Help me choose a sleep setup

[LifeAndLiberty]

I'm gearing up for a Newfoundland hunt and in the years to come a western elk hunt and possibly a canoe-in white tail hunt in upstate NY. I'm concerned about going with a down quilt and a down pad in the event that a mistake on my part gets my gear wet. If I went with down, I was looking at the Exped Downmat Winterlite and an EE Quilt. Going the synthetic route, I'm considering the Big Agnes Q Core or the Exped Synmat Winterlite. Seeing those Eddie Bauer synthetic sleeping bags so affordable, I'm also leaning towards one of them. I don't have a lot of spare cash to go all out here, although admittedly this is probably the one area I shouldn't skimp. I don't have a whole lot of backpacking experience.

What's a better choice for someone just beginning to venture out west? Synthetic for peace of mind that a mistake won't end up cutting a hunt short, or down for the performance? That DownMat has a noticeably higher R value than the Q Core or SynMat. Or maybe some hybrid of the DownMat with a Synthetic bag?

I plan to sleep inside a Seek Outside Cimmaron and haul this gear inside my Outdoorsmans Optics hunter pack.

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience.

 

[michaelc10]

I've always used down for over 30 years archery hunting in Colorado, currently been using the revelation quilt and also western mountaineering versalite, I also use the cimmarron shelter, I think if your careful the down works great. I've had some condensation issues which havent been that bad but just bought the new slick bag center zip.Thought I would give it a try this spring and see how it goes.

 

[Cledus]

I would start looking on here and try to pick up a Kifaru slick bag

 

[Rizzy]

I chose the Xtherm over the winter lite because it was made of a thicker fabric on the bottom. I have gotten a hole in a sleeping pad and its a PIA to patch late at night. Pack a patch kit or two, nothing on the market is pop proof. Comfort (high R value & size large) and durability are more important than weight for me. I have been happy with my Kifaru Slick bag and plan to upgrade to the current center zip model when I need another bag.

 

[mrbillbrown]

I'm far from super experienced but here's my thought process.... Xtherm pad for high R value, very lightweight for size, "tougher" material on bottom side of pad. Also chose synthetic (Kifaru slick bag) over down because I spend all year plotting, planning, obsessing over an elk hunt. I'm not willing to risk leaving early or freezing to death because I had an accident and my down bag failed. I'd rather carry the extra weight of synthetic and know it's gonna work than save some weight and chance a ruined hunt. Could be paranoia and I'm sure many more experienced guys laugh at that rationale but for the "weekend warrior" hinging everything on 7-10 days in sept I'm happy with synthetic.


molon labe

 

[LifeAndLiberty]

Thanks for the replies. Most of you echoed my sentiments about risking it all on one misstep while carrying down. MrBillBrown hit the nail on the head, spend all year (or in my case two years) preparing and building anticipation for one week out of 52 where there are no second chances, this is why I'm apprehensive to go the down route.

Thanks for the advice on the Xtherm, higher R Value and similar weight for the same price. That'll be the route I go. And thanks for the advice on the pop kit.

Are there alternatives to the slick bags? How about those Eddie Bauer ones... close enough for rock n roll?

 

[arthurvino]

Xtherm thermarest Max and Eddie Bauer first ascent synthetic 15 degree bag.. R5.7 and warm bag for for all conditions


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[LifeAndLiberty]

Checked last night. Price went back up on those Eddie Bauer sleeping bags. Bummer.


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