple pad on cot with a 20 degree bag and you'll be fine. Plenty of cots that's don't have tall legs so that you can still sit up in tent

 

[guitarpreston]

This is for truck camping?? If you are truly truck camping then weight is not an issue. If it's just you, 1 man, get a durable 3 man tent with high ceiling and use a cot, you'll sleep like a dream, lots of room for gear Plenty of cheap, descent tents that are weather proof. Most the cost in tents is ultralight and things you pack. Cot gets you off the cold earth so any simple pad on cot with a 20 degree bag and you'll be fine. Plenty of cots that's don't have tall legs so that you can still sit up in tent

Guess I was not clear, will not be truck camping. Trying to cut off a few miles.

 

[Idaboy]

Guess I was not clear, will not be truck camping. Trying to cut off a few miles.

1)15 or 20 degree bag then, 2)shop around and try out different pads where you can in the store, it's a very individual choice (noise of pad, comfort vs weight). I'm a light sleeper, and sleep is major factor in how I do on the mountain, so I don't mind carrying a little more weight for sleep system. The high end thermarest are way too noisy for me. Like others mentioned make down puffy (pants and jacket) part of your gear, super light weight and game changer for me when sleeping conditions change. A light closed cell pad is a lightweight way to protect your gear and raise the R (and put inflatable on top of it), and smooth out the rocks/roots

 

[WyoKid]

+ 20 or 15 degree dry down bag with a good insulated pad. Slumber Jack Downwind 20 degree dry down but they don't make it any more. It was too warm for early season so I now use a Nemo Disco 15 degree dry down bag - the thermal gills allow me to let some heat out on warmer hunts. I like the Nemo Tensor insulated pad.

 

[Maverick1]

15 degree down bag. Weighs less than 2 pounds.

Warm out: sleep with it unzipped and toss over body like a blanket.

Cold out: zip it up, crawl inside.

Use a silk bag liner to keep dirt and grease off the inside of the bag. Adds a few degrees of warmth (not much).