Help with new bag/pad setup

[cwoodyt87]

Happy Friday, fellas.

Need some help here. Looking to upgrade both my bag and pack this year for cold-weather hunts (0-10F). Found out the hard way how much it sucks to sleep in single digits with a pad that's old enough to drive. I've settled on the NeoAir XTherm for the R-value and weight combination. Undecdided on bags, but that's for another thread.

Here is where I need your help! I'm EXACTLY 6' tall. Not a hair over, or under. As most of you know, most bags/pads are rated UP TO 6'.

My questions:

1. For the pad: Should I get the regular size (measures exactly 6ft) or size up to the Large (hair under 6'6", but extra 5 cm wide and 5 extra oz)?

2. For the bag: Same deal - go with the regular that fits UP TO 6' or go with the long. (think i already know the answer to this, but wanted your thoughts).

Worth noting: I'm also going to run a hammock this year, if that factors in.

Would really love input from people that are also right at the 6 foot mark! That being said, all opinions are welcome.

Thanks guys.

EDIT: Link below for the XTherm. Specs are listed.

http://www.cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/mattresses/fast-and-light/neoair-xtherm/product

Love that it's made in the good ol' U-S-of-A

 

[colonel00]

XTherm will do you fine and personally I would get the Large size as I like the extra width and length but that is just me.

I think the big question that I didn't see you mention is what exactly are you gearing up for and how much does weight play a factor? Overall, for comfort, I like long bags even though I am probably a hair shorter than you are. But, with that said, I also like to move around and I can't stand a really tight mummy bag.

Also, have you given quilts any thought? This might end up being a better option as I think they will work better with hammocks if I am not mistaken.

 

[TEmbry]

I'm between 6'2" and 6'3" and I still use regular sized pads. I use a pillow so whether or not my head is on the pad is of no concern to me (still fits but it's close and often wiggles off as I move throughout night). I place my pillow at the top of my pad and have zero problems with size of my pad. I also use a tigoat Bivy though which helps keep my whole setup together and in place.

I do go for the long version of bags though.

I'd do regular for sure at your height. Toss up on your preference for the bag length though.

 

[armyjoe]

Happy Friday, fellas.

Need some help here. Looking to upgrade both my bag and pack this year for cold-weather hunts (0-10F). Found out the hard way how much it sucks to sleep in single digits with a pad that's old enough to drive. I've settled on the NeoAir XTherm for the R-value and weight combination. Undecdided on bags, but that's for another thread.

Here is where I need your help! I'm EXACTLY 6' tall. Not a hair over, or under. As most of you know, most bags/pads are rated UP TO 6'.

My questions:

1. For the pad: Should I get the regular size (measures exactly 6ft) or size up to the Large (hair under 6'6", but extra 5 cm wide and 5 extra oz)?

2. For the bag: Same deal - go with the regular that fits UP TO 6' or go with the long. (think i already know the answer to this, but wanted your thoughts).

Worth noting: I'm also going to run a hammock this year, if that factors in.

Would really love input from people that are also right at the 6 foot mark! That being said, all opinions are welcome.

Thanks guys.

EDIT: Link below for the XTherm. Specs are listed.

http://www.cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/mattresses/fast-and-light/neoair-xtherm/product

Love that it's made in the good ol' U-S-of-A

Without a doubt you want to size up on both the pad and the bag. The pad might be a personal preference but you will be way more comfortable. The bag however is a no brainier. You don't want to completely fill your bag to compress the insulation so the extra couple inches is a must if you are an exact 6'.

 

[cwoodyt87]

Without a doubt you want to size up on both the pad and the bag. The pad might be a personal preference but you will be way more comfortable. The bag however is a no brainier. You don't want to completely fill your bag to compress the insulation so the extra couple inches is a must if you are an exact 6'.

I have heard this before, but to me it doesn't make sense. How does filling out the bag compress the insulation? The inner bag is smaller than the outer, with the insulation between the two layers. So, if you fill out the inner bag, the loft should be uneffected. I would love a further explanation because this isn't the first time I've heard this.

I have also heard that having a bag that is too long causes dead air space at the feet, resulting in cold feet.

 

[TEmbry]

Filling the entire bag is fine... It's when you are a bit too large and you push outwardly on the bag, it compresses the insulation at these points causing cold spots. Theoretically if you fit JUST inside the bag with no wasted space and no outward pressure on your bag it would be the perfect fit.

 

[littlebuf]

I'm 6'5" and run a standard length pad. But I'm not looking for hilton type comfort out there just a place to sleep so I'm not packing extra ounces. Think it goes without saying I run long a long for my quilt, extra long on my new one in fact

 

[cwoodyt87]

Filling the entire bag is fine... It's when you are a bit too large and you push outwardly on the bag, it compresses the insulation at these points causing cold spots. Theoretically if you fit JUST inside the bag with no wasted space and no outward pressure on your bag it would be the perfect fit.

This makes perfect sense. I'm thinking I'll probably order the regular, try it on, and if there are any tight spots switch to the long.

Any other opinions on pad length? I usually run a 3/4 length ridgerest with no r value, but for winter camping I want something that will keep my feet from turning to blocks of ice. Should I err on the side of caution and go Large (and gain a few ounces)? Or will a 6 foot pad and 6 foot bag do?

 

[colonel00]

Where are you at in MO? I saw you posted in the Ozarks thread and that should be a good chance to check out some examples. Also I mentioned maybe doing something in KC.

 

[cwoodyt87]

Where are you at in MO? I saw you posted in the Ozarks thread and that should be a good chance to check out some examples. Also I mentioned maybe doing something in KC.

STL Area - shoot me a PM, I'm down for the Ozark/KC meetup depending on dates

 

[fillthefreezer]

i would go standard. im 6' exactly as well and have never found a need for a long or wide pad/bag.

have you slept on the xtherm? specs alone, i was sold on one too, until the first time i layed down on it. its like sleeping on a bag of potato chips!
whats your price range for a bag?

 

[cwoodyt87]

i would go standard. im 6' exactly as well and have never found a need for a long or wide pad/bag.

have you slept on the xtherm? specs alone, i was sold on one too, until the first time i layed down on it. its like sleeping on a bag of potato chips!
whats your price range for a bag?

Thanks for the heads-up. While noise probably won't bother me, I'll have to check it out first. What are you currently using?

Bag is a long way away of from being ordered, I still have a lot of research and consideration to do on that front. While I love the weight/warmth/packability of down, I'll probably go synthetic for the moisture management and price. I'll post later when it comes time to purchase and start that conversation.

 

[fillthefreezer]

im using the qcore sl. ive only got one full season on it though. had a standard qcore before that.

 

[Justin Crossley]

cwoodyt87,
Littlebuf's post above pretty much sums up how I feel about this.

I use the Xtherm and haven't had a problem with the "noise" issue. You can't beat it for weight/warmth/comfort IMO. Littlebuf uses the Xlite with the same results.

I shared a tent with a couple different hunting buddies last year and never had a complaint.

I'm only 5'10" so I can't help you with the size questions.

 

[cwoodyt87]

Thanks all for the input!

Another question for those running a hammock setup - is it difficult using a pad with a hammock? I know underquilt are an option, but I'd rather not buy one if a pad will work for the bottom insulation.

 

[gelton]

The neo air x therm in regular is really slim for anyone with wide shoulders. I got the long version simply because it is wider. However if you are a more narrow build the regular should work fine.

As for the bag - I am your exact height and just picked up a western mountaineering kodiak and I went with the long (6'6) and couldn't be happier. If you think about it 3 inches longer in the foot to store clothes or water bottle and 3 extra inches for your hood is not that much extra room.

Others will say that smaller tighter bags are easier to keep warm and therefore more efficient but I personally enjoy the extra space because it's not so claustrophobic.

 

[LandYacht]

I too am 6' and I find my regular length Western Mountaineering Versalite to be the perfect length. I have a long length North Face bag and between the two the WM bag is the length for me. I dislike the extra space at the foot of my NF bag, but to each his own...

 

[back country]

I too am 6' and I find my regular length Western Mountaineering Versalite to be the perfect length. I have a long length North Face bag and between the two the WM bag is the length for me. I dislike the extra space at the foot of my NF bag, but to each his own...

How has ther versatile performed for you? Knowing what you now know with the experience you have with it, would you buy it again if looking for a new bag? I've been eyeing one for a few months now...

 

[bandit1]

I know you said you're going with a hammock. If you intend to dwell on the ground at all, I would say the pad size is a function of your size but more importantly, how you sleep. I'm only 5'9 but am a side sleeper and move a lot. I tried a regular sized pad and hated it. I've been using an original neo air large since they came out and I really like it. No way on the regular for me. You've got big dudes using regulars and small ones using larges. Just depends on how you sleep.

 

[LandYacht]

How has ther versatile performed for you? Knowing what you now know with the experience you have with it, would you buy it again if looking for a new bag? I've been eyeing one for a few months now...

I really like it. I use it like a quilt until the temps get cold enough that I need to zip it up. That's the great thing about having the full length zipper, I have a bag liner that I use and between that and the bag I don't ever have to be zipped in above freezing. I have had it down to 5 degrees and been quite comfortable with merino baselayers on and using it as a true sleeping bag. I could feel the cooler air hitting the spots where I would compress the down from sleeping in my favorite fetal position, but nothing uncomfortable.

I use a tarp all the time, so I don't really worry about it getting wet. I suppose if a gallon of water were poured directly on it the water would go through the seams and make for a miserable night, but I don't really see that happening. On another note, synthetics might still insulate when wet, but wet is wet and it's not going to be great with synthetics vs. down, better have a backup plan regardless of down or synthetic. Back on track: it resists moisture like what you get on your tent walls some nights. It dries out insanely fast especially if you have a little sun to help it along. Be careful if you have it out on a pine branch drying as it doesn't take much wind to make it begin to fly.

My regular weighs in at the reported two pounds so the weight is more than reasonable for something that I know I can push to 0* with layers and a good pad. I sometimes think about buying something like a summerlite or highlite to shave a pound off my pack weight, but it will be a long time before I do that, as really the extra pound comes in handy when you get a snowstorm during archery season.

To make a long answer short it is one of my favorite pieces of gear that I own AND I would definitely buy it again....