LoneGriz
FNG
Just my $.02...
I own...
- Kifaru 0 degree, wide, side zip (don't remember if long or standard length... likely standard length since I am 5' 11')
- Kifaru 0 degree, wide, center zip (don't remember if long or standard length... likely standard length since I am 5' 11')
- Western Mountaineering, Badger, 15 degree, 6' 6"
- And just bought the KUIU 15 degree standard (6') and long (6' 5")
I bought the KUIU bags during last week's 25% off sale, because the Kifaru wide bags don't keep me warm, even into the mid-upper 30 degrees... and I need a wet weather bag (synthetic, water proof-resistant down, etc.) I can pack/spike camp hunt with. I'm still thinking about trying a Kifaru 0 degree/20 degree standard width bag, but haven't yet.
Kifaru:
I took the Kifaru 0 degree, wide, side zip on a AK float moose hunt in 2011. Thank God I had a woobie with me, or it could have been a miserable trip. The temps didn't drop below 30 degrees. 't seems that the extra space in the wide slick bags just eliminate the insulation properties for me. If/when I add a wobble, I'm fine. So, the Kifaru wide bags make a good base camp option because of the extra width/comfort, with a woobie or doobie close by for added warmth as needed based on temps.
I took the Kifaru 0 degree, wide, center zip on a CO Holy Cross timberline muzz elk hunt this September thinking the side zip I had was a 'dud', or I left it compressed too long, etc. Nope. Once again, I had to use the woobie to fill space to stay warm. The temps only dropped to 36 degrees (based on the thermometer on my CORE watch in the morning (4-5am) when I got up. Fortunately it was a "drop camp" situation, so I brought the woobie and my WM Badger (see WM Badger experience below) as well as the Kifaru bag.
As mentioned above, I'm tempted to try the 0 or 20 degree center zip standard width bag to see if I have a different experience, but am tired on dropping $ on these bags expecting different results (definition of insanity). But, I do have faith in Patrick, and have lots of Kifaru gear I love, so I might look for someone offloading a 0 or 20 degree center zip standard width bag and try again. I plan to keep the Kifaru bag(s) I have for car/truck base camp situations where the luxury of width/comfort is an option.
Western Mountaineering - Badger
As mentioned above, I took the Badger as a backup bag on this years muzz elk hunt. I also took to use backpack spike camp hunting from the drop camp base camp. It kept me warm without a hint of getting cold in the same temps the Kifaru bag failed me. So, even though I may be a cold sleeper (the Kifaru bag experiences had me thinking I was a cold sleeper at least), I did not have any problems with the 15 degree bag in 30-40 degree conditions, which is what you would expect.
KUIU: 15 Degree Super Down
As stated above, I bought the standard and long KUIU bags and am in the process of determining which to keep/use. The standard length bag is pretty tight (width - 62") for me (5' 11', 250 lbs - pretty big guy), which is why I bought the long bag for comparison since is 2" wider (KUIU: width - 64"; WM Badger: 67" wide; Kifaru Wide: 74.5"). I'm still a bit skeptical about this waterproof/water-resistant down 'stuff', but the technology has been around long enough with several manufacturers without much negative feedback, so I figured it was worth a try.
I appreciate this thread. I thought I was the only one that was having issues with the Kifaru 0 degree wide bags performing to the temp rating. Obviously not. Someone may have answered this, but why aren't the Kifaru bags temp rating tested by an official 3rd party against sleeping bag rating standards? The KUIU bags are, and I assume the WM bags are as well. Maybe Aaron can answer this one?
I own...
- Kifaru 0 degree, wide, side zip (don't remember if long or standard length... likely standard length since I am 5' 11')
- Kifaru 0 degree, wide, center zip (don't remember if long or standard length... likely standard length since I am 5' 11')
- Western Mountaineering, Badger, 15 degree, 6' 6"
- And just bought the KUIU 15 degree standard (6') and long (6' 5")
I bought the KUIU bags during last week's 25% off sale, because the Kifaru wide bags don't keep me warm, even into the mid-upper 30 degrees... and I need a wet weather bag (synthetic, water proof-resistant down, etc.) I can pack/spike camp hunt with. I'm still thinking about trying a Kifaru 0 degree/20 degree standard width bag, but haven't yet.
Kifaru:
I took the Kifaru 0 degree, wide, side zip on a AK float moose hunt in 2011. Thank God I had a woobie with me, or it could have been a miserable trip. The temps didn't drop below 30 degrees. 't seems that the extra space in the wide slick bags just eliminate the insulation properties for me. If/when I add a wobble, I'm fine. So, the Kifaru wide bags make a good base camp option because of the extra width/comfort, with a woobie or doobie close by for added warmth as needed based on temps.
I took the Kifaru 0 degree, wide, center zip on a CO Holy Cross timberline muzz elk hunt this September thinking the side zip I had was a 'dud', or I left it compressed too long, etc. Nope. Once again, I had to use the woobie to fill space to stay warm. The temps only dropped to 36 degrees (based on the thermometer on my CORE watch in the morning (4-5am) when I got up. Fortunately it was a "drop camp" situation, so I brought the woobie and my WM Badger (see WM Badger experience below) as well as the Kifaru bag.
As mentioned above, I'm tempted to try the 0 or 20 degree center zip standard width bag to see if I have a different experience, but am tired on dropping $ on these bags expecting different results (definition of insanity). But, I do have faith in Patrick, and have lots of Kifaru gear I love, so I might look for someone offloading a 0 or 20 degree center zip standard width bag and try again. I plan to keep the Kifaru bag(s) I have for car/truck base camp situations where the luxury of width/comfort is an option.
Western Mountaineering - Badger
As mentioned above, I took the Badger as a backup bag on this years muzz elk hunt. I also took to use backpack spike camp hunting from the drop camp base camp. It kept me warm without a hint of getting cold in the same temps the Kifaru bag failed me. So, even though I may be a cold sleeper (the Kifaru bag experiences had me thinking I was a cold sleeper at least), I did not have any problems with the 15 degree bag in 30-40 degree conditions, which is what you would expect.
KUIU: 15 Degree Super Down
As stated above, I bought the standard and long KUIU bags and am in the process of determining which to keep/use. The standard length bag is pretty tight (width - 62") for me (5' 11', 250 lbs - pretty big guy), which is why I bought the long bag for comparison since is 2" wider (KUIU: width - 64"; WM Badger: 67" wide; Kifaru Wide: 74.5"). I'm still a bit skeptical about this waterproof/water-resistant down 'stuff', but the technology has been around long enough with several manufacturers without much negative feedback, so I figured it was worth a try.
I appreciate this thread. I thought I was the only one that was having issues with the Kifaru 0 degree wide bags performing to the temp rating. Obviously not. Someone may have answered this, but why aren't the Kifaru bags temp rating tested by an official 3rd party against sleeping bag rating standards? The KUIU bags are, and I assume the WM bags are as well. Maybe Aaron can answer this one?
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