Need help with sleeping bags!

[JRHunter67]

Hey Everyone,

This year is going to be my first year getting into back pack hunting and need suggestions on good 20 degree bags in the $250 dollar range or less that are decent weight and pack size. Could go a little higher in price if needed for good quality.

Thanks in Advance!

 

[jb79]

There are a ton of threads on this topic if you use the search or just keep scrolling, down vs synthetic, price point, just about all the comparisons you would want.... Don't over look quilts either

 

[oldgoat]

Look through the Gritty Bowmen podcasts, there is one on sleep systems. www.grittybowmen.com I was in your shoes last year so I don't have a ton of input, but if comfort is a big deal, the Big Agnes bags and pads allowed me and my wife who are in our fifties sleep very comfortably on the ground. And to take that a little farther to explain how comfortable they are, my wife is like the princess in the fairytale story about the princess and the pea, she's arthritic a little and she was able to spend multiple nights sleeping on the ground. That's my 2cents, they are definitely not the lightest combo going though, but I get email updates from Big Agnes and they have some new designs out that are supposed to be lighter this year!

 

[gwl79902]

I just got a REI igneo and really like it. I sleep cold and this bag has worked well into the high 20's for me. Theynare at that 250 price point.

 

[migolito]

If you are getting into Backpack hunting, you may as well start leaning towards ultralite stuff. In the long run, it will save you from replicating buying the same stuff twice. Look at Western Mountaineering or Feathered Friends. Get down only. Yes, they are more expensive than most, but, they will last the rest of your life. Also, think about using a quilt-look at Enlightened Equipment.

 

[mmccolloch]

If you are getting into Backpack hunting, you may as well start leaning towards ultralite stuff. In the long run, it will save you from replicating buying the same stuff twice.

I definitely second this opinion. Although I'm not a super ultra lightweight guy, I've been pretty cognizant of weighing all my gear and cutting weight where it makes sense. I would suggest putting together a gear list and inputting all of the weights of the items that you will be taking with you on your trips. Not only is this a great tool to keep you from forgetting things, it will also get you a good picture on how much your actual pack weight will be when you hit the trail. When I first started backpacking/camping, I didn't weigh anything. And since then, I have gone through and had to re-buy pretty much all of my gear. If I would've just done some additional research and spend a little extra money up front, I would be WAY ahead on the cash side of things. It doesn't sound like much, but if you can save 6-8 oz. by spending $50 more on a sleeping bag, it is a pretty good weight savings for the money.

To answer your original question, I'm personally a synthetic sleeping bag fan, so I would look into the Mountain Hardware Lamina series bags. I haven't purchased mine as of yet, but they are the lightest bags for the money that I have found. Most of the reviews that I have read on them are also pretty good. There was also a thread on here recently for an Eddie Bauer sleeping bag that was rated for 15* and was on sale for $150. Not sure if they are still on sale or not. You may want to see if you can get in touch with the guy that bought this bag to see if he has had a chance to put them through their paces yet if you decide to buy one.

 

[kickemall]

Hard to beat the Mountain Hardware Ultra Lamina for a synthetic in that price range.

 

[justfleming22]

I'll agree on the mountain hardware hyperlamina series. They compress pretty small for a synthetic and retain heat well. Mountain Hardware has deals on them pretty regularly as well.


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[LBFowler]

Kelty has some good value options, don't get the cheapest bags they offer, but their mid-range stuff is decent. would only recommend their down stuff.

I've had good luck with some REI down bags, but some of their newer stuff doesn't look as good.

Enlightened equipment is great bang for the buck, but LONG wait times right now.

Nunatak is a super high-end brand but they recently introduced a budget version; with a shorter wait time then EE:
New Arc Lite quilt

 

[JeremiahH]

you might as well start with something good enough to keep at that price. and buying USA made is always good when you can IMO.

http://www.enlightenedequipment.com/revelation/
or
http://www.hammockgear.com/burrow-20/

 

[Muttly]

If you decide to look at quilts, might check out Underground Quilts. Shorter lead times at this point, couple of us on here have em on order.
Think their standard widths are 50 and 55", but they will do custom work, so you can get them in wider widths too.

 

[Jimss]

Another consideration is whether a 20 degree bag is warm enough? I am pretty much cold blooded and use a 0 degree bag most of the time. I can always open up my bag if too warm but am miserable if cold. On my last Sept elk hunt in Wyo I put on every bit of clothes I brought with me plus my coat over me in my bag and I was still cold with my 0 degree bag. Just something to think about if you are backpacking at timberline in Sept.

 

[trapperjay]

Jimss
Glad you brought that up. I'm shopping for mine right mow too amd I'm a COLD sleeper. Been looking at down but adding extra fill.