Kifaru slick bag worth the money?

[mcseal2]

They may deteriorate over time, I don't know. I bought my 20 degree Slickbag used off a forum probably around 6 years ago now and it still works well. I store it draped over a rail in a closet so it's not compressed. I think they have improved the insulation since then, but I can't complain about mine. With merino and fleece layers I've used it down to 0 degrees in Wyoming with no complaints. Last year in Alaska it rained for 5 days almost constantly and I used it to dry gear in our tipi. I've had it against the condensated wall of the tipi to many times also and never got wet inside it. I know down has it's place but my Kifaru bag has worked so well I haven't talked myself into trying anything else.

 

[bridgermgmt]

They may deteriorate over time, I don't know. I bought my 20 degree Slickbag used off a forum probably around 6 years ago now and it still works well. I store it draped over a rail in a closet so it's not compressed. I think they have improved the insulation since then, but I can't complain about mine. With merino and fleece layers I've used it down to 0 degrees in Wyoming with no complaints. Last year in Alaska it rained for 5 days almost constantly and I used it to dry gear in our tipi. I've had it against the condensated wall of the tipi to many times also and never got wet inside it. I know down has it's place but my Kifaru bag has worked so well I haven't talked myself into trying anything else.

That so

Keep hearing a synthetic bag will degrade over time. I am not in the mountains or woods as much as I want to be. I can’t stomach buying something and watching it lose loft/efficiency without use.

I use a bivy and down. I want my money to last and the synthetic degrade question and lack of real opportunity keeps me from pulling the trigger on one.


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I’ve had my eye on the kifaru for a while, but I hunt the desert mostly and have yet to need a synthetic bag. That said, of the synthetic bags I’ve been reading about, kifaru seems like the best overall.

I’d also be interested in expected life of the bag. I usually go through a down bag every 4 ish years. I’m wondering if the synthetic was more durable, if I could get away with using it on less weight dependent outings and prolong my bags life.

 

[mcseal2]

I only get in one good western hunt each year plus a 3-6 day scouting trip. I use the bag occasionally on another trip but mostly just on hunts. I have a HPG mountain serape I'll use if I can get by with it, I'd call it a 40 degree bag but I've taken it down to around 32. I use that serape most of the time on summer fishing trips or other warm weather trips.

I know a lot of guys get more nights in one than me, I wish I could use it more than I do. I know it's worked for me the way I use it really well.

 

[realunlucky]

That so



I’ve had my eye on the kifaru for a while, but I hunt the desert mostly and have yet to need a synthetic bag. That said, of the synthetic bags I’ve been reading about, kifaru seems like the best overall.

I’d also be interested in expected life of the bag. I usually go through a down bag every 4 ish years. I’m wondering if the synthetic was more durable, if I could get away with using it on less weight dependent outings and prolong my bags life.

Quality down should last at least 20 years not sure how your ruining the loft so quickly.

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[bridgermgmt]

Quality down should last at least 20 years not sure how your ruining the loft so quickly.

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Well I guess you could say I am rough on bags. I have had a few high end bags not hold temp ratings after hard use and so I’ve stopped trying to make them last.

I store out of the bag draped in the closet. But we camp often enough that during the warmer months our bags are packed and ready to go. So for as much time As my down spends draped it spends triple that in a backpack.

That being said.... my thinking is to buy a kifaru 20* to rotate in and stop using my down bags for +30* weather.

I should also point out, my 45* quilt and my 40* bag get the most use and happen to be the thinnest and lightest of the bunch. I assume the less down in the bag, the easier the down will break down as more of it will be roughed up than a thicker bag.

I am currently using a wm badger for hunting season and so far... it’s held up perfect. It’s like new. I’d really like to get 5+ years from that bag. And a sacrificial lamb is starting to sound very good.

* side note, the badger has seen storms and I’ve had 0 issues. I assume the kifaru would be the same, but do you still wake with condensation on the bag or does it roll off like goretex?

 

[UglyArcher]

Looking for a new bag?

Without doubt....

 

[Felix40]

Hard for me to get excited about a bag that weighs more than my whole sleep system. First time I saw a slick bag in its stuff sack I thought it had to have more than one bag in there.

 

[superA]

I think most of these comments depend on a few things. Climate, season and sport. Base camp and backpacking, hunting and hiking. Season and elevation or climate. I really doubt that any kifaru product won't be great for what it's meant to do. But they seem to be geared towards the heavy duty low mileage crowd.

 

[bridgermgmt]

Hard for me to get excited about a bag that weighs more than my whole sleep system. First time I saw a slick bag in its stuff sack I thought it had to have more than one bag in there.

This has been the hold up for me. I’m so used to down, and when I see the numbers I start having doubts.

 

[bridgermgmt]

I think most of these comments depend on a few things. Climate, season and sport. Base camp and backpacking, hunting and hiking. Season and elevation or climate. I really doubt that any kifaru product won't be great for what it's meant to do. But they seem to be geared towards the heavy duty low mileage crowd.

So Alaska during a storm, or basecamp during winter in Washington.

 

[bitbckt]

If the temperature is low enough that water is frozen, I don't see a good reason not to use down. If condensation, humidity, or rain are issues, I prefer the weight and size penalty of synthetic, and the slick bag has worked well for me in those conditions.

 

[superA]

So Alaska during a storm, or basecamp during winter in Washington.

If it's being used as a pack in base camp scenario I'd use synthetic. Backpacking, I'd probably use down with a bivy, unless it's a super soggy environment. I camp on our land down by the river and it get's soaked down there. With synthetic I don't worry about a bivy. Really liking my Kifaru Doobie for that. You might want to check out Enlightened Equipment for a more customizable synthetic experience.

 

[bridgermgmt]

If it's being used as a pack in base camp scenario I'd use synthetic. Backpacking, I'd probably use down with a bivy, unless it's a super soggy environment. I camp on our land down by the river and it get's soaked down there. With synthetic I don't worry about a bivy. Really liking my Kifaru Doobie for that. You might want to check out Enlightened Equipment for a more customizable synthetic experience.

So you feel comfortable camping without a bivy or tent and have no issues with waking up soaked in one of these?

 

[superA]

So you feel comfortable camping without a bivy or tent and have no issues with waking up soaked in one of these?

I did the other night, highs were in the 60's with a low of around 37 so lot's of condensation that night. I woke up around 3am and it was soaked on the outside but warm and dry underneath. I ended up moving into a tent because my hair was soaked and I forgot my hat, but the Doobie was great.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

One last thing I’ll add. Is that it’s ridiculous that kifaru sells a 400 dollar bag that doesn’t come with a stiff sack or storage sack.

 

[realunlucky]

Embrace the hate. I doubt your using the original stuff stack that came with your bag anyway or putting it in a dry sack anyway. If a $10 add on makes or breaks a 400$ purchase your focused on the wrong things.

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[bcimport]

The slick bag is decent but I think they got a little greedy on the price point. You can do just as well with a mass produced bag (although it will have been made overseas) for half the price.

My slick had a great shape and I liked the center zip. The Velcro that held the baffle up often ended up rubbing my face in the night and waking me up and the zipper was routinely stuck in the fabric.

All things considered I sold mine and wouldn’t buy another at that price point. A used one for 40% off sure. Otherwise look at mountaineering brand bags.

 

[bridgermgmt]

The slick bag is decent but I think they got a little greedy on the price point. You can do just as well with a mass produced bag (although it will have been made overseas) for half the price.

My slick had a great shape and I liked the center zip. The Velcro that held the baffle up often ended up rubbing my face in the night and waking me up and the zipper was routinely stuck in the fabric.

All things considered I sold mine and wouldn’t buy another at that price point. A used one for 40% off sure. Otherwise look at mountaineering brand bags.

Do any specific brand\Models stick out to you as a fairly close comparable model?

 

[bridgermgmt]

And does anyone know the rating for the material? 60d, 70d etc

 

[bcimport]

I would look at the temp rating you want in a North Face, REI or Mountain Hardware synthetic bag. They’re all going to work. There is no free lunch in synthetic insulation, for a bag that’s actually comfortable for most of us down to freezing it’s going to be rated to 20 degrees by the manufacturer. That bag is going to be bulky and need a compression stuff sack to be manageable and it’s going to be nearly 4#. It just is what it is.

I’ve used down and never had a complete failure but I was always careful. I picked up another synthetic bag for this year as we’re doing a coastal jungle mountain goat hunt and their is an above average chance that things will be very wet and miserable. So I’ll pay the 2# and 50% bigger penalty for some insurance margin. I went with a Wiggys bag because they’ve been good for me and made in USA. But it does weigh a little more and you have to smash it into submission to get it in the compression stuff sack.